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{{POV-section|date=November 2009}}
{{POV-section|date=November 2009}}
Kilmer Middle School, a school in the FCPS system, has a strict rule/policy of "no physical contact", meaning that contact such as [[high five]]s or hugs between friends are not allowed. The school system and the principal of the school (Deborah Hernandez) stand behind the rule and have refused to rescind the rule. The issue was brought to light after a 13-year-old student named Hal Beaulieu was reprimanded for putting his arm round his girlfriend during a break, and his parents wrote to the Fairfax County School Board. <ref name=Time> http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1683668,00.html</ref> <ref name=CNN>http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0706/21/pzn.01.html</ref> <ref name=foxnews>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,309296,00.html</ref> <ref name=MSNBC>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19293872/</ref> <ref name="Washington Post">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/17/AR2007061701179.html The Washington Post]</ref> <ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jun/19/usa.schools, NPR http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11181177</ref>.
Kilmer Middle School, a school in the FCPS system, has a strict rule/policy of "no physical contact", meaning that contact such as [[high five]]s or hugs between friends are not allowed. The school system and the principal of the school (Deborah Hernandez) stand behind the rule and have refused to rescind the rule. The issue was brought to light after a 13-year-old student named Hal Beaulieu was reprimanded for putting his arm round his girlfriend during a break, and his parents wrote to the Fairfax County School Board. <ref name=Time> http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1683668,00.html</ref> <ref name=CNN>http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0706/21/pzn.01.html</ref> <ref name=foxnews>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,309296,00.html</ref> <ref name=MSNBC>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19293872/</ref> <ref name="Washington Post">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/17/AR2007061701179.html The Washington Post]</ref> <ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jun/19/usa.schools, NPR http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11181177</ref>.

A spokesman for Fairfax schools said that many schools have similar "keep your hands to yourself" rules.<ref name="Washington Post"/>

Deborah Hernandez, the principal of the school, has said that such a rule is useful in an overcrowded school (the school has nearly 1100 students, but was built for 850), and that students need their personal space, but many lack the maturity to understand the limits of acceptable behavior.<ref name="Washington Post"/>. She also says that allowing limited touching can lead to "shades of gray", with students saying "If he can high-five, then I can do this."<ref name=MSNBC/><ref name="Washington Post"/> She says that she has seen what starts as a mild poke develop into a fight, and that girls have sometimes told Counselors that they are uncomfortable with hugs from boys, but too embarrassed to say so. Additionally according to The Washington Post, officials said that in a culturally diverse school, families might have different views of what is appropriate.<ref name="Washington Post"/>

Laurie Baker, president of the school's Parent Teacher Association, has said that innocent examples of touching, such as "high-fiving", can lead to congestion in hallways in a crowded school, and that the associated "elbows flowing" can lead to people getting hit. Baker went on to describe an actual incident which started with a simple handshake between two senior boys, but went on to an "arm twisting battle" in which one of them finished up on the floor, and suggested that in such a case a passing younger child could get hurt. <ref name=CNN/>


==Debate over grading policy==
==Debate over grading policy==

Revision as of 03:40, 2 December 2009

38°52′7.08″N 77°13′30.48″W / 38.8686333°N 77.2251333°W / 38.8686333; -77.2251333

Fairfax County Public Schools
File:Fcps.png
Address
Map
8115 Gatehouse Road

Falls Church
,
Virginia
22042
Information
School typePublic, school division
Founded1870
School boardKathy L. Smith, Chairman
Judith (Tessie) Wilson, Vice Chairman
Elizabeth T. Bradsher
Brad Center
Stuart D. Gibson
Martina A. Hone
Kaye Kory
Ilryong Moon
James L. Raney
Jane K. Strauss
Daniel G. Storck
SuperintendentJack D. Dale
Staff22,309 [1]
GradesPre-K–12
Enrollment173,573 [1] (2009)
CampusSuburban
AreaFairfax County, Virginia
Websitehttp://www.fcps.edu/

The Fairfax County Public Schools system (abbreviated FCPS) is a branch of the Fairfax County government which administers public schools in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. FCPS' headquarters is located at 8115 Gatehouse Road in an unincorporated section of the county near the city of Falls Church; the headquarters has a Falls Church address but is not within the city limits.[2]

With over 170,000 students enrolled, FCPS is the largest public school system in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area and in Virginia. The superintendent of schools is Jack D. Dale. The school division is the 12th largest school system in the nation [1] and maintains the largest school bus fleet of any school system in the United States.

