Parent Essay critical of DCI

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The expectation at any new IB school is that the first few classes will have a pretty small group of students passing the IB exam.

In a way it doesn’t matter because the results come out after college acceptances. Once a class or two of kids go all the way through DCI will probably tweak its program as they will know what the students struggled with in the exam.

Your info on IB testing is seriously dated. For the last decade, IB students have been able to take up to 4 of their 6 subject exams in May of junior year, with the results available for college applications in the fall. It does matter if the college bound in IBD programs are on track to earn the full diploma or not. Moreover strong American IB students commonly double up on the AP exams that overlap with their IB subject exam to have more standardized test results to submit with college applications, This is standard practice in established IBD programs.

Unfortunately, DCI's admins don't seem to have a clue about any of this. The school has never even employed a college counselor.

It's amazing that there's so much misinformation on the board! The college counselor has been full-time since the oldest students started 10th grade. (https://dcinternationalschool.org/teacher/shannon-jeffries/) And for the previous poster, students can't take 4 out of 6 subject exams in May of their junior year -- that's nonsense. For those who want accurate information, dive in here: https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/understanding-ib-assessment/

Thanks for setting the record straight. That didn't sound right to me either, although my experience with the IB diploma tests dates back to 1996.

The nonsense is from you, PP. High-powered IBD schools routinely allow student to take exams junior year all around the world and have for some time. My nephew, who's attends a top 10 liberal arts college, took several IBD subject exams junior from his test-in IBD school in FL. He took the remaining three exams in the spring of senior year. The school-within-a-school IBD program he attended has a pass rate of close to 90%. DCI admins just don't the tricks. Geneva IB doesn't get in the way of experience IBD coordinators who make these asks.

Get a grip OK. His school is not new and trying to implement an IB curriculum in middle and high school. Talk to us your nephews whatever school standard in 10 years or so.

To the poster with the nephew, why don’t you please share the name of the school, public or private, how old is it, percentage of students who are at risk or below grade level, etc... Pointless to be on your high horse when you are not comparing apples to apples. Feel free to share......

New poster. You seem to have missed the point entirely. The story of the nephew was to point out that some IB diploma subject tests can be taken junior year. This sequencing givs American IB diploma students more standardized test scores to submit with college applications. Apparently, this can happen with a school's IB diploma coordinator asserts himself/herself with Geneva. No idea where the fruit comparisons come into play. You sound jealous of parents in programs with IB coordinators and college counselors who know really their stuff.

Not at all jealous and my DC is not at DCI. Poster sounds judgmental and condescending. BTW we all know that you are not a new poster and the same person.

[Anonymous]

Former DCI parent here who didn't return this week.

There's more than one poster on this thread who thinks that the mom behind the critical article makes valid points about DCI's failure to set and maintain high standards for students.

You can whitewash the situation by arguing that the school is still pretty new and that most of the students are low SES. The truth is that the school's leadership is weak. If admins had gone with more academic tracking, hired better teachers, not handed out the stupid chromebooks, brought on an experienced college counselor etc. the program could already have served low SES and high SES families better than it does. Parents shouldn't have to wait years for DCI's demographics to shift for a strong ib diploma program to emerge.

Calling posters names for pointing up real problems may make you feel good, but it doesn't help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The expectation at any new IB school is that the first few classes will have a pretty small group of students passing the IB exam.

In a way it doesn’t matter because the results come out after college acceptances. Once a class or two of kids go all the way through DCI will probably tweak its program as they will know what the students struggled with in the exam.

Your info on IB testing is seriously dated. For the last decade, IB students have been able to take up to 4 of their 6 subject exams in May of junior year, with the results available for college applications in the fall. It does matter if the college bound in IBD programs are on track to earn the full diploma or not. Moreover strong American IB students commonly double up on the AP exams that overlap with their IB subject exam to have more standardized test results to submit with college applications, This is standard practice in established IBD programs.

Unfortunately, DCI's admins don't seem to have a clue about any of this. The school has never even employed a college counselor.

It's amazing that there's so much misinformation on the board! The college counselor has been full-time since the oldest students started 10th grade. (https://dcinternationalschool.org/teacher/shannon-jeffries/) And for the previous poster, students can't take 4 out of 6 subject exams in May of their junior year -- that's nonsense. For those who want accurate information, dive in here: https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/understanding-ib-assessment/

Thanks for setting the record straight. That didn't sound right to me either, although my experience with the IB diploma tests dates back to 1996.

