Waitlist transparency (or lack thereof)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone posted on MOTH that there are (to paraphrase) sketchy things going on with the wait lists at some schools. For example, this person said that there have been waivers approved for non-inbound children without enrolled siblings ahead of inbound children with or without enrolled siblings on the wait list. And that some of these children were accepted outside the lottery (their parents didn't participate in the lottery).

This person also said that children of DCPS staff who wouldn't otherwise receive preference have been accepted ahead of children of the general public with inbound preference and who have a valid wait list number.

Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

In DCPS? Absolutely.

Definitely doesn't happen in our HRCS though. Considering how much people want in, I almost wish there was a preference system.

Everyone knows DCPS gets to cheat and charters don't.

Because everyone knows that charters would never enroll PG residents to reap the benefits of per pupil funding. Spare us the sanctimony.

Charters with WLs in the hundreds don't enroll anyone from PG, dear.

[Anonymous]

I do not understand OP's post. my understanding is that pre-k spots, by law, must be assigned under a lottery system and the principal has no discretion whatsoever. kids who did not do the lottery cannot be admitted, especially ahead of kids who did it and are on the waitlist, and definitely kids who are OOB and farther down on the waitlist cannot be admitted ahead of IB kids who did the lottery and are higher up on the waitlist. I dont'd know the details, but I know that at successful schools some spots must be reserved for kids (at risk? from areas where the school is failing? I really don't know). but except for this case, the rule is the lottery and the principal has no discretion. so if a principal admits OOB kids when IB kids are on the waitlist, parents could definitely complain. I did the pre-k lottery twice at the upper NW school where my kids are (once as IB, the second time as OOB with sibling preference), and this has been the rule both times, the waitlist was fairly transparent and never noticed any trick. for grade higher than pre-k, IB kids have the right to be admitted so I don't understand OP when she says that OOB were admitted ahead of IB, unless she is referring to pre-k, which would fall in what I described before. principal discretion comes up only from K and up, but certainly does not extend to the point of not admitting IB kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not understand OP's post. my understanding is that pre-k spots, by law, must be assigned under a lottery system and the principal has no discretion whatsoever. kids who did not do the lottery cannot be admitted, especially ahead of kids who did it and are on the waitlist, and definitely kids who are OOB and farther down on the waitlist cannot be admitted ahead of IB kids who did the lottery and are higher up on the waitlist. I dont'd know the details, but I know that at successful schools some spots must be reserved for kids (at risk? from areas where the school is failing? I really don't know). but except for this case, the rule is the lottery and the principal has no discretion. so if a principal admits OOB kids when IB kids are on the waitlist, parents could definitely complain. I did the pre-k lottery twice at the upper NW school where my kids are (once as IB, the second time as OOB with sibling preference), and this has been the rule both times, the waitlist was fairly transparent and never noticed any trick. for grade higher than pre-k, IB kids have the right to be admitted so I don't understand OP when she says that OOB were admitted ahead of IB, unless she is referring to pre-k, which would fall in what I described before. principal discretion comes up only from K and up, but certainly does not extend to the point of not admitting IB kids.

Your understanding is not correct. After the initial lottery, principals can pretty much do what they want. There is not oversight from the Central Office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not understand OP's post. my understanding is that pre-k spots, by law, must be assigned under a lottery system and the principal has no discretion whatsoever. kids who did not do the lottery cannot be admitted, especially ahead of kids who did it and are on the waitlist, and definitely kids who are OOB and farther down on the waitlist cannot be admitted ahead of IB kids who did the lottery and are higher up on the waitlist. I dont'd know the details, but I know that at successful schools some spots must be reserved for kids (at risk? from areas where the school is failing? I really don't know). but except for this case, the rule is the lottery and the principal has no discretion. so if a principal admits OOB kids when IB kids are on the waitlist, parents could definitely complain. I did the pre-k lottery twice at the upper NW school where my kids are (once as IB, the second time as OOB with sibling preference), and this has been the rule both times, the waitlist was fairly transparent and never noticed any trick. for grade higher than pre-k, IB kids have the right to be admitted so I don't understand OP when she says that OOB were admitted ahead of IB, unless she is referring to pre-k, which would fall in what I described before. principal discretion comes up only from K and up, but certainly does not extend to the point of not admitting IB kids.

Your understanding is not correct. After the initial lottery, principals can pretty much do what they want. There is not oversight from the Central Office.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone posted on MOTH that there are (to paraphrase) sketchy things going on with the wait lists at some schools. For example, this person said that there have been waivers approved for non-inbound children without enrolled siblings ahead of inbound children with or without enrolled siblings on the wait list. And that some of these children were accepted outside the lottery (their parents didn't participate in the lottery).

This person also said that children of DCPS staff who wouldn't otherwise receive preference have been accepted ahead of children of the general public with inbound preference and who have a valid wait list number.

Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

In DCPS? Absolutely.

Definitely doesn't happen in our HRCS though. Considering how much people want in, I almost wish there was a preference system.

Everyone knows DCPS gets to cheat and charters don't.

Because everyone knows that charters would never enroll PG residents to reap the benefits of per pupil funding. Spare us the sanctimony.

Wrong. DCPS schools (especially on the Hill) are famous for allowing residency cheaters, but charters can't. The documentation is stricter and there's no "Principal discretion."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not understand OP's post. my understanding is that pre-k spots, by law, must be assigned under a lottery system and the principal has no discretion whatsoever. kids who did not do the lottery cannot be admitted, especially ahead of kids who did it and are on the waitlist, and definitely kids who are OOB and farther down on the waitlist cannot be admitted ahead of IB kids who did the lottery and are higher up on the waitlist. I dont'd know the details, but I know that at successful schools some spots must be reserved for kids (at risk? from areas where the school is failing? I really don't know). but except for this case, the rule is the lottery and the principal has no discretion. so if a principal admits OOB kids when IB kids are on the waitlist, parents could definitely complain. I did the pre-k lottery twice at the upper NW school where my kids are (once as IB, the second time as OOB with sibling preference), and this has been the rule both times, the waitlist was fairly transparent and never noticed any trick. for grade higher than pre-k, IB kids have the right to be admitted so I don't understand OP when she says that OOB were admitted ahead of IB, unless she is referring to pre-k, which would fall in what I described before. principal discretion comes up only from K and up, but certainly does not extend to the point of not admitting IB kids.

Your understanding is not correct. After the initial lottery, principals can pretty much do what they want. There is not oversight from the Central Office.

Absolutely true. Principals can place who they want in the seats disregarding the waitlist/lottery. Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what is MOTH?

Didn't Fenty's kids get into Lafayette this way?

I thought Fenty's kids got into Lafayette b/c they were twins and the IB school could not accomodate them in separate classrooms.

I know right. There's a sucker revealed everyday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not understand OP's post. my understanding is that pre-k spots, by law, must be assigned under a lottery system and the principal has no discretion whatsoever. kids who did not do the lottery cannot be admitted, especially ahead of kids who did it and are on the waitlist, and definitely kids who are OOB and farther down on the waitlist cannot be admitted ahead of IB kids who did the lottery and are higher up on the waitlist. I dont'd know the details, but I know that at successful schools some spots must be reserved for kids (at risk? from areas where the school is failing? I really don't know). but except for this case, the rule is the lottery and the principal has no discretion. so if a principal admits OOB kids when IB kids are on the waitlist, parents could definitely complain. I did the pre-k lottery twice at the upper NW school where my kids are (once as IB, the second time as OOB with sibling preference), and this has been the rule both times, the waitlist was fairly transparent and never noticed any trick. for grade higher than pre-k, IB kids have the right to be admitted so I don't understand OP when she says that OOB were admitted ahead of IB, unless she is referring to pre-k, which would fall in what I described before. principal discretion comes up only from K and up, but certainly does not extend to the point of not admitting IB kids.

Your understanding is not correct. After the initial lottery, principals can pretty much do what they want. There is not oversight from the Central Office.

Absolutely true. Principals can place who they want in the seats disregarding the waitlist/lottery. Ridiculous.

It's not really uncommon, families who move IB after the lottery are accommodated all the time, placed ahead of Waitlisted families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone posted on MOTH that there are (to paraphrase) sketchy things going on with the wait lists at some schools. For example, this person said that there have been waivers approved for non-inbound children without enrolled siblings ahead of inbound children with or without enrolled siblings on the wait list. And that some of these children were accepted outside the lottery (their parents didn't participate in the lottery).

This person also said that children of DCPS staff who wouldn't otherwise receive preference have been accepted ahead of children of the general public with inbound preference and who have a valid wait list number.

Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

In DCPS? Absolutely.

Definitely doesn't happen in our HRCS though. Considering how much people want in, I almost wish there was a preference system.

Everyone knows DCPS gets to cheat and charters don't.

Because everyone knows that charters would never enroll PG residents to reap the benefits of per pupil funding. Spare us the sanctimony.

Let's not forget the MoCo kids in some of the immersion schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone posted on MOTH that there are (to paraphrase) sketchy things going on with the wait lists at some schools. For example, this person said that there have been waivers approved for non-inbound children without enrolled siblings ahead of inbound children with or without enrolled siblings on the wait list. And that some of these children were accepted outside the lottery (their parents didn't participate in the lottery).

This person also said that children of DCPS staff who wouldn't otherwise receive preference have been accepted ahead of children of the general public with inbound preference and who have a valid wait list number.

Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

In DCPS? Absolutely.

Definitely doesn't happen in our HRCS though. Considering how much people want in, I almost wish there was a preference system.

Everyone knows DCPS gets to cheat and charters don't.

