View
3
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
DISCUSSION
Office of the Superintendent of Schools
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Rockville, Maryland
September 10, 2019
MEMORANDUM
To: Members of the Board of Education
From: Jack R. Smith, Superintendent of Schools
Subject: Choice Update: High School Programs
As a follow up to the Choice Update discussion at the May 30, 2019, Board of Education meeting,
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has developed a long-term strategic plan for high
school programs and options, building on our strategic efforts to expand access to enriched
and accelerated instruction and ensure systematic access to high-demand high school programs
that prepare students for college and careers. These efforts build on reform accomplishments
during the last three years in response to the 2016 Metis Report, Study of Choice and Special
Academic Programs; the 2017 Education Strategy Group (ESG) Report, Preparing All Students
for Economic & Career Success: Career Readiness External Review; collaboration with national
experts; and extensive engagement with our stakeholders.
The high school strategic plan calls for a phased-in rollout of a coordinated system of high school
programs that engages all students in their learning, challenges, and supports their growth,
and ensures equitable access to comparable programs in multiple locations. The plan is designed
to expand access by increasing proven programs, increasing seats, and bringing programs closer
to students’ homes. The plan also emphasizes the importance of strong local schools
as the foundation and ensuring robust college and career pathways in every high school. The high
school strategic plan strikes a balance between promoting local school programs and expanding
unique programs at additional locations.
Phase One of the high school plan will be implemented for students in the 2020–2021 school year,
with communication, outreach, and applications commencing in fall 2019. In this first phase, areas
of focus include—
• Two regional comprehensive college and career high schools with high demand
career readiness programs at Seneca Valley High School and the Wheaton High
School/Thomas Edison High School of Technology partnership;
• Expansion of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Application Program to three
additional schools in a regional model; and
• Streamlined marketing, application, admission, and communication processes.
Members of the Board of Education 2 September 10, 2019
Stakeholder Engagement
Following the Choice Update discussion at the May 30, 2019, Board meeting, additional
stakeholder feedback has been sought to solicit additional input on the framework of the high
school plan and to support the development of the implementation plan. This has included
online feedback through the MCPS website; meetings with principals, school leaders, school
counselors, teachers, employee associations, and leadership of the Montgomery County Council
of Parent Teacher Associations, Inc.; and other community organizations. Implementation plans
for 2020–2021 also have been shared at face-to-face meetings in local school communities.
Phase One programs were shared at the Back-to-School Fair on August 24, 2019, and will
be discussed during four High School Preview Nights scheduled in September and October 2019.
Phase One Implementation Plan
Career Readiness Programs
In developing a new regional model that expands access to high-demand career readiness
programs, two regional models at the newly modernized Seneca Valley High School
and a new Wheaton High School/Thomas Edison High School of Technology partnership, will
launch for the first cohort of Grade 9 students in 2020–2021. Design teams that include faculty
from each of the schools have been working closely with central services staff to construct
the regional models, with a vision to create the college and career high schools of the future that
offer students a comprehensive, quality four-year program of study in high-demand industry
fields—preparing students for success after high school.
The design of the new regional model will be a combination of local students assigned to each
school, plus additional students who may apply from a defined catchment area. For example,
at Seneca Valley High School, in addition to students who will attend based on local boundaries,
approximately 125 additional seats will be available for students each year in the wider Upcounty
area through an application process. Due to the districtwide boundary analysis taking place
in an overlapping time frame to the fall 2019 application deadlines, all students interested
in the college and career readiness application-based programs offered at Seneca Valley High
School will need to apply by November 1, 2019. These career readiness programs combine strong
academics with technical skills and real-world professional experiences that give students
a competitive advantage for college and lifelong career success. Initially, the application programs
will include—
• Healthcare Professions;
• Hospitality and Tourism Management;
• Information Technology/Cybersecurity;
• Construction Management and Architecture; and
• Project Lead The Way Engineering.
Members of the Board of Education 3 September 10, 2019
As seats for out-of-area students will be limited, students will be assigned by lottery after
boundaries are approved by the Board. All local students at Seneca Valley High School will have
access to the application programs noted.
