“If 40 percent of the kids were absent to that degree, are we okay with it as a community?” said Christopher Lloyd, president of the Montgomery County Education Association, the teachers union. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1965 Albert Einstein High School Yearbook "Quantum" Kensington,Maryland Md. They crossed the stage because of a phenomenon that goes widely unnoticed in Maryland’s largest school system: Students can pass classes they often miss. Dear Alumni Read and submit stories about our classmates from Albert Einstein High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Titans. The state is considering whether to create a minimum attendance standard to “ensure equity across the state and the integrity of the Maryland high school diploma,” said Justin M. Hartings, president of the Maryland State Board of Education. “And if the answer is, no, what in the world is happening?”. After retiring from teaching, she went on as a writer. At Einstein last year, about 40 percent of students were from low-income families, and 17 percent were English-language learners. “It seems incongruous that you could pass high school math and not be there,” she said. Some say they feel pressured to give makeup work, extend deadlines, excuse assignments or find other ways to help repeatedly absent students pass — and that the problem is not just a matter of seniors’ losing interest as their high school days wind down. Albert Einstein High School Alumni Class List . Live Events. Some have forgone weeks of classroom learning and yet earned credit in their courses and graduated, according to internal documents obtained by The Washington Post and a video of commencement. It’s not about the number of absences.”. Her published books include histories of local personalities, businesses and educational institutions, as well as a children's book and history of a local freed slave community. Montgomery school system officials underline the many reasons students miss classes: family and economic stresses, child-care duties, jobs that cut into time for school. The student said high school, including chances to make up for failing grades in “credit recovery” programs, gave him “the stuff I needed.” Now, he is pursuing an associate degree. As graduation approached last year, the list of often-absent students at Albert Einstein High School in suburban Maryland was long. It is filled with amazing athletes and talented artists ranging in different performing arts such as dance, theater, chorus, band, visual and digital art. “The accountability piece for student attendance is gone,” said Russell Rushton, who was head of the math department at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda until his retirement last June. The documents obtained by The Post show that 115 Einstein seniors were frequently absent in math courses and that at least 88 missed senior-year English classes required for a diploma. But Brian Donlon, a social studies teacher at Richard Montgomery High, said that in his experience, few students end up failing their classes after being frequently absent, because teachers are encouraged or pressured to extend deadlines and accept late makeup work. Albert Einstein High School is located at 11135 Newport Mill Road, Kensington, MD and can be reached at this number (301) 929-2200. https://www.mapquest.com/us/maryland/albert-einstein-high-school-2588551 you RUN the place. Researchers say there is a strong link between poverty and absenteeism, and many of the Montgomery high schools with high rates of absenteeism have greater percentages of economically disadvantaged students. School system administrators said they found no grade ma­nipu­la­tion. He leaves behind one daughter and one son. “The policy is intentionally nebulous — for the purpose of graduating students,” said a county teacher who, like many other educators, spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. Records from Einstein High provide telling details about what students miss: One senior skipped algebra 36 times last spring. Albert Einstein High is not ranked due to insufficient test score data. [School] district leaders are under pressure to raise graduation rates. At Northwood High, it was 36 percent. More than … The diploma means nothing, and you don’t even have to show up?”. Maryland education officials have recently intensified their focus on chronic absenteeism, which they define as being absent for 10 percent or more of school days for any reason, excused or not. If you see your name among the Albert Einstein High School graduates, someone is looking for you! ... #35 in Maryland High Schools. Albert Einstein High in South Kensington, Maryland (MD) - Test Results, Rating, Ranking, Detailed Profile, and Report Card Now, the school system says it focuses on attendance intervention plans, and some educators use a special grade — E3 — to convey that a student is failing because of absences. Albert Einstein High School, Kensington, Maryland (MD) AlumniClass.com (5428) - 10019 E Knox Ave, Spokane Valley WA, 99206. Roughly 40 percent of Einstein’s