Senior Project: School Without Walls and Why You Should not Buy into the Shit

[Anonymous]

School Without walls has enforced a graduation requirement that each graduating senior complete a senior project.

This includes a "product"-some form of project/real world application- a 15 page paper, and a 15 minute presentation. Now, this sounds like a good idea, right?

Hell no. I have yet to know anyone who has enjoyed this senior project, it is simply a way for the school to stress students out with no reason. The grading is unfair and often will punish kids for putting more thought into their project. One friend's kid was graded for their presentation by a teacher that has had an open grudge against my friend's DD since freshman year. My friend's DD failed the presentation, and will have to do it again because of this.

The papers were graded by college students, which led to some students being graded rediculesly easily by college students who didn't give a damn, while others being graded extremely harshly by college students who wanted to impress their professors or other people. Fact is that there are certain teachers who students know will fail them if that teacher is on the panel. One music teacher has passed less then five students in three years of grading the presentations.
So this is a PSA for those who might be considering School Without Walls, DON'T go here. Rarely do you hear a parent come out and speak about how fucked up a school is, but listen to me, I am a parent here, and I have seen the last two years senior project presentations (this year as a parent, last year judging), and telling you that this school is not worth the stress. Their is a large drug/alcahol culture at the school, and most A/B students at Wilson (or another school) will be strictly C students here. Let me say this strait: colleges don't give a fuck whether you go to Walls or Anacostia unless they take quite a few Walls students, like Temple University does. If you want your son/daughter to go to a crappy college (think Temple U., U of Vermont, etc), go for walls. If you want a solid education for your DS/DD, go for Bannaker, Wilson, or any other school.

[Anonymous]

Someone sounds stressed over not finishing their homework.

Get back to class and just finish it.

[Anonymous]

The senior project sits SWW apart from the other schools. I do believe that CHEC is starting or has started something similiar. Also, I think Woodson High is incorporating a version of the senior project too. My sister attended SWW and the senior project was an outright headache. But it was a self-accomplishment that reinforced her education outlook.

Something has apparently pissed you off and I don't think it is the bullshit of the senior project. I have said it on another post, that my son went to a mediocre comprehensive school and now he is finishing his freshman year at Harvard, without any remedial courses needed.

[Anonymous]

Kiddo, what you imagine college or grad school is like? Or the work place? Very very effed up. Conflicting sources of information, inane rules, stupid bosses, dumb assignments. You have to make lemonade though-- be flexible, do what it takes, prepare. Make choices, use your time wisely. Stop bitching.

Nobody will want you on their team or in their office if you don't shape up.

[Anonymous]

Did they really let you judge? If I believed that, which I don't, I would really question the program. You need to read more to brush up on your spelling.

[Anonymous]

it seems that OP is not criticizing the idea of the senior project itself, but the way it is implemented and graded. let's see what other SWW students/parents have to say based on their experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School Without walls has enforced a graduation requirement that each graduating senior complete a senior project.

This includes a "product"-some form of project/real world application- a 15 page paper, and a 15 minute presentation. Now, this sounds like a good idea, right?

Hell no. I have yet to know anyone who has enjoyed this senior project, it is simply a way for the school to stress students out with no reason. The grading is unfair and often will punish kids for putting more thought into their project. One friend's kid was graded for their presentation by a teacher that has had an open grudge against my friend's DD since freshman year. My friend's DD failed the presentation, and will have to do it again because of this.

The papers were graded by college students, which led to some students being graded rediculesly easily by college students who didn't give a damn, while others being graded extremely harshly by college students who wanted to impress their professors or other people. Fact is that there are certain teachers who students know will fail them if that teacher is on the panel. One music teacher has passed less then five students in three years of grading the presentations.
So this is a PSA for those who might be considering School Without Walls, DON'T go here. Rarely do you hear a parent come out and speak about how fucked up a school is, but listen to me, I am a parent here, and I have seen the last two years senior project presentations (this year as a parent, last year judging), and telling you that this school is not worth the stress. Their is a large drug/alcahol culture at the school, and most A/B students at Wilson (or another school) will be strictly C students here. Let me say this strait: colleges don't give a fuck whether you go to Walls or Anacostia unless they take quite a few Walls students, like Temple University does. If you want your son/daughter to go to a crappy college (think Temple U., U of Vermont, etc), go for walls. If you want a solid education for your DS/DD, go for Bannaker, Wilson, or any other school.

Can't resist.
-ridiculously
-there
-alcohol
-straight

[Anonymous]

You forgot Banneker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did they really let you judge? If I believed that, which I don't, I would really question the program. You need to read more to brush up on your spelling.

I was asked to grade... They look for graders who are knowledgeable in the subjects presented on, and they knew I was as my Daughter was (at that time) a junior at the school. You can assume that I am just pissed that my daughter didn't get a good grade on this (she did, got a B), but I am trying to point out the issues with this school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did they really let you judge? If I believed that, which I don't, I would really question the program. You need to read more to brush up on your spelling.

I was asked to grade... They look for graders who are knowledgeable in the subjects presented on, and they knew I was as my Daughter was (at that time) a junior at the school. You can assume that I am just pissed that my daughter didn't get a good grade on this (she did, got a B), but I am trying to point out the issues with this school.

Life is unfair. Get over it.

[Anonymous]

When you respond angry, this is what you get. Maybe she's related to the drunk lady? You know a piss-poor mother's day could have set her off yesterday and this is residual effects from a hang-over. Check out the posting time 12:02pm

[Anonymous]

Kid, life is filled with projects you won't like or you won't think are fair. Develop a good work ethic now before college.

(No, OP, I don't believe you're a parent.)

[Anonymous]

OP sounds highly credible, in spite of the multiple spelling errors. I would not want any of my kids to endure such arbitrary torture during there senior year. Why have college students grade something that large and important? Sounds like teachers are just passing the buck. I hate this sort of thing.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like a pretty typical high school project. My DC had to do a long paper and presentation each year starting in 9th grade (granted that was at a private school, but isn't SWW trying to provide a college prep education as well?). Now DC is in college (freshman) and has literally done three similar projects (research papers and presentations) in 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP sounds highly credible, in spite of the multiple spelling errors. I would not want any of my kids to endure such arbitrary torture during there senior year. Why have college students grade something that large and important? Sounds like teachers are just passing the buck. I hate this sort of thing.

If OP is for real, she is demonstrating horrible parenting in a number of ways. First and foremost, she has provided easily identifiable information about her daughter, if the story is true. She is also completely ignoring the purpose of education. The goal of such a project is to teach the process, not to get a particular grade. OP is discrediting ths process and undermining her child's education. Unfortunately, this is how poorly educated parents often end up with poorly educated children.