Anonymous
02/15/2017 10:52
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:In every single classroom at our Focus School, there are at least 2 groups of kids reading above grade level. Usually one group reading at least 1.5 years ahead, and one group reading ahead of grade level but not quite as fluently as the first group.
The difference is that there is ALSO a group of kids reading at or below grade level but in our years with multiple kids at the same school, I've never had the sense that teachers ignored my middle-class high performing kids, or didn't work with them.
And at Cold Spring Elementary EVERY reading group is reading above grade level. Some are 2 grades above level although they keep them in the top level of the following grade as a new MCPS rule. I volunteer there weekly.
So you saying at least 2? Big deal. I doubt there are any non-Title schools where at least half aren't above. Most schools have above level for the involved families and below for the poor and illegal immigrant families. The whole reason you get funding. Teachers are supposed to teach more to the kids that do not get help at home. Because we don't hold parents accountable anymore. Instead we pity them and we blame teachers, politicians, and government for our child's lack of learning.
It's not surprising that one of the richest schools in MCPS has virtually every kid reading above grade level. That's great, and predictable. The question, though, is whether you HAVE to be at Cold Spring to get enriched above grade level. The answer is no. Diverse schools can also meet the needs of high achieving kids, and do.
Cold Spring doesn't have enrichment. Being in a higher reading group does not equal enrichment. You still go back and get the same boring worksheets as everyone else all day. Common core does not allow you to have any enrichment in K-3rd. People that think you do, weren't around 5-10 years ago when ENTIRE classes were tracked and moved an entire grade above in ALL academic studies. Some kids were moved to math classes 2 years above them. Kids were tracked and then enriched. It just doesn't happen anymore.
Anonymous
02/15/2017 10:38
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:In every single classroom at our Focus School, there are at least 2 groups of kids reading above grade level. Usually one group reading at least 1.5 years ahead, and one group reading ahead of grade level but not quite as fluently as the first group.
The difference is that there is ALSO a group of kids reading at or below grade level but in our years with multiple kids at the same school, I've never had the sense that teachers ignored my middle-class high performing kids, or didn't work with them.
And at Cold Spring Elementary EVERY reading group is reading above grade level. Some are 2 grades above level although they keep them in the top level of the following grade as a new MCPS rule. I volunteer there weekly.
So you saying at least 2? Big deal. I doubt there are any non-Title schools where at least half aren't above. Most schools have above level for the involved families and below for the poor and illegal immigrant families. The whole reason you get funding. Teachers are supposed to teach more to the kids that do not get help at home. Because we don't hold parents accountable anymore. Instead we pity them and we blame teachers, politicians, and government for our child's lack of learning.
It's not surprising that one of the richest schools in MCPS has virtually every kid reading above grade level. That's great, and predictable. The question, though, is whether you HAVE to be at Cold Spring to get enriched above grade level. The answer is no. Diverse schools can also meet the needs of high achieving kids, and do.
Anonymous
02/15/2017 10:15
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Some schools seem to offer some differentiation
Takoma Park ES does offer some enrichment.
That's been our experience too! In first grade, enriched math was a mix of 2nd and 3rd grade common core objectives. In short, this focus school was able to cater to kids at a range of levels, and we're glad our kids go there.
Takoma Park is a focus school for enrichment looking to see if ES schools could input Magnet programs. You are lucky you go there but it is not at any other ES school so generally the OP's question is no
Anonymous
02/13/2017 23:43
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My DC (first grader) is in an accelerated math class--his math teacher is the school's math specialist. We're at a Title I school.
+1 same with my first grader also at a Title 1 school.
Because it is title 1. Your accelerated class is a normal schools basic
What is that assertion based on?
They are title 1 because the needs and test scores are so low. This is called common sense.
This is true. How many kids read on or above grade level in a Title One school v. non-Title One?
Obviously the test scores are generally higher at non-Title I schools...
...but it seems to me that you're implying that high achieving students at Title I schools do not exist. That is so far from the truth.