Class of 2018 missed large chunks of instruction last school year, not showing up for some classes 10 to more than 50 times in a semester, documents show. Report: 60 percent of graduates sampled in Md. More than 175 seniors repeatedly missed classes, many in courses required for their diplomas. Robert Balfanz, a Johns Hopkins University research professor, said high school students with frequent absences are more likely to drop out, and those who manage to get to college are less likely to finish. Nearly 70 percent of those students in 2018 needed to take remedial classes in math and 37 percent in English, college officials said. Steve was in the class of 69 he was in auto shop and had a long career working with cars, he was a friend for over 55 years. “We want kids in school,” Smith said. Some teachers see the fallout in the Montgomery County graduates who arrive at Montgomery College unprepared every year. One graduate of Einstein’s Class of 2018, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of concerns about retaliation if he spoke publicly, said his chronic absenteeism partly reflected financial struggles. Montgomery officials said they have been studying student engagement, with a focus on chronic absenteeism. Albert Einstein High School is a preforming arts public school located in Kensington, MD. In Worcester County, home to Ocean City, students fail a class after they accumulate 11 unexcused absences, a spokeswoman said. at the best online prices at … She moved to the Harrisonburg, VA area in 1968, and continued to teach HS English for many years. Most students at the Montgomery County school graduated anyway. We are trying to purchas... The extent of the absenteeism at Einstein raises questions among some educators about the integrity of grades and diplomas in a school system regarded as among the nation’s best. Alex Yee, of Chantilly High School, reviews Lionel Bart's 'Oliver!' We are the theatre troupe of Albert Einstein High School in Kensington, Maryland. Many had more than 20 absences, passing only after doing significant makeup work, he said. In Montgomery, several principals have expressed concerns about the difficulty of improving attendance, said school board Vice President Patricia O’Neill. Visit our Titans lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring. In Montgomery, educators in a string of high schools have told The Post that attendance practices are lax, vague or inconsistent. More than … Learn more about ALBERT EINSTEIN HIGH SCHOOL, a school located in Silver Spring, MD. Leah B. Michaels, head of the English department at Richard Montgomery High in Rockville, said state and county data suggest an attendance crisis. “If I can go to class 40 percent of the time and earn a B,” that would not automatically lead to failure, said Jennifer Webster, director of school support and improvement for Montgomery high schools. At Magruder High School in Derwood, 43 percent of high school students were chronically absent, the county’s highest. Albert Einstein High School, named after the German-born physicist, is a four-year high school in Kensington, Maryland, that opened on September 7, 1962. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The combined effect for one semester: more than 13,700 class periods missed. Though Maryland has one diploma, its school systems handle absences differently. Beloved husband of Mary Ann Fitzgerald; father of Jack Fitzgerald; brother of Joan Greenburg, Michael Fitzgerald and Patricia Toler. It has 1,689 students in grades 9th through 12th. This school is within the Montgomery County Public Schools. Data She is missed by all who loved her. Rushton recalled that at his high-performing high school, 23 seniors in his classes were at risk of failing because of absences last spring. Others were often out during science, social studies, art, physical education or Advanced Placement classes that may — or may not — have been required for graduation. How high can graduation rates go? She wrote a weekly newspaper column for eleven years. The staff, students, parents, and community of Albert Einstein High School will work together to build constructive relationships, provide a rigorous, relevant program of studies, and cultivate an environment of respect and responsibility, empowering students to become productive contributing members of … Albert Einstein High Track & Field and Cross Country - Kensington, Maryland. They criticize Montgomery’s approach: Warnings go out at three unexcused absences in a class and again at five, when students and parents are notified that an attendance intervention plan should be developed. Montgomery school officials emailed the Einstein families about The Post’s story in advance of publication, emphasizing that documents were “leaked” and describing efforts to tackle absenteeism and engage students. Member of the class of 70 and long time Husband of Bruce Walker class of 68. A great friend who was wounded twice in 'nam only to come home, fall asleep at the wheel and die in a car crash. Thousands more A’s fill report cards in suburban