In August, 7News reported that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is proposing a plan that it says would expand access to academic programs for high school students across the county.
The includes regional and countywide magnet and lottery-based programs as well as Career and Technical Education offerings.
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Now, Montgomery County Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez is raising concerns about the process.
7News obtained the letter she sent to colleagues on the council’s Education and Culture Committee about the proposed Six Region High School Program Model.
MCPS officials state that the model would group high schools into six regions to give more students the opportunity to participate in high-quality programs.
In her letter, Fani-Gonzalez said the most common concerns she’s heard from the community are a possible loss of academic rigor if the programs are spread too thin across the region, staffing limitations, the elimination of ranked choice, and a lack of clarity on program outcomes.
She’s asking the council to request the following from MCPS: Clear and consistent communication of the Six Region High School Program Model Plan, preservation of student choice, and additional information about the projected budget, staffing implications, and the plan’s educational impact over time.
Fani-Gonzalez wants the Education and Culture Committee to address those items at a meeting this Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
7News requested interviews with Fani-Gonzalez and the chair of the committee — They were not available.