WaPo takes deep dive into DCPS residency fraud

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

My kids attend a HRCS and a fellow-student's mom "jokingly" asked me if I really lived in MD. I was like, no. Then she pressed "oh common, you can tell me, I wont tell anyone" and I was like, "no....you can google my name and see washpo posting our home purchase..." And she responded "so you cleverly set that up before you moved to MD?" Fortunately, I had a smaller kid that interrupted with some bathroom need. I have not spoken to that parent since, other than the "hi" as we pass.

[Anonymous]

So that’s what happened to the Leckie principal!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

That doesn't give people (including poor people) the right to disobey the law

If poor people would not be paying taxes in DC anyways, what difference would it make? There have been attempts by counties within states to advocate for the distribution of poor people to alleviate disparity via ensuring a percentage of proper housing within rich counties and poor, but such gets knocked down by courts or legislation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

What a load of crap! These aren't starving children with no where to go. They have their own schools they can and should attend. DC residents pay taxes so DC-- not MD-- kids can learn. Want to attend DC schools? Move to DC. End of story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

Oh, stuff it. The earnest concern and dismay of your post is ridiculous. Where is your empathy for the "underserved families in DC" who are materially and adversely impacted by residency fraud? Every non-resident child who is educated in DC (and who doesn't pay tuition) is diverting resources from DC children. And your lamentations could just as easily be "channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC."

It is not the job of DCPS to provide a remedy or soft landing spot for every one of society's ills. We already (and appropriately!) ask schools to feed DC students, provide them counseling services, act as surrogate parents to DC kids. And we should do that! We should not take on that responsibility for Maryland kids as well. This is another in a long live of instances where DC becomes the primary social services provider in the region, at tremendous cost to city residents. If it's important to offer free Preschool and pre-K, the suburban jurisdictions should offer their own programs. Yes, I have empathy for the poor housekeeper who needs to bring her kids into DC to preschool. I have none for the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent who brings her grandkids in, or other DCPS/OSSE employees who knowingly facilitate residency fraud. But make no mistake, it's all fraud, and it should be investigated and terminated. Fine, don't sue the housekeeper for tuition; definitely sue (and fire) each and every DCPS/OSSE employee who is responsible.

But, let me ask you - you decry the "vitriol" of this thread. What is your proposal? Do nothing? Just continue to plod along as we are, with one investigator and no motivation at all to actually enforce the rights of DC residents not to have their tax dollars misappropriated by non-residents?

This. The vast majority of children in DC are underprivileged and their parents need pk3/pk4 and the opportunity to get their children into a good school. Residency cheaters from out of state steal that spot. And they do it so that they can have a much nicer house with a nice yard outside the city. They are criminals.

There is no shortage of prek3/4 spots on the east side of the Anacostia.

https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/portrait-universal-pre-kindergarten-dc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

That doesn't give people (including poor people) the right to disobey the law

If poor people would not be paying taxes in DC anyways, what difference would it make? There have been attempts by counties within states to advocate for the distribution of poor people to alleviate disparity via ensuring a percentage of proper housing within rich counties and poor, but such gets knocked down by courts or legislation.

The point is that more kids are splitting a finite pool of resources. They are taking resources from DC students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

Oh, stuff it. The earnest concern and dismay of your post is ridiculous. Where is your empathy for the "underserved families in DC" who are materially and adversely impacted by residency fraud? Every non-resident child who is educated in DC (and who doesn't pay tuition) is diverting resources from DC children. And your lamentations could just as easily be "channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC."

