I will also add that, as far as the retake policy, this just changed. And it was because APS realized how terrible the previous policy was and how it varied from school to school and teacher to teacher (some teachers made kids jump through hoops to do a retake while others handed out the same test). 

I think the retake policy was well intended; we want kids to learn the material, not just be after the "A." But it was poorly executed and thought out and created more work for teachers (creating more than one test, finding time to give out retakes, etc.). It also stressed some kids out who are constantly striving for the best grade; they became behind on new content while trying to study (again) for previous content. Or, they had soccer that night and just decided not to study and see what was on the test, knowing they could take it again.

I actually did say my kids elementary school does not have homework in my original post. You have the wrong poster.

But can you please provide all the schools that still have homework? I'd really love to know.

And which schools (elementary level) do not do SBG? I know Jamestown is still using traditional grading but is switching to SBG next year.

Also, I'd love to know which schools are still providing a gifted program. We have an AAC at our elementary school, and teachers are expected to provide differentiated learning. There is no "gifted" program per se. There is a whole other recent thread on DCUM discussing the lack of rigor with the AAC model.  You should check it out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What misinfo am I spreading? Our north alrington school does not have homework and thats a fact. And I know that many of the elementary schools do not require homework. I also know Sawnson middle school (where I have a child) does not require much homework.

I'm not sure how that is misinformation? Please let me know which schools do require homework, especially at the elementary level. I'd love to know!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't have any homework in our elementary school in north arlington. And very little in middle.

So you are incorrect!! Most elementarys in arlington do not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow such vitriol. I was just curious. We are a young family and about half our block goes to private — if we were doing it again, we would have moved to Fairfax and saved the tuition money.

Combined with less frequent commutes, I wonder if Arlington prices will actually decline.

You are so, so clueless.

Seriously. Starting with, less reject the premise that the schools lack rigor. What an absurd, lazy trope unsupported by any evidence.

They eliminated gifted, zero homework policy, unlimited test retakes, and standards based grading. Rigor ELIMINATED.

Do you actually have a kid in APS? Clearly not.

Because they haven’t eliminated gifts and kids still get homework. And there are not unlimited test retakes.

Stop spreading misinformation.

Some ES schools eliminating homework does not mean that APS eliminated homework. Stop spreading misinformation.

You didn't say "my kids' ES". We were talking about APS and spoke as if there wasn't homework anywhere.

Also you said they:
eliminated gifts - untrue
allow unlimited test retakes - untrue
are doing SBG - untrue

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What misinfo am I spreading? Our north alrington school does not have homework and thats a fact. And I know that many of the elementary schools do not require homework. I also know Sawnson middle school (where I have a child) does not require much homework.

I'm not sure how that is misinformation? Please let me know which schools do require homework, especially at the elementary level. I'd love to know!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't have any homework in our elementary school in north arlington. And very little in middle.

So you are incorrect!! Most elementarys in arlington do not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow such vitriol. I was just curious. We are a young family and about half our block goes to private — if we were doing it again, we would have moved to Fairfax and saved the tuition money.

Combined with less frequent commutes, I wonder if Arlington prices will actually decline.

You are so, so clueless.

Seriously. Starting with, less reject the premise that the schools lack rigor. What an absurd, lazy trope unsupported by any evidence.

They eliminated gifted, zero homework policy, unlimited test retakes, and standards based grading. Rigor ELIMINATED.

Do you actually have a kid in APS? Clearly not.

Because they haven’t eliminated gifts and kids still get homework. And there are not unlimited test retakes.

Stop spreading misinformation.

Some ES schools eliminating homework does not mean that APS eliminated homework. Stop spreading misinformation.

You didn't say "my kids' ES". We were talking about APS and spoke as if there wasn't homework anywhere.

Also you said they:
eliminated gifts - untrue
allow unlimited test retakes - untrue
are doing SBG - untrue

Okay lets pivot a bit:

rather than eliminate, we can say undermine and watered down?

reduced hours allowed and scope of allowed homework: https://www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org/ape-reports/homework-policy
gifted rebranded to aac and no longer taughter by trained GT teacher but instead handled by classroom teacher and must be made available to all members of the class and the associated overhead that entails
unlimited retakes -- set a floor of 80% as the grade that student can ever get on a test (because they can retake until they get 80%)
SBG is happening at all elemtaries and is going to be expanded to middle school and eventually non-AP high school courses

without questions these are big changes that are unpopular with academically focused parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

You don't actually need a very large lot to build a 6-plex. Several 6-plexs are approved for relatively small lots in Waverly Hills already. There are zillion comparably sized lots in Arlington so we're no where near that build out point. Not even close.

which projects? what size lots?

