What are folks doing for MS EOTP?

[Anonymous]

So aggravating, what are we to DCPS in Ward 5, chopped liver?!

[Anonymous]

Here’s a good opportunity to advocate for honors classes. There are a series of times when you can go meet and discuss concerns with the new DC Chancellor of schools. This one is this Friday 8-9:30am at Qualia.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ward-4-ferebee-friday-meet-dcps-acting-chancellor-tickets-55539891310

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCPS doesn't solicit input from parents in feeders on improving middle schools because they aren't serious about creating a network of neighborhood middle schools, not yet. I see this as changing eventually, under a different mayor.

For now, the focus is on getting Hardy to a state where the school communities cut out of the Deal feeder stay in the system and move on to Wilson.

They certainly do when they are opening new MSs (converting feeder patterns from Pk-8th to Pk-5th and a MS). I know there was a months-long neighborhood engagement before Brookland opened. The process and planning for New North have been going on for at least 18 months and the plans were adjusted and informed by parent feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS doesn't solicit input from parents in feeders on improving middle schools because they aren't serious about creating a network of neighborhood middle schools, not yet. I see this as changing eventually, under a different mayor.

For now, the focus is on getting Hardy to a state where the school communities cut out of the Deal feeder stay in the system and move on to Wilson.

They certainly do when they are opening new MSs (converting feeder patterns from Pk-8th to Pk-5th and a MS). I know there was a months-long neighborhood engagement before Brookland opened. The process and planning for New North have been going on for at least 18 months and the plans were adjusted and informed by parent feedback.

DCPS ignored the parent feedback after months of feedback fro
Brookland. The parents wanted honors classes,
More test in options, more languages and got none of it. The under enrollment, terrible test scores reflect that DC did NOT attract IMC or UMC I. Families. Zero diversity foo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS doesn't solicit input from parents in feeders on improving middle schools because they aren't serious about creating a network of neighborhood middle schools, not yet. I see this as changing eventually, under a different mayor.

For now, the focus is on getting Hardy to a state where the school communities cut out of the Deal feeder stay in the system and move on to Wilson.

They certainly do when they are opening new MSs (converting feeder patterns from Pk-8th to Pk-5th and a MS). I know there was a months-long neighborhood engagement before Brookland opened. The process and planning for New North have been going on for at least 18 months and the plans were adjusted and informed by parent feedback.

OK, fantastic, so why aren't neighborhood families actually enrolling at Brookland MS?

DCPS, engage neighborhood parents to find out why they've stayed away, and change the program in response.

No use pretending that the "months-long neighborhood engagement" process was effective, and that UMC parents are to blame for failing to enroll as a result. A school's set-up either inspires confidence in parents in a case like this, or it doesn't.

Washington Latin attracts parents with strong academics and unusually small classes. BASIS attracts parents who know that students who don't work at grade level in every academic subject will not advance past 6th grade. DCPS needs to compete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here’s a good opportunity to advocate for honors classes. There are a series of times when you can go meet and discuss concerns with the new DC Chancellor of schools. This one is this Friday 8-9:30am at Qualia.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ward-4-ferebee-friday-meet-dcps-acting-chancellor-tickets-55539891310

Thanks for posting, a very good idea. If the Chancellor listens to parents make the case for honors middle school classes in schools outside Ward 1, 2 and 3 across the city, he might just start taking us seriously.

Only the date for the Ward 4 Friday chat has been posted for now, but looks like dates for the other ward meetings will be posted eventually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I don't get why neighborhoods that already have the demographics to support full honors classes, e.g. Brentwood, have to wait for years for the classes to be created. Apparently, the demographics came long before the classes at Stuart Hobson, and advanced math at Hardy (namely 7th grade algebra).

It's very difficult to get high SES parents to enroll without the honors classes. Why not just set them up once neighborhood demographics have shifted?

Because DCPS doesn't budget along those lines?? Serious Q.

That would make too much sense. Instead of luring with an obvious carrot, DCPS insists that MC/UMC folks enroll in their IB school that doesn't meet their needs and fight to turn it around. Unless of course you're a semi-important DC government employee. Then you just get plopped into a desirable WOTP school of your choice.

I feel like not just DCPS insists, half of this board also insists.

Sorry to post again but bears repeating. What is the #1 goal of DCPS closing the achievement gap. Getting more high SES people in the system expands the achievement gap which is counter to the goal of DCPS.

MS parents don't really care the achievement gap. MS is where academics become extremely important and non-negotiable for parents that really care. DCPS is more of a social program than school system. No one can answer why DC may be the only school system in the country without magnet program or component? The fall back is racial dynamics. Meanwhile, most MC\UMC African-American families chose private schools versus chancing a subpar education for their kids. If DCPS had any type of leadership, I'd be trying to lure customers back not ignore them.

oh personally I totally agree with you but again the new chancellor is going to be judged on closing the achievement gap. Adding in UMC folks expands the achievement gap and note it's not even racial anymore. The council is demanding that the at-risk gap be closed. No school district in the country has been successful doing this but again one way to fudge the numbers is to make sure non at-risk kids don't advance too quickly and you do that by not having tracking and honors classes.

