Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its a sad messy situation for everyone..

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2022/11/02/parents-say-mcps-teacher-shortages-are-hurting-students-academic-progress/

We are in a neighborhood zoned for Einstein and know a family with a student in the references algebra class. These are well-educated parents so I think they were first like, ok we will try to help at home. But they soon hired a tutor, which not everyone can afford to do. It's different to try to supplement at home in ES vs. HS. MCPS doesn't even have books anymore. I remember my dad helping me with math in high school but he would literally sit down with the book to teach himself.

MCPS is offering FREE tutoring so stop commenting about those who cannot afford it.

Isn't the free tutoring virtual? Isn't that what got us in this mess to begin with.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And then you have the issue of widening gaps between "good schools" and "mediocre/bad schools."

From the article:

Stacy Ganz Kahn, president of the Winston Churchill High School PTSA, says special education programs are dealing with the brunt of the teacher shortage in MCPS. Offering bonuses in high-need areas and pathways to teacher certification for paraprofessionals could help remedy the situation, she said.

Still, Ganz Kahn says the Potomac school is pretty well-staffed, unlike other schools in the county, because people want to teach there.

I read that quote in the article and thought it was in poor taste. And then just now I looked at the available jobs on the MCPS Careers site, and it turns out it's not true at all. Churchill actually has 6 open teacher positions posted, more than any other HS!

6: Churchill
5: Whitman
4: Blair, Blake, Einstein, Springbrook
3: Gaithersburg, Magruder, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood
2: BCC, Kennedy, Northwood, Paint Branch, Watkins Mill
1: Damascus, Northwest, Walter Johnson
0: Clarksburg, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Wheaton, Wootton

The openings at Churchill include mainly special ed positions and long term substitutes. There is only one full time teaching position open. Special ed staffing is an issue country wide.

Lack of special ed staffingis a HUGE issue that isn't going away.

Right- and given that it’s a nationwide issue, MCPS needs to be increasing SPED teacher/para pay stat in order to compete.

They can’t afford to raise the pay relative to the high case load. They need to raise pay AND improve working conditions.

Well part of improving working conditions means lower case load per staff member. They need to hire more staff. They need to find the money before it gets worse, because that will only make more staff leave.

MCPS has millions of dollars in unspent ESSR funds and millions from funded positions they never hired. Money is not the problem.

You can’t hire people who don’t want to work for you.

So how can MCPS fix that problem? Or are you of the belief that higher pay, full time benefits, and smaller class sizes will not attract people to work for MCPS? Or what about offering other benefits such as subsidized housing or paying off college loans to attract employees?

Nobody on this thread has said MCPS is a glorious place to work. Several posters have offered up ideas for things MCPS and the Board of Education could do to fix the downward spiral.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And then you have the issue of widening gaps between "good schools" and "mediocre/bad schools."

From the article:

Stacy Ganz Kahn, president of the Winston Churchill High School PTSA, says special education programs are dealing with the brunt of the teacher shortage in MCPS. Offering bonuses in high-need areas and pathways to teacher certification for paraprofessionals could help remedy the situation, she said.

Still, Ganz Kahn says the Potomac school is pretty well-staffed, unlike other schools in the county, because people want to teach there.

I read that quote in the article and thought it was in poor taste. And then just now I looked at the available jobs on the MCPS Careers site, and it turns out it's not true at all. Churchill actually has 6 open teacher positions posted, more than any other HS!

6: Churchill
5: Whitman
4: Blair, Blake, Einstein, Springbrook
3: Gaithersburg, Magruder, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood
2: BCC, Kennedy, Northwood, Paint Branch, Watkins Mill
1: Damascus, Northwest, Walter Johnson
0: Clarksburg, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Wheaton, Wootton

The openings at Churchill include mainly special ed positions and long term substitutes. There is only one full time teaching position open. Special ed staffing is an issue country wide.

Lack of special ed staffingis a HUGE issue that isn't going away.

Right- and given that it’s a nationwide issue, MCPS needs to be increasing SPED teacher/para pay stat in order to compete.

