blog post on DC schools and mayoral race importance for the schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm torn as well, and I was a fan of Michelle Rhee. I lived here in 2010 and when I told (educated, liberal) coworkers that I wanted to send my kids to DCPS schools one day they literally LAUGHED at me. The idea of people with options sending their kids to DCPS schools was literally laughable. Now - I'm in a similar job in the same industry, and not only do I send my kids to DCPS EOTP schools, so do tons of other people (and lots at public charters, too). I want mayoral control to continue - it worked.

I'm generally a fan of unions in that workers should have a voice, and should have rights and should have good working conditions and income. But the WTU is just that - a union supporting what's best for teachers. Important, yes, workers rights are important, but not the be all end all of what's best for STUDENTS, and I fear JLG doesn't see that distinction. And things like all those extra snow days they wanted to do made me so angry, and JLG supported them in that. Either kids being at school is important, or it's not. And I think for JLG, it's... not. She was also crazy about this around Covid, wanting to keep schools closed even longer!

I do like what McDuffie is saying about screen time. No screen time before 3rd grade is so smart, no YouTube videos, no ads, go back to computer labs.

He honestly might get my vote because of education, even though I prefer JLG on basically everything else. And I think the linked article about efficiency of the related departments is probably something she'd be better at.

Have any of them said anything about the crappy ELA curriculum? Or the problem with middle schools?

Agree with this. Even though I'm a Ward 5 resident and can't stand McDuffie. It's hard to imagine voting for him but I'm very skeptical about what JLG is saying about schools.

One problem here is that I think both of them are just parroting talking points designed to appeal to specific constituencies. I don't actually think either has new ideas on schools or a meaningful understanding of what is needed to improve them. Notably, though both are parents, neither has ever had a public school student -- McDuffie's kids go to private and JLG's sone is not school age yet. Do they have people on their staff with actual experience in DC public schools? No idea, based on their education platforms, I would guess not.

So given that I think they are both pandering, I will give a slight edge to McDuffie who I think is at least pandering in a smarter way that more closely matches what I want. For a long time the trend in schools has been more tech, more screens, touting EdTech contracts and 1:1 student to device ratios. That has shifted dramatically in the last couple years, but some of us have been advocating to reduce or remove screens from schools for a lot longer than that. McDuffie recognizing this is an issue that DC can be on the vanguard of is smart. The LA Unified School District just adopted policies similar to what he's now proposing, and there are a number of other major school districts in the country moving that direction. It's kind of like the whole "science of reading" thing -- people bought into what turned out to be a crock of $hit on reading and the smart school systems figured that out faster and started pushing phonics and actual reading instruction sooner. DCPS was actually ahead of the curve on that as well, especially in Title 1 schools. So I think McDuffie is right there, even if only accidentally because he was looking for a way to stand out on this issue and grabbed an issue he knows a lot of voters are passionate about.

Whereas JLG is quite clearly just pandering to the teacher's union and to people who care more about appearing progressive and open minded than improving schools. This was Robert White when he ran for mayor too, and it's also why I didn't vote for him either even though Bowser was extremely mediocre. I am not interested in a mayor who just gives special interest groups exactly what they want without actually thinking aobu the underlying policy or how it all hangs together. I like Mamdani but what people don't get about him is that he's progressive AND pragmatic. He's not just parroting progressive talking points for votes, he's actually identifying practical policy shifts that he believes will improve people's lives. JLG is not doing that. She's just putting on a show and I suspect she would govern very similarly to Bowser.

As usual, no good options. I guess leaning McDuffie. Might give the other candidates a second look to see if there is anyone worth ranking first and then rank McDuffie and JLG after.

[Anonymous]

That blog post was really light on specifics, other than the vague sense that McDuffie will continue the current policies but JLG will bring "change."

What if her "changes" are awful?

