Truth about being three coughs above FARMS at a high performing Charter School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's ironic, but the level of vitriol against the OP makes her claims more credible to me.

vitriol or skepticism?

Vitriol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She made serious accusations that charter schools sort and grade children by the amount of money their parents donate! She said that anyone who questions the school has their residency papers lost! And we're being accused of unfounded accusations?

I am not so sure that this statement of hers is so wild and outlandish. Why is it so difficult to believe that parents who give large sums of money to a school have some influence and may by request, not design, receive preferential treatment? Parents who are plugged into their children's school know which teachers are sought after and which are to be avoided. Do you not think that parents who have this information would not politely request that their child be placed in the classroom of their choice? If these parents have a close relationship with school administrators, as a result of their generous contributions, I can see how the request may be granted. Of course the school may not be providing this treatment with the intention of disadvantaging low SES children, but this may be an outcome nonetheless. School administrators are human and have been given a tremendous task of providing an excellent academic experience with little resources. The DC charter school market is competitive and underfunded. Charter schools depend on outside funds to keep their doors open. All of these facts must at times create an environment where administrators are eager to please those parents who are significant contributors. This happens with corporate and large individual donors in elections, I do not find it hard to believe that it happens at charter schools as well. Of course, the influence of high SES families at HRCS would be diminished if charter schools received funding equal to that of traditional public schools. Let's advocate for that!

p.s. The tone of the posts by those who "know" OP is strange to say the least. Although OP gave some descriptive information regarding the school, she did not name the school. I actually came to my conclusion as to the school by the way she was attacked by those who "know" her. There are only a couple of schools on this board who are known to have combative boosters. No need to name them we all know who they are.

Because it's a public school? So, having money doesn't in and of itself confer any benefits.

The entire premise of the OP's post is so trollish that it is laughable.

Not the poster you responded to, but come on you are either dumb and naive, or you are playing the part very well.

Exactly. Having money ALWAYS confers benefits. You may not agree, but to act like public schools are somehow immune to this is just plain dumb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's ironic, but the level of vitriol against the OP makes her claims more credible to me.

vitriol or skepticism?

Vitriol.

Meh. Looks more like skepticism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She made serious accusations that charter schools sort and grade children by the amount of money their parents donate! She said that anyone who questions the school has their residency papers lost! And we're being accused of unfounded accusations?

I am not so sure that this statement of hers is so wild and outlandish. Why is it so difficult to believe that parents who give large sums of money to a school have some influence and may by request, not design, receive preferential treatment? Parents who are plugged into their children's school know which teachers are sought after and which are to be avoided. Do you not think that parents who have this information would not politely request that their child be placed in the classroom of their choice? If these parents have a close relationship with school administrators, as a result of their generous contributions, I can see how the request may be granted. Of course the school may not be providing this treatment with the intention of disadvantaging low SES children, but this may be an outcome nonetheless. School administrators are human and have been given a tremendous task of providing an excellent academic experience with little resources. The DC charter school market is competitive and underfunded. Charter schools depend on outside funds to keep their doors open. All of these facts must at times create an environment where administrators are eager to please those parents who are significant contributors. This happens with corporate and large individual donors in elections, I do not find it hard to believe that it happens at charter schools as well. Of course, the influence of high SES families at HRCS would be diminished if charter schools received funding equal to that of traditional public schools. Let's advocate for that!

p.s. The tone of the posts by those who "know" OP is strange to say the least. Although OP gave some descriptive information regarding the school, she did not name the school. I actually came to my conclusion as to the school by the way she was attacked by those who "know" her. There are only a couple of schools on this board who are known to have combative boosters. No need to name them we all know who they are.

Because it's a public school? So, having money doesn't in and of itself confer any benefits.

The entire premise of the OP's post is so trollish that it is laughable.

Not the poster you responded to, but come on you are either dumb and naive, or you are playing the part very well.

Exactly. Having money ALWAYS confers benefits. You may not agree, but to act like public schools are somehow immune to this is just plain dumb.