They can’t afford to raise the pay relative to the high case load. They need to raise pay AND improve working conditions.

Well part of improving working conditions means lower case load per staff member. They need to hire more staff. They need to find the money before it gets worse, because that will only make more staff leave.

MCPS has millions of dollars in unspent ESSR funds and millions from funded positions they never hired. Money is not the problem.

You can’t hire people who don’t want to work for you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And then you have the issue of widening gaps between "good schools" and "mediocre/bad schools."

From the article:

Stacy Ganz Kahn, president of the Winston Churchill High School PTSA, says special education programs are dealing with the brunt of the teacher shortage in MCPS. Offering bonuses in high-need areas and pathways to teacher certification for paraprofessionals could help remedy the situation, she said.

Still, Ganz Kahn says the Potomac school is pretty well-staffed, unlike other schools in the county, because people want to teach there.

I read that quote in the article and thought it was in poor taste. And then just now I looked at the available jobs on the MCPS Careers site, and it turns out it's not true at all. Churchill actually has 6 open teacher positions posted, more than any other HS!

6: Churchill
5: Whitman
4: Blair, Blake, Einstein, Springbrook
3: Gaithersburg, Magruder, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood
2: BCC, Kennedy, Northwood, Paint Branch, Watkins Mill
1: Damascus, Northwest, Walter Johnson
0: Clarksburg, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Wheaton, Wootton

The openings at Churchill include mainly special ed positions and long term substitutes. There is only one full time teaching position open. Special ed staffing is an issue country wide.

Lack of special ed staffingis a HUGE issue that isn't going away.

Right- and given that it’s a nationwide issue, MCPS needs to be increasing SPED teacher/para pay stat in order to compete.

They can’t afford to raise the pay relative to the high case load. They need to raise pay AND improve working conditions.

Well part of improving working conditions means lower case load per staff member. They need to hire more staff. They need to find the money before it gets worse, because that will only make more staff leave.

MCPS has millions of dollars in unspent ESSR funds and millions from funded positions they never hired. Money is not the problem.

You can’t hire people who don’t want to work for you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And then you have the issue of widening gaps between "good schools" and "mediocre/bad schools."

From the article:

Stacy Ganz Kahn, president of the Winston Churchill High School PTSA, says special education programs are dealing with the brunt of the teacher shortage in MCPS. Offering bonuses in high-need areas and pathways to teacher certification for paraprofessionals could help remedy the situation, she said.

Still, Ganz Kahn says the Potomac school is pretty well-staffed, unlike other schools in the county, because people want to teach there.

I read that quote in the article and thought it was in poor taste. And then just now I looked at the available jobs on the MCPS Careers site, and it turns out it's not true at all. Churchill actually has 6 open teacher positions posted, more than any other HS!

6: Churchill
5: Whitman
4: Blair, Blake, Einstein, Springbrook
3: Gaithersburg, Magruder, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood
2: BCC, Kennedy, Northwood, Paint Branch, Watkins Mill
1: Damascus, Northwest, Walter Johnson
0: Clarksburg, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Wheaton, Wootton

The openings at Churchill include mainly special ed positions and long term substitutes. There is only one full time teaching position open. Special ed staffing is an issue country wide.

Lack of special ed staffingis a HUGE issue that isn't going away.

Right- and given that it’s a nationwide issue, MCPS needs to be increasing SPED teacher/para pay stat in order to compete.

They can’t afford to raise the pay relative to the high case load. They need to raise pay AND improve working conditions.

Well part of improving working conditions means lower case load per staff member. They need to hire more staff. They need to find the money before it gets worse, because that will only make more staff leave.

MCPS has millions of dollars in unspent ESSR funds and millions from funded positions they never hired. Money is not the problem.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And then you have the issue of widening gaps between "good schools" and "mediocre/bad schools."

From the article:

Stacy Ganz Kahn, president of the Winston Churchill High School PTSA, says special education programs are dealing with the brunt of the teacher shortage in MCPS. Offering bonuses in high-need areas and pathways to teacher certification for paraprofessionals could help remedy the situation, she said.