The most notable commitment the county makes to its school system is the allocation of 52.2% of its fiscal budget to the school system.[3] Including state and federal government contributions, along with citizen and corporate contributions, this brings the 2009 fiscal budget for the school system to $2.2 billion.[1] The school system has estimated that, based on the 2006 fiscal budget, the county invested $13,340 in each student in 2009. [1]

History

The public school system in Fairfax County was created after the Civil War with the adoption by Virginia of a Reconstruction-era state constitution in 1870, which for the first time in Virginia guaranteed free public education.

Fairfax County refused to let black students attend and bused them out of the county to Manassas.[4] Despite the 1954 Supreme court ruling to end racial segregation Fairfax County Schools did not allow any black students into designated white schools until 1960.[5]

In previous points in time the county school system was headquartered at 10700 Page Avenue in an unincorporated area of the county completely surrounded by the City of Fairfax.[6][7]

Demographics

Since the early 1990s, FCPS' fastest growing segment is its Asian-American student population, which is second only to whites. Most of the Asian student growth comes from Korean Americans, as Fairfax County is home to strong Korean American communities in business districts such as Annandale and Centreville. As a result, most FCPS schools have access to Korean interpreters and staff members to help parents who do not speak English well. There are also many Chinese American and Indian American students moving to Fairfax County. The enrollment of these demographics among Asians is second to Korean Americans. A large number of Filipino American and Vietnamese American students live toward the eastern region of the county, bordering Arlington and Falls Church.[citation needed]

Hispanic growth continues significantly as well throughout the county, in particular in the southeast portion of the county and the Herndon area. Hispanic enrollment surpasses that of African Americans but is not growing at the rate of Asian Americans. African American enrollment has been stagnant in the last few years, while White enrollment has steadily dropped since the 1990s due to lower birth rates and many families moving to suburbs whose school districts are farther away from Washington, D.C. Loudoun County Public Schools, directly west of Fairfax County, is a common destination.

In the 2008-2009 school year, FCPS was 47.7% White; 18.3% Asian American; 17.1% Hispanic; 10.6% African American; 0.3% American Indian; and 5.7% Multiracial. [1]

No contact rule controversy

Kilmer Middle School, a school in the FCPS system, has a strict rule/policy of "no physical contact", meaning that contact such as high fives or hugs between friends are not allowed. The school system and the principal of the school (Deborah Hernandez) stand behind the rule and have refused to rescind the rule. The issue was brought to light after a 13-year-old student named Hal Beaulieu was reprimanded for putting his arm round his girlfriend during a break, and his parents wrote to the Fairfax County School Board. [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13].

Debate over grading policy

Fairfax County Public Schools is known for their use of a 6-point grading scale, under which a score of 94-100 receives an A, 90-93 is a B+, 84-89 is a B, and so on. This policy has raised protests by some parents and students who support a switch to a traditional 10-point grading scale (under which 90-100 would be considered an A). FAIRGRADE, an organization started which aims to work with the FCPS research team to focus on issues that may occur because of FCPS's current grading scale, believes some areas in which students may be affected disadvantageously include:[citation needed]

  • College admissions
  • Receipt of valuable merit-based academic scholarships
  • Admissions to college honors programs
  • NCAA athletic eligibility
  • Car insurance "good student" discounts

