APIB Coordinator Reports Increased Student Access Amid Ongoing Partnership Questions

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is evaluating its long-standing partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS) following a recent Board of Education meeting where concerns were raised about the effectiveness and necessity of the contract. Since 2016, the collaboration has aimed to increase access to Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs for underrepresented students. Despite a reported increase of 978 students last year, board members questioned the sustainability of relying on external support after nearly a decade.

During the meeting, board member Julie Yang highlighted the need for MCPS to develop internal expertise to support students without depending on outside organizations. She emphasized that after nine years, the district should assess its capacity to manage these initiatives independently. The discussion revealed a shared sentiment among board members regarding the clarity of services provided by EOS, particularly the value of the surveys conducted to gauge student interest and barriers to enrollment in advanced courses.

Board member Miss Montoya expressed confusion over the tangible benefits of the EOS contract, questioning what specific outcomes the district has achieved for its investment. She noted that only a small percentage of students taking AP and IB exams come from low-income backgrounds, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the outreach efforts.

The meeting also touched on the potential overlap between EOS services and other workforce development initiatives under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, prompting calls for a review of whether the district is duplicating efforts and spending.

As MCPS prepares for the upcoming budget season, the board is set to evaluate whether to continue the partnership with EOS or shift towards developing in-house capabilities. The outcome of this assessment could significantly impact how the district supports its students in accessing advanced academic opportunities moving forward.