Let's check in at Mann and Key. If they agree they can purchase their way into better attention for their DCs, then we can talk again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She made serious accusations that charter schools sort and grade children by the amount of money their parents donate! She said that anyone who questions the school has their residency papers lost! And we're being accused of unfounded accusations?

I am not so sure that this statement of hers is so wild and outlandish. Why is it so difficult to believe that parents who give large sums of money to a school have some influence and may by request, not design, receive preferential treatment? Parents who are plugged into their children's school know which teachers are sought after and which are to be avoided. Do you not think that parents who have this information would not politely request that their child be placed in the classroom of their choice? If these parents have a close relationship with school administrators, as a result of their generous contributions, I can see how the request may be granted. Of course the school may not be providing this treatment with the intention of disadvantaging low SES children, but this may be an outcome nonetheless. School administrators are human and have been given a tremendous task of providing an excellent academic experience with little resources. The DC charter school market is competitive and underfunded. Charter schools depend on outside funds to keep their doors open. All of these facts must at times create an environment where administrators are eager to please those parents who are significant contributors. This happens with corporate and large individual donors in elections, I do not find it hard to believe that it happens at charter schools as well. Of course, the influence of high SES families at HRCS would be diminished if charter schools received funding equal to that of traditional public schools. Let's advocate for that!

p.s. The tone of the posts by those who "know" OP is strange to say the least. Although OP gave some descriptive information regarding the school, she did not name the school. I actually came to my conclusion as to the school by the way she was attacked by those who "know" her. There are only a couple of schools on this board who are known to have combative boosters. No need to name them we all know who they are.

Because it's a public school? So, having money doesn't in and of itself confer any benefits.

The entire premise of the OP's post is so trollish that it is laughable.

Not the poster you responded to, but come on you are either dumb and naive, or you are playing the part very well.

Exactly. Having money ALWAYS confers benefits. You may not agree, but to act like public schools are somehow immune to this is just plain dumb.

Different poster here. I must be plain dumb apparently. I have kids in a HR elementary DCPS, I have not seen anything like OP is describing ("wealthy" kids getting the best teachers while "poor" kids are steered toward the bad ones, "wealthy" kids getting good grades even though they do not deserve them while "poor" kids get only average grades - frankly, I do not even see being the norm parents paying $50 an hour for tutors: none of the people I know send their kids to tutors, like us, parents make sure their kids do their home work and if there is any problem they supplement at home. I realized at the beginning of the year that my 3 grader had some issues with math, and I simply bought a few exercise books and make sure she practice 2 or 3 times a week and now she is doing well. when the same child had issues in the past, we asked for an IEP, which was refused the first time. we persisted, since it was obvious she needed it (she has ADHD and other health issues and according to doctors and to the teachers she needed extra support) and it was granted. we are not wealthy, we do not give thousands of dollars to the school, we did not hire consultants of advocates, we worked with the school, discussed our child's problems and found a solution and support. by reading some posts, I see that there are people who think they can buy their kid's way in public school (see the poster above who is coming from private and has already allocated $1000 to donate to the school so the kid can benefit from a better treatment), so likely there are wealthy people who may think they are entitle to a better treatment because of their money (although my experience is that wealthy people with this frame of mind go to DC's top privates, not to a HRC - the idea suggested by OP that wealthy people would prefer to have a child "shine" at MV than graduating from Sidwell is frankly ridiculous), but these people, in my experience at least, are not representative of parents in DCPS, even in wealthy areas.

[Anonymous]

I do think that there is an opportunity here to discuss diversity and inclusion within school communities - perhaps especially charters as "schools of choice." It's fair to look at the leadership of schools (Board, senior staff, PTA) and work towards having the leadership reflect the student body. But it's incredibly difficult to do that kind of social engineering effectively. We all - all of us - fail to fully understand the perspective of people different than us on a daily basis. Charter school leaders are no exception, despite their intentions, commitment and passion. It would be more evolved, compassionate and humane to recognize how challenging it is to build a healthy community in a city as diverse, and sometimes divisive, as ours, and give each other the benefit of the doubt where possible.