An example used in one report to illustrate a disadvantage of the 6 point scale noted that students in other counties can maintain higher GPA's than Fairfax County students even if they are not doing as well numerically. For example, if a student in an honors course in another county maintained a 92% average in a course for the year, he or she would receive an A and have a 5.0 to be averaged into his or her GPA, however, a Fairfax County student who maintained a 92% would get a B+ and would have a 3.5 averaged into their GPA. The significantly lower grade point value averaged into the Fairfax County student's GPA could make the student a less competitive candidate for colleges. Additionally, FCPS's grading policy also hurts students who want to go to colleges where 'plus grades' are viewed as basic letter grades (e.g.: B+ would be viewed as a B, C+ would be viewed as a C, etc.) Some college officials around the United States who have weighed in on the debate said that it would not hurt FCPS's reputation as an excellent public school system if they changed their grading policy. UCLA is among these colleges.[14]

On January 2, 2009, Superintendent Jack D. Dale announced his decision on the issue,[15] recommending the changing the weights of advanced courses but maintaining the six-point grading scale. Dale stated there was no conclusive evidence the six-point grading scale is disadvantageous for the students of FCPS. FAIRGRADE responded that "there is still opportunity with the School Board".[citation needed]

On January 22, 2009, the FCPS School Board directed Superintendent Dale to report back to it with a new version of the grading scale by March 2009.[16] The Board also approved changing the weighting for Honors to 0.5 effective with the 2009-2010 school year and for AP and IB courses to 1.0 retroactively.[16]

Schools

FCPS High Schools' Rankings on Newsweek's
America's Top Public High Schools.[17][18]
School Name 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Annandale 623 516 862 924 960 1004
Centreville 177 149 99 112 106 131
Chantilly 72 94 162 133 126 136
Edison 425 692 657 694 751 798
Fairfax 92 196 211 157 258 133
Falls Church 128 289 395 >1323 390 198
Herndon 115 174 139 161 145 166
Langley 31 50 81 72 55 102
Lee >787 >1019 >1215 >1323 801 812
Madison >787 >1019 123 141 152 199
Marshall 184 187 201 211 254 159
McLean 152 128 86 76 99 115
Mount Vernon 305 729 636 >1323 >1398 1217
Oakton 143 103 105 103 105 157
South Lakes 407 383 608 842 515 570
Stuart 230 371 368 458 330 285
West Potomac 108 403 295 198 221 270
West Springfield 145 141 155 172 250 263
Westfield 48 126 142 179 148 192
Woodson 23 34 91 65 74 72

The Newsweek rankings do not include Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology because it is a selective school. Newsweek recognized it as one of America's "public elite" high schools, having few or no average students.[19][20]

High schools

Secondary schools

Alternative high schools

  • Bryant Alternative High School
  • Mountain View Alternative High School
  • Pimmit Hills Alternative High School
  • Woodson Adult High School