The nonsense is from you, PP. High-powered IBD schools routinely allow student to take exams junior year all around the world and have for some time. My nephew, who's attends a top 10 liberal arts college, took several IBD subject exams junior from his test-in IBD school in FL. He took the remaining three exams in the spring of senior year. The school-within-a-school IBD program he attended has a pass rate of close to 90%. DCI admins just don't the tricks. Geneva IB doesn't get in the way of experience IBD coordinators who make these asks.

Get a grip OK. His school is not new and trying to implement an IB curriculum in middle and high school. Talk to us your nephews whatever school standard in 10 years or so.

To the poster with the nephew, why don’t you please share the name of the school, public or private, how old is it, percentage of students who are at risk or below grade level, etc... Pointless to be on your high horse when you are not comparing apples to apples. Feel free to share......

New poster. You seem to have missed the point entirely. The story of the nephew was to point out that some IB diploma subject tests can be taken junior year. This sequencing givs American IB diploma students more standardized test scores to submit with college applications. Apparently, this can happen with a school's IB diploma coordinator asserts himself/herself with Geneva. No idea where the fruit comparisons come into play. You sound jealous of parents in programs with IB coordinators and college counselors who know really their stuff.

Not at all jealous and my DC is not at DCI. Poster sounds judgmental and condescending. BTW we all know that you are not a new poster and the same person.

So why take pot shots at posters making fair points? New poster, old poster, who cares? Fact is DCI just isn't living up to the expectations of most UMC stakeholders, not even close. I'm already tired of seeing friends in feeders avoid DCI, or bail after a school year there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former DCI parent here who didn't return this week.

There's more than one poster on this thread who thinks that the mom behind the critical article makes valid points about DCI's failure to set and maintain high standards for students.

You can whitewash the situation by arguing that the school is still pretty new and that most of the students are low SES. The truth is that the school's leadership is weak. If admins had gone with more academic tracking, hired better teachers, not handed out the stupid chromebooks, brought on an experienced college counselor etc. the program could already have served low SES and high SES families better than it does. Parents shouldn't have to wait years for DCI's demographics to shift for a strong ib diploma program to emerge.

Calling posters names for pointing up real problems may make you feel good, but it doesn't help.

Just another example of how the tyranny of low expectations rears its ugly head yet again in DCPCS, with help from boosters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former DCI parent here who didn't return this week.

There's more than one poster on this thread who thinks that the mom behind the critical article makes valid points about DCI's failure to set and maintain high standards for students.

You can whitewash the situation by arguing that the school is still pretty new and that most of the students are low SES. The truth is that the school's leadership is weak. If admins had gone with more academic tracking, hired better teachers, not handed out the stupid chromebooks, brought on an experienced college counselor etc. the program could already have served low SES and high SES families better than it does. Parents shouldn't have to wait years for DCI's demographics to shift for a strong ib diploma program to emerge.

Calling posters names for pointing up real problems may make you feel good, but it doesn't help.

Np here who appreciates this perspective. Do you think there's hope for DCI to address these issues? Did your child(ren) go private?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former DCI parent here who didn't return this week.

There's more than one poster on this thread who thinks that the mom behind the critical article makes valid points about DCI's failure to set and maintain high standards for students.

You can whitewash the situation by arguing that the school is still pretty new and that most of the students are low SES. The truth is that the school's leadership is weak. If admins had gone with more academic tracking, hired better teachers, not handed out the stupid chromebooks, brought on an experienced college counselor etc. the program could already have served low SES and high SES families better than it does. Parents shouldn't have to wait years for DCI's demographics to shift for a strong ib diploma program to emerge.

Calling posters names for pointing up real problems may make you feel good, but it doesn't help.

Np here who appreciates this perspective. Do you think there's hope for DCI to address these issues? Did your child(ren) go private?

NP too. It really depends on your timeframe. If your kid is in ECE now -- sure. If they are in upper elementary, I'd be more cautious.