Because everyone knows that charters would never enroll PG residents to reap the benefits of per pupil funding. Spare us the sanctimony.

Charters with WLs in the hundreds don't enroll anyone from PG, dear.

How would you know? I know a kid at Basis who resides in Ft Washington. And no, I am not reporting. Why, because I don't really care any more. I think I stopped caring about these little things after that woman in Ohio was arrested for sending her kids to the inbound school of her ex-husbunds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone posted on MOTH that there are (to paraphrase) sketchy things going on with the wait lists at some schools. For example, this person said that there have been waivers approved for non-inbound children without enrolled siblings ahead of inbound children with or without enrolled siblings on the wait list. And that some of these children were accepted outside the lottery (their parents didn't participate in the lottery).

This person also said that children of DCPS staff who wouldn't otherwise receive preference have been accepted ahead of children of the general public with inbound preference and who have a valid wait list number.

Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

In DCPS? Absolutely.

Definitely doesn't happen in our HRCS though. Considering how much people want in, I almost wish there was a preference system.

Everyone knows DCPS gets to cheat and charters don't.

Because everyone knows that charters would never enroll PG residents to reap the benefits of per pupil funding. Spare us the sanctimony.

Charters with WLs in the hundreds don't enroll anyone from PG, dear.

You are so naive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone posted on MOTH that there are (to paraphrase) sketchy things going on with the wait lists at some schools. For example, this person said that there have been waivers approved for non-inbound children without enrolled siblings ahead of inbound children with or without enrolled siblings on the wait list. And that some of these children were accepted outside the lottery (their parents didn't participate in the lottery).

This person also said that children of DCPS staff who wouldn't otherwise receive preference have been accepted ahead of children of the general public with inbound preference and who have a valid wait list number.

Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

In DCPS? Absolutely.

Definitely doesn't happen in our HRCS though. Considering how much people want in, I almost wish there was a preference system.

Everyone knows DCPS gets to cheat and charters don't.

Because everyone knows that charters would never enroll PG residents to reap the benefits of per pupil funding. Spare us the sanctimony.

Charters with WLs in the hundreds don't enroll anyone from PG, dear.

How would you know? I know a kid at Basis who resides in Ft Washington. And no, I am not reporting. Why, because I don't really care any more. I think I stopped caring about these little things after that woman in Ohio was arrested for sending her kids to the inbound school of her ex-husbunds.

Does Basis even have a WL? It's not like it's Latin or LAMB or Yu Ying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone posted on MOTH that there are (to paraphrase) sketchy things going on with the wait lists at some schools. For example, this person said that there have been waivers approved for non-inbound children without enrolled siblings ahead of inbound children with or without enrolled siblings on the wait list. And that some of these children were accepted outside the lottery (their parents didn't participate in the lottery).

This person also said that children of DCPS staff who wouldn't otherwise receive preference have been accepted ahead of children of the general public with inbound preference and who have a valid wait list number.

Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

In DCPS? Absolutely.

Definitely doesn't happen in our HRCS though. Considering how much people want in, I almost wish there was a preference system.

Everyone knows DCPS gets to cheat and charters don't.

Because everyone knows that charters would never enroll PG residents to reap the benefits of per pupil funding. Spare us the sanctimony.

Charters with WLs in the hundreds don't enroll anyone from PG, dear.

You are so naive.

Two Rivers has over a thousand names on its WL and DC convinced them to take an old DCPS and open a second campus. They don't need residency cheats from MD and yes, they do care. At Watkins and LT, residency cheats are a problem, but at the HRCS, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone posted on MOTH that there are (to paraphrase) sketchy things going on with the wait lists at some schools. For example, this person said that there have been waivers approved for non-inbound children without enrolled siblings ahead of inbound children with or without enrolled siblings on the wait list. And that some of these children were accepted outside the lottery (their parents didn't participate in the lottery).

This person also said that children of DCPS staff who wouldn't otherwise receive preference have been accepted ahead of children of the general public with inbound preference and who have a valid wait list number.

Anyone know if there is any truth to this?

In DCPS? Absolutely.

Definitely doesn't happen in our HRCS though. Considering how much people want in, I almost wish there was a preference system.

Everyone knows DCPS gets to cheat and charters don't.

Because everyone knows that charters would never enroll PG residents to reap the benefits of per pupil funding. Spare us the sanctimony.

Wrong. DCPS schools (especially on the Hill) are famous for allowing residency cheaters, but charters can't. The documentation is stricter and there's no "Principal discretion."

The documentation requirements for public schools and charters are the same, including the identical OSSE verification form.

[Anonymous]

First, CH = Columbia Heights, please stop using it for the Hill as it's confusing. the Hill is short enough already.

Second, given the complaints I hear from teachers on the Hill who have been unable to get their kids into their own school (despite sibling and proximity) I doubt it's true.