A similar design will be established at Thomas Edison High School of Technology, with selected
programs now offered to rising Grade 9 students in a comprehensive, four-year experience,
through a new partnership with Wheaton High School. Grade 8 students in the region may apply
and select a program at Thomas Edison High School of Technology—approximately 100 seats
in the first year. In this new model, students will begin in Grade 9 in a comprehensive experience,
offering a full array of academic and elective courses in the new partnership with Wheaton High
School. Initially, the application programs for rising Grade 9 students will include the following
academies—
• Healthcare Professions (Biosciences Academy);
• Hospitality and Tourism Management (Global Studies Academy);
• Information Technology/Cybersecurity (Academy of Information Technology); and
• Construction Management and Architecture (Academy of Engineering).
Transportation will be provided within catchment areas to these high schools, and also remain
available for part-time access for students completing programs at Thomas Edison High School
of Technology (Attachment A).
It is important to note that one of the guiding principles in this effort is multiple entry
points. Students who are certain of their interest and apply in Grade 8 will create the opportunity
for a four-year career program as a focus of their high school experience; other students will
discover that interest later. Providing space is available in the program in the upper grades,
students will be able to enter a program later in high school, beginning a program in Grade 10
or 11 similar to our current model. Work is under way with the design teams to ensure
the continuation of these on ramps—and off ramps—throughout high school years.
In addition to these new efforts at Seneca Valley High School and the new Wheaton High
School/Thomas Edison High School of Technology partnership, additional high-demand programs
will continue to expand across the district. These include:
• Career Readiness Education Academy;
• Early and Middle College, including Early College at all three campuses of Montgomery
College; and
• Regional career readiness programs such as Aviation, Network Operations, Project Lead
The Way Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, and the IB Career Program.
IB Regional Programs
Phase One also includes expanding access to the IB Diploma Program. IB programs are validated
externally through the rigorous authorization process in order for a school to receive accreditation
from the IB Organization. IB authorization is recertified every five years through a review process.
Members of the Board of Education 4 September 10, 2019
There are thousands of IB schools worldwide, all held to the same international standards
and practices. While IB often is compared to Advanced Placement, IB stands out because
of its international reach and the standardization of the programs once schools are authorized.
In all eight of our IB high schools, students take the same IB exams and earn the same IB Diploma
as students throughout the world.
There also is uniform professional development, as our teachers travel outside of MCPS to attend
professional development sanctioned by IB, alongside teachers from across the country.
In all IB schools, students begin IB Diploma courses in Grade 11 and complete a rigorous
curriculum in six major subject areas, completing exams, other assessments, community service,
and a senior year extended research project. When successful, students receive the IB Diploma,
which is recognized worldwide.
In this expansion, three new regional models will be implemented in 2020–2021
at John F. Kennedy, Springbrook, and Watkins Mill high schools. Students will have
the opportunity to apply in Grade 8 and begin a pathway to the IB Diploma starting in Grade 9,
similar to the application program already in place at Richard Montgomery High School.
Richard Montgomery High School will remain a countywide application program
for the foreseeable future, as the Grades 9 and 10 programs are built at the three new regional
programs. Outcomes in the regional programs will be analyzed each year as students approach
entry into the IB Diploma Program. In the interim, students with an interest in the IB application
program will be able to apply to the regional program in their region, with transportation provided
(Attachment B), and additionally, will have the opportunity to apply to the countywide program
at Richard Montgomery High School. Notably, there will be additional seats available for local
students at each of the four IB application programs.
It is important to note that the existing local IB programs at John F. Kennedy, Springbrook,
and Watkins Mill high schools already have student outcomes and existing results that signal
readiness for this transition, especially for our focus students. For example:
• IB Participation with Focus Groups;
• IB Performance with Focus Groups;
• IB Diploma with Focus Groups;
• Teacher Experience and Level of Training;
• Course Offerings; and
• Student Stories, College, etc.
At the IB countywide program, there will be no changes to capacity or the selection process,
with approximately 100 seats available each year and selection continuing to occur through
a selection committee. In each of the regional IB programs, 50 seats will be available to students
in the catchment area, available by application and selection by a centrally managed selection
committee. During the next two years, strategic supports, professional development, and program
reviews will help build the programs to full capacity and expansion of the IB Diploma.