Of the DCI families I know who left (more anecdata - about 6 students) 3 went to Deal; 3 went to private at 9th.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s about “low expectations” I think it’s about reality. Many many kids in DC, including those at DCI are below grade level. The problem is parents can’t believe it because the test scores are their achool arwmatill better compared to other DC schools. But most of these kids wouldn’t cut it in Arlington gifted classrooms. DCI, like everybschool, is teaching to middle/bottom of the cohort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s about “low expectations” I think it’s about reality. Many many kids in DC, including those at DCI are below grade level. The problem is parents can’t believe it because the test scores are their achool arwmatill better compared to other DC schools. But most of these kids wouldn’t cut it in Arlington gifted classrooms. DCI, like everybschool, is teaching to middle/bottom of the cohort.

Let's step back. Using PARCC to determine at/below grade level -- DCI is doing pretty well, at least in ELA -- compared to other middle schools.

Ranking MS with 10 highest ELA scores (math is complicated to parse for MS because of all the different levels taken (math 6, 7, 8, Alg 1, Geometry, Integrated Math etc)

Adams 83*
Deal 81
BASIS 81*
Hardy 68
Latin 63
DCI 61

Whether DCI is challenging students to advance beyond proficiency (concern of parent essay) OR preparing students for HL IB courses / achieving the IB diploma is a totally different thing.

*Since these schools have scores reported for more than just 6-8, I averaged the percentage at 4+ in 6,7 and 8 (73/88/82 for Basis and 83/88/80 for Adams -- but that is a quick estimate because I didn't add the numbers of students taking the exams).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former DCI parent here who didn't return this week.

There's more than one poster on this thread who thinks that the mom behind the critical article makes valid points about DCI's failure to set and maintain high standards for students.

You can whitewash the situation by arguing that the school is still pretty new and that most of the students are low SES. The truth is that the school's leadership is weak. If admins had gone with more academic tracking, hired better teachers, not handed out the stupid chromebooks, brought on an experienced college counselor etc. the program could already have served low SES and high SES families better than it does. Parents shouldn't have to wait years for DCI's demographics to shift for a strong ib diploma program to emerge.

Calling posters names for pointing up real problems may make you feel good, but it doesn't help.

Np here who appreciates this perspective. Do you think there's hope for DCI to address these issues? Did your child(ren) go private?

No, unfortunately, I don't think that the current DCI admins are competent, practical, experienced or ambitious enough to begin to address the school's most pressing problems, nice as they are. But I bet these leaders will be gone within five years, once many UMC parents have complained about them up the chain and DCI's sad IB Diploma point totals and pass rates have become public knowledge.

My children go to MS in Arlington, where my ex resides. Their school situation is vastly better than it was at DCI, and not because there aren't a lot of poor kids in the program (school population is half free lunch). VA has a law on GT education, so they're tracked in most subjects.

[Anonymous]

Back on the topic of the summer reading list...

My child is a product of DC Charter schools, with one year at DCI in which I was very impressed by the English teacher and the quality of assignments, including having to write full essays with bibliographies, quotes and references (something I couldn't conceive of doing at my child's age as a product of a local Catholic private schools and with an undergraduate degree in English) . I was surprised by the selection of books on the summer reading list, which was mostly current urban lit and not the "classics" I grew up with (ie. 19th and 20th century English lit). But it was clear that the list was for inspiration and that children (or their parents) could choose books of their liking. DC half did the assignments, although had a quite productive summer of being outdoors and drawing and being online (Instagram, youtube etc). I am OK with that. My personal feeling is that summer for tweens and teens should be about relaxing and I largely ignored DCI's missive to keep kids working on math and reading every day for fear of losing what they learn. I did also get my DC tested for the JHU Center for Talented Youth at the beginning of the summer and DC placed in the most advanced level for English language arts. In other words, DC tested at least 3 grades above level. So now we have the option of more challenging summer and online learning in the future.

DCI is working for us now with parental involvement and so far minimal tutoring during the school year (math). Every day I can see DCs homework assignments via Managebac and Google classroom. My expectation is that they must be done, and my experience is that the teachers will contact me if something is missing. Time will tell on the IB program but I expect DCI to go in one direction -- up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s about “low expectations” I think it’s about reality. Many many kids in DC, including those at DCI are below grade level. The problem is parents can’t believe it because the test scores are their achool arwmatill better compared to other DC schools. But most of these kids wouldn’t cut it in Arlington gifted classrooms. DCI, like everybschool, is teaching to middle/bottom of the cohort.