It is not the job of DCPS to provide a remedy or soft landing spot for every one of society's ills. We already (and appropriately!) ask schools to feed DC students, provide them counseling services, act as surrogate parents to DC kids. And we should do that! We should not take on that responsibility for Maryland kids as well. This is another in a long live of instances where DC becomes the primary social services provider in the region, at tremendous cost to city residents. If it's important to offer free Preschool and pre-K, the suburban jurisdictions should offer their own programs. Yes, I have empathy for the poor housekeeper who needs to bring her kids into DC to preschool. I have none for the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent who brings her grandkids in, or other DCPS/OSSE employees who knowingly facilitate residency fraud. But make no mistake, it's all fraud, and it should be investigated and terminated. Fine, don't sue the housekeeper for tuition; definitely sue (and fire) each and every DCPS/OSSE employee who is responsible.

But, let me ask you - you decry the "vitriol" of this thread. What is your proposal? Do nothing? Just continue to plod along as we are, with one investigator and no motivation at all to actually enforce the rights of DC residents not to have their tax dollars misappropriated by non-residents?

This. The vast majority of children in DC are underprivileged and their parents need pk3/pk4 and the opportunity to get their children into a good school. Residency cheaters from out of state steal that spot. And they do it so that they can have a much nicer house with a nice yard outside the city. They are criminals.

There is no shortage of prek3/4 spots on the east side of the Anacostia.

https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/portrait-universal-pre-kindergarten-dc

Because they have space doesn't mean the school is free. Taking a spot means taking $$$ from DC residents and students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year OSSE piloted a program to verify enrollment via your income tax forms filed Office of Tax and Revenue records or alternatively with city records documenting receipt of some form of public assistance (TANF or SNAP).

For 2018-19 anyone who is enrolling in school can opt to have their residency verified this way.

I truly think this is the only way to fix this, and needs to become mandatory.

Yeah. I am not sure why this is not a requirement. Either you are paying taxes, or receiving government benefits, or documented homeless child through social services. The only vulnerable population would be undocumented immigrants.

Who can be checked via a home visit.

There was a debate about that in previous threads. As a public policy matter, schools/society/etc. do not want the home visits to turn into an enforcement mechanism because it would undermine the goal of building relationships and encouraging trust and parental engagement among vulnerable populations. The home visits also allow for families to schedule them at parks, or coffee shops, etc. to allow flexibility, alleviate any feelings of shame regarding living situation. Also, as mandatory reporters, some homes may be so unsanitary/neglectful that may cause some issues. But as the Pps before have said, this will address 90% of the people. In past threads there was also a lot of hub-bub regarding shared custody arrangements among divorcees.

Different thing. The DC laws provide for a home visit by the registrar if no other means of verifying residency are available.

The teacher home visits are a different matter for a different purpose.

Thanks for the clarification. Perhaps there needs to be a way of giving the visits different names to avoid possible confusion and fear among certain at-risk populations.

If you were in the at-risk population in this day and age, would you trust the government, even if it was called a different name?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

That doesn't give people (including poor people) the right to disobey the law

If poor people would not be paying taxes in DC anyways, what difference would it make? There have been attempts by counties within states to advocate for the distribution of poor people to alleviate disparity via ensuring a percentage of proper housing within rich counties and poor, but such gets knocked down by courts or legislation.

The point is that more kids are splitting a finite pool of resources. They are taking resources from DC students.

And how poor can the children be from MD/VA if their family is able to commute via car to drop them off? I Doubt many are using their DC 1 card for a metro ride into school, and the DC 1 card tracks the locations the children use the cards for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year OSSE piloted a program to verify enrollment via your income tax forms filed Office of Tax and Revenue records or alternatively with city records documenting receipt of some form of public assistance (TANF or SNAP).

For 2018-19 anyone who is enrolling in school can opt to have their residency verified this way.

I truly think this is the only way to fix this, and needs to become mandatory.

Yeah. I am not sure why this is not a requirement. Either you are paying taxes, or receiving government benefits, or documented homeless child through social services. The only vulnerable population would be undocumented immigrants.

Who can be checked via a home visit.

