NEW! 2/20/09
Evaluation of the Phase Out of the Secondary Learning Centers: Final Report February 2009
10/11/07 Read testimonies from October 11, 2007 MCPS Community Forum.
10/9/07 Read testimonies from Public Comments period of October 9, 2007 Board of Ed meeting.
10/9/07 Weast memo tells Board the Learning Center Transition Project is going along as planned. Read memo and examine the attached data...
8/29/07 - State Board of Education Denies Appeal to Stop the Closing of the Secondary Learning Centers. Read MCneeds response and newspaper articles.
7/17/07 - Weast memo to BoE regarding LRE update includes Secondary Learning Center. 24 page document includes data regarding LCs; Mark Twain and other info. Note PDF document properties indicate PDF was created 7/12/07 and was modified 7/27/07 (after the meeting) [MCneeds site addition 11/3/07]
6/07 - The Montgomery County Council approved the MCPS FY08 Operating Budget, as did the MCPS Board of Education. The 6 Yr Plan to Close the Secondary Learning Centers is moving forward.
**UPDATED MCPS FAQS Regarding the Proposal [3/20/07]
(Original) MCPS FAQs Regarding the Proposal to Phase Out the Secondary Learning Centers
There are several issues regarding these FAQ. Based on the order they appear in the FAQ, the issues include the following:
- Answer 1 states that "parents may request consideration of placement in the home school through the IEP process." This suggests that parents will not be free to choose their child's home, as indicated in Dr. Weast's revised plan on the learning centers.
- Answer 3 states that the rising grade 6 students attending elementary learning centers will be able to receive services in their home or consortia schools based on their IEP. The problem is that the consortia choices need to be submitted before the IEPs will be completed.
- In Answer 1 on page 2, the training this summer will only be mandatory for those "teachers who will be working with Grade 6 students coming from learning centers." For other rising 6th graders and for older students who elect to move from a secondary LC to their home school, there is no mandatory training. MCPS response to this item...Read here
- In Answer 1 on page 3, MCPS indicates that a continuum of services includes small group or self-contained classes and then states that "a continuum of services is provided in all MCPS schools." Not all MCPS schools provide small group or self-contained classes.
- In Answer 3 on page 3, MCPS again misstates the IDEA requirement of "maximum extent appropriate" by stating that it is the "maximum extent possible." Just because something is possible does not mean it is appropriate.
- In Answer 5 on page 3, MCPS states that "LAD services are available in every middle and high school in MCPS". Is this a correct statement?
- In Answer 6 on page 4, MCPS states that "Each school receiving students from learning centers will be able to provide a continuum of services and settings as required to implement the IEP." This answer then references small group instruction, but interestingly omits any reference to self-contained classes.