I would like to hear her speak in specifics about how she is going to raise academic standards for everyone, meet the needs to advanced students, honor the 50% of families who choose charter schools at some point during their kids educational path (though most charter families experience both DCPS and charters at some point) and ensure that she won't punish charters, and "close the achievement gap" not by bringing down the top, but by bringing up the bottom.

I have no faith that JLG cares about regular people. She speaks openly about how she cares the most for those who have the least -- in her case, she means people who commit crimes, who don't pay rent, who use drugs. That's fine, but she has some fundamental inability to see how their actions hurt regular people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think merely via the selection of a non-Broad chancellor who will meaningfully engage families, JLG will improve the schools.

Moreover, some problems at the schools are about DC agencies doing a poor job — DGS, DPR, DPW. Lewis George is going to work at managing the agencies, not let them decay like Bowser did and McD will.

We’ve had a lot of years of a poor leader as mayor, and JLG is 10x better at that than McDuffie. This one is a clear choice.

Hard agree with all of this. When janeese first took office she hired Will Perkins who is one of the most brilliant and RESPONSIVE staffers I have ever worked with in DC. He worked tirelessly with parents, teachers, students and community members whenever we approached him with our issues. Could he solve everything?
No. mayoral control and “leaders” at the top (DME, OSSE, and DCPS) were more concerned with offering sound bites than doing the actual work of fixing their agencies.
But he helped us find immediate solutions until we could make the structural changes the entire city needs happen. He also made sure our issues made it to the rest of Council and were reported and recorded for future hearings and policy debates.
Will has moved to Richmond and is doing great work there but Janeese continues to surround herself with staffers and stakeholders who are doing this work.
I truly believe that if she wins, we can see actual change happen. She’s worked in the AGs office, she’s worked citywide with every community, and she is truly devoted to finding solutions.

[Anonymous]

As someone who has volunteered in our kids PTO and LSAT, I am impressed with Janeese's understanding of when "DCPS" issues are really DGS issues and other situations like that. Real fixes to real problems not just slogans pandering.

Some of the stuff thrown around on here about WTU and such sounds like the usual fear mongering. Good luck with that, but most DC voters see through it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Janeese wants kids in class *less." She says teachers need more professional development time, and she is all in for "flexible scheduling". So what is flexible scheduling, you might ask? Get ready for more asynchronous days, 3-day weekends, 4-day weekends, tech days, packet days, enrichment days, independent learning days, camp days, early dismissal days, rotating drop-off days, and teacher office-hours-only days, with fewer actual normal days.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENXFyCzepj8

Is that really that surprising? She wanted to make remote learning *permanent*. She will do whatever it takes to remain on the teachers' union's good side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Janeese wants to slash funding for charter schools to the tune of $9,000+ per student. Half the kids in this city go to charters.

She HATES charters schools. She doesn't think they should exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Janeese wants to slash funding for charter schools to the tune of $9,000+ per student. Half the kids in this city go to charters.



She HATES charters schools. She doesn't think they should exist.

This. Exactly this. Over half of the kids using public education in DC attend charter schools. DC has had over 20 years of trying to improve its regular public schools to compete with that statistic and lessen families' attraction to charters. This they have not done, because of DCPS' always inefficient central office coupled with the teachers' unions. If you want to destroy the charter system---which has managed to keep middle class families in the cities---then vote for JLG. (And Mamdani had virtually no education platform at all.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Janeese wants to slash funding for charter schools to the tune of $9,000+ per student. Half the kids in this city go to charters.



She HATES charters schools. She doesn't think they should exist.

This. Exactly this. Over half of the kids using public education in DC attend charter schools. DC has had over 20 years of trying to improve its regular public schools to compete with that statistic and lessen families' attraction to charters. This they have not done, because of DCPS' always inefficient central office coupled with the teachers' unions. If you want to destroy the charter system---which has managed to keep middle class families in the cities---then vote for JLG. (And Mamdani had virtually no education platform at all.)

