Mayor Bowser to Make Education Policy and Personnel Announcement - Boundary Decision?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:[We can focus on working on MacFarland, but if it looks like a real shitshow, then we still have our original alternative available.

Exactly. A lot of folks will be thinking along these lines. That's why I think today's changes actually will help MacFarland in the long run.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:BTW, the fact that there was 100% avoidance of Powell (and I believe West) among Crestwood residents for at least 15 years is pretty good empirical evidence of the neighborhood's ability to avoid schools that aren't liked.

Yes, they avoided those schools because they had an easy choice to simply drive across the park and attend other schools they like better. I don't see how dynamic changes if they continue to have the option. Maybe if Deal gets so terribly overcrowded that it starts to sink in quality, then perhaps people will consider other options. But in the meantime, I don't see how many families are going to choose MacFarland, even after a shiny renovation. I'm all for the renovation, and for the wooing you suggest. But once the renovated school is complete, I'd eliminate the Deal option. Otherwise, that fancy renovated school will sit half-empty.

[Anonymous]

The above arguments are ridiculous and pretestuos. Hardy IB parents (now at about 25% of the current 6th grade, up from 5% of just 3 years ago) started working on the school (including getting involved in the selection of the new Principal) only when they lost "preferential" access to Deal (about 3 years ago). Until 3 years ago, nobody really bothered to invest time into Hardy.

This decision will harm MacFarland more than it will hurt Deal and Wilson.

[Anonymous]

only a dysfunctional school system that is politically corrupt would even allow all of these options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:BTW, the fact that there was 100% avoidance of Powell (and I believe West) among Crestwood residents for at least 15 years is pretty good empirical evidence of the neighborhood's ability to avoid schools that aren't liked.

Yes, they avoided those schools because they had an easy choice to simply drive across the park and attend other schools they like better. I don't see how dynamic changes if they continue to have the option. Maybe if Deal gets so terribly overcrowded that it starts to sink in quality, then perhaps people will consider other options. But in the meantime, I don't see how many families are going to choose MacFarland, even after a shiny renovation. I'm all for the renovation, and for the wooing you suggest. But once the renovated school is complete, I'd eliminate the Deal option. Otherwise, that fancy renovated school will sit half-empty.

Bowser sank MacFarland for a bunch of votes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:BTW, the fact that there was 100% avoidance of Powell (and I believe West) among Crestwood residents for at least 15 years is pretty good empirical evidence of the neighborhood's ability to avoid schools that aren't liked.

Yes, they avoided those schools because they had an easy choice to simply drive across the park and attend other schools they like better. I don't see how dynamic changes if they continue to have the option. Maybe if Deal gets so terribly overcrowded that it starts to sink in quality, then perhaps people will consider other options. But in the meantime, I don't see how many families are going to choose MacFarland, even after a shiny renovation. I'm all for the renovation, and for the wooing you suggest. But once the renovated school is complete, I'd eliminate the Deal option. Otherwise, that fancy renovated school will sit half-empty.

Bowser sank MacFarland for a bunch of votes.

... And discriminated in favor of her constituency against other parts of the city (the SW large area which had also been cut out of Wilson).

I can only imagine what other distortive and discriminatory favors she's planning to do in favor of those who supported her campaign, think about the lobbyists of the building/construction firms...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:BTW, the fact that there was 100% avoidance of Powell (and I believe West) among Crestwood residents for at least 15 years is pretty good empirical evidence of the neighborhood's ability to avoid schools that aren't liked.

Yes, they avoided those schools because they had an easy choice to simply drive across the park and attend other schools they like better. I don't see how dynamic changes if they continue to have the option. Maybe if Deal gets so terribly overcrowded that it starts to sink in quality, then perhaps people will consider other options. But in the meantime, I don't see how many families are going to choose MacFarland, even after a shiny renovation. I'm all for the renovation, and for the wooing you suggest. But once the renovated school is complete, I'd eliminate the Deal option. Otherwise, that fancy renovated school will sit half-empty.

Bowser sank MacFarland for a bunch of votes.

I'm one of the posters that is interested in seeing MacFarland succeed for my kids, and I think Bowser did exactly the right thing for MacFarland. Especially by putting a date on paper. I'm still cautiously not-quite-optimistic about DCPS having the ability to pull off the rest, but this is a good start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:BTW, the fact that there was 100% avoidance of Powell (and I believe West) among Crestwood residents for at least 15 years is pretty good empirical evidence of the neighborhood's ability to avoid schools that aren't liked.

Yes, they avoided those schools because they had an easy choice to simply drive across the park and attend other schools they like better. I don't see how dynamic changes if they continue to have the option. Maybe if Deal gets so terribly overcrowded that it starts to sink in quality, then perhaps people will consider other options. But in the meantime, I don't see how many families are going to choose MacFarland, even after a shiny renovation. I'm all for the renovation, and for the wooing you suggest. But once the renovated school is complete, I'd eliminate the Deal option. Otherwise, that fancy renovated school will sit half-empty.

Bowser sank MacFarland for a bunch of votes.