No one said there weren't some high achieving students at these schools. They are saying they don't have classes specifically for advanced kids. If the kids that are above grade level in Title 1 are getting "enrichments" compared to their other classmates, it is no different than what the highest math group in a non Title 1 school is giving. It just isn't called enrichments. No MCPS school cares above the top 1/4 of kids. Their job is to bring up the rear. And the rear has been dropping lower and lower every year. Maybe a Title 1 teacher has a little more time because ratios are lower but his/her main focus is to get the kids at the lowest up to baseline. That is why the school gets the extra funding. The district doesn't give two craps about the higher achieving kids in those schools UNLESS the bottoms are moving up at a better speed. Because the #1 and only goal is to close the achievement gap. Why do you think they got rid of lower ES acceleration to begin with? To close the gap. The fact that some of you think MCPS actually cares about gifted kids in K-3 is hilarious.
Completely on point.
Anonymous
02/13/2017 23:41
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:In every single classroom at our Focus School, there are at least 2 groups of kids reading above grade level. Usually one group reading at least 1.5 years ahead, and one group reading ahead of grade level but not quite as fluently as the first group.
The difference is that there is ALSO a group of kids reading at or below grade level but in our years with multiple kids at the same school, I've never had the sense that teachers ignored my middle-class high performing kids, or didn't work with them.
And at Cold Spring Elementary EVERY reading group is reading above grade level. Some are 2 grades above level although they keep them in the top level of the following grade as a new MCPS rule. I volunteer there weekly.
So you saying at least 2? Big deal. I doubt there are any non-Title schools where at least half aren't above. Most schools have above level for the involved families and below for the poor and illegal immigrant families. The whole reason you get funding. Teachers are supposed to teach more to the kids that do not get help at home. Because we don't hold parents accountable anymore. Instead we pity them and we blame teachers, politicians, and government for our child's lack of learning.
Anonymous
02/13/2017 11:56
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Some schools seem to offer some differentiation
Takoma Park ES does offer some enrichment.
That's been our experience too! In first grade, enriched math was a mix of 2nd and 3rd grade common core objectives. In short, this focus school was able to cater to kids at a range of levels, and we're glad our kids go there.
Anonymous
02/13/2017 11:11
Subject: Re:Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
+1
some schools don't want to help the advanced kids. It makes it harder to demonstrate "progress."
MCPS cares only if your kid is behind, and even then, no intervention unless kid is more than one grade year behind via IEP.
Then at PARCC time, they only care if your kid can pass, so attention on the kids under the benchmark.
Good luck.
some schools don't want to help the advanced kids. It makes it harder to demonstrate "progress."
MCPS cares only if your kid is behind, and even then, no intervention unless kid is more than one grade year behind via IEP.
Then at PARCC time, they only care if your kid can pass, so attention on the kids under the benchmark.
Good luck.
Anonymous
02/13/2017 02:55
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My DC (first grader) is in an accelerated math class--his math teacher is the school's math specialist. We're at a Title I school.
+1 same with my first grader also at a Title 1 school.
Because it is title 1. Your accelerated class is a normal schools basic
What is that assertion based on?
They are title 1 because the needs and test scores are so low. This is called common sense.
This is true. How many kids read on or above grade level in a Title One school v. non-Title One?
Obviously the test scores are generally higher at non-Title I schools...
...but it seems to me that you're implying that high achieving students at Title I schools do not exist. That is so far from the truth.
No one said there weren't some high achieving students at these schools. They are saying they don't have classes specifically for advanced kids. If the kids that are above grade level in Title 1 are getting "enrichments" compared to their other classmates, it is no different than what the highest math group in a non Title 1 school is giving. It just isn't called enrichments. No MCPS school cares above the top 1/4 of kids. Their job is to bring up the rear. And the rear has been dropping lower and lower every year. Maybe a Title 1 teacher has a little more time because ratios are lower but his/her main focus is to get the kids at the lowest up to baseline. That is why the school gets the extra funding. The district doesn't give two craps about the higher achieving kids in those schools UNLESS the bottoms are moving up at a better speed. Because the #1 and only goal is to close the achievement gap. Why do you think they got rid of lower ES acceleration to begin with? To close the gap. The fact that some of you think MCPS actually cares about gifted kids in K-3 is hilarious.
Anonymous
02/12/2017 19:25
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
To answer OP's question, a truly profoundly gifted kid will probably be bored at any MCPS school in early elementary. Beyond that, for a bright and intellectually curious kid, it is going to depend heavily on the school.
I see folks on this board complaining all the time about how their kids aren't being challenged in their "W Schools" and they get homework back unmarked and ungraded, and it makes me glad we picked a school where the smaller class sizes and high standards set by the administration mean that homework is corrected, graded, and returned weekly, and where the teachers go out of their way to make sure each kid is working at an appropriately challenging level.
