How the DC education system is structured - and why oversight of the mayor on DCPS is needed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree oversight is needed. Wasn’t there some proposal to form a school data board? Like in 2018?

I don’t think “democracy” solves the problems, though.

“oversight” is called basic separation of powers - the council provides oversight.

The council does not have the independent power necessary to obtain the information they need.

This is the core problem and why changes to the executive structure are needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also see this document, which explains DCPS governance in more detail:

https://sboe.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/sboe/page_content/attachments/public%20education%20governance%20%28web%29%202.11.2019.pdf

That's from 2019, but the *structure* is still the same. Here's the simplified view:



Notice that OSSE and DCPS (and DC Health!!) are ALL under control of the mayor. There are no checks and balances. At all. (We don't need a minoritarian Senate to gum things up like at the federal level, but we need SOME checks and balances.)

lol OP do you not understand what executive powers are? Did you notice that DPR is also under the mayor?

quick civics lesson: the executive executes the law; the legislature makes the law. you seem to have some weird conspiracy-ish belief that unless everything is run by an independent board it’s corrupt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree oversight is needed. Wasn’t there some proposal to form a school data board? Like in 2018?

I don’t think “democracy” solves the problems, though.

“oversight” is called basic separation of powers - the council provides oversight.

The council does not have the independent power necessary to obtain the information they need.

This is the core problem and why changes to the executive structure are needed.

Ok so pass a law requiring more data reporting. The council just needs to do its job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

When stuff goes wrong, the mayor and chancellor and DME can just.... lie about it. In fact, they DO lie about it.

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What we need is more democracy. We need an elected head of education who is not the mayor. Directly elect the DCPS Chancellor.

OR, we need OSSE split off from mayoral control so they can exert oversight over the mayor when her people are making mistakes and lying about them.

Do you have evidence of the lying? I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility but it would good to see some expose or something.

There are too many people on DCUM who see conspiracies when what they are really looking at is ineptitude (see: Covid report timeframes).

Here's one example: this heaing.

For example, the DC Chancellor in that hearing said ventilation was fine in all schools. That is just ... garbage. It's false. Teachers have been waiting for 8 weeks with no fixes to the HVAC.

AND we know that ventilation and HVAC are a problem only because Robert White on Council ran a hearing about Dept of General Services (another agency controlled by the mayor!!!) screwing up maintenance tickets for school HVAC and got tons of testimony.

and a school board would be better … why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's another example of the Chancellor lying:

https://dcpsreopenstrong.com/chancellor/important-update-on-asymptomatic-and-symptomatic-testing-at-dcps/

This post is an email sent by Chancellor Ferebee to the DCPS community on August 27, 2021.

Dear DCPS Families,

DC Public Schools is committed to the health and safety of our students and staff. We have a robust, layered mitigation strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 based on three key pillars: prevent, screen, and inform.

...

We are writing with an update on how schools will administer these tests. Students will now be automatically enrolled in the testing program which supports asymptomatic testing, symptomatic testing and testing for close contacts. Please disregard the COVID-19 testing consent forms previously shared in messages from DCPS.

The test will be a non-invasive, saliva-based PCR test. Instead of a nasal swab, students will hold a small vial with a funnel attached and produce a saliva sample.

To opt-out, parents/guardians or students over the age of 18 will now need to email or provide their schools with a signed opt-out form available at osse.dc.gov/page/school-based-covid-19-testing.

Asymptomatic testing will begin on a rolling basis at schools starting September 2, 2021. If any student or staff member is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms while at school, on-site rapid tests will be available beginning on the first day of school.

Two bolded points.

1. It's great the mayor went to opt-out testing. Kudos to her. But it is a sign of the MASSIVE disorganization at DCPS that she did this THREE DAYS before the first day of school. After many schools and parents and PTOs spent a lot of time scrambling to get the opt-in forms signed.

2. In my experience with friends and parents at about 15 schools across the city, it is FALSE that rapid tests are available. My kid had symptoms at our school and got sent home and told to see a doctor for a test. This is utter malpractice. It's bad enough there are no rapid tests - every school system should have them for teachers and kids on hand. But this is the chancellor lying about it. This is the kind of thing an IG with subpoena power would prevent.

I’m amazed that you think a school board populated by 11 yahoos would do this better. Have you ever been to an ANC meeting?

[Anonymous]

The problem is not with our stars but with ourselves.

Bowser run for re-election unopposed. She was never terribly responsive, but since her re-election no part of the executive branch has showed any concern for public opinion or input. Schools are just like the other agencies, the leaders just do what they want and ignore the public and the Council.

I remember when DC had an elected school board. The problem then was that people who cared about education weren't abundant enough to impact elections. Elections were won by creating jobs, giving out contracts and disposing of real estate. With DC's de facto single-party rule it was almost impossible to unseat an incumbent.

