Graduates from low-performing D.C. schools face tough college road

[Anonymous]

So, 17:22 - in a nutshell, your argument against Rhee's rhetoric is that you are making a racist statement saying that it's impossible for these kids to learn, and that schools should be given a pass, and shouldn't even bother trying to teach them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, 17:22 - in a nutshell, your argument against Rhee's rhetoric is that you are making a racist statement saying that it's impossible for these kids to learn, and that schools should be given a pass, and shouldn't even bother trying to teach them.

word salad , is that you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"The DC reformers absolutely thought that schools alone could and should make all the difference."

"the focus on teachers as the only important factor in kids' education"

Citations, please.

I don't recall anyone ever saying that the schools were the ONLY change needed. I call BS on that.

TFA and Rhee, bullshit indeed but that's what they said and continue to say if you go to "Institute"!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"The DC reformers absolutely thought that schools alone could and should make all the difference."

"the focus on teachers as the only important factor in kids' education"

Citations, please.

I don't recall anyone ever saying that the schools were the ONLY change needed. I call BS on that.

TFA and Rhee, bullshit indeed but that's what they said and continue to say if you go to "Institute"!!!

It looks like PP has backed off since the requested citations were posted, which is a good sign indicating that some reform enthusiasts will react to evidence.

As for TFA --it's had 20 years to show that it doesn't work, yet it continues, drawing in inexperienced, idealistic young people who think they can undo all the damage done by the education system so far. They also like the tuition program, the elite nature of the selection process and the resume-building power of two years of TFA before entering another more lucrative, prestigious field. None of that has anything to do with educating kids.

[Anonymous]

This is why, even though we were zoned for Deal and Wilson, we bailed for private after 5th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is why, even though we were zoned for Deal and Wilson, we bailed for private after 5th grade.

The DC government also wants people like you to stay in the city -- well off enough to send your kids to private schools but still providing to the local tax base.

As long as parents like living in DC so much that they'll do anything within their financial means to stay here, there is no motivation to improve DCPS.

Charters here we come.

[Anonymous]

Who's backing off? Your citations are bullshit and don't make your point.

“Everyone sort of spews the rhetoric about ‘all kids can learn’ and that sort of thing, but I actually experienced that. I saw these kids in my classroom who were at the absolute rock bottom in terms of achievement. And people said, “You can’t do this—their home lives are too bad.” This and that. They had all sorts of excuses for the kids. And over a two year period, I saw them grow exponentially. So for me, it’s not just this nice idea that kids can learn, it was my actually experiencing it and seeing it first-hand. That’s what drives my work every single day.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/1...ader-of-the-classrooms/307080/

Nowhere in that statement does it say that the situation at home should get a total pass.

Here’s a quote in which Rhee openly acknowledges that great teachers is her only solution:
“And the only way we’re going to get out of this situation [low achievement] is if we have great teachers. That is the only solution that we have, and so that’s why we’re really focused on it.”
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Connecting...r___2_13_09_Washington_DC.html

Teachers and classrooms WERE her only option and STILL are the only option that DCPS has. Were DCPS staff supposed to follow the kids home?

Here’s Kaya, after she took over DCPS, expressing similar views:
“I’m not discounting the effects of poverty or kids coming to school hungry, but we can’t use that as an excuse for not reaching our kids. At the end of the day, you know and I know, great teachers who took kids from improbable circumstances and catapulted them to great lives and we have to ensure that this is the norm and not the exception.” http://mountvernontoday.com/education/208-new-dc-s...by-mount-vernon-education.html

What part of "I'm not discounting" did you not understand? Where does she give everything else a pass?

“And so for the eight hours a day that we have them, we can't make excuses for the fact that they come from poverty. In fact, we have to set incredibly high expectations. And what I know about children is they rise to the expectations that you set for them.” http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2010-12-20/dc-s...llor-kaya-henderson/transcript

What part of "for the eight hours a day that we have them" did you not understand?

Twist the statements all you like but they will not support your argument. DCPS has only had ability influence for those few hours that the kids are in school and what those statements reflect is that for those few hours, DCPS should not be making excuses or giving them a pass. Those statements do not speak to the remaining 16 hours out of the day whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why, even though we were zoned for Deal and Wilson, we bailed for private after 5th grade.

The DC government also wants people like you to stay in the city -- well off enough to send your kids to private schools but still providing to the local tax base.

As long as parents like living in DC so much that they'll do anything within their financial means to stay here, there is no motivation to improve DCPS.

Charters here we come.

DC government has very little to do with making people well off, and if they wanted people to stay in the city, they'd make the schools more attractive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"The DC reformers absolutely thought that schools alone could and should make all the difference."

"the focus on teachers as the only important factor in kids' education"

Citations, please.

I don't recall anyone ever saying that the schools were the ONLY change needed. I call BS on that.

TFA and Rhee, bullshit indeed but that's what they said and continue to say if you go to "Institute"!!!

It looks like PP has backed off since the requested citations were posted, which is a good sign indicating that some reform enthusiasts will react to evidence.

As for TFA --it's had 20 years to show that it doesn't work, yet it continues, drawing in inexperienced, idealistic young people who think they can undo all the damage done by the education system so far. They also like the tuition program, the elite nature of the selection process and the resume-building power of two years of TFA before entering another more lucrative, prestigious field. None of that has anything to do with educating kids.

At least you are finally admitting that the DCPS school system has done damage to children for over 20 years.