Middle schools

Main article: List of Fairfax County Public Schools middle schools

Elementary schools

  • Buzz Aldrin Elementary School
  • Annandale Terrace Elementary School
  • Louise Archer Elementary School
  • Armstrong Elementary School
  • Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences
  • Beech Tree Elementary School
  • Belle View Elementary School
  • Belvedere Elementary School
  • Bonnie Brae Elementary School
  • Braddock Elementary School
  • Bren Mar Park Elementary School
  • Brookfield Elementary School
  • Bucknell Elementary School
  • Bull Run Elementary School
  • Bush Hill Elementary School
  • Camelot Elementary School
  • Cameron Elementary School
  • Canterbury Woods Elementary School
  • Cardinal Forest Elementary School
  • Centre Ridge Elementary School
  • Centreville Elementary School
  • Cherry Run Elementary School
  • Chesterbrook Elementary School
  • Churchill Road Elementary School
  • Clearview Elementary School
  • Clermont Elementary School
  • Clifton Elementary School
  • Columbia Elementary School
  • Colvin Run Elementary School
  • Crestwood Elementary School
  • A. Scott Crossfield Elementary School
  • Cub Run Elementary School
  • Cunningham Park Elementary School
  • Daniels Run Elementary School
  • Deer Park Elementary School
  • Dogwood Elementary School
  • Dranesville Elementary School
  • Eagle View Elementary School
  • Fairfax Villa Elementary School
  • Fairhill Elementary School
  • Fairview Elementary School
  • Flint Hill Elementary School
  • Floris Elementary School
  • Forest Edge Elementary School
  • Forestdale Elementary School
  • Forestville Elementary School
  • Fort Belvoir Elementary School
  • Fort Hunt Elementary School
  • Fox Mill Elementary School
  • Franconia Elementary School
  • Franklin Sherman Elementary School
  • Freedom Hill Elementary School
  • Garfield Elementary School
  • Glen Forest Elementary School
  • Graham Road Elementary School
  • Great Falls Elementary School
  • Greenbriar East Elementary School
  • Greenbriar West Elementary School
  • Groveton Elementary School
  • Gunston Elementary School
  • William Halley Elementary School
  • Haycock Elementary School
  • Hayfield Elementary School
  • Herndon Elementary School
  • Hollin Meadows Elementary School
  • Hunt Valley Elementary School
  • Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences
  • Hutchison Elementary School
  • Hybla Valley Elementary School
  • Island Creek Elementary School
  • Keene Mill Elementary School
  • Kent Gardens Elementary School
  • Kings Glen Elementary School
  • Kings Park Elementary School
  • Lake Anne Elementary School
  • Anthony T. Lane Elementary School
  • Laurel Ridge Elementary School
  • Lees Corner Elementary School
  • Lemon Road Elementary School
  • Little Run Elementary School
  • London Towne Elementary School
  • Lorton Station Elementary School
  • Lynbrook Elementary School
  • Mantua Elementary School
  • Marshall Road Elementary School
  • McNair Elementary School
  • Mosby Woods Elementary School
  • Mount Eagle Elementary School
  • Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School
  • Navy Elementary School
  • Newington Forest Elementary School
  • North Springfield Elementary School
  • Oak Hill Elementary School
  • Oak View Elementary School
  • Oakton Elementary School
  • Olde Creek Elementary School
  • Orange Hunt Elementary School
  • Parklawn Elementary School
  • Pine Spring Elementary School
  • Poplar Tree Elementary School
  • Colin L. Powell Elementary School
  • Providence Elementary School
  • Ravensworth Elementary School
  • Riverside Elementary School
  • Rolling Valley Elementary School
  • Rose Hill Elementary School
  • Sangster Elementary School
  • Saratoga Elementary School
  • Shrevewood Elementary School
  • Silverbrook Elementary School
  • Sleepy Hollow Elementary School
  • Spring Hill Elementary School
  • Springfield Estates Elementary School
  • Stenwood Elementary School
  • Stratford Landing Elementary School
  • Sunrise Valley Elementary School
  • Terra Centre Elementary School
  • Terraset Elementary School
  • Timber Lane Elementary School
  • Union Mill Elementary School
  • Vienna Elementary School
  • Virginia Run Elementary School
  • Wakefield Forest Elementary School
  • Waples Mill Elementary School
  • Washington Mill Elementary School
  • Waynewood Elementary School
  • West Springfield Elementary School
  • Westbriar Elementary School
  • Westgate Elementary School
  • Westlawn Elementary School
  • Weyanoke Elementary School
  • White Oaks Elementary School
  • Willow Springs Elementary School
  • Wolftrap Elementary School
  • Woodburn Elementary School for the Fine and Communicative Arts
  • Woodlawn Elementary School
  • Woodley Hills Elementary School

Special education centers

  • Burke Center
  • Camelot Center
  • Cedar Lane School
  • Davis Career Center
  • Key Center
  • Kilmer Center
  • Mount Vernon Center
  • Pulley Career Center
  • Quander Road School

Interagency Alternative Schools

  • Adult Detention Center
  • Boys Probation House
  • Care Connection for Children
  • Compass Day School
  • Computer Enhanced Instruction Program
  • Crossroads Residential Program
  • Devonshire Center
  • Elizabeth Blackwell School
  • Enterprise School
  • Falls Bridge School
  • Girls Probation House
  • GRANTS (GED Readiness and New Technology Skills)
  • Gunston School at South County Juvenile Court
  • Hickory Grove School
  • Hillwood School at East County Juvenile Court
  • Horizons Day School
  • Independent Study Program
  • Juvenile Detention Center
  • Less Secure Shelter Home
  • Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute
  • Northern Virginia Sickle Cell Center at Inova
  • Northwest Center
  • Sager School
  • Sojourn House
  • Sunrise House
  • Transition Support Resource Center
  • Vista Day School at South County Juvenile Court