The city already shortchanges charter schools in a million different ways, but we've never had a mayor who is anti-charter like Janeese is anti-charter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Janeese wants to slash funding for charter schools to the tune of $9,000+ per student. Half the kids in this city go to charters.



She HATES charters schools. She doesn't think they should exist.

This. Exactly this. Over half of the kids using public education in DC attend charter schools. DC has had over 20 years of trying to improve its regular public schools to compete with that statistic and lessen families' attraction to charters. This they have not done, because of DCPS' always inefficient central office coupled with the teachers' unions. If you want to destroy the charter system---which has managed to keep middle class families in the cities---then vote for JLG. (And Mamdani had virtually no education platform at all.)

The city already shortchanges charter schools in a million different ways, but we've never had a mayor who is anti-charter like Janeese is anti-charter.

What's the worst that could happen? She runs off middle-class families, DC loses population and tax base just as Downtown businesses are struggling and there's a hostile presence in the White House?

Its curious to see if she sticks to her guns or if reality provides some quick moderation.

[Anonymous]

McDoNothing is trash and those in favor of him either clearly don't understand the issues or have their own hands in this special interest pockets. I see you all even on this anonymous platform!

Councilmembers bought and paid for by special interests who want DCPS schools to fail: Bonds, Henderson, Pinto, and Bonds. Councilmembers who just dont care anymore to have a moral compass: Frumin, Nadeau.

If you want something other than DCPS, lottery and lose your rights at a charter school. Or, just move away like we all know you will anyways!!! Take that McNothing trash out with you on your way out too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think there's not enough screentime in class? Then JLG is the candidate for you. One of her signature initiatives is promoting computer use in the classroom. No thanks.

I wish I knew you this person is copy-pasting this disinformation across the forums. Sighs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think there's not enough screentime in class? Then JLG is the candidate for you. One of her signature initiatives is promoting computer use in the classroom. No thanks.

I wish I knew you this person is copy-pasting this disinformation across the forums. Sighs.

A lot of the anti-Janeese stuff comes across as copy-pasted spamming. I'm sure there are some actual parents who prefer McDuffie too, but some of these anti-Janeese responses are just ridiculous. Just full of baloney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Janeese wants kids in class *less." She says teachers need more professional development time, and she is all in for "flexible scheduling". So what is flexible scheduling, you might ask? Get ready for more asynchronous days, 3-day weekends, 4-day weekends, tech days, packet days, enrichment days, independent learning days, camp days, early dismissal days, rotating drop-off days, and teacher office-hours-only days, with fewer actual normal days.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENXFyCzepj8

She is so naive and just ridiculous. This is like the last thing DC students need. More time sitting at home playing video games or smoking easy to find pot. She’s a joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think there's not enough screentime in class? Then JLG is the candidate for you. One of her signature initiatives is promoting computer use in the classroom. No thanks.

I wish I knew you this person is copy-pasting this disinformation across the forums. Sighs.

A lot of the anti-Janeese stuff comes across as copy-pasted spamming. I'm sure there are some actual parents who prefer McDuffie too, but some of these anti-Janeese responses are just ridiculous. Just full of baloney.

And this is classy stuff: “McDoNothing is trash”

Making up derogatory monikers and calling people names. Gosh, who does that sound like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think there's not enough screentime in class? Then JLG is the candidate for you. One of her signature initiatives is promoting computer use in the classroom. No thanks.

I wish I knew you this person is copy-pasting this disinformation across the forums. Sighs.

A lot of the anti-Janeese stuff comes across as copy-pasted spamming. I'm sure there are some actual parents who prefer McDuffie too, but some of these anti-Janeese responses are just ridiculous. Just full of baloney.

And this is classy stuff: “McDoNothing is trash”

Making up derogatory monikers and calling people names. Gosh, who does that sound like?

I'm not a fan of that either. It doesn't change that I'm voting for Janeese.