By Adam Pagnucco.
I have previously discussed MCPS’s ongoing academic programs analysis, a separate analysis from the school system’s two boundary studies which is intended to make recommendations on programs in individual schools. So far, the work of that analysis has not been made public. But now one key concept has been revealed: MCPS could be organized into regions that would effectively replace its two consortia and more closely integrate its high schools.
Last week, MCPS briefly posted a presentation on BoardDocs (a site where Board meeting materials are shared) that included the slide below. The presentation was stripped from MCPS’s website but not before the screenshot below began circulating.
So what is this?
My hunch – unconfirmed by MCPS until the full presentation is made public – is that these regions are conceived to provide somewhat equivalent suites of programs available to all students within the regions. It wouldn’t be exactly like the Downcounty Consortium, but there would be some degree of choice without guarantee. The intention would be that while the regions’ programs are not identical, they would be equivalent with no region advantaged or disadvantaged compared with the other ones.
Three more thoughts. First, there may be other region proposals. Second, this is a proposal and not necessarily a done deal. And third, I am uncertain as to whether school board approval is required to move forward with such change. That should be required because it’s so important.
If I’m right, this would blend equity of access and countywide commitment to academic achievement. That’s a massive change but potentially a positive one. (Do you see how much I’m speculating on this, folks? This is what happens when transparency is lacking!)
That said, here are three key questions.
First, take a look at these combinations of schools. There are significant transportation challenges here, both for MCPS buses and for parents who opt to drive their kids to school. One region combines Wheaton HS and Churchill HS. Another combines Whitman HS and Northwood HS. A third region combines Wootton HS with Kennedy HS. That’s a challenge given MoCo’s clogged road network and parents’ sentiments regarding other factors, well… it’s a lot.
Second, how does this or other region proposals intersect with the boundary studies? Let’s remember that there are two boundary studies – one in the vicinity of the new Woodward HS and another in the vicinity of the new Crown HS. The construction of the regions coincides with significant changes to the individual boundaries. How does that play out?
And third, how does this proposal compare to the existing consortia, Downcounty and Northeast? I previously wrote that the Woodward HS boundary study threatened to unravel the Downcounty Consortium. This region proposal would clearly dismantle it and add Sherwood HS to the three Northeast Consortium schools. How would these regions operate differently from the consortia? Would they be better, and if so, how? And do the consortia really need to be junked?
The combination of the program analysis and the boundary studies represents the most sweeping structural overhaul of MCPS in generations. Superintendent Thomas Taylor, who is new on the job, and the current school board – none of whom have served for more than two terms – must get this right. The future of MCPS and therefore of Montgomery County is at stake.