Members of the Board of Education 5 September 10, 2019
Timeline, Communication Plan, and Next Steps
The strategic communications plan for high school programming ensures student and
family-friendly processes to provide timely, clear communication about regional/countywide
high school options available. This includes streamlining information and processes
for information, application, and notification. Cultural sensitivity and awareness of preferred
languages and communication methods will be critical aspects of these processes to ensure equity
and effectiveness.
To prepare Grade 8 students and their families to learn more about the high school
regional/countywide options available in the 2020–2021 school year, staff in the Office
of Curriculum and Instructional Programs, in collaboration with staff in the Department
of Communications and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, will distribute parent/guardian
letters and flyers both via electronic and print medium, and one-pagers at MCPS Back-to-School
Nights and High School Preview Nights scheduled in September and October 2019. Details
about the High School Preview Nights were shared at the MCPS Back-to-School Fair held
August 24, 2019. Four High School Regional/Countywide Preview Nights will be offered
for families in English and Spanish and are scheduled to be live-streamed; the presentation
also will be posted on the MCPS website. To support parents/guardians and students directly
at the local middle schools, collaborative partnerships with parent community coordinators
and middle school counselors are under way to ensure staff are able to provide information
and tools for their parent/guardian and student communities.
In addition to print and e-mail communications specific to application-based programs, common
marketing materials for centrally managed high school programs will be made available
to parents/guardians and students through additional means, including the MCPS website that will
feature interactive maps; an interactive tool for parents/guardians and students to determine
available programs; student videos; and additional information about high school programs.
Print materials will be available at each high school in the following languages: English, Spanish,
Chinese, French, Vietnamese, Korean, and Amharic. Following the 2019–2020 application
and selection process, marketing will begin in Grades 6 and 7, and could be provided to elementary
school families.
Conclusion
The Metis and ESG reports have been catalysts for reimagining a systemic approach to ensuring
equitable access to accelerated and enriched instruction, as well as high-demand career pathways
that prepare students to thrive after high school. This effort has revealed the importance
of providing options not only in regional programs, but also in every local school, to meet
the many needs and interests of all students and to prepare them for their futures after graduation.
JRS:MVN:NTH:SWM:jpm
Attachments
n
n
SenecaValley
QuinceOrchard
Poolesville
R ic h a rdM o n tg o m e ry
RockvilleWootton
Northwest
Clarksburg
Paint BranchBlake
Be the sda -Ch evyCha se
Walter Johnson
Whitman
Sherwood
Magruder
WatkinsMill
Gaithersburg
Churchill
Damascus
Blair
Wh ea to n
Eins te in
North wood
Spr ingbrookKennedy
Countywide College and Career High Schools
¯
0 5 102.5
Miles
Seneca Valley HS
Thomas Edison HS of Technology/
Wheaton HS Partnership
Thomas Edison High School of Technology/Wheaton High School Partnership
Seneca Valley
August 13, 2019
Attachment A
#
##
#
Bethesda-ChevyChase
Clarksburg
WinstonChurchill
Damascus
DowncountyConsortium
Gaithersburg
WalterJohnson
Col.Zadok
Magruder
RichardMontgomery Northeast
Consortium
Northwest
Poolesville
QuinceOrchard
Rockville
Seneca Valley SherwoodWatkins
Mill
Walt Whitman
ThomasS. Wootton Countywide and
Regional IBSpringbrookRegional IB
KennedyRegional IB
Watkins MillRegional IB
Local Site# Program Site
3 RegionsSpringbrook Regional IB: 50 out of area seats/25 local seatsKennedy Regional IB: 50 out of area seats/ 25 local seatsWatkins Mill Regional IB: 50 out of area seats/ 25 local seatsRM Countywide and Regional IB: 100 out of area seats/ 25 local seats August 27, 2019
MCPS offers the IB Diploma Program at eight high schools. Of these schools, four of the programs will have an admissions based program for students in the defined region or countywide, beginning in 2020-2021 for entering Grade 9 students. The remaining four IB schools will continue to offer the IB Diploma Program for their local students.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) IB ProgramsAttachment B
Recommended