Until DC gets an electorate that cares about elections, and competitive elections, it really doesn't matter how the school system is structured.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree oversight is needed. Wasn’t there some proposal to form a school data board? Like in 2018?

I don’t think “democracy” solves the problems, though.

“oversight” is called basic separation of powers - the council provides oversight.

The council does not have the independent power necessary to obtain the information they need.

This is the core problem and why changes to the executive structure are needed.

Ok so pass a law requiring more data reporting. The council just needs to do its job.

Yeah I think a data reporting agency for schools, that was actually full of people who know how to collect and report data, with some legislation about how hiring and firing couldn’t be done by elected officials, seems like an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is not with our stars but with ourselves.

Bowser run for re-election unopposed. She was never terribly responsive, but since her re-election no part of the executive branch has showed any concern for public opinion or input. Schools are just like the other agencies, the leaders just do what they want and ignore the public and the Council.

I remember when DC had an elected school board. The problem then was that people who cared about education weren't abundant enough to impact elections. Elections were won by creating jobs, giving out contracts and disposing of real estate. With DC's de facto single-party rule it was almost impossible to unseat an incumbent.

Until DC gets an electorate that cares about elections, and competitive elections, it really doesn't matter how the school system is structured.

Idk the history of DC schools does indeed suggest that it matters how it’s governance is structured. Now, does the electorate care? Probably not.

[Anonymous]

Hello PPs on this page. Please read the first page of the thread to inform yourselve about how this is about oversight and investigatory power.

1. The proposal is for more oversight over the mayor. NONE of the current proposals give the school board power over the schools.

2. Executive branches OFTEN have independent investigators. IG offices are VERY common. Please take a civics lesson.

3. See 1. This is about oversight. Not the board. Say it with me. This is about OVERSIGHT. The most relevant group is OSSE.

4. Stop the BS about DC elections. DC has a robust, well functioning democracy, and I get it - rightwingers want to poison discussion about DC. Take that elsewhere, please. DCPS has a lot of upsides and a lot of great schools. But it can be better.

[Anonymous]

I'd like to add that the Chancellor is forcing all high schools to abide by the (awful) 4x4 schedule...this schedule is terrible for many students (and teachers) yet the schools do not have a choice....YET the "application schools"--such as Walls--do not have to abide by it. Guess where the Chancellor's daughter goes?

[Anonymous]

Yeah I think a data reporting agency for schools, that was actually full of people who know how to collect and report data, with some legislation about how hiring and firing couldn’t be done by elected officials, seems like an option.

Not a terrible idea, but the problem is really the power to obtain information. Does this data reporting office have subpoena power? If not, it's pointless as the mayor can just stonewall it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello PPs on this page. Please read the first page of the thread to inform yourselve about how this is about oversight and investigatory power.

1. The proposal is for more oversight over the mayor. NONE of the current proposals give the school board power over the schools.

2. Executive branches OFTEN have independent investigators. IG offices are VERY common. Please take a civics lesson.

3. See 1. This is about oversight. Not the board. Say it with me. This is about OVERSIGHT. The most relevant group is OSSE.

4. Stop the BS about DC elections. DC has a robust, well functioning democracy, and I get it - rightwingers want to poison discussion about DC. Take that elsewhere, please. DCPS has a lot of upsides and a lot of great schools. But it can be better.

that’s a flat-out lie. one of the bills puts OSSE under the school board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to add that the Chancellor is forcing all high schools to abide by the (awful) 4x4 schedule...this schedule is terrible for many students (and teachers) yet the schools do not have a choice....YET the "application schools"--such as Walls--do not have to abide by it. Guess where the Chancellor's daughter goes?

again why would a school board fix this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to add that the Chancellor is forcing all high schools to abide by the (awful) 4x4 schedule...this schedule is terrible for many students (and teachers) yet the schools do not have a choice....YET the "application schools"--such as Walls--do not have to abide by it. Guess where the Chancellor's daughter goes?

again why would a school board fix this?

What a strange question. They would provide oversight. They would demand explanations and data backing up the decision.

Unitary executive control of schools is not the norm; just look at the counties that surround us. They have elected school boards and superintendents as administrators. Checks and balances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to add that the Chancellor is forcing all high schools to abide by the (awful) 4x4 schedule...this schedule is terrible for many students (and teachers) yet the schools do not have a choice....YET the "application schools"--such as Walls--do not have to abide by it. Guess where the Chancellor's daughter goes?

again why would a school board fix this?

What a strange question. They would provide oversight. They would demand explanations and data backing up the decision.

Unitary executive control of schools is not the norm; just look at the counties that surround us. They have elected school boards and superintendents as administrators. Checks and balances.

the council provides this oversight. it’s not unitary executive control. there are checks and balances now.