There was a debate about that in previous threads. As a public policy matter, schools/society/etc. do not want the home visits to turn into an enforcement mechanism because it would undermine the goal of building relationships and encouraging trust and parental engagement among vulnerable populations. The home visits also allow for families to schedule them at parks, or coffee shops, etc. to allow flexibility, alleviate any feelings of shame regarding living situation. Also, as mandatory reporters, some homes may be so unsanitary/neglectful that may cause some issues. But as the Pps before have said, this will address 90% of the people. In past threads there was also a lot of hub-bub regarding shared custody arrangements among divorcees.

Different thing. The DC laws provide for a home visit by the registrar if no other means of verifying residency are available.

The teacher home visits are a different matter for a different purpose.

Thanks for the clarification. Perhaps there needs to be a way of giving the visits different names to avoid possible confusion and fear among certain at-risk populations.

If you were in the at-risk population in this day and age, would you trust the government, even if it was called a different name?

"Parent/teacher home team meeting" vs. "residency fraud home visit." Yeah. Good point. I would just say no to everything that my no would have some sway with. But the residency fraud home visit is not optional. I would imagine there would not need to be notice for such a visit as it is just an investigator endeavor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

Oh, stuff it. The earnest concern and dismay of your post is ridiculous. Where is your empathy for the "underserved families in DC" who are materially and adversely impacted by residency fraud? Every non-resident child who is educated in DC (and who doesn't pay tuition) is diverting resources from DC children. And your lamentations could just as easily be "channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC."

It is not the job of DCPS to provide a remedy or soft landing spot for every one of society's ills. We already (and appropriately!) ask schools to feed DC students, provide them counseling services, act as surrogate parents to DC kids. And we should do that! We should not take on that responsibility for Maryland kids as well. This is another in a long live of instances where DC becomes the primary social services provider in the region, at tremendous cost to city residents. If it's important to offer free Preschool and pre-K, the suburban jurisdictions should offer their own programs. Yes, I have empathy for the poor housekeeper who needs to bring her kids into DC to preschool. I have none for the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent who brings her grandkids in, or other DCPS/OSSE employees who knowingly facilitate residency fraud. But make no mistake, it's all fraud, and it should be investigated and terminated. Fine, don't sue the housekeeper for tuition; definitely sue (and fire) each and every DCPS/OSSE employee who is responsible.

But, let me ask you - you decry the "vitriol" of this thread. What is your proposal? Do nothing? Just continue to plod along as we are, with one investigator and no motivation at all to actually enforce the rights of DC residents not to have their tax dollars misappropriated by non-residents?

This. The vast majority of children in DC are underprivileged and their parents need pk3/pk4 and the opportunity to get their children into a good school. Residency cheaters from out of state steal that spot. And they do it so that they can have a much nicer house with a nice yard outside the city. They are criminals.

There is no shortage of prek3/4 spots on the east side of the Anacostia.

https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/portrait-universal-pre-kindergarten-dc

Because they have space doesn't mean the school is free. Taking a spot means taking $$$ from DC residents and students.

This numbers are years old. A lot has changed, especially in the lower grades, in the past 6 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

Oh, stuff it. The earnest concern and dismay of your post is ridiculous. Where is your empathy for the "underserved families in DC" who are materially and adversely impacted by residency fraud? Every non-resident child who is educated in DC (and who doesn't pay tuition) is diverting resources from DC children. And your lamentations could just as easily be "channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC."

It is not the job of DCPS to provide a remedy or soft landing spot for every one of society's ills. We already (and appropriately!) ask schools to feed DC students, provide them counseling services, act as surrogate parents to DC kids. And we should do that! We should not take on that responsibility for Maryland kids as well. This is another in a long live of instances where DC becomes the primary social services provider in the region, at tremendous cost to city residents. If it's important to offer free Preschool and pre-K, the suburban jurisdictions should offer their own programs. Yes, I have empathy for the poor housekeeper who needs to bring her kids into DC to preschool. I have none for the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent who brings her grandkids in, or other DCPS/OSSE employees who knowingly facilitate residency fraud. But make no mistake, it's all fraud, and it should be investigated and terminated. Fine, don't sue the housekeeper for tuition; definitely sue (and fire) each and every DCPS/OSSE employee who is responsible.