I think that OP is picking up on some authentic feelings of conflict, but her accusations go too far, IMO. Charter schools are the sum of the people who put their time and energy into them. Those people are human and subject to influence, but she underestimates her own power to influence her community.

[Anonymous]

Two people actively campaign for PTA president.
DC Charter school
I gave a much better speech at the all hands meeting than my competitor.
How much more proof do you people need?

There needs to be DC charter school reform.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two people actively campaign for PTA president.
DC Charter school
I gave a much better speech at the all hands meeting than my competitor.
How much more proof do you people need?

There needs to be DC charter school reform.

Yes, everyone, how much more proof do you need than an unsubstantiated, subjective, and personal opinion from an anonymous and non-neutral source? I mean, really, that settles it -- case closed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two people actively campaign for PTA president.
DC Charter school
I gave a much better speech at the all hands meeting than my competitor.
How much more proof do you people need?

There needs to be DC charter school reform.

Are you arguing that you were not picked become of income? In other words the competitor had more money or gave more money to the school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two people actively campaign for PTA president.
DC Charter school
I gave a much better speech at the all hands meeting than my competitor.
How much more proof do you people need?

There needs to be DC charter school reform.

Are you arguing that you were not picked become of income? In other words the competitor had more money or gave more money to the school?

oops "because"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two people actively campaign for PTA president.
DC Charter school
I gave a much better speech at the all hands meeting than my competitor.
How much more proof do you people need?

There needs to be DC charter school reform.

The 'best' candidate doesn't always win, nor the richest one. Google Bush and Romney...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two people actively campaign for PTA president.
DC Charter school
I gave a much better speech at the all hands meeting than my competitor.
How much more proof do you people need?

There needs to be DC charter school reform.

Hello OP! Again, you're confusing a case of what I think can best be described as a cultural disconnect with flat-out discrimination. Simply because you aren't getting the attention and recognition you personally desier doesn't mean your children are being mistreated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do think that there is an opportunity here to discuss diversity and inclusion within school communities - perhaps especially charters as "schools of choice." It's fair to look at the leadership of schools (Board, senior staff, PTA) and work towards having the leadership reflect the student body. But it's incredibly difficult to do that kind of social engineering effectively. We all - all of us - fail to fully understand the perspective of people different than us on a daily basis. Charter school leaders are no exception, despite their intentions, commitment and passion. It would be more evolved, compassionate and humane to recognize how challenging it is to build a healthy community in a city as diverse, and sometimes divisive, as ours, and give each other the benefit of the doubt where possible.

I think that OP is picking up on some authentic feelings of conflict, but her accusations go too far, IMO. Charter schools are the sum of the people who put their time and energy into them. Those people are human and subject to influence, but she underestimates her own power to influence her community.

+1000. Thanks.

Furthermore, OP's statement, on an anonymous board, only serves to set up a greater divide by prepping those without extra funds to be feel like the most minute social infraction is actually discrimination.

Lets be honest about what is happening here, OP is feeling misunderstood and excluded. Besides being elected to PTA president OP, can you give us some concrete examples of things that might be done to help you feel more understood and included?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two people actively campaign for PTA president.
DC Charter school
I gave a much better speech at the all hands meeting than my competitor.
How much more proof do you people need?

There needs to be DC charter school reform.

The self-assessment of your speech is subjective and biased. Perhaps you are off-putting and just not that likable. No one owes you their PTA vote. It's the PTA for Pete's sake. Not the White House. So you lost. Support your child's school in other ways rather than pouting and licking your wounds.

[Anonymous]

Key parent here. We are on the lower quarter of the income scale for the school and don't see any of the wealth=good grade effects OP is talking about.

We do observe that kids of the most active PTA parents have a slightly better chance of getting the best teachers. It could be that they know who to ask for.