Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Breaking it up by Ward would actually make a lot of sense. Giving local control to the relevant Ward Council member would ensure better and more direct oversight of DCPS.

Wow, no, in what world does that make sense? First of all, what about those of us who live on the edge of the ward? My kid goes to a DCPS OOB in another Ward that is actually closer than our IB school (proximity preference). We are more connected to this school in terms of community too -- the ward boundary is arbitrary and doesn't really reflect the community.

Second, do you actually think Ward council members are qualified to oversee schools? Because I don't. I understand the debate over mayoral control but at least the mayor has a large staff and budget and can hire people to run the schools. I'd also be open to an elected school board, for the record. But no, I don't want my Ward Council rep, who has a relatively small office and budget and, from what I can tell, pretty limited understanding of school oversight, running the schools. That's insane. Also, ward reps are actually pretty busy doing other stuff. It just makes no sense. Would they all have an individual school chancellor under them? What on earth.

I don't understand the OPs goal in wanting to break up the school district. Why? Is it really just to segregate the rich kids from the poor kids? I honestly cannot think of any good reason that isn't just "I don't like having to prioritize the needs of poor kids in my school system."

Some examples include school lunches, requiring translators and screen time in schools. Many parents would prefer that schools have little to no screen time in k-8, while other parents decry that, because some kids do not have computers at home, so wouldn’t get exposure to computers if not at school.

As for school lunches, many parents do not want their kids to be able to get food they didn’t send in money for that day i.e. don’t want their kid getting cookies at lunch that they didn’t pay for. If lunch is free for everyone in the school, kids whose parents pack lunch for them will end up getting unhealthy food for free that their parents didn’t approve of. If the parents approved of it, they would’ve sent in lunch money that day. In schools with needier student bodies, universal free lunch makes more sense.

The very fact that your main concern is the impact of free lunches on how many cookies your kid eats indicates to me that maybe you don't understand the complexities of the public school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

They are failing because of terrible parenting. The parenting gap is real & growing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Breaking it up by Ward would actually make a lot of sense. Giving local control to the relevant Ward Council member would ensure better and more direct oversight of DCPS.

Wow, no, in what world does that make sense? First of all, what about those of us who live on the edge of the ward? My kid goes to a DCPS OOB in another Ward that is actually closer than our IB school (proximity preference). We are more connected to this school in terms of community too -- the ward boundary is arbitrary and doesn't really reflect the community.

Second, do you actually think Ward council members are qualified to oversee schools? Because I don't. I understand the debate over mayoral control but at least the mayor has a large staff and budget and can hire people to run the schools. I'd also be open to an elected school board, for the record. But no, I don't want my Ward Council rep, who has a relatively small office and budget and, from what I can tell, pretty limited understanding of school oversight, running the schools. That's insane. Also, ward reps are actually pretty busy doing other stuff. It just makes no sense. Would they all have an individual school chancellor under them? What on earth.

I don't understand the OPs goal in wanting to break up the school district. Why? Is it really just to segregate the rich kids from the poor kids? I honestly cannot think of any good reason that isn't just "I don't like having to prioritize the needs of poor kids in my school system."

Some examples include school lunches, requiring translators and screen time in schools. Many parents would prefer that schools have little to no screen time in k-8, while other parents decry that, because some kids do not have computers at home, so wouldn’t get exposure to computers if not at school.

As for school lunches, many parents do not want their kids to be able to get food they didn’t send in money for that day i.e. don’t want their kid getting cookies at lunch that they didn’t pay for. If lunch is free for everyone in the school, kids whose parents pack lunch for them will end up getting unhealthy food for free that their parents didn’t approve of. If the parents approved of it, they would’ve sent in lunch money that day. In schools with needier student bodies, universal free lunch makes more sense.

The very fact that your main concern is the impact of free lunches on how many cookies your kid eats indicates to me that maybe you don't understand the complexities of the public school system.

Having multiple school districts within DC would simplify those complexities. Different groups have different needs. My views aren’t going to change; at least I recognize that other, valid viewpoints exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

That isn’t my job, or the school system’s job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

This is not a zero-sum game. Tracking and advanced classes are not a bad thing. Why do you think the system is only fair if it's failing everyone equally?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Breaking it up by Ward would actually make a lot of sense. Giving local control to the relevant Ward Council member would ensure better and more direct oversight of DCPS.

OMG please do not hand over our schools to Charles Allen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

As to the bolded, that sounds awesome to me. The schools with high-needs kids can focus on bringing those kids up to speed and meeting those kids dire needs (hunger, shelter, English learning, healing trauma etc).

Sign me up.

[Anonymous]

DC should be doing whatever it takes to attract & retain high-earning, High-taxpaying families. The makers. If they don’t like their children’s school options they will move to the burbs and pay property taxes and sales taxes there instead. Not a difficult concept to understand. Look at Philadelphia & Baltimore as a lesson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

They are failing because of terrible parenting. The parenting gap is real & growing.

Careful with your words and judgment. In my line of work I see plenty of UMC and white kids “failing” because of parents who overprogram them and selfishly push them beyond their means for bragging rights. That’s “terrible parenting” and its pervasive in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

That isn’t my job, or the school system’s job.

Except you’re impacted by it when these kids grow into adulthood unprepared and — through largely no fault of their own — become a drain on the social safety net and law enforcement which you support as a taxpayer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

They are failing because of terrible parenting. The parenting gap is real & growing.

Careful with your words and judgment. In my line of work I see plenty of UMC and white kids “failing” because of parents who overprogram them and selfishly push them beyond their means for bragging rights. That’s “terrible parenting” and its pervasive in this area.

Clearly they’re not “failing” en massé, because those UMC schools are the ones that families desire to attend the most.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

They are failing because of terrible parenting. The parenting gap is real & growing.

Careful with your words and judgment. In my line of work I see plenty of UMC and white kids “failing” because of parents who overprogram them and selfishly push them beyond their means for bragging rights. That’s “terrible parenting” and it’s pervasive in this area.

Yes lots of criminality coming out of Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

That isn’t my job, or the school system’s job.

Except you’re impacted by it when these kids grow into adulthood unprepared and — through largely no fault of their own — become a drain on the social safety net and law enforcement which you support as a taxpayer.

If they commit crimes, that’s their fault & they should be locked up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”

You’ve lost your mind.

Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”

The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.

Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.

”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”

Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.

Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.

Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.

You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.

They are failing because of terrible parenting. The parenting gap is real & growing.

Careful with your words and judgment. In my line of work I see plenty of UMC and white kids “failing” because of parents who overprogram them and selfishly push them beyond their means for bragging rights. That’s “terrible parenting” and it’s pervasive in this area.

Yes lots of criminality coming out of Bethesda.

You have a lot to learn.