Showing posts with label Middle School Magnet Consortium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Middle School Magnet Consortium. Show all posts
Monday, February 1, 2021
MCPS files to dismiss magnet admissions lawsuit
...In March 2019, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened an investigation into allegations similar to the ones raised the lawsuit.
The Washington Post reported at the time that federal officials received 10 complaints raising concerns about the magnet program.
The Office of Civil Rights website lists the investigation as still open. A spokesperson declined to comment last week.
Monday, April 22, 2019
U.S. officials probe alleged discrimination against Asian American students in MCPS @MCPS @mocoboe
Federal officials are investigating allegations of discrimination against Asian American students in a suburban school system in Maryland where parents have complained that race was unlawfully used as a factor in magnet program admissions.
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights notified families it had taken up the case in March, months after a spate of complaints was filed against Montgomery County school officials.
Parent leaders involved in the action allege that the school system — the state’s largest — discriminated against Asian American students while seeking greater racial balance in two sought-after middle school magnet programs.
They say the number of Asian American students invited into the programs fell 23 percent from 2016 to 2017, amid a wave of attention to diversity issues, and then dropped by 20 percent the next year after a new screening and selection process took effect.
Federal officials received 10 complaints raising similar concerns, which have been incorporated into one case, federal officials said in letters to parents...
Thursday, September 11, 2014
MCPS Mom Files Complaint with US Dept of Ed, Gets Transportation for Child to Magnet School
A Kensington boy is being bused to school after his mother filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education saying Montgomery County Public Schools discriminated against her son when the system did not provide him transportation to a magnet program...
...“I worked smarter because I know that federal government provides funds to schools, and you are supposed to be following federal law to get those funds,” she said. “I took it a different route.”
In response to Diaz-Cooper’s complaint, the county school system decided to enter into a resolution agreement, according to a May 28 letter to Diaz-Cooper from an education department attorney...
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Madaleno: Bill is "opening the door for a discussion"
Really, Senator Madaleno?
A Bill is to make a law.
This Bill is designed to begin the process of changing the Maryland State Constitution and taking away the right to a free public education for Maryland students. Shouldn't the public "discussion" come before the Bill is proposed, not after?
Nothing that Senator Madaleno has put in writing speaks to magnets, immersion or vocational programs. What Senator Madaleno is doing is attempting to "open the door" for public school systems to charge students fees for access to public school in Maryland.
Who exactly did Senator Madaleno have "conversations" with in the school system? Can anyone in the school system just talk to a legislator and get a Bill submitted? Whose interests are represented by this Bill?
Let's start this "discussion" with factual information, who wants this Bill passed?
Gazette: Bill would let schools charge magnet students for their transportation
Tami Abramowitz, of Olney, relies on the school system to transport her daughter, Hayley, to Rockville, where Hayley attends the Richard Montgomery High School International Baccalaureate program...
...Abramowitz said the bill would allow the school system to take advantage of parents whose students depend on magnet programs. Since some students need magnet programs to succeed academically, she argued, transportation for those programs should be part of a free public education required by law.
"They're trying to nickel and dime the parents," she said...
...Madaleno said school officials did not ask for the bill, but added that he had conversations with school officials about the situation as well as parents of students in magnet and other programs.
"You're only opening the door for a discussion," he said Monday...
Thursday, July 29, 2010
We Should be Dancin', Yeah: Stayin' Alive in the Red Zone!
by Frederick Stichnoth
Leah Fabel reports today that the Middle School Magnet Consortia schools didn't do well on Maryland State Assessments (MSA). "Middle School magnets show imperfect reform in MontCo," The Washington Examiner, July 29, 2010, page 9.
Loiederman Middle School and Argyle Middle School were "bumped into a probationary category under federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Parkland Middle School's scores were adequate, but below the school district's averages."
Loiederman: what's happening? Failed in math for All students, African-American, Hispanic, Free and Reduced Meals Students (FARMS), Special Education, Limited English Proficiency (LEP); in reading for FARMS, Special Education, LEP. Argyle: failed in math for LEP. Loiederman and Parkland (Community Superintendent Frank Stetson, Board of Education member Christopher Barclay) and Argyle (Community Superintendent Bronda Mills, Board of Education member Christopher Barclay) are part of the Down County Consortium (DCC).