I'm one of the posters that is interested in seeing MacFarland succeed for my kids, and I think Bowser did exactly the right thing for MacFarland. Especially by putting a date on paper. I'm still cautiously not-quite-optimistic about DCPS having the ability to pull off the rest, but this is a good start.

+100 (not IB for MacFarland).

[Anonymous]

This is not related to boundaries but to the overall plan: My husband called the lottery line today and asked about principal discretion about staying in your school if you move OOB and the woman said "that is not being enforced this year" and principals retain discretion. Has anyone else heard that? Would love to get out of our tiny apt, but can't afford a house in the zone we live in.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:BTW, the fact that there was 100% avoidance of Powell (and I believe West) among Crestwood residents for at least 15 years is pretty good empirical evidence of the neighborhood's ability to avoid schools that aren't liked.

Yes, they avoided those schools because they had an easy choice to simply drive across the park and attend other schools they like better. I don't see how dynamic changes if they continue to have the option. Maybe if Deal gets so terribly overcrowded that it starts to sink in quality, then perhaps people will consider other options. But in the meantime, I don't see how many families are going to choose MacFarland, even after a shiny renovation. I'm all for the renovation, and for the wooing you suggest. But once the renovated school is complete, I'd eliminate the Deal option. Otherwise, that fancy renovated school will sit half-empty.

They avoided Powell and West when they were not considered acceptable options. Now, they don't avoid Powell and West. Nobody from the neighborhood has gone to either school against their will. Those schools improved and managed to sell themselves. MacFarland has to do the same. Nobody will go there because lines on a paper say they should. They will go there when the school can sell itself to them.

[Anonymous]

How does putting a date on paper help? She's saying MacFarland will be open for SY 2107 or 2018, but no one will be pushed from Deal to MacFarland until 2022 at the earliest, six years after the renovated school opens. Quite frankly, it sounds like Mayor Bowser is just pushing the whole issue out 8 more years, so it can become the next mayor's problem.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:How does putting a date on paper help? She's saying MacFarland will be open for SY 2107 or 2018, but no one will be pushed from Deal to MacFarland until 2022 at the earliest, six years after the renovated school opens. Quite frankly, it sounds like Mayor Bowser is just pushing the whole issue out 8 more years, so it can become the next mayor's problem.

Crestwood and 16th Street Heights are only a small part of the proposed boundaries. There will still be plenty of students from Petworth and Brightwood who will be interested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:BTW, the fact that there was 100% avoidance of Powell (and I believe West) among Crestwood residents for at least 15 years is pretty good empirical evidence of the neighborhood's ability to avoid schools that aren't liked.

Yes, they avoided those schools because they had an easy choice to simply drive across the park and attend other schools they like better. I don't see how dynamic changes if they continue to have the option. Maybe if Deal gets so terribly overcrowded that it starts to sink in quality, then perhaps people will consider other options. But in the meantime, I don't see how many families are going to choose MacFarland, even after a shiny renovation. I'm all for the renovation, and for the wooing you suggest. But once the renovated school is complete, I'd eliminate the Deal option. Otherwise, that fancy renovated school will sit half-empty.

Bowser sank MacFarland for a bunch of votes.

I'm one of the posters that is interested in seeing MacFarland succeed for my kids, and I think Bowser did exactly the right thing for MacFarland. Especially by putting a date on paper. I'm still cautiously not-quite-optimistic about DCPS having the ability to pull off the rest, but this is a good start.

I am afraid you are wrong. Past experience suggest that it is much easier to embrace a new school with a new and enhanced programming and curriculum than recover a school which had been abandoned by higher SES IB families (who will be attending Deal in the case of MacFarland).

See the experience of Basis on the one hand, and of Hardy on the other: Basis took off immediately as a new school; Hardy is still deserted by most of the IB community due to the bad "ghetto" reputation it gained in years before 2012 (when the new highly effective Principal was appointed) , and despite the evidence of a new advanced programming, stellar Principal and teachers and honors rolls. By 2022, MacFarland will be half-empty, populated by low SES IB students and OBs from more disadvantaged wards, seeking for a safer neighborhood. No high SES family will consider sending their kids there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not related to boundaries but to the overall plan: My husband called the lottery line today and asked about principal discretion about staying in your school if you move OOB and the woman said "that is not being enforced this year" and principals retain discretion. Has anyone else heard that? Would love to get out of our tiny apt, but can't afford a house in the zone we live in.

Yes, move now! I guess ask your principal first? And hedge your bet by playing this lottery round...

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:They avoided Powell and West when they were not considered acceptable options. Now, they don't avoid Powell and West. Nobody from the neighborhood has gone to either school against their will. Those schools improved and managed to sell themselves. MacFarland has to do the same. Nobody will go there because lines on a paper say they should. They will go there when the school can sell itself to them.

I guess we'll see exactly how it plays out in the 2017-2021 period. During those years, MacFarland will be freshly renovated, and all those neighborhood families your see at Powell and West will have tons of goodwill for the new school. The proof will be in which school they choose. I really truly hope you're right that most will choose MacFarland/Roosevelt. But I suspect most will cram themselves into Deal/Wilson instead.