DCPS is misusing at-risk funds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see how using at-risk funding to pay for staff is misuse of funds.

It's supposed to be for specific types of staff that are focused on at-risk kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

Other districts do not allow PTAs to hire teachers. Other than DCPS, I've never heard of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

Other districts do not allow PTAs to hire teachers. Other than DCPS, I've never heard of that.

Maybe, but I still don’t see how it helps DCPS to turn away donations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

Other districts do not allow PTAs to hire teachers. Other than DCPS, I've never heard of that.

Maybe, but I still don’t see how it helps DCPS to turn away donations.

Because it makes it impossible to have correct data. How can DCPS know how much money to spend per pupil with these shenanigans?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

Other districts do not allow PTAs to hire teachers. Other than DCPS, I've never heard of that.

Maybe, but I still don’t see how it helps DCPS to turn away donations.

Because it makes it impossible to have correct data. How can DCPS know how much money to spend per pupil with these shenanigans?

Donated funds hardly make data analysis ‘impossible.’ And rejecting donated funds is not going to solve the achievement gap.

DC being diligent in determining and communicating its needs and the city providing adequate funds along with realistic mandates are at the core of the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

No, just be honest and stop comparing! Stop demonizing EOTP for things that are out of their control...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

I don't know if they can hire teachers, but they can provide support positions, aides, etc.

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

Other districts do not allow PTAs to hire teachers. Other than DCPS, I've never heard of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

And when we are comparing PARCC scores, we are not taking into consideration that one child in one school received extra tutoring or support through a funded aide position and the other school did not. Then we compare supposedly students who are alike, except they are not. During the start of IMPACT, I brought this up with Mr. Kamras, who has now departed ... Seems like nothing has changed!

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

Other districts do not allow PTAs to hire teachers. Other than DCPS, I've never heard of that.

Maybe, but I still don’t see how it helps DCPS to turn away donations.

Because it makes it impossible to have correct data. How can DCPS know how much money to spend per pupil with these shenanigans?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

No, just be honest and stop comparing! Stop demonizing EOTP for things that are out of their control...

What a bizarre discussion. Who is comparing and demonizing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

And when we are comparing PARCC scores, we are not taking into consideration that one child in one school received extra tutoring or support through a funded aide position and the other school did not. Then we compare supposedly students who are alike, except they are not. During the start of IMPACT, I brought this up with Mr. Kamras, who has now departed ... Seems like nothing has changed!

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

Other districts do not allow PTAs to hire teachers. Other than DCPS, I've never heard of that.

Maybe, but I still don’t see how it helps DCPS to turn away donations.

Because it makes it impossible to have correct data. How can DCPS know how much money to spend per pupil with these shenanigans?

And when we are comparing PARCC scores, we are not taking into consideration that one child in one school received extra tutoring or support through a funded aide position and the other school did not. Then we compare supposedly students who are alike, except they are not. During the start of IMPACT, I brought this up with Mr. Kamras, who has now departed ... Seems like nothing has changed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

No, just be honest and stop comparing! Stop demonizing EOTP for things that are out of their control...

What a bizarre discussion. Who is comparing and demonizing?

Downtown. They blame EOTP and EOTR schools for performance disparities. And while these schools are no doubt far from perfect, downtown refuses to fully acknowledge the underlying funding needs and funding inequities that are contributing to performance differences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

And when we are comparing PARCC scores, we are not taking into consideration that one child in one school received extra tutoring or support through a funded aide position and the other school did not. Then we compare supposedly students who are alike, except they are not. During the start of IMPACT, I brought this up with Mr. Kamras, who has now departed ... Seems like nothing has changed!

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

Other districts do not allow PTAs to hire teachers. Other than DCPS, I've never heard of that.

Maybe, but I still don’t see how it helps DCPS to turn away donations.

Because it makes it impossible to have correct data. How can DCPS know how much money to spend per pupil with these shenanigans?

And when we are comparing PARCC scores, we are not taking into consideration that one child in one school received extra tutoring or support through a funded aide position and the other school did not. Then we compare supposedly students who are alike, except they are not. During the start of IMPACT, I brought this up with Mr. Kamras, who has now departed ... Seems like nothing has changed!

Nobody is turning away donations. They pay for other stuff and that frees up the funding for staff. And it seems that at some schools they do pay for staff, at least aides if not teachers.

https://mauryelementary.com/pta/initiatives/

Staff Our School Campaign:This year, the campaign is being called “Staff Our School”, and the funds raised will be used solely to help to cover the over $50,000 the PTA needs to pay for aides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

And when we are comparing PARCC scores, we are not taking into consideration that one child in one school received extra tutoring or support through a funded aide position and the other school did not. Then we compare supposedly students who are alike, except they are not. During the start of IMPACT, I brought this up with Mr. Kamras, who has now departed ... Seems like nothing has changed!

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

Other districts do not allow PTAs to hire teachers. Other than DCPS, I've never heard of that.

Maybe, but I still don’t see how it helps DCPS to turn away donations.

Because it makes it impossible to have correct data. How can DCPS know how much money to spend per pupil with these shenanigans?

And when we are comparing PARCC scores, we are not taking into consideration that one child in one school received extra tutoring or support through a funded aide position and the other school did not. Then we compare supposedly students who are alike, except they are not. During the start of IMPACT, I brought this up with Mr. Kamras, who has now departed ... Seems like nothing has changed!

Yes, they're supposedly alike. Someone who lives in a paid-off house with her mom and grandma and goes to Ross is at-risk if mom's income is just low enough. And someone who is on her third foster home and spent months in DC General is at-risk too. They're the same, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Post article went up yesterday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-is-misspending-millions-of-dollars-intended-to-help-the-citys-poorest-students/2018/04/14/6006c02a-3788-11e8-9c0a-85d477d9a226_story.html?utm_term=.0d14c5c37fe4

Basically, at-risk funds are being used for standard/core positions, that should be funded form the base budget allocation. instead of being available for additional non/core uses at the discretion of each school

DCPS continues to be a hot mess

This whole process is unfair anyway, schools like Deal, JKLM can raise thousands through their PTA to hire teachers for these positions. I used to work at Murch providing support to students who needed reading remediation. Then at the end of the year we compare schools as if the metrics are all the same, which downtown knows they are not. Of course we then blame teachers at mainly EOTP for being ineffective teachers, fire all the teachers, the principal, or some other form of reconstitution and wonder why we don't make progress. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of funds coming in to some of the WOTP schools for not just ed. positions but materials. One year a parent contact at a tech company donated new computers and printers. There is no equity anywhere because DCPS doesn't acknowledge the truth and uses bogus data to measure progress.

What’s the answer? Refuse donations in the name of equity?

Other districts do not allow PTAs to hire teachers. Other than DCPS, I've never heard of that.

Maybe, but I still don’t see how it helps DCPS to turn away donations.

Because it makes it impossible to have correct data. How can DCPS know how much money to spend per pupil with these shenanigans?

Donated funds hardly make data analysis ‘impossible.’ And rejecting donated funds is not going to solve the achievement gap.

DC being diligent in determining and communicating its needs and the city providing adequate funds along with realistic mandates are at the core of the problem.

I think we've gotten to the point where parent donations are causing pretty serious distortion. PTAs are paying for staff that serves a core function, such as. teacher aids. If PTAs could not fund this, then there might be actual pressure to fund this directly for all schools.