Here are three:
https://redf.in/Cqyjaf
https://redf.in/tUVLqJ
https://redf.in/eE320P

two of those are 3-unit THs
and only 1 is actually in Waverly Hills?

Two of the three have 6-plex permits. 17th St + Utah

My bad. Utah is adding 3 for total of 6.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

You don't actually need a very large lot to build a 6-plex. Several 6-plexs are approved for relatively small lots in Waverly Hills already. There are zillion comparably sized lots in Arlington so we're no where near that build out point. Not even close.

which projects? what size lots?

Here are three:
https://redf.in/Cqyjaf
https://redf.in/tUVLqJ
https://redf.in/eE320P

two of those are 3-unit THs
and only 1 is actually in Waverly Hills?

Two of the three have 6-plex permits. 17th St + Utah

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we limit housing options that aren’t $2M+ new builds, people cry that the county is losing families with young kids. But if we support new housing, including multi-family dwellings, people cry that the schools will be overcrowded. Which is it? There are ways to make it easier for families with young kids to live in Arlington county, but residents fight it any chance they get.

Let’s say the quiet part out loud. What many residents want are families that can afford $2M+ houses and young adults living in condos or apartments who pay taxes but don’t have kids. I suppose families with young kids crowded into apartments in South Arlington are ok as long as people north of Langston Blvd. don’t have to think about them.

The young families are leaving for single family homes with yards. Neither the $2M new builds or the missing middle six family units will change that

Totally agree. Missing middle isn't going to help keep young families in Arlington. They don't want to live in a 6-plex 2 bedroom condo with no yard and not enough parking for $1.5m. They'll go to Fairfax for a SFH.

Most MM won’t be 6-plex. MANY families live in THs/duplexes.

Move this thread to political. Or delete it. Too much misinformation.

Only 15% of approved MM permits are for duplexes, while about 50% of permits are for 4-6 unit buildings with the most of those being 6 units.

Overall, the greatest number of MM permits are for 6 unit buildings (about 37%).

Most of the approved (and pending) projects are duplex/THs/semi-detached.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Building/Permits/EHO/Tracker

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

WRONG. The percentages I posted are taken from the approved permits on the county site that you linked. Only 15% of approved permits are for duplexes. About 50% of permits are for 4-6 plexes.

I'm right. Look at the link.

There are 14 duplex/TH/semi-detached approved projects. And 13 MF (10 6-plex). 14 > 13

10 D/T/S are proposed and 8 MF. 10 > 8

I'll be waiting patiently for your apology.

I'm not wrong. Five out of 27 approved permits are for duplexes. Thirteen out of 27 approved projects are for 4-6 plexes.

OK. And there are also townhouses and semi-detached homes...

First, I said "Most MM won’t be 6-plex. MANY families live in THs/duplexes."

Then, I said: "Most of the approved (and pending) projects are duplex/THs/semi-detached."

Both are 100% accurate according to the tracker.

14 > 13 approved
10 > 8 under review

Patiently waiting here...

The largest category of housing being built under MM is a 6 unit multi family building. That's the single most popular option.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

You don't actually need a very large lot to build a 6-plex. Several 6-plexs are approved for relatively small lots in Waverly Hills already. There are zillion comparably sized lots in Arlington so we're no where near that build out point. Not even close.

which projects? what size lots?

Here are three:
https://redf.in/Cqyjaf
https://redf.in/tUVLqJ
https://redf.in/eE320P

two of those are 3-unit THs
and only 1 is actually in Waverly Hills?

Anonymous wrote:What misinfo am I spreading? Our north alrington school does not have homework and thats a fact. And I know that many of the elementary schools do not require homework. I also know Sawnson middle school (where I have a child) does not require much homework.

I'm not sure how that is misinformation? Please let me know which schools do require homework, especially at the elementary level. I'd love to know!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't have any homework in our elementary school in north arlington. And very little in middle.

