SWW - Letters of Recommendation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think SWW forgot that they are a public school. These are at least arguably part of a child's academic record. I can't see a valid reason why they are not considered academic records. I will move forward with filing a FERPA complaint with the Dept. of Ed if they refuse to give me these records. Although it should not be necessary to get the United States government involved, this did work when a different DCPS refused to give me records I was clearly entitled to review.

It's less clear to me how to remedy the issue that it appears SWW did not follow their own published admissions criteria, or seemingly contacted a select number of students to alter them that a recommendation letter was missing but chose not to contact all affected students. Curious about what criteria they used to choose the students who were granted an extension and those who were not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is the rubric? I've asked for it, but so far they haven't given it to me.

One thing we learned is don't depend on this blog for real info.

https://www.myschooldc.org/how-apply/applying-high-school

This link specifically says recommendation letters can be required. What am I missing?

Attention to detail is critical and it's pretty evident why their is so much incorrect info here. The pp gave the general site but of course no one reads things anymore----

https://www.myschooldc.org/sites/default/files/dc/sites/myschooldc/page/attachments/SY24-25%20SWW_Admission%20Process%20Rubric_Final.pdf

"School Without Walls uses recommendations to better understand a student’s experience at school and to
provide context to their academic outcomes. Recommendations are a critical element to getting to know a
student and their experiences. School Without Walls requests two (2) recommendations, each worth a
maximum of 15points. We strongly encourage students and families to follow up with the individuals
submitting recommendations on their behalf and to check the accuracy of recommender emails to ensure we
have the most complete picture of the student as possible. However, students will not be penalized for
incomplete or missing recommendations and can be evaluated to move on to the interview stage based on
the recommendations that have been submitted."

Thanks. This directly contradicts what Walls told me. They also actively refused to provide information about what they were looking for in the letters of recommendation, even if they would be providing a form or were requesting a narrative. They also refused to share the due date. All of that makes it pretty hard to follow up.

When I asked for my child’s records to see exactly how they were scored I was stonewalled. I have filed a FERPA request but that can take a while, especially if they don’t comply. It seems like something is fishy or they would just hand over my child’s very small file without a fight.

If they didn't follow those rules about missing recommendations, that really stinks, and I'm sorry your family went through it.

I also contacted SWW to see if I could find out about my kid's scores. (When my older kid applied and interviewed and was waitlisted, I was able to find out DC's interview score.) It took multiple emails and one phone call but I finally found out that they will not divulge a kids' recommendation letter scores because they were written by teachers. At least, that's what I was told!

They clearly know they are a public school but most of you don't realize it. The site gives the status of everything submitted as well as due dates. Sounds like you weren't prepared as well as you should have been for the process. SWW tries to get thru everything with its present staff but they miss things. Teachers still have to teach and grade.

This is more on the teacher than anything. Maybe SWW can help since it does state in the guidelines the lack of recs won't penalize a kid. But what if a rec received already disqualified your kid? That's something you don't know yet. File your request but it won't help right now. Just be prepared either way.

[Anonymous]

I had a similar experience. Teacher submitted a letter after the deadline but it took months and several requests via email, in person, in writing. Some public school teachers are great with this kind of thing and some are busy and you need to extract it with a crowbar but the school we wanted needed one from that specific subject (maybe she was sick of it?). I know she is busy and I understand but it sucks for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really hope one of the many families screwed over by this subjective, opaque process will file a lawsuit. Our 4.0 kid didn't get an interview offer. Asked her ELA and math teachers to write recommendation letters 6 weeks before they were due. Thankfully, the ELA teacher submitted his letter right before he left the school midyear. The math teacher dragged her feet and was pissy about the obligation (imposed on families, not by families!), and submitted the letter a few hours before the deadline. Then it was announced this week that the math teacher is leaving DCPS, a plan that had been known by the principal for weeks. So I'm guessing the teacher's letters were pretty craptastic. Whatever. We're fine with our HS choices but the way SWW handles their admissions process should be legally scrutinized.

The assumptions being made about teachers are terrible. My kid also had a recommendation letter submitted on the day of the deadline but was invited to interview. It’s fine to question the process, but stop looking for a scapegoat (esp if you are supposedly fine with your HS choices).

Not an assumption. The teacher was very open about not having a submitted a letter by the deadline. They did eventually submit one but SWW appears not have have considered it because it was submitted late, after the first round of interviews took place but not before the second round.

I do not blame the teacher here. I blame Walls. They refused to tell me the deadline when I asked so I could stay on top of it. Would have been a really easy fix but they want to keep everything secret and hide their process and criteria.

It’s also unclear why some students with missing recommendation letters were contacted and given an extension and others were not How did Walls decide which select students would get an extension and which would not? And why were they selective about who they contacted and who they didn’t? That’s a failure on their part. And possibly discriminatory.

Just to be clear, the extension given for the recommendation (in our case) was before the first round of interviews took place (Feb. 22). So Walls had likely already calculated your child’s score by the time the teacher submitted the recommendation between the first and second round of interviews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is the rubric? I've asked for it, but so far they haven't given it to me.