But, let me ask you - you decry the "vitriol" of this thread. What is your proposal? Do nothing? Just continue to plod along as we are, with one investigator and no motivation at all to actually enforce the rights of DC residents not to have their tax dollars misappropriated by non-residents?

This. The vast majority of children in DC are underprivileged and their parents need pk3/pk4 and the opportunity to get their children into a good school. Residency cheaters from out of state steal that spot. And they do it so that they can have a much nicer house with a nice yard outside the city. They are criminals.

There is no shortage of prek3/4 spots on the east side of the Anacostia.

https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/portrait-universal-pre-kindergarten-dc

Because they have space doesn't mean the school is free. Taking a spot means taking $$$ from DC residents and students.

This was more a response to those who say that it is taken resources from poor children. I meant to post it in response to another post. I think it is middle class MD/VA people taking resources from middle class DC folk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year OSSE piloted a program to verify enrollment via your income tax forms filed Office of Tax and Revenue records or alternatively with city records documenting receipt of some form of public assistance (TANF or SNAP).

For 2018-19 anyone who is enrolling in school can opt to have their residency verified this way.

I truly think this is the only way to fix this, and needs to become mandatory.

Yeah. I am not sure why this is not a requirement. Either you are paying taxes, or receiving government benefits, or documented homeless child through social services. The only vulnerable population would be undocumented immigrants.

Who can be checked via a home visit.

There was a debate about that in previous threads. As a public policy matter, schools/society/etc. do not want the home visits to turn into an enforcement mechanism because it would undermine the goal of building relationships and encouraging trust and parental engagement among vulnerable populations. The home visits also allow for families to schedule them at parks, or coffee shops, etc. to allow flexibility, alleviate any feelings of shame regarding living situation. Also, as mandatory reporters, some homes may be so unsanitary/neglectful that may cause some issues. But as the Pps before have said, this will address 90% of the people. In past threads there was also a lot of hub-bub regarding shared custody arrangements among divorcees.

Different thing. The DC laws provide for a home visit by the registrar if no other means of verifying residency are available.

The teacher home visits are a different matter for a different purpose.

Thanks for the clarification. Perhaps there needs to be a way of giving the visits different names to avoid possible confusion and fear among certain at-risk populations.

If you were in the at-risk population in this day and age, would you trust the government, even if it was called a different name?

"Parent/teacher home team meeting" vs. "residency fraud home visit." Yeah. Good point. I would just say no to everything that my no would have some sway with. But the residency fraud home visit is not optional. I would imagine there would not need to be notice for such a visit as it is just an investigator endeavor.

The practice cited above is a provision for people who, for whatever reason, cannot produce the paperwork to enroll their child. In those instances OSSE allows the registrar or principal to visit the home at an agreed upon time and confirm that the student lives there.

However, if you are flagged for fraud an investigator could visit you unannounced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

Oh, stuff it. The earnest concern and dismay of your post is ridiculous. Where is your empathy for the "underserved families in DC" who are materially and adversely impacted by residency fraud? Every non-resident child who is educated in DC (and who doesn't pay tuition) is diverting resources from DC children. And your lamentations could just as easily be "channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC."

It is not the job of DCPS to provide a remedy or soft landing spot for every one of society's ills. We already (and appropriately!) ask schools to feed DC students, provide them counseling services, act as surrogate parents to DC kids. And we should do that! We should not take on that responsibility for Maryland kids as well. This is another in a long live of instances where DC becomes the primary social services provider in the region, at tremendous cost to city residents. If it's important to offer free Preschool and pre-K, the suburban jurisdictions should offer their own programs. Yes, I have empathy for the poor housekeeper who needs to bring her kids into DC to preschool. I have none for the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent who brings her grandkids in, or other DCPS/OSSE employees who knowingly facilitate residency fraud. But make no mistake, it's all fraud, and it should be investigated and terminated. Fine, don't sue the housekeeper for tuition; definitely sue (and fire) each and every DCPS/OSSE employee who is responsible.