Md. Steve died following a valiant battle against cancer. If attendance does not improve, the policy says, students are “in danger” of failing a course. “What we are committed to is intervening for students who have excessive absences, so that’s where we’ve put our energy,” she said. And that was in one 90-day semester. Have you found someone's class ring? “When these students graduate, what are we saying? “Kids want to graduate. “You can’t do the work if you’re not there; you fall behind if you’re not there,” she said. The Einstein documents obtained by The Post create an unusual snapshot of absenteeism — with absences noted student by student, course by course — providing far more detail than is offered by state data and showing that scores of diplomas were at risk if students failed to earn credit. Tina was very much loved and will be missed. Albert Einstein High School is a public high school of the Montgomery County Public Schools located in Kensington, MD. posted in December show eight of Montgomery’s 25 high schools had rates of 30 percent or higher. Gaithersburg and Watkins Mill high schools posted rates of more than 40 percent. Powered by RunnerSpace.com ©2007-2020 +PLUS highlights +PLUS coverage. The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. We're an independent nonprofit that provides parents with in-depth school quality information. School officials said attendance issues are not limited to the Kensington school. Einstein students who received diplomas passed required classes, they said. “You pay the price somewhere,” he said. They also said there is no numerical limit on unexcused absences. It has a … Albert Einstein High School, Kensington, Maryland (MD) AlumniClass.com (5428) - 10019 E Knox Ave, Spokane Valley WA, 99206. As graduation approached last year, the list of often-absent students at Albert Einstein High School in suburban Maryland was long. Mr. Clark passed away shortly after retiring from AEHS and moving to FL in 2003. Though they commend students who worked hard to earn diplomas, they feel frustrated watching frequently absent students cross the stage. He is also survived by sister Agnes 77, and Sharon 79. Nancy Jones was an English teacher during the 1960's. Rising graduation rates have been touted across the country as badges of school success. at Albert Einstein High School in Kensington. With graduation season underway in Montgomery County’s 25 high schools, questions persist about what should be required to earn a diploma. Albert Einstein High School is the 41st largest public high school in Maryland and the 2,613th largest nationally. View photos, floor plans, amenities, and more. Have you lost your Albert Einstein High School class ring? Parents of Albert Einstein Varsity football is asking for your help. For the 2017–2018 school year, the district had 13,094 teachers, 86.4 percent of whom had a master’s degree or equivalent, serving 161,936 students at its 205 schools. school system excessively absent. “My best guess is you’d see a lot of this pattern because it suits everybody’s needs,” he said. The story of one school rocked by scandal. “We’re working hard to make school a place they can be, both through engagement and through removing barriers to getting there, whether it’s transportation, whether it’s food, whether it’s changing schedules because they have a child or they’re responsible for younger siblings or they have to work.”, Smith said school officials “hold our diploma very important as a critical indicator of real success in school.”. Read More ». This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces! http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pilotonline/obituary-search.aspx?daterange=99999&lastname=eagler&countryid=1&stateid=59&affiliateid=2290, http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=laurie-e-dunlap&pid=142580009, http://sites.jmu.edu/specialcollections/nancy-bondurant-jones-shenandoah-legend/, http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Nancy-Jones&lc=7535&pid=187530095&mid=7678740. Teachers may deny credit for assignments on days when students have unexcused absences. “The school system’s attendance policy is vague and not consistently applied from one school to the next,” she said. He said that being frequently absent was viewed as a “victimless crime” at Einstein. The data show that some 1,800 graduates countywide last June had at least 20 unexcused absences in at least one class. Still another was gone for more than half a semester of chemistry. Jennifer Jenkins contributed to this report. But many Montgomery educators argue that attending classes and learning go hand in hand. Albert Einstein High School 11135 Newport Mill Road Kensington, MD 20895 The staff, students, parents, and community of Albert Einstein High School will work together to build constructive relationships, provide a rigorous, relevant program of studies, and cultivate an environment of respect and responsibility, empowering students to become productive contributing members of society. 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