I would love to see the true potential of kids if they all lived at boarding school. Not an elite school. Just ones away from parents. No forced test prep, no thousands on tutors, kids decide the courses they take and how often they study. They are personally held accountable.

I still think Asian kids would be strong, but what is happening right now. The kids working all hours of the night, prepping for weeks for standardized tests in ELEMENTARY school. It is just getting out of hand. Reading the college threads. The need for 4.5 GPA and almost perfect SAT just to get into state schools? It is crazy. It isn’t real. It isn’t fun. It isn’t what it should be to be a kid or a teen. Too much pressure and these magnet programs are like crack cocaine to some of these parents. And the kids are stressed, anxious, depressed, medicated, lack social skills, and have zero stree5 smarts or common sense. It is scary.

Anonymous wrote:“highly able”

“diversity of abilities”

“more scaffolding and help like summer school”

Hilarious.
Just the type of doctor I’d want operating on me.

Heard that MCPS will be giving them new parents and home life too. Then it will be really equal.

“highly able”

“diversity of abilities”

“more scaffolding and help like summer school”

Hilarious.
Just the type of doctor I’d want operating on me.

Top boarding schools are unique, special environments where everyone works extremely hard to great successes. They are merit based and extremely selective, plus need blind.
They have never done a push for “first gen” kids who need extra summer school, nor mentioned an achievement gap. Know why? You invite merit based people, you don’t guess st their aptitude based on their skin color and a low test bar. 95% cogat to be considered is weak.

Do the ssat or wisc and force rank. Like Europe and Asia do for their A levels and best education programs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Moly GUACAMOLE

107/200 from New York, were Intel Scholars

https://student.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts-2019-scholars

13 from Bronx High School of Science, Bronx, New York

Don’t worry. Their glory is ending soon. Apparently there are too many Asian American students in these NYC special schools, they are working on something so the school can reflect the community.

Just like MCPS?

MCPS probably learned from NYC. Progress states share similar ideals.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Holy Moly GUACAMOLE

107/200 from New York, were Intel Scholars

https://student.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts-2019-scholars

13 from Bronx High School of Science, Bronx, New York

Don’t worry. Their glory is ending soon. Apparently there are too many Asian American students in these NYC special schools, they are working on something so the school can reflect the community.

Just like MCPS?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I guess you're not aware of the Harvard lawsuit?

as an Asian American, I am aware of that lawsuit. There are a lot of Asians in top univ. That doesn't mean that Harvard and the like don't discriminate. IMO, it just means there are a lot of Asian American students who are really smart, accomplished, AND have good interviewing skills.

Yea, Asians have been gaming the Harvard system for years with SAT prep classes and interview pep classes and outside tutoring. We need to end the days where getting into Harvard is only for those students with parents who are "in the know". These kids are smart so they will do just fine in any local state schools.

Hope you are indeed making a sarcasm here, which makes me cry while laughing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I guess you're not aware of the Harvard lawsuit?

as an Asian American, I am aware of that lawsuit. There are a lot of Asians in top univ. That doesn't mean that Harvard and the like don't discriminate. IMO, it just means there are a lot of Asian American students who are really smart, accomplished, AND have good interviewing skills.

Yea, Asians have been gaming the Harvard system for years with SAT prep classes and interview pep classes and outside tutoring. We need to end the days where getting into Harvard is only for those students with parents who are "in the know". These kids are smart so they will do just fine in any local state schools.

I suppose all those black NBA players have been gaming the system, too, right? I guess wealthy white kids who also score well on tests are gaming the system, and those other middle class white kids who prep for the SAT. I guess you will not have your child prep for the SAT, right? "In the know...", know what? How to get into Harvard? Wow, they must be really really smart if they know how to get into Harvard. Not even Harvard can tell you the right formula to get into Harvard.

All students need to live in a bubble, never watch educational shows, go to the library, etc... then all will be equal.

The previous post was so absurd that I think it was sarcasm. She used all the talking points that have been used 10000 times in every magnet thread - "Gaming the System", "In the Know", "Smart rich kids will do fine wherever they go"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I guess you're not aware of the Harvard lawsuit?

as an Asian American, I am aware of that lawsuit. There are a lot of Asians in top univ. That doesn't mean that Harvard and the like don't discriminate. IMO, it just means there are a lot of Asian American students who are really smart, accomplished, AND have good interviewing skills.

Yea, Asians have been gaming the Harvard system for years with SAT prep classes and interview pep classes and outside tutoring. We need to end the days where getting into Harvard is only for those students with parents who are "in the know". These kids are smart so they will do just fine in any local state schools.

I suppose all those black NBA players have been gaming the system, too, right? I guess wealthy white kids who also score well on tests are gaming the system, and those other middle class white kids who prep for the SAT. I guess you will not have your child prep for the SAT, right? "In the know...", know what? How to get into Harvard? Wow, they must be really really smart if they know how to get into Harvard. Not even Harvard can tell you the right formula to get into Harvard.

All students need to live in a bubble, never watch educational shows, go to the library, etc... then all will be equal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I guess you're not aware of the Harvard lawsuit?

as an Asian American, I am aware of that lawsuit. There are a lot of Asians in top univ. That doesn't mean that Harvard and the like don't discriminate. IMO, it just means there are a lot of Asian American students who are really smart, accomplished, AND have good interviewing skills.