But, let me ask you - you decry the "vitriol" of this thread. What is your proposal? Do nothing? Just continue to plod along as we are, with one investigator and no motivation at all to actually enforce the rights of DC residents not to have their tax dollars misappropriated by non-residents?

This. The vast majority of children in DC are underprivileged and their parents need pk3/pk4 and the opportunity to get their children into a good school. Residency cheaters from out of state steal that spot. And they do it so that they can have a much nicer house with a nice yard outside the city. They are criminals.

There is no shortage of prek3/4 spots on the east side of the Anacostia.

https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/portrait-universal-pre-kindergarten-dc

Because they have space doesn't mean the school is free. Taking a spot means taking $$$ from DC residents and students.

This was more a response to those who say that it is taken resources from poor children. I meant to post it in response to another post. I think it is middle class MD/VA people taking resources from middle class DC folk.

They are taking resources from EVERYONE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a DC resident with multiple children in DCPS. The vitriol on this thread is disturbing. The lack of empathy for the non-resident children who are enrolled by their parents through no fault of their own, and the consequences for these children of publicly shaming their parents. The demonization of non-resident parents, who, with regard to PG County in particular, were pushed out or priced out of DC.

I’m not suggesting that gentrifiers or white people should feel guilty, but hoping they would have some sensitivity to the complicated racial history and dynamics linking PG and DC.

Plus, the suggestion that tax returns/government benefits paperwork should be a singular means of proving residence shows serious a lack of understanding of and bias against poor communities.Too bad the energy isn’t channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC instead of advocating for a witch hunt.

Oh, stuff it. The earnest concern and dismay of your post is ridiculous. Where is your empathy for the "underserved families in DC" who are materially and adversely impacted by residency fraud? Every non-resident child who is educated in DC (and who doesn't pay tuition) is diverting resources from DC children. And your lamentations could just as easily be "channeled into legitimate advocacy for underserved families in DC."

It is not the job of DCPS to provide a remedy or soft landing spot for every one of society's ills. We already (and appropriately!) ask schools to feed DC students, provide them counseling services, act as surrogate parents to DC kids. And we should do that! We should not take on that responsibility for Maryland kids as well. This is another in a long live of instances where DC becomes the primary social services provider in the region, at tremendous cost to city residents. If it's important to offer free Preschool and pre-K, the suburban jurisdictions should offer their own programs. Yes, I have empathy for the poor housekeeper who needs to bring her kids into DC to preschool. I have none for the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent who brings her grandkids in, or other DCPS/OSSE employees who knowingly facilitate residency fraud. But make no mistake, it's all fraud, and it should be investigated and terminated. Fine, don't sue the housekeeper for tuition; definitely sue (and fire) each and every DCPS/OSSE employee who is responsible.

But, let me ask you - you decry the "vitriol" of this thread. What is your proposal? Do nothing? Just continue to plod along as we are, with one investigator and no motivation at all to actually enforce the rights of DC residents not to have their tax dollars misappropriated by non-residents?

This. The vast majority of children in DC are underprivileged and their parents need pk3/pk4 and the opportunity to get their children into a good school. Residency cheaters from out of state steal that spot. And they do it so that they can have a much nicer house with a nice yard outside the city. They are criminals.

There is no shortage of prek3/4 spots on the east side of the Anacostia.

https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/portrait-universal-pre-kindergarten-dc

Because they have space doesn't mean the school is free. Taking a spot means taking $$$ from DC residents and students.

This numbers are years old. A lot has changed, especially in the lower grades, in the past 6 years.

True. There was a 2016 set of maps from some article that still shows a trend of a lot more openings than I would have expected in the lower income parts, but I could not find it quickly enough. The populations that would benefit the most from early childhood intervention do not seem to be enrolling their kids.