So you are incorrect!! Most elementarys in arlington do not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow such vitriol. I was just curious. We are a young family and about half our block goes to private — if we were doing it again, we would have moved to Fairfax and saved the tuition money.

Combined with less frequent commutes, I wonder if Arlington prices will actually decline.

You are so, so clueless.

Seriously. Starting with, less reject the premise that the schools lack rigor. What an absurd, lazy trope unsupported by any evidence.

They eliminated gifted, zero homework policy, unlimited test retakes, and standards based grading. Rigor ELIMINATED.

Do you actually have a kid in APS? Clearly not.

Because they haven’t eliminated gifts and kids still get homework. And there are not unlimited test retakes.

Stop spreading misinformation.

Some ES schools eliminating homework does not mean that APS eliminated homework. Stop spreading misinformation.

You didn't say "my kids' ES". We were talking about APS and spoke as if there wasn't homework anywhere.

Also you said they:
eliminated gifts - untrue
allow unlimited test retakes - untrue
are doing SBG - untrue

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

You don't actually need a very large lot to build a 6-plex. Several 6-plexs are approved for relatively small lots in Waverly Hills already. There are zillion comparably sized lots in Arlington so we're no where near that build out point. Not even close.

which projects? what size lots?

Here are three:
https://redf.in/Cqyjaf
https://redf.in/tUVLqJ
https://redf.in/eE320P

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we limit housing options that aren’t $2M+ new builds, people cry that the county is losing families with young kids. But if we support new housing, including multi-family dwellings, people cry that the schools will be overcrowded. Which is it? There are ways to make it easier for families with young kids to live in Arlington county, but residents fight it any chance they get.

Let’s say the quiet part out loud. What many residents want are families that can afford $2M+ houses and young adults living in condos or apartments who pay taxes but don’t have kids. I suppose families with young kids crowded into apartments in South Arlington are ok as long as people north of Langston Blvd. don’t have to think about them.

The young families are leaving for single family homes with yards. Neither the $2M new builds or the missing middle six family units will change that

Totally agree. Missing middle isn't going to help keep young families in Arlington. They don't want to live in a 6-plex 2 bedroom condo with no yard and not enough parking for $1.5m. They'll go to Fairfax for a SFH.

Most MM won’t be 6-plex. MANY families live in THs/duplexes.

Move this thread to political. Or delete it. Too much misinformation.

Only 15% of approved MM permits are for duplexes, while about 50% of permits are for 4-6 unit buildings with the most of those being 6 units.

Overall, the greatest number of MM permits are for 6 unit buildings (about 37%).

Most of the approved (and pending) projects are duplex/THs/semi-detached.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Building/Permits/EHO/Tracker

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

WRONG. The percentages I posted are taken from the approved permits on the county site that you linked. Only 15% of approved permits are for duplexes. About 50% of permits are for 4-6 plexes.

I'm right. Look at the link.

There are 14 duplex/TH/semi-detached approved projects. And 13 MF (10 6-plex). 14 > 13

10 D/T/S are proposed and 8 MF. 10 > 8

I'll be waiting patiently for your apology.

I'm not wrong. Five out of 27 approved permits are for duplexes. Thirteen out of 27 approved projects are for 4-6 plexes.

OK. And there are also townhouses and semi-detached homes...

First, I said "Most MM won’t be 6-plex. MANY families live in THs/duplexes."

Then, I said: "Most of the approved (and pending) projects are duplex/THs/semi-detached."

Both are 100% accurate according to the tracker.

14 > 13 approved
10 > 8 under review

Patiently waiting here...

What misinfo am I spreading? Our north alrington school does not have homework and thats a fact. And I know that many of the elementary schools do not require homework. I also know Sawnson middle school (where I have a child) does not require much homework.

I'm not sure how that is misinformation? Please let me know which schools do require homework, especially at the elementary level. I'd love to know!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We don't have any homework in our elementary school in north arlington. And very little in middle.

So you are incorrect!! Most elementarys in arlington do not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow such vitriol. I was just curious. We are a young family and about half our block goes to private — if we were doing it again, we would have moved to Fairfax and saved the tuition money.

Combined with less frequent commutes, I wonder if Arlington prices will actually decline.

You are so, so clueless.

Seriously. Starting with, less reject the premise that the schools lack rigor. What an absurd, lazy trope unsupported by any evidence.