I'm afraid you're quite right about this. Ooh look - we're closing the achievement gap! Yes by artificially increasing attrition of advanced and UMC students. But, it doesn't help to have research showing that lower performing kids do indeed suffer from tracking (there may be contrary research as well, but it has not moved into the category of common assumptions). I believe that is why also tracking might be unpopular on this board, among some.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here’s a good opportunity to advocate for honors classes. There are a series of times when you can go meet and discuss concerns with the new DC Chancellor of schools. This one is this Friday 8-9:30am at Qualia.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ward-4-ferebee-friday-meet-dcps-acting-chancellor-tickets-55539891310

Oh man that is right now. Did anyone go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I don't get why neighborhoods that already have the demographics to support full honors classes, e.g. Brentwood, have to wait for years for the classes to be created. Apparently, the demographics came long before the classes at Stuart Hobson, and advanced math at Hardy (namely 7th grade algebra).

It's very difficult to get high SES parents to enroll without the honors classes. Why not just set them up once neighborhood demographics have shifted?

Because DCPS doesn't budget along those lines?? Serious Q.

That would make too much sense. Instead of luring with an obvious carrot, DCPS insists that MC/UMC folks enroll in their IB school that doesn't meet their needs and fight to turn it around. Unless of course you're a semi-important DC government employee. Then you just get plopped into a desirable WOTP school of your choice.

I feel like not just DCPS insists, half of this board also insists.

Sorry to post again but bears repeating. What is the #1 goal of DCPS closing the achievement gap. Getting more high SES people in the system expands the achievement gap which is counter to the goal of DCPS.

MS parents don't really care the achievement gap. MS is where academics become extremely important and non-negotiable for parents that really care. DCPS is more of a social program than school system. No one can answer why DC may be the only school system in the country without magnet program or component? The fall back is racial dynamics. Meanwhile, most MC\UMC African-American families chose private schools versus chancing a subpar education for their kids. If DCPS had any type of leadership, I'd be trying to lure customers back not ignore them.

oh personally I totally agree with you but again the new chancellor is going to be judged on closing the achievement gap. Adding in UMC folks expands the achievement gap and note it's not even racial anymore. The council is demanding that the at-risk gap be closed. No school district in the country has been successful doing this but again one way to fudge the numbers is to make sure non at-risk kids don't advance too quickly and you do that by not having tracking and honors classes.

I'm afraid you're quite right about this. Ooh look - we're closing the achievement gap! Yes by artificially increasing attrition of advanced and UMC students. But, it doesn't help to have research showing that lower performing kids do indeed suffer from tracking (there may be contrary research as well, but it has not moved into the category of common assumptions). I believe that is why also tracking might be unpopular on this board, among some.

I agree with you tracking is part of it too

Most places track for math as early as 4th 5th grade and then high school is all tracking but until high school the core subjects outside of math usually aren't tracked

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I don't get why neighborhoods that already have the demographics to support full honors classes, e.g. Brentwood, have to wait for years for the classes to be created. Apparently, the demographics came long before the classes at Stuart Hobson, and advanced math at Hardy (namely 7th grade algebra).

It's very difficult to get high SES parents to enroll without the honors classes. Why not just set them up once neighborhood demographics have shifted?

Because DCPS doesn't budget along those lines?? Serious Q.

I don't think Brentwood has those demographics.

Do you mean Brookland? The part of the Hill IB for Eliot Hine?

Brookland planned on honors classes, but the enrollment was overwhelmingly filled with high-needs students (Title 1 easily). At Eliot-Hine (and Eastern) in response to community feedback/demands, DCPS implemented an IB curriculum.

In both cases, higher SES parents DID NOT ENROLL. DCPS doesn't believe you.

As for SH, the school has always had a cadre of OOB middle class/working class students. That's who the honors classes were created for.

Most high SES families simply don't want to be the first ones to enroll.

NO this is false. There was tons of feedback from Brookland parents saying they wanted these classes, but instead the city opted for no tracking and arts and music. At least this is common wisdom around the neighborhood and why nobody will enroll there if they can avoid it. Why is the onus not on DCPS to build that trust by actually showing they care even the slightest bit about the most engaged parents in the district?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I don't get why neighborhoods that already have the demographics to support full honors classes, e.g. Brentwood, have to wait for years for the classes to be created. Apparently, the demographics came long before the classes at Stuart Hobson, and advanced math at Hardy (namely 7th grade algebra).

It's very difficult to get high SES parents to enroll without the honors classes. Why not just set them up once neighborhood demographics have shifted?

Because DCPS doesn't budget along those lines?? Serious Q.

That would make too much sense. Instead of luring with an obvious carrot, DCPS insists that MC/UMC folks enroll in their IB school that doesn't meet their needs and fight to turn it around. Unless of course you're a semi-important DC government employee. Then you just get plopped into a desirable WOTP school of your choice.

I feel like not just DCPS insists, half of this board also insists.

