Walls admissions article in the Post

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

My favorite thing is posters snarkily declaring that other people don’t understand DCUM and then calling it a “blog” like they’re 150 years old. LOL

My favorite thing is people criticizing other people's words when they themselves are ignorant and uninformed.

Here is the definition of blog:

"A blog ... is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries (posts)."

And that exactly what DCUM (founded in 2007) describes itself as and is.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/about

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

Clearly, the fact that Larla was denied a spot at Walls after attaining a 4.0 GPA at Deal and acing her interview is a manifest injustice. Solving the mystery of her denial will greatly benefit the general public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

Clearly, the fact that Larla was denied a spot at Walls after attaining a 4.0 GPA at Deal and acing her interview is a manifest injustice. Solving the mystery of her denial will greatly benefit the general public.

NP: No need to be a jerk. Maybe there will be a printing fee, maybe not. Either way, it’s in everyone’s interest if what’s *supposed* to be a crown jewel of the system is not a piece of crap joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

I'm not sure how the DC Code language is materially different than the federal code language...they both say the fee can be waived if the request is in the public interest.

If your point is that DCPS is the one that gets to determine if it is, in fact, in the public interest, even better than getting the actual records on the selection process would be to get the DCPS justification for denying a fee waiver because it does not believe disclosing its student selection process is in the public interest!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

Clearly, the fact that Larla was denied a spot at Walls after attaining a 4.0 GPA at Deal and acing her interview is a manifest injustice. Solving the mystery of her denial will greatly benefit the general public.

As a parent of a 7th grader whose kid hasn't been denied anything, I have an interest in understanding the process. Seems like anyone who is considering applying to Walls--even if it's not their first choice--would need to understand the process so you could understand the likelihood of getting in versus other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

Clearly, the fact that Larla was denied a spot at Walls after attaining a 4.0 GPA at Deal and acing her interview is a manifest injustice. Solving the mystery of her denial will greatly benefit the general public.

Some people like the PP seems to think that we are all incensed that our perfect angels being denied anything. I will tell you, my DC did not get into Walls. We never felt entitled to them having a spot there. But I would like to understand what the process was. Our other public option is not great and we cannot afford private. Snarky comments about "Larla" misses the issue entirely...it's no longer about my DC, who will obviously not be going there, but about making sure the family that is in our situation has a fair shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

It's about as clear a case of "benefitting the general public" as I've ever seen, according to the criteria DCPS is supposed to use:

"Determinations regarding the granting of fee waiver requests will be made by the DCPS FOIA Officer pursuant to the factors listed below:
1. Do the requested records concern clear and specific government operations or activities?
2. Will the requested records contribute to an understanding of those government operations or activities?
3. Will releasing the records cause the public as whole to have to have a better understanding of government operations?
4. Will the release of the requested records have a large impact on the public’s understanding of government operations or activities as opposed to the public’s understanding prior to release?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

Clearly, the fact that Larla was denied a spot at Walls after attaining a 4.0 GPA at Deal and acing her interview is a manifest injustice. Solving the mystery of her denial will greatly benefit the general public.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

Clearly, the fact that Larla was denied a spot at Walls after attaining a 4.0 GPA at Deal and acing her interview is a manifest injustice. Solving the mystery of her denial will greatly benefit the general public.

+100

Are you assuming Larla is white?

[Anonymous]

I think there are a whole lot of racist assumptions as per usual on DCUM. And I have a whole lot of concerns about what sorts of assumptions and biases were made during video interviews. Implicit biases occur without people realizing it (hence “implicit “)…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

Clearly, the fact that Larla was denied a spot at Walls after attaining a 4.0 GPA at Deal and acing her interview is a manifest injustice. Solving the mystery of her denial will greatly benefit the general public.

Clearly, there are people who are very uncomfortable with the potential for sunlight being shined on the process.

+100

[Anonymous]

A FOIA request may get some info. But I'm pretty sure the attorneys will get involved. Pretty naive to think that you can just submit a request involving a DCPS school and they'll just give it to you just because. If the desire to get things to be more transparent, starting with the DC Council and local media is probably more a sure bet. None of them like bad publicity. Can request FOIA in tandeem...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM won’t like my post, but I am a teacher who does the interviews. I’m not defending two questions or three minutes or whatever, but I can tell you that after 10 years of being at the school, it is possible to see within ten minutes who is a good fit. Parent interview portion does not factor into the score except to help students who appear to have strong family support. However, with gpa inflation the past two years due to WS plus the ban on getting parcc scores plus random charter schools who have weird report cards, it is very difficult to assess candidates, honestly.

I would support an application ranking system with no interview, just lottery of qualified students. I hate interview days and would rather be teaching.

Thanks. What written records are available? What kind of information could we get with a FOIA request?

This was posted earlier. Basically:

Keep your request simple. Ask for all "records" that contain:
- the formal process by which Walls candidates were ranked
- all guidance for interviewers on how questions they were to ask and how they were to rate candidates
- all records that provides training for interviewers
- all records that provides the weighting for interviews vs GPA and how candidates are ranked in the event of a tie.
Also ask for an example of the interview matrix or rubric that is used for each interview.

There are some exceptions for what has to be disclosed but this is the type of information that has to be released because it's of public interest. If it exists, they will have to provide it. It is likely it doesn't exist and it will show it was capricious.

Thanks, but I asking the SWW teacher who is part of the process, not you.

That's not how publicly disclosable information works. This is why FOIA exists

Huh? You must be new to DCUM. This is an anonymous blog where people disclose information all the time.

Feel free to file your FOIA request and pay applicable fees to DC for searching, reviewing, and reproducing records.

Feel free to ignore the previous poster who, for some reason, is opposed to the public getting information on Walls selection process. The facts are:

1. There is no fee to file a FOIA request.
2. There is usually no fee for the first two hours of research or the first 100 pages of records...
3. If there is going to be a fee, you will be notified and you can narrow your search BUT you can request a waiver if the request is in the public interest ( (which this most definitely is).
"Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester."

Free free to ignore this poster who is citing to federal FOIA law, which applies only to federal agencies.

This is governed by § 2–532 of the DC Code. The relevant section states:

(b) A public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for, reviewing, redacting, and making copies of records. Documents may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge where a public body determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

In other words, the DCPS will determine if your request is primarily benefitting the general public and, if so, will then determine whether the documents will be furnished free or at a reduced charge.

Clearly, the fact that Larla was denied a spot at Walls after attaining a 4.0 GPA at Deal and acing her interview is a manifest injustice. Solving the mystery of her denial will greatly benefit the general public.

Some people like the PP seems to think that we are all incensed that our perfect angels being denied anything. I will tell you, my DC did not get into Walls. We never felt entitled to them having a spot there. But I would like to understand what the process was. Our other public option is not great and we cannot afford private. Snarky comments about "Larla" misses the issue entirely...it's no longer about my DC, who will obviously not be going there, but about making sure the family that is in our situation has a fair shot.

+1000. The lack of predictability and transparency in Walls admissions, which only seems to increase with every passing year, isn't sustainable. It's hurting DCPS, the school, the applicants and the city. It's also asking for litigation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A FOIA request may get some info. But I'm pretty sure the attorneys will get involved. Pretty naive to think that you can just submit a request involving a DCPS school and they'll just give it to you just because. If the desire to get things to be more transparent, starting with the DC Council and local media is probably more a sure bet. None of them like bad publicity. Can request FOIA in tandeem...

Pretty naive to assume that DCPS staff attorneys won't screw it up wildly and end up getting ripped a new one once it gets before a judge. That tends to be what happens whenever DC government lawyers make decisions that end up in court.