Transportation

FCPS operates a fleet of close to 1,600 school buses [1]. The fleet make-up consists of buses that are from 1988 to 2008. FCPS operates the following bus models:

  • 1989 Blue Bird TC/2000 FE
  • 1990 Blue Bird TC/2000 FE
  • 1991 Blue Bird TC/2000 FE
  • 1992 Blue Bird TC/2000 FE
  • 1993 AmTran Genesis
  • 1994 Blue Bird TC/2000 FE
  • 1994 Thomas Vista
  • 1994 Thomas Saf-T-Liner ER
  • 1995 Thomas Vista
  • 1995 Thomas Saf-T-Liner ER
  • 1996 AmTran Genesis
  • 1996 AmTran RE
  • 1997 AmTran Genesis
  • 1997 Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
  • 1998 AmTran Genesis
  • 1998 Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP EF
  • 1998 Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
  • 1999 AmTran Genesis
  • 1999 AmTran RE
  • 2000 AmTran FE
  • 2000 AmTran RE
  • 2000 Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP EF
  • 2001 AmTran RE
  • 2001 Thomas Saf-T-Liner MVP EF
  • 2002 IC RE
  • 2002 IC FE
  • 2003 IC RE
  • 2003 IC FE
  • 2004 IC RE
  • 2004 IC FE
  • 2006 IC RE
  • 2006 IC FE
  • 2007 IC RE
  • 2007 IC FE
  • 2008 IC RE
  • 2008 IC FE
  • 2008 IC CE
  • 2009 IC CE
  • 2009 IC RE

The transportation department is divided into 4 sections. Regular education is divided into Area 1, Area 2, and Area 3. The 4th section is Special Education. Area 1 serves the Southern part of the county, Area 2 the middle section, and Area 3 the Northern part. Special Education services the entire county.

There are three main garages that serve FCPS school buses. For service and repair, each bus is assigned to one of three garages; West Ox, Alban, or Newington.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "About FCPS". Fairfax County Public Schools. July 13, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
  2. ^ Home page. Fairfax County Public Schools. Retrieved on April 3, 2009.
  3. ^ County 2007 fiscal budget
  4. ^ Russell-Porte, Evelyn Darnell (2000). "A history of education for black students in fairfax county prior to 1954" (PDF). Doctoral dissertation. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  5. ^ "Education Empire" (PDF). Albany: State university of new York Press. 2005. Retrieved June 21, 2006. {{cite web}}: |chapter= ignored (help)
  6. ^ Home page. Fairfax County Public Schools. February 24, 2001. Retrieved on April 3, 2009.
  7. ^ "Fairfax city, Virginia." United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on April 3, 2009.
  8. ^ http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1683668,00.html
  9. ^ http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0706/21/pzn.01.html
  10. ^ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,309296,00.html
  11. ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19293872/
  12. ^ The Washington Post
  13. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jun/19/usa.schools, NPR http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11181177
  14. ^ "Does Fairfax Give Fair Grades?". Retrieved 12-6-2008. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  15. ^ Dale, Jack (January 8, 2009). "Review of Grading Regulations". Fairfax County Public Schools School Board eGovernance System. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  16. ^ a b Sabo, Linda (January 23, 2009). "School Board Action 1-22-09". Fairfax County Public Schools School Board eGovernance System. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  17. ^ Newsweek's America's Top Public High Schools for 2009
  18. ^ Mathews, Jay (May 18, 2008). "FAQ: Best High Schools". Newsweek. Retrieved September 9, 2008.
    As noted in the FAQ, the ranking is based on Jay Mathews' experience, does not account for how well students do on the test or thereafter.
  19. ^ Pace, Gina (May 18, 2008). "Best High Schools: The Public Elites". Newsweek. Retrieved November 30, 2009.
  20. ^ Matthews, Jay (June 9, 2009). "Top High Schools: The Public Elites". Newsweek. Retrieved November 30, 2009.
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