Still, Ganz Kahn says the Potomac school is pretty well-staffed, unlike other schools in the county, because people want to teach there.

I read that quote in the article and thought it was in poor taste. And then just now I looked at the available jobs on the MCPS Careers site, and it turns out it's not true at all. Churchill actually has 6 open teacher positions posted, more than any other HS!

6: Churchill
5: Whitman
4: Blair, Blake, Einstein, Springbrook
3: Gaithersburg, Magruder, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood
2: BCC, Kennedy, Northwood, Paint Branch, Watkins Mill
1: Damascus, Northwest, Walter Johnson
0: Clarksburg, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Wheaton, Wootton

The openings at Churchill include mainly special ed positions and long term substitutes. There is only one full time teaching position open. Special ed staffing is an issue country wide.

It’s not a priority at Churchill to teach Special Education students. The school is a prime example of discrimination against students with disabilities given that students have not received their required services.

It's not that special ed students aren't a priority at Churchill, it's that special ed teachers are burnt out all over the county, and have quit. Its a nation-wode problem as well. Between covid, not to mention all the extra paperwork required, no planning time and parents who regularly attend meetings with lawyers ready to pounce and prove their worth, there are not lines of people waiting to fill those jobs. I am at a school that has had a special ed opening posted since before school started and no one has applied.

I’m a parent who has not brought in an attorney to my child’s IEP meetings but MCPS feels compelled to bring in their attorney as well as the Director of RACU (also an attorney) to IEP meetings. Meanwhile, MCPS is continuing not to provide the services as outlined in my child’s IEP.

As a teacher, you may be burnt out. But you should be advocating for more services and help so student needs can be met. Explain at the IEP meeting what the lack of a para educator means for the rest of the staff that needs to do what the para educator would do. Advocate for filling the long term special education vacancies. Tell RACU that without proper staffing that meets the IEP, the school is non-compliant.

Teachers are burnt out because of the lack of resources but MCPS is pocketing millions from not filling the vacancies. You are working overtime for free because there is no incentive for MCPS administrators to fill vacancies for special education positions.

When you say special ed teachers (who as you acknowledge "may be burnt out") should "advocate" for these things, what is it you are suggesting they should do exactly?

And if by "advocate" you mean speaking at IEP meetings as suggested and putting oneself in a bad position with admin or going on about staff shortages that existing teachers have zero control over, you truly think that is what will fix this?

There are a number of ways teachers can and should advocate for students.

All teachers fill out teacher reports as a mechanism for gathering their input for the IEP / 504 team’s consideration. Be honest in these reports. List what they view are their concerns and things they think would help. Teachers spend every teaching day with the student so they know the child and if more support is needed. One teacher is selected to personally attend the IEP / 504 meeting. Just speak up, provide classroom data, and give your professional opinion.

School staff also routinely have pre-meetings before parents are invited into the IEP meeting. There’s an opportunity to explain at this stage or in private meetings with administrators as to what problems they face implementing IEPs / 504 plans.

Finally, if teachers are intimidated by MCPS administrators and lawyers to not provide honest input for a student’s IEP / 504 plan, then that demonstrates a toxic workplace culture. Why would anyone want to continue working for MCPS if they are threatened when advocating for students?

What about any of that do you think would result in more staff for special ed? There are an allotted number of slots for special ed staff. Complaining to school admin will not change that allocation. Or do you think more candidates will appear for open positions if the existing teachers complain enough?

The amount of special education staff is driven by the IEP. More and less staff is allocated to a school as required hours of services are changed on an IEP. If teachers are overwhelmed, advocate for the student’s need for more services on the IEP. Likewise, if accommodations on 504 plans and IEPs are unrealistic for the general education teacher to provide, general education teachers should give that input to the school teams. Are there skills that could be taught with special education services to increase the student’s self independence vs. learned helplessness with too many accommodations?

