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