They eliminated gifted, zero homework policy, unlimited test retakes, and standards based grading. Rigor ELIMINATED.

Do you actually have a kid in APS? Clearly not.

Because they haven’t eliminated gifts and kids still get homework. And there are not unlimited test retakes.

Stop spreading misinformation.

Some ES schools eliminating homework does not mean that APS eliminated homework. Stop spreading misinformation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

You don't actually need a very large lot to build a 6-plex. Several 6-plexs are approved for relatively small lots in Waverly Hills already. There are zillion comparably sized lots in Arlington so we're no where near that build out point. Not even close.

which projects? what size lots?

^
Here are the approved 6-plexes. "Several" of these are in Waverly Hills?

2612 S. Fern Street
4611 N. Carlin Springs Road
735 N. George Mason Drive
4015 7th Street S.
4019 7th Street S.
1227 N. Utah Street
3802 14th Street N.
1004 N. Daniel Street
2111 N. Uhle Street
4610 17th Street N.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we limit housing options that aren’t $2M+ new builds, people cry that the county is losing families with young kids. But if we support new housing, including multi-family dwellings, people cry that the schools will be overcrowded. Which is it? There are ways to make it easier for families with young kids to live in Arlington county, but residents fight it any chance they get.

Let’s say the quiet part out loud. What many residents want are families that can afford $2M+ houses and young adults living in condos or apartments who pay taxes but don’t have kids. I suppose families with young kids crowded into apartments in South Arlington are ok as long as people north of Langston Blvd. don’t have to think about them.

The young families are leaving for single family homes with yards. Neither the $2M new builds or the missing middle six family units will change that

Totally agree. Missing middle isn't going to help keep young families in Arlington. They don't want to live in a 6-plex 2 bedroom condo with no yard and not enough parking for $1.5m. They'll go to Fairfax for a SFH.

Most MM won’t be 6-plex. MANY families live in THs/duplexes.

Move this thread to political. Or delete it. Too much misinformation.

Only 15% of approved MM permits are for duplexes, while about 50% of permits are for 4-6 unit buildings with the most of those being 6 units.

Overall, the greatest number of MM permits are for 6 unit buildings (about 37%).

Most of the approved (and pending) projects are duplex/THs/semi-detached.
https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Building/Permits/EHO/Tracker

There are a limited number of large lots so as time goes on the average # units/building will go down.

WRONG. The percentages I posted are taken from the approved permits on the county site that you linked. Only 15% of approved permits are for duplexes. About 50% of permits are for 4-6 plexes.

I'm right. Look at the link.

There are 14 duplex/TH/semi-detached approved projects. And 13 MF (10 6-plex). 14 > 13

10 D/T/S are proposed and 8 MF. 10 > 8

I'll be waiting patiently for your apology.

I'm not wrong. Five out of 27 approved permits are for duplexes. Thirteen out of 27 approved projects are for 4-6 plexes.

We've had people with kids moving into our block in Arlington from DC. I guess it's cheaper than paying for a house and private school in DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow such vitriol. I was just curious. We are a young family and about half our block goes to private — if we were doing it again, we would have moved to Fairfax and saved the tuition money.

Combined with less frequent commutes, I wonder if Arlington prices will actually decline.

You are so, so clueless.

Seriously. Starting with, less reject the premise that the schools lack rigor. What an absurd, lazy trope unsupported by any evidence.

They eliminated gifted, zero homework policy, unlimited test retakes, and standards based grading. Rigor ELIMINATED.

My kids’ FCPS high school has eliminated homework, classwork doesn’t count, SBG implemented, but you don’t even have to retake anymore, the quarter grade is replaced if the next quarter grade is higher (a system previously reserved for those in danger of not graduating but now for all students - the very definition of less rigor), and also no final exams. No rigor except in sports. Oh and chronic absenteeism is up.

Where to go for affordable housing and academic rigor…

Not MCPS - looks like they adopted these policies awhile back.

If you are going to buy in FCPS, maybe email Reid first and ask if SBG is coming to all schools or just some. I thought I’d be safe moving to one of the top pyramids but nope. We used to live in Arlington - and we moved for both reasons - schools and house prices. I think most people with young kids at least take into account the elementary schools when making decisions like this.