You do not understand how allocations work. Also, like many have said, you can allocate as many positions as you want but if no one is willing to work under the conditions/pay currently given, it doesn't matter. Teachers currently working have no control over this.
Parents like you who claim the problem is that teachers aren't teaching the skills for independence or "advocating" enough for kids are part of why no one wants these jobs. Just try to keep piling more on the teachers, seems to be working well...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And then you have the issue of widening gaps between "good schools" and "mediocre/bad schools."

From the article:

Stacy Ganz Kahn, president of the Winston Churchill High School PTSA, says special education programs are dealing with the brunt of the teacher shortage in MCPS. Offering bonuses in high-need areas and pathways to teacher certification for paraprofessionals could help remedy the situation, she said.

Still, Ganz Kahn says the Potomac school is pretty well-staffed, unlike other schools in the county, because people want to teach there.

I read that quote in the article and thought it was in poor taste. And then just now I looked at the available jobs on the MCPS Careers site, and it turns out it's not true at all. Churchill actually has 6 open teacher positions posted, more than any other HS!

6: Churchill
5: Whitman
4: Blair, Blake, Einstein, Springbrook
3: Gaithersburg, Magruder, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood
2: BCC, Kennedy, Northwood, Paint Branch, Watkins Mill
1: Damascus, Northwest, Walter Johnson
0: Clarksburg, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Wheaton, Wootton

The openings at Churchill include mainly special ed positions and long term substitutes. There is only one full time teaching position open. Special ed staffing is an issue country wide.

It’s not a priority at Churchill to teach Special Education students. The school is a prime example of discrimination against students with disabilities given that students have not received their required services.

It's not that special ed students aren't a priority at Churchill, it's that special ed teachers are burnt out all over the county, and have quit. Its a nation-wode problem as well. Between covid, not to mention all the extra paperwork required, no planning time and parents who regularly attend meetings with lawyers ready to pounce and prove their worth, there are not lines of people waiting to fill those jobs. I am at a school that has had a special ed opening posted since before school started and no one has applied.

I’m a parent who has not brought in an attorney to my child’s IEP meetings but MCPS feels compelled to bring in their attorney as well as the Director of RACU (also an attorney) to IEP meetings. Meanwhile, MCPS is continuing not to provide the services as outlined in my child’s IEP.

As a teacher, you may be burnt out. But you should be advocating for more services and help so student needs can be met. Explain at the IEP meeting what the lack of a para educator means for the rest of the staff that needs to do what the para educator would do. Advocate for filling the long term special education vacancies. Tell RACU that without proper staffing that meets the IEP, the school is non-compliant.

Teachers are burnt out because of the lack of resources but MCPS is pocketing millions from not filling the vacancies. You are working overtime for free because there is no incentive for MCPS administrators to fill vacancies for special education positions.

When you say special ed teachers (who as you acknowledge "may be burnt out") should "advocate" for these things, what is it you are suggesting they should do exactly?

And if by "advocate" you mean speaking at IEP meetings as suggested and putting oneself in a bad position with admin or going on about staff shortages that existing teachers have zero control over, you truly think that is what will fix this?

There are a number of ways teachers can and should advocate for students.

All teachers fill out teacher reports as a mechanism for gathering their input for the IEP / 504 team’s consideration. Be honest in these reports. List what they view are their concerns and things they think would help. Teachers spend every teaching day with the student so they know the child and if more support is needed. One teacher is selected to personally attend the IEP / 504 meeting. Just speak up, provide classroom data, and give your professional opinion.

School staff also routinely have pre-meetings before parents are invited into the IEP meeting. There’s an opportunity to explain at this stage or in private meetings with administrators as to what problems they face implementing IEPs / 504 plans.

Finally, if teachers are intimidated by MCPS administrators and lawyers to not provide honest input for a student’s IEP / 504 plan, then that demonstrates a toxic workplace culture. Why would anyone want to continue working for MCPS if they are threatened when advocating for students?