These are magnets (whole school magnets, right?). They have zingy programs in digital design, creative and performing arts, aerospace technology. The idea was to bring in students from the outside, to end the demographic isolation. Isn't it time for Plan B (or is it C?) on isolation? The County Council's 2008 Office of Legislative Oversight Report said that the Northeast Consortium (NEC) and Down County Consortium (DCC) had failed in their stated goals of ending racial isolation and improving performance.
The curricula from these schools, including their cool signatures, are being imported into all middle schools through Middle School Reform. Are cool courses key to Middle School Reform and red zone success?
But, "Magnet school parents insist that test scores are only one measure of a school's success--and an imperfect one." Ok, only one measure--but a pretty basic one. We're talking here about "proficiency," not the Intel Science Award. No proficiency: don't even think about the Seven Keys or remediation free college or career readiness. Test scores are how we keep track. Test scores are how we know if a segment of our students is being grotesquely, inequitably under served.
An imperfect measure? Examiner writer Leah Fabel offers Board of Education Vice-President Chris Barclay's terpsichorean twist on this trouble. Chris not only represents the DCC where this mess is festering, his daughter attends Loiederman. Chris says that "dance and theater allowed her to stay engaged in middle school when it's also a struggle socially." That's the MCPS rationale for cool courses: engagement is good; dropping out isn't.
I don't really want to suggest that Board member Chris Barclay is fiddling while Rome burns. I'm sure that, with the fire raging in the DCC and NEC, Chris and Board of Education member Mike Durso are turning the system upside down to produce equal educational opportunities--not just cute programming.
But, are they dancing between the desks at Pyle Middle School?
Thinking about Pyle and Board of Education member Mike Durso reminds me: a couple of months ago I attended a DCC Board of Education meet and greet, and asked Board members Mike Durso, Shirley Brandman, Judy Docca and Phil Kauffman whether MCPS had the same high expectations of red and green zone students. Mike, Shirley and Judy all assured me that this was so. (What wisdom did Phil's silence indicate?) Mike gave an example: a Latino immigrant had done well; we might not have expected her to do any more than show up, but she beat the odds.
Chris Barclay's daughter stays engaged. Mike Durso's Latina shows up. Kids are scoring basic!!! Is this the same high expectations?
What the heck are they doing about it?
Isn't Leah Fabel great! From triumph to triumph.
Loiederman Middle School and Argyle Middle School were "bumped into a probationary category under federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Parkland Middle School's scores were adequate, but below the school district's averages."
Loiederman: what's happening? Failed in math for All students, African-American, Hispanic, Free and Reduced Meals Students (FARMS), Special Education, Limited English Proficiency (LEP); in reading for FARMS, Special Education, LEP. Argyle: failed in math for LEP. Loiederman and Parkland (Community Superintendent Frank Stetson, Board of Education member Christopher Barclay) and Argyle (Community Superintendent Bronda Mills, Board of Education member Christopher Barclay) are part of the Down County Consortium (DCC).
These are magnets (whole school magnets, right?). They have zingy programs in digital design, creative and performing arts, aerospace technology. The idea was to bring in students from the outside, to end the demographic isolation. Isn't it time for Plan B (or is it C?) on isolation? The County Council's 2008 Office of Legislative Oversight Report said that the Northeast Consortium (NEC) and Down County Consortium (DCC) had failed in their stated goals of ending racial isolation and improving performance.
The curricula from these schools, including their cool signatures, are being imported into all middle schools through Middle School Reform. Are cool courses key to Middle School Reform and red zone success?
But, "Magnet school parents insist that test scores are only one measure of a school's success--and an imperfect one." Ok, only one measure--but a pretty basic one. We're talking here about "proficiency," not the Intel Science Award. No proficiency: don't even think about the Seven Keys or remediation free college or career readiness. Test scores are how we keep track. Test scores are how we know if a segment of our students is being grotesquely, inequitably under served.
An imperfect measure? Examiner writer Leah Fabel offers Board of Education Vice-President Chris Barclay's terpsichorean twist on this trouble. Chris not only represents the DCC where this mess is festering, his daughter attends Loiederman. Chris says that "dance and theater allowed her to stay engaged in middle school when it's also a struggle socially." That's the MCPS rationale for cool courses: engagement is good; dropping out isn't.