Sorry to post again but bears repeating. What is the #1 goal of DCPS closing the achievement gap. Getting more high SES people in the system expands the achievement gap which is counter to the goal of DCPS.

MS parents don't really care the achievement gap. MS is where academics become extremely important and non-negotiable for parents that really care. DCPS is more of a social program than school system. No one can answer why DC may be the only school system in the country without magnet program or component? The fall back is racial dynamics. Meanwhile, most MC\UMC African-American families chose private schools versus chancing a subpar education for their kids. If DCPS had any type of leadership, I'd be trying to lure customers back not ignore them.

oh personally I totally agree with you but again the new chancellor is going to be judged on closing the achievement gap. Adding in UMC folks expands the achievement gap and note it's not even racial anymore. The council is demanding that the at-risk gap be closed. No school district in the country has been successful doing this but again one way to fudge the numbers is to make sure non at-risk kids don't advance too quickly and you do that by not having tracking and honors classes.

I'm afraid you're quite right about this. Ooh look - we're closing the achievement gap! Yes by artificially increasing attrition of advanced and UMC students. But, it doesn't help to have research showing that lower performing kids do indeed suffer from tracking (there may be contrary research as well, but it has not moved into the category of common assumptions). I believe that is why also tracking might be unpopular on this board, among some.

I agree with you tracking is part of it too

Most places track for math as early as 4th 5th grade and then high school is all tracking but until high school the core subjects outside of math usually aren't tracked

Most "places" in the country aren't home to the highest-performing white students in any jurisdiction as a group and among the lowest-performing low SES AA students (competing with heavily minority inner cities like Detroit, Philly and Atlanta for the lowest-performing students).

If you don't track in DC in predominantly low SES schools, almost all the UMC parents stay away. It's a no-brainer. So figure out how to thoughtfully track as a lesser-of-the-evils solution. Do it for the simple reason that the poor kids clearly don't gain from the phenomenon of UMC families avoiding their schools altogether.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I don't get why neighborhoods that already have the demographics to support full honors classes, e.g. Brentwood, have to wait for years for the classes to be created. Apparently, the demographics came long before the classes at Stuart Hobson, and advanced math at Hardy (namely 7th grade algebra).

It's very difficult to get high SES parents to enroll without the honors classes. Why not just set them up once neighborhood demographics have shifted?

Because DCPS doesn't budget along those lines?? Serious Q.

I don't think Brentwood has those demographics.

Do you mean Brookland? The part of the Hill IB for Eliot Hine?

Brookland planned on honors classes, but the enrollment was overwhelmingly filled with high-needs students (Title 1 easily). At Eliot-Hine (and Eastern) in response to community feedback/demands, DCPS implemented an IB curriculum.

In both cases, higher SES parents DID NOT ENROLL. DCPS doesn't believe you.

As for SH, the school has always had a cadre of OOB middle class/working class students. That's who the honors classes were created for.

Most high SES families simply don't want to be the first ones to enroll.

NO this is false. There was tons of feedback from Brookland parents saying they wanted these classes, but instead the city opted for no tracking and arts and music. At least this is common wisdom around the neighborhood and why nobody will enroll there if they can avoid it. Why is the onus not on DCPS to build that trust by actually showing they care even the slightest bit about the most engaged parents in the district?

OK, so will the parents who were ignored organize to elect a different city council member? Sounds like they organize like mad to try to make this happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I am a white parent who lives in Brookland. I would prefer to send my kid to our neighborhood MS because of proximity. It would be so much easier. One problem is it doesn't offer the language my kid is currently learning at a charter. The other issue is lack of diversity. My black friends (whose kids are in my kid's class) discouraged me from even checking out Brookland Middle and said they wouldn't send their kids there.

I went to a middle school in another state where there were drive-by shootings near the school periodically and gang issues as well as drugs were present. Yet the school offered honors classes and options for kids of all learning abilities. I was in classes with bright kids, kids and in classes with grade-level and below-grade level kids. SES also varied in all of my classes. I survived and did well.

Why can't DC serve kids of all backgrounds and SES better by offering more options/differentiated instruction in middle school? Wouldn't that be a way to help all kids reach their potential? I don't get it.

]


Brookland MS does offer honors classes at all grade levels. From what I hear the new principal is strong and doing an amazing job.

[Anonymous]

yes, according to their website they offer honors English and accelerated math.

I will say I was disappointed with the writing in the fall newsletter https://www.brooklandms.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_92431/File/Final%20Fall%20newsletter%202018.pdf. If the principal and others don't know how to use apostrophes correctly, how can they teach kids to do so? On the other hand, the principal is not teaching English, and probably the school staff that put the newsletter together aren't either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yes, according to their website they offer honors English and accelerated math.

I will say I was disappointed with the writing in the fall newsletter https://www.brooklandms.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_92431/File/Final%20Fall%20newsletter%202018.pdf. If the principal and others don't know how to use apostrophes correctly, how can they teach kids to do so? On the other hand, the principal is not teaching English, and probably the school staff that put the newsletter together aren't either.

Newsletter aside, defintely seems like progress is occuring there. Also, seems the community has not been updated of the changes in curriculum or staff there.