OK, but DCI could track for a lot more than math and language, like some of other DC public middle schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s about “low expectations” I think it’s about reality. Many many kids in DC, including those at DCI are below grade level. The problem is parents can’t believe it because the test scores are their achool arwmatill better compared to other DC schools. But most of these kids wouldn’t cut it in Arlington gifted classrooms. DCI, like everybschool, is teaching to middle/bottom of the cohort.

OK, but DCI could track for a lot more than math and language, like some of other DC public middle schools.

Yes and with so many kids at grade level and above, it’s probably going to be just a matter of time in my opinion.

I find it hilarious that all the people on here ( with new school/program, new curriculum, new administration, new teachers who might not all have experience with IB etc..] expect everyone to know exactly everything they are doing, have rigor to challenge all students, be able to have students not even at grade level get the IB diploma, and on and on.

Welcome to DCUM!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s about “low expectations” I think it’s about reality. Many many kids in DC, including those at DCI are below grade level. The problem is parents can’t believe it because the test scores are their achool arwmatill better compared to other DC schools. But most of these kids wouldn’t cut it in Arlington gifted classrooms. DCI, like everybschool, is teaching to middle/bottom of the cohort.

Let's step back. Using PARCC to determine at/below grade level -- DCI is doing pretty well, at least in ELA -- compared to other middle schools.

Ranking MS with 10 highest ELA scores (math is complicated to parse for MS because of all the different levels taken (math 6, 7, 8, Alg 1, Geometry, Integrated Math etc)

Adams 83*
Deal 81
BASIS 81*
Hardy 68
Latin 63
DCI 61

Whether DCI is challenging students to advance beyond proficiency (concern of parent essay) OR preparing students for HL IB courses / achieving the IB diploma is a totally different thing.

*Since these schools have scores reported for more than just 6-8, I averaged the percentage at 4+ in 6,7 and 8 (73/88/82 for Basis and 83/88/80 for Adams -- but that is a quick estimate because I didn't add the numbers of students taking the exams).

Great job Adams!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s about “low expectations” I think it’s about reality. Many many kids in DC, including those at DCI are below grade level. The problem is parents can’t believe it because the test scores are their achool arwmatill better compared to other DC schools. But most of these kids wouldn’t cut it in Arlington gifted classrooms. DCI, like everybschool, is teaching to middle/bottom of the cohort.

OK, but DCI could track for a lot more than math and language, like some of other DC public middle schools.

Yes and with so many kids at grade level and above, it’s probably going to be just a matter of time in my opinion.

I find it hilarious that all the people on here ( with new school/program, new curriculum, new administration, new teachers who might not all have experience with IB etc..] expect everyone to know exactly everything they are doing, have rigor to challenge all students, be able to have students not even at grade level get the IB diploma, and on and on.

Welcome to DCUM!

Don't hold your breath, PP. Some of us lobbied for over a decade to get honors humanities and science classes at Stuart Hobson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s about “low expectations” I think it’s about reality. Many many kids in DC, including those at DCI are below grade level. The problem is parents can’t believe it because the test scores are their achool arwmatill better compared to other DC schools. But most of these kids wouldn’t cut it in Arlington gifted classrooms. DCI, like everybschool, is teaching to middle/bottom of the cohort.

OK, but DCI could track for a lot more than math and language, like some of other DC public middle schools.

Yes and with so many kids at grade level and above, it’s probably going to be just a matter of time in my opinion.

I find it hilarious that all the people on here ( with new school/program, new curriculum, new administration, new teachers who might not all have experience with IB etc..] expect everyone to know exactly everything they are doing, have rigor to challenge all students, be able to have students not even at grade level get the IB diploma, and on and on.

Welcome to DCUM!

Don't hold your breath, PP. Some of us lobbied for over a decade to get honors humanities and science classes at Stuart Hobson.

That’s because SH did not have a high cohort of grade level or above kids for a long, long time....... unlike DCI.

It’s also because you can make changes, especially with curriculum, much faster at a charter and why their curriculum is much more progressive than DCPS schools. We all also know how huge, terrible, and inefficient the bureaucracy is especially in DCPS. A system that only cares about narrowing the achievement gap and gives families messages that their grade level or above kid doesn’t need anything and will be fine.....and people are surprised when families bail DCPS for charters.

There is only so much you can do at the local school level. When SH numbers show that the at risk kids improvement goes down or you develop a school within a school like Wilson, don’t be surprised that they will try to convert it to honors for all.....just like Wilson.