Dancing in the Red Zone - What the BOE said they'd do in 2005

Here is what the Board of Education minutes of July 6, 2005 say about the plans for the Middle School Magnet Consortium (which is composed of the failing schools that Fred mentions in his article below.) 

http://search.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/cs.html?url=http%3A//www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/meetings/minutes/2005/070605.pdf&charset=utf-8&qt=Loiederman&col=boe&n=1&la=en

Dr. Weast invited the following people to the table: Mr. Erick Lang, director, School-based Curriculum Services; Mr. Martin Creel, project director, Middle School Magnet Consortium; Ms. Jeannie Franklin, coordinator, Preferred Choice,Consortia Office;and Ms. Alison Serino, principal, A. Mario Loiederman Magnet School for Creative and Performing Arts.

The Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) is an initiative that is part of the overall strategic plan to improve academic performance and narrow the achievement gap by race and ethnicity in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The middle schools in the MSMC are Argyle Magnet School for Information Technology, A. Mario Loiederman Magnet School for Creative and Performing Arts, and Parkland Magnet School for Aerospace Technology. This update includes a description of the program goals and design, student outreach and choice process, and program evaluation for this unique initiative.

The instructional focus for each school will be integrated in the Accelerated Core Curriculum and offered for all students in specialized courses.

· Argyle Middle School students will specialize in the mathematics, computer science, and technological skills necessary to learn how information technology can help people understand, apply, and solve real-world problems.

· A. Mario Loiederman Middle School students will specialize in the performing and creative arts and discover how these subjects help build mastery of all areas of learning.

· Parkland Middle School students will specialize in a rigorous mathematics and science program in preparation for the problem-solving challenges of engineering, aerospace, and other sciences.

Elective courses have been designed to provide students with the opportunity for in-depth exploration of the magnet themes at each middle school. Problem-based investigations, enhanced with technology, will culminate with a “capstone” experience. To ensure that every student has an opportunity to experience the magnet focus, one course each year has been designed to be accessible to students of all levels. To accommodate more opportunities, an additional course time has been added to the traditional seven-period schedule, resulting in an eight-period A/B block schedule for each school.

Unique extended-day offerings such as computer animation, robotics, journalism, and dance are under development and will be open to all students. Beginning in 2006, extended learning opportunities will be available to students to accelerate their learning during the summer.

The establishment of the MSMC is a collaborative effort among staff, parents, and the greater school community. Intense work is in progress to ensure successful implementation of the program and the choice process. Work is proceeding on schedule. Because of the importance of this critical initiative, the Board of Education will continue to receive regular updates on the progress of the work in the MSMC.