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Dr. Joshua Starr

Monday, November 12, 2012

'Rethink:' Superintendent Starr Outlines Public Education of the Future

Dr. Joshua Starr outlines his vision for public education in Montgomery County at the first "State of the Schools" address.

Montgomery County Public Schools are succeeding on many levels, according to Superintendent Joshua Starr, who hosted a lush "State of the Schools" address Monday. Starr and his 500 to 600 guests spent much of the morning at The Music Center at Strathmore revelling in the system's many gifts: The highest high school graduation rate of any large school system; scores of talented students excelling in music, visual art, science and math; and millions of dollars in college scholarship funds doled to graduates.  Despite a history of success, it was clear that Starr's vision for the future of public education in Montgomery County is different than the past. The system's students are also different than the past—majority non-white and …

MoCo Mojo: Post-Election Hangover Cure, Scandal at Lockheed Martin, Countdown to Holidays

Recover from super storm. Check. Elect president. Check. Thaw turkey. Already?

  Montgomery County dodged the Superstorm Sandy bullet, then sailed through Election Day without major delays or problems. Could Thanksgiving Day run as smoothly? Not likely at this reporter's house. But miracles do happen, especially around these 500 square miles as of late. We won't rehash the election results here. They're available on your favorite Patch site under the "News/Elections" tab. Suffice it to say, Democrats generally dominated and the state made national headlines with its ballot initiatives. We hope you've recovered sufficiently to get on with a long holiday season. If you found yourself distracted last week, there was plenty going on around here other than voting: Incoming Lockheed Martin CEO Resigns in Ethics Scandal On …

Friday, November 9, 2012

Starr to Deliver First 'State of the Schools' Address Nov. 12

The Montgomery County Schools superintendent will be at the Music Center at Strathmore.

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Joshua Starr will deliver his first State of the Schools address—"Building the Future Together"—on Nov. 12, at the Music Center at Strathmore. The event is open to the public, and those who plan to attend can RSVP on the MCPS website. "The event, which begins at 7:30 a.m., is an opportunity for business, non-profit and educational leaders to hear Dr. Starr’s vision for the future of MCPS," according to a school system news release. "The event will also highlight the outstanding achievements and talents of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students." Starr will deliver his address at 8:30 a.m., with the event expected to conclude an hour later. Montgomery County Board of Education …

Theresa Defino

2:45 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012

Might get more attendance at a better time & location (such as at an easily accessible MCPS building? an evening?) and not at 7:30 in the a.m. on a day many have off work and school.   more ›

Thursday, June 21, 2012

SPEAK OUT: Rate Dr. Starr's 1st Year as Superintendent

Grade the MCPS Superintendent on his first year's performance.

Earlier this week, Patch caught up with Dr. Joshua Starr for an interview asking him to reflect on and evaluate his first year as MCPS superintendent. Starr said he felt good about Year No. 1 and was optimistic about the future. "I think that I’ve been doing pretty well," Starr said. "It’s been a pretty good first year I’d have to say." The superintendent touted the county's high test scores and graduation rates, the work of the Montgomery County Board of Education and the new Curriculum 2.0 program, among other things. But Starr said he was most pleased by the staff taking a step back to truly evaluate its progress. "I think one of the greatest successes of the school year from my vantage point has been the kind of collective deep breath …

Steve Simon

7:43 am on Friday, June 22, 2012

Dr. Starr has handled his first year about as well as can be expected. Following a highly successful, hard-charging longtime superintendent, he came in with a healthy respect for the high-quality system he inherited, while demonstrating a willingness to listen to community concerns and to mend some fences with County officials and others.   more ›

Monday, June 18, 2012

Q&A: Starr Reflects on 1st Year with MCPS

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joshua Starr answered questions for Patch, evaluating his first year.

As Montgomery County Public Schools' 2011-12 school year drew to a close last week, Dr. Joshua Starr was closing the book on his first year as superintendent. Starr replaced Jerry Weast, who spent the previous 12 years in the role.  Patch: You just wrapped up your first school year, and July 1, 2012, marks your first full year as MCPS superintendent. What did you hope to accomplish in year one, and do you think you were able to do so? Dr. Joshua Starr: For year one it’s really been about transition. And I took a pretty deliberate approach to transition planning, to entry and to help the community get to know me and by community I mean teachers and administrators and parents and kids and elected officials. I wanted them to get to know me …

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