I don't really want to suggest that Board member Chris Barclay is fiddling while Rome burns. I'm sure that, with the fire raging in the DCC and NEC, Chris and Board of Education member Mike Durso are turning the system upside down to produce equal educational opportunities--not just cute programming.
But, are they dancing between the desks at Pyle Middle School?
Thinking about Pyle and Board of Education member Mike Durso reminds me: a couple of months ago I attended a DCC Board of Education meet and greet, and asked Board members Mike Durso, Shirley Brandman, Judy Docca and Phil Kauffman whether MCPS had the same high expectations of red and green zone students. Mike, Shirley and Judy all assured me that this was so. (What wisdom did Phil's silence indicate?) Mike gave an example: a Latino immigrant had done well; we might not have expected her to do any more than show up, but she beat the odds.
Chris Barclay's daughter stays engaged. Mike Durso's Latina shows up. Kids are scoring basic!!! Is this the same high expectations?
What the heck are they doing about it?
Isn't Leah Fabel great! From triumph to triumph.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Dr. Weast's FY 2011 Budget Proposal Ends MCPS's Reign as a World Class School System
December may bring thoughts of holidays and snow, but here in Montgomery County Maryland, it's time again for the annual budget attack on the "special programs" in the public schools.
In the Superintendent's newly released FY 2011 Operating Budget Proposal, Dr. Weast once again sends his spear to the heart of the special programs. Dr. Weast's FY 2011 Operating Budget puts the Blair Blazers back on the cutting block, cuts the ignition for RM's Rockets, and clips the wings off the Poolesville Falcons.
Yes, the school system's special programs are in jeopardy again.
Included in Dr. Weast's recommended cuts are the following:
- 20 percent cut in teacing positions for in the immersion, IB, signature and other special program teachers
- Elimination of transportation outside "normal" attendance zones for all special programs, including magnet, immersion, IB, high school consortia
- Elimination of additional staffing to middle school consortia special course offerings at Loiederman, Argyle, and Parkland
- Elimination of extracurricular activities including athletics through a reduction in staff stipends.
What's left? Not much, and certainly not a "world class" school system.
Budget Calendar
| Dec. 23, 2009 | Sign-up begins for BOE Operating Budget hearings |
| Jan. 13, 2010 7 p.m. | BOE Operating Budget hearing |
| Jan. 20, 2010 7 p.m. | BOE Operating Budget hearing |
| Jan. 27 & 28 2010 6 p.m. | BOE Operating Budget work sessions |
| Feb. 9, 2010 | BOE Operating Budget action/adoption |
| March 1, 2010 | Presentation to the Montgomery County Executive and County Council |
| April 2010 | County Council budget hearings (exact dates to be determined) |
| May 20, 2010 | County Council approves Operating Budget |
| June 8, 2010 | Final BOE action on the FY 2011 Operating Budget |
Get ready for liftoff.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Bye bye to Middle School Electives
Here is a clip of last night's Board of Education discussion on the Strategic Plan.
When it comes time to discuss the Board's Strategic Plan, Dr. Weast states that MCPS has spent thousands of dollars and thousands of hours studying issues. He is done with the discussion.
Listen carefully - you will hear words never before uttered by Dr. Weast. "No more time, no more money, be honest." "No creativity." And my favorite: "Have it based on some factual matter."
At least when it comes to issues like middle school course electives and the possibility for creative scheduling or engaging our children. Dr. Weast isn't interested. The school day is limited, the money is limited.
You need to hear for yourself. Click here for a snip - the entire BOE meeting will be webcast in a few days on the MCPS website.
Do we have a world class school system or is world class limited to the Walter Johnson athletic field?
When it comes time to discuss the Board's Strategic Plan, Dr. Weast states that MCPS has spent thousands of dollars and thousands of hours studying issues. He is done with the discussion.
Listen carefully - you will hear words never before uttered by Dr. Weast. "No more time, no more money, be honest." "No creativity." And my favorite: "Have it based on some factual matter."
At least when it comes to issues like middle school course electives and the possibility for creative scheduling or engaging our children. Dr. Weast isn't interested. The school day is limited, the money is limited.
You need to hear for yourself. Click here for a snip - the entire BOE meeting will be webcast in a few days on the MCPS website.
Do we have a world class school system or is world class limited to the Walter Johnson athletic field?
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