Maybe we just got lucky and those W School folks got unlucky. I don't know. But this is definitely school by school, not Title I vs. Everyone Else.
I see folks on this board complaining all the time about how their kids aren't being challenged in their "W Schools" and they get homework back unmarked and ungraded, and it makes me glad we picked a school where the smaller class sizes and high standards set by the administration mean that homework is corrected, graded, and returned weekly, and where the teachers go out of their way to make sure each kid is working at an appropriately challenging level.
Maybe we just got lucky and those W School folks got unlucky. I don't know. But this is definitely school by school, not Title I vs. Everyone Else.
Anonymous
02/12/2017 19:18
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
In every single classroom at our Focus School, there are at least 2 groups of kids reading above grade level. Usually one group reading at least 1.5 years ahead, and one group reading ahead of grade level but not quite as fluently as the first group.
The difference is that there is ALSO a group of kids reading at or below grade level but in our years with multiple kids at the same school, I've never had the sense that teachers ignored my middle-class high performing kids, or didn't work with them.
The difference is that there is ALSO a group of kids reading at or below grade level but in our years with multiple kids at the same school, I've never had the sense that teachers ignored my middle-class high performing kids, or didn't work with them.
Anonymous
02/12/2017 19:08
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My DC (first grader) is in an accelerated math class--his math teacher is the school's math specialist. We're at a Title I school.
+1 same with my first grader also at a Title 1 school.
Because it is title 1. Your accelerated class is a normal schools basic
What is that assertion based on?
They are title 1 because the needs and test scores are so low. This is called common sense.
This is true. How many kids read on or above grade level in a Title One school v. non-Title One?
My kindergartner is at a level 9 which is a 1st grade reading level.
Anonymous
02/12/2017 19:06
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My DC (first grader) is in an accelerated math class--his math teacher is the school's math specialist. We're at a Title I school.
+1 same with my first grader also at a Title 1 school.
Because it is title 1. Your accelerated class is a normal schools basic
I'm sorry that you feel the need to lift yourself and your decision to live in a specific area by attempting to tear others down...and doing it anonymously, which is SO typical of quite a few in this area.
I'll let you believe what you want...because I stopped playing the game of trying to explain our children's actual experience in their classrooms to people like you.
+1
Anonymous
02/12/2017 18:06
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Title I schools are not Title I because test scores are low. They are Title I because many children receive free and reduced meals.
Yes, high achieving kids exist in Title I and Focus Schools, and my experience is that teachers in Title I schools are more willing to differentiate (yes, even above "W School normal") because the teachers that stick around Title I and Focus Schools are strong educators that understand their class is going to have kids with diverse needs.
Also, since the high achieving kids in Title I schools tend to actually be gifted rather than just coached to the teeth, teachers are willing to move them ahead quickly.
Yes, high achieving kids exist in Title I and Focus Schools, and my experience is that teachers in Title I schools are more willing to differentiate (yes, even above "W School normal") because the teachers that stick around Title I and Focus Schools are strong educators that understand their class is going to have kids with diverse needs.
Also, since the high achieving kids in Title I schools tend to actually be gifted rather than just coached to the teeth, teachers are willing to move them ahead quickly.
Anonymous
02/12/2017 14:43
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My DC (first grader) is in an accelerated math class--his math teacher is the school's math specialist. We're at a Title I school.
+1 same with my first grader also at a Title 1 school.
Because it is title 1. Your accelerated class is a normal schools basic
What is that assertion based on?
They are title 1 because the needs and test scores are so low. This is called common sense.
This is true. How many kids read on or above grade level in a Title One school v. non-Title One?
Obviously the test scores are generally higher at non-Title I schools...
...but it seems to me that you're implying that high achieving students at Title I schools do not exist. That is so far from the truth.
Anonymous
02/12/2017 14:10
Subject: Does mcps ever offer any math acceleration for kindergarten-3rd grade kids who are super advanced
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My DC (first grader) is in an accelerated math class--his math teacher is the school's math specialist. We're at a Title I school.
+1 same with my first grader also at a Title 1 school.
Because it is title 1. Your accelerated class is a normal schools basic
What is that assertion based on?
They are title 1 because the needs and test scores are so low. This is called common sense.
This is true. How many kids read on or above grade level in a Title One school v. non-Title One?