What about any of that do you think would result in more staff for special ed? There are an allotted number of slots for special ed staff. Complaining to school admin will not change that allocation. Or do you think more candidates will appear for open positions if the existing teachers complain enough?

The amount of special education staff is driven by the IEP. More and less staff is allocated to a school as required hours of services are changed on an IEP. If teachers are overwhelmed, advocate for the student’s need for more services on the IEP. Likewise, if accommodations on 504 plans and IEPs are unrealistic for the general education teacher to provide, general education teachers should give that input to the school teams. Are there skills that could be taught with special education services to increase the student’s self independence vs. learned helplessness with too many accommodations?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And then you have the issue of widening gaps between "good schools" and "mediocre/bad schools."

From the article:

Stacy Ganz Kahn, president of the Winston Churchill High School PTSA, says special education programs are dealing with the brunt of the teacher shortage in MCPS. Offering bonuses in high-need areas and pathways to teacher certification for paraprofessionals could help remedy the situation, she said.

Still, Ganz Kahn says the Potomac school is pretty well-staffed, unlike other schools in the county, because people want to teach there.

I read that quote in the article and thought it was in poor taste. And then just now I looked at the available jobs on the MCPS Careers site, and it turns out it's not true at all. Churchill actually has 6 open teacher positions posted, more than any other HS!

6: Churchill
5: Whitman
4: Blair, Blake, Einstein, Springbrook
3: Gaithersburg, Magruder, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood
2: BCC, Kennedy, Northwood, Paint Branch, Watkins Mill
1: Damascus, Northwest, Walter Johnson
0: Clarksburg, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Wheaton, Wootton

The openings at Churchill include mainly special ed positions and long term substitutes. There is only one full time teaching position open. Special ed staffing is an issue country wide.

Lack of special ed staffingis a HUGE issue that isn't going away.

Right- and given that it’s a nationwide issue, MCPS needs to be increasing SPED teacher/para pay stat in order to compete.

They can’t afford to raise the pay relative to the high case load. They need to raise pay AND improve working conditions.

Well part of improving working conditions means lower case load per staff member. They need to hire more staff. They need to find the money before it gets worse, because that will only make more staff leave.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And then you have the issue of widening gaps between "good schools" and "mediocre/bad schools."

From the article:

Stacy Ganz Kahn, president of the Winston Churchill High School PTSA, says special education programs are dealing with the brunt of the teacher shortage in MCPS. Offering bonuses in high-need areas and pathways to teacher certification for paraprofessionals could help remedy the situation, she said.

Still, Ganz Kahn says the Potomac school is pretty well-staffed, unlike other schools in the county, because people want to teach there.

I read that quote in the article and thought it was in poor taste. And then just now I looked at the available jobs on the MCPS Careers site, and it turns out it's not true at all. Churchill actually has 6 open teacher positions posted, more than any other HS!

6: Churchill
5: Whitman
4: Blair, Blake, Einstein, Springbrook
3: Gaithersburg, Magruder, Richard Montgomery, Rockville, Sherwood
2: BCC, Kennedy, Northwood, Paint Branch, Watkins Mill
1: Damascus, Northwest, Walter Johnson
0: Clarksburg, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, Wheaton, Wootton

The openings at Churchill include mainly special ed positions and long term substitutes. There is only one full time teaching position open. Special ed staffing is an issue country wide.

Lack of special ed staffingis a HUGE issue that isn't going away.

Right- and given that it’s a nationwide issue, MCPS needs to be increasing SPED teacher/para pay stat in order to compete.

They can’t afford to raise the pay relative to the high case load. They need to raise pay AND improve working conditions.

Anonymous wrote:Special Ed teachers are overwhelmed because there aren't enough of us still teaching, and there aren't enough people wanting to be paraeducators for the crappy pay, and those who remain have too big a caseload and too many students.

Putting in a one-on-one support, or extra services does not guarantee you'll get them if there is no one willing to do the job.

Anonymous wrote:Right the lack of substitutes is bad for schools too. Its hard to get a sub, and if the sub gets sick or cancels we're up the creek