Yea, Asians have been gaming the Harvard system for years with SAT prep classes and interview pep classes and outside tutoring. We need to end the days where getting into Harvard is only for those students with parents who are "in the know". These kids are smart so they will do just fine in any local state schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole Asian/cohort thing is so tiresome. I don't know the answer, but I do know that this is not about a race of "smarter" kids. Asian families, for the most part, value education and invest in many additional educational opportunities for their kids. These kids are better prepared when it comes time for various assessments. They spend more time in classes, in music lessons, practicing, working. That pays off for them in these competitions. It may also work against them when other types of skills are needed. I just hope they take joy in the time they spend on these activities. Congrats to all the kids who are working at this level.

As an Asian American, I agree. Do I upset that there is almost zero Asian American in NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB? No, I know that these sports need different skill sets. Should NFL draft consider race? No.

I enjoy the sports whenever played by the best athletics.

That is a pretty obtuse interpretation. I was actually thinking more about interview skills when it comes to Ivy league colleges. I am not against diversity, which is why I think requiring a variety of criteria (essays, recommendations, interviews etc for placements) is a good idea, and I don't think that just because a kid has extra training means they they are "smarter" (re-read my post). I also don't think Asian kids should be punished for working hard. It's just tricky. But, regardless, these kids have achieved a wonderful accolade and should be lauded.

BTW, our current cultural emphasis on diversity is way to the advantage of Asians in theatre.

DP.. given that there is a large % of Asian Americans in Ivy league schools, I'd say their interviewing skills are fine. I am going to also assume that many of the kids who won go on to top tier universities because winning such a competition is pretty darn amazing.

I guess you're not aware of the Harvard lawsuit?

as an Asian American, I am aware of that lawsuit. There are a lot of Asians in top univ. That doesn't mean that Harvard and the like don't discriminate. IMO, it just means there are a lot of Asian American students who are really smart, accomplished, AND have good interviewing skills.

really? MCPS has two different versions?


https://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/specialprograms/middle/Grade%205%20Parent%20FAQ's%20.pdf

here is the whole copy of this document:


FAQs from 2018 Parent Information Meetings
1. Can you tell me more about the student essay in the testing?
The student essay is a brief non- scored response written by the student at the time of testing. The writing prompt may be about a favorite teacher or class and is to be completed in ten minutes. The committee will read it to be additive to the student file.

2. What is the name of the test being used? What is the CogAT test about?
The name of the test is the CogAT. It is an online test that includes three batteries that contain verbal, nonverbal and quantitative reasoning questions. Within each battery is three subtests that are timed tests. Students take the test using a Chromebook and receive 10 minutes each to complete a subtest. There are a few practice questions students complete with the test examiner, and then students complete each section of the test individually. There is a running timer on the test for each student and when 10 minutes have passed, the test will close. Students may skip questions and then return to answer them. The number of questions range from 10 – 18 questions per section. Students who have testing accommodation plans will receive their accommodations as appropriate for this test.

3. If I am not attending my home elementary school, do I have to go there to test? MCPS students who are testing will test in the elementary school they are currently attending. This includes students who are attending a different school for a special program or on a Change of School Assignment.

4. How do private school students access this program?
Private school students who live in Montgomery County may participate in this process. Parents must pre-enroll in MCPS to get their Grade 5 child a student ID and then complete the application for private school parents. Students MUST have a six digit MCPS student ID to take the test. Contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services at 240.740.2540.

5. What are the criteria used in the review process?
Multiple measures are examined for students during the review process. These measures include, but are not limited to report card grades, external assessments (e.g., PARCC, CogAt), and student services received (e.g., FARMS, Special Education). A student’s academic peer group at their home school is also considered during the review process.

6. What is the universal screening process again?
Universal screening is a process where a central review of all Grade 5 students is conducted for enrichment and acceleration instructional needs. Students will participate in further review, which includes taking an above grade level assessment when identified during the universal screening process. A parent may request their child participate in the review and take the test if their child is not identified. It is not necessary to take the test to be considered for local enrichment and acceleration.

7. Is there a test prep booklet for this test?
There is not a test prep booklet.

8. Will the upcounty middle schools receive the two new courses that the other twenty schools received?
It is anticipated that all upcounty middle schools will implement one or both of the new courses next year for Grade 6.

9. Has the program itself changed as a result of the new screening process for the Science, math, computer science program?
We still have many top math students in our new sixth grade class, and we are seeing a greater diversity in ability. This is an important opportunity for highly-able students to be able to step up into a more rigorous curriculum. What has changed is not the rigor of the program or our expectations of students. What has changed is instruction and what the teachers need to do. Our teachers are expected to provide supports and scaffolding to help all magnet students attain the level of mastery of students working at a high level in mathematics.
10. Is this parent information meeting taped to see in the future?
The video presentation is here at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPjUFAcT3CE&feature=youtu.be

Anonymous wrote:Here's the actual citation.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/...de%205%20Parent%20FAQ's%20.pdf

Here's the excerpt:

Has the program itself changed as a result of the new screening process for the Science, math, computer science program?

We have a record number of top students in our sixth-grade class. This is an important opportunity for highly-able students to be able to step up into a more rigorous curriculum. We've even have had to step up the rigor of program from earlier years when admission was largely a matter of parent recommendations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even MCPS admitted that they see “more diversity in ability”, and teacher need to provide extra scaffolding,

And please don’t delittle those kids who were excluded by cohort citeria, saying they perform good just because of outside enrichment, majority of them are just smart kids with busy parents working demanding jobs, those kids are doing similar things just like other 5th graders in MCPS.

Universal screening is great but with so many highly able kids identified Why don’t they extend the full magnet ciiriculum to home school instead only one or two courses

This claim needs a citation.