Why are private schools not transparent with their test scores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Parents, especially the given the cost of tuition, should demand more transparency and truth about how well or not a school performs academically. A school's refusal to release test results makes me wonder what they are hiding. Too many people just assume private schools provide a great education based on reputation alone. Go sit in the classrooms, observe, and you may be surprised how mediocre even the so call top schools really are. Sorry for this negative comment, but unfortunately, this is what we have found after much searching. What have others found?

OP, this is your original post. you used the word demand. And you directed this at the rest of us, "you should demand . . ." Most of us disagree and aren't demandind any such thing. Sorry to disappoint you.

[Anonymous]

No, it isn't. There have been quite a few posts form parents who are concerned that if schools released this information it could be distorting to their mission. So if you want to take that on, risk that, you should offer up a good reason. You haven't. You just say "I want it, so i should have it." Fortunately, it doesn't work that way.

I find in general that schools that allow parents to make demands falter. This is a bit of a digression, but schools need to be responsive in the classrooms to individual students and their needs, communicate well with parents, but keep parents and their little demands at arms' length.

We have a very vocal parent here who wants some kind of public score keeping. Fortunately most schools know better.

No one is advocating some kind of public score keeping simply access to educational outcome data and information the purchases of these services may find useful (e.g., test scores).

It's a very simple concept. It's not complicated.

[Anonymous]

OP, this is your original post. you used the word demand. And you directed this at the rest of us, "you should demand . . ." Most of us disagree and aren't demandind any such thing. Sorry to disappoint you.

Not my post you fool. Sorry to bring you down from your antipsychotic high.

Information about the educational outcomes of students in private school (e.g., test results) is useful for many students and families making decisions about purchasing these services.

No one cares that it does not matter to you.

[Anonymous]

We are fully aware we cannot legally force private schools to release information about academic and educational test performance of their students or teachers or leadership of their schools. This does not imply this information is not relevant or useful for students and parents in their decision-making process.

[Anonymous]

OK, I'm done here. This is getting stupid. Good luck with your crusade for transparency.

Anonymous wrote:Wow if not publishing test scores will deter smug fools like you from submitting applications to DC's school, I'll happily advocate for less transparency.

[Anonymous]

Another poster in favor of seeing the scores. I'm also an economist.

Asymmetry of information is NEVER a good thing.

I'm absolutely appalled by some of the arguments here.
1. Equating withholding info with eating spinach? WTF? Especially since only one of these is good for you, with "because I said so" you undermine your credibility as a debator, not to mention as a parent.
2. Because I won't use it, you can't have it. Do you feel the same about the calorie count on that Big Mac, which lots of folks don't care about, but you and I do?
3. Go to public schools instead. This poster is a jerk, there's no other explanation.

[Anonymous]

OK, I'm done here. This is getting stupid. Good luck with your crusade for transparency.

The bitter irony is this fool was done ages ago. She just didn't know it.

[Anonymous]

Go to public if you want all of the scores -- it's plain and simple

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The OP wanted to know why parent don't demand the scores. We have expressed varied reasons why we don't

demand

the scores yet the OP can't for the life of her understand why.

If reminds me of my 2 yr old ... Can I have a cookie? No. Why? Because we are eating dinner soon. Why? Because I want you to eat healthy food first. Why? Because it makes you healthy. Why? Because I said so.

Why don't you demand scores? Because it is irrelevant. Why? Because we visit the schools. Why? To get the best fit. But aren't scores better? No to me. Why not? Because I said so.

Oh really!!! The first use of the verb demand in this thread. Please read and attribute correctly.

You still do not understand the concept.

Information about school educational outcomes is not a bad thing for parents and students deciding on which schools to attend. While this information, and likely most, is of no use to you; others find this type of information useful and nonthreatening. As of now one can't legally force D.C. area private schools to provide any information about how their students perform in school. The schools do issue transcripts to either student (in some cases parents) but by law I do not believe this is a requirement (despite the fact this information may be of use to some).

Are you getting it yet?

Go back to the very first post - I have copied and pasted...

"Parents, especially the given the cost of tuition, should demand more transparency and truth about how well or not a school performs academically. "

I get it bothers you I don't demand this information or care about it becuase you obviously really, really, really care. But I don't. So get over it.

[Anonymous]

Just a thought - public companies are required to report much more information than private companies - it is part of the burden of being public vs. private. Amazon is private - but clearly it is a good company - better than most. When people get what they want, they don't need to concern themselves with what others are experiencing. If information and disclosure is what you are seeking - go public

You are making the fuss about the distinction between public and private and information reporting? In that case these "private schools" should not be regarded as non-profit and simply taxed like everyone else rather than left to amass close to a billion in endowment (e.g.,PEA) while charging $44,000/year for services that escalate every year.

Same holds true for your precious area D.C. private schools

[Anonymous]

Go to public if you want all of the scores -- it's plain and simple

No, some of us will not and prefer to go private. Are you disappointed? My kid will sit next to yours (assuming yours gets accepted)

[Anonymous]

NO, yours is the dummy pp not mine. Mine already was accepted and is at a "Big 3" Ivy. So, maybe in your dreams sweety...

[Anonymous]

You finally got something right. My child is a dummy which is why he was accepted to an elite D.C. private school (lower bar). He was not bright enough to thrive in the local public magnet school like his sister. It's a great fit for him.

[Anonymous]

In your dreams sweety...in your dreams

[Anonymous]

When you wake up I'll follow up on what SAT tutoring parlor you have decided to send your child to?

Thanks