One thing we learned is don't depend on this blog for real info.

https://www.myschooldc.org/how-apply/applying-high-school

This link specifically says recommendation letters can be required. What am I missing?

Attention to detail is critical and it's pretty evident why their is so much incorrect info here. The pp gave the general site but of course no one reads things anymore----

https://www.myschooldc.org/sites/default/files/dc/sites/myschooldc/page/attachments/SY24-25%20SWW_Admission%20Process%20Rubric_Final.pdf

"School Without Walls uses recommendations to better understand a student’s experience at school and to
provide context to their academic outcomes. Recommendations are a critical element to getting to know a
student and their experiences. School Without Walls requests two (2) recommendations, each worth a
maximum of 15points. We strongly encourage students and families to follow up with the individuals
submitting recommendations on their behalf and to check the accuracy of recommender emails to ensure we
have the most complete picture of the student as possible. However, students will not be penalized for
incomplete or missing recommendations and can be evaluated to move on to the interview stage based on
the recommendations that have been submitted."

Thanks. This directly contradicts what Walls told me. They also actively refused to provide information about what they were looking for in the letters of recommendation, even if they would be providing a form or were requesting a narrative. They also refused to share the due date. All of that makes it pretty hard to follow up.

When I asked for my child’s records to see exactly how they were scored I was stonewalled. I have filed a FERPA request but that can take a while, especially if they don’t comply. It seems like something is fishy or they would just hand over my child’s very small file without a fight.

Sorry you are going thru this but try to appeal to Central Office. No way they can they provide any info during the process. Simply not a priority with all they have to do. That's just facts!

The due date at least was online in the myschooldc portal. And it allowed you to prod the teachers by sending them reminders

NP but I think this is also a larger issue- how can a kid have a 4.0 and not get an interview? What is DCPS trying to pull with that? And how can a kid be penalized if the teacher doesn’t enter a rec letter? It’s just really inequitable.

[Anonymous]

Where was the due date on the portal? It’s possible I missed it, but ALSO inexcusable that the school refused to share the due date with me when I asked. If it was public information they could have at least pointed me to the portal, but they didn’t even do that, instead telling me that only teachers would be given this information.


It’s also inexcusable that they reached out to select students to inform them about the missing letters, and only the deadline for this select group. I’ve asked what criteria they used to select which students would be contacted and offered an extension and which would not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think SWW forgot that they are a public school. These are at least arguably part of a child's academic record. I can't see a valid reason why they are not considered academic records. I will move forward with filing a FERPA complaint with the Dept. of Ed if they refuse to give me these records. Although it should not be necessary to get the United States government involved, this did work when a different DCPS refused to give me records I was clearly entitled to review.
L

It's less clear to me how to remedy the issue that it appears SWW did not follow their own published admissions criteria, or seemingly contacted a select number of students to alter them that a recommendation letter was missing but chose not to contact all affected students. Curious about what criteria they used to choose the students who were granted an extension and those who were not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is the rubric? I've asked for it, but so far they haven't given it to me.

One thing we learned is don't depend on this blog for real info.

https://www.myschooldc.org/how-apply/applying-high-school

This link specifically says recommendation letters can be required. What am I missing?

Attention to detail is critical and it's pretty evident why their is so much incorrect info here. The pp gave the general site but of course no one reads things anymore----

https://www.myschooldc.org/sites/default/files/dc/sites/myschooldc/page/attachments/SY24-25%20SWW_Admission%20Process%20Rubric_Final.pdf

"School Without Walls uses recommendations to better understand a student’s experience at school and to
provide context to their academic outcomes. Recommendations are a critical element to getting to know a
student and their experiences. School Without Walls requests two (2) recommendations, each worth a
maximum of 15points. We strongly encourage students and families to follow up with the individuals
submitting recommendations on their behalf and to check the accuracy of recommender emails to ensure we
have the most complete picture of the student as possible. However, students will not be penalized for
incomplete or missing recommendations and can be evaluated to move on to the interview stage based on
the recommendations that have been submitted."

Thanks. This directly contradicts what Walls told me. They also actively refused to provide information about what they were looking for in the letters of recommendation, even if they would be providing a form or were requesting a narrative. They also refused to share the due date. All of that makes it pretty hard to follow up.

When I asked for my child’s records to see exactly how they were scored I was stonewalled. I have filed a FERPA request but that can take a while, especially if they don’t comply. It seems like something is fishy or they would just hand over my child’s very small file without a fight.

If they didn't follow those rules about missing recommendations, that really stinks, and I'm sorry your family went through it.

I also contacted SWW to see if I could find out about my kid's scores. (When my older kid applied and interviewed and was waitlisted, I was able to find out DC's interview score.) It took multiple emails and one phone call but I finally found out that they will not divulge a kids' recommendation letter scores because they were written by teachers. At least, that's what I was told!

They clearly know they are a public school but most of you don't realize it. The site gives the status of everything submitted as well as due dates. Sounds like you weren't prepared as well as you should have been for the process. SWW tries to get thru everything with its present staff but they miss things. Teachers still have to teach and grade.

This is more on the teacher than anything. Maybe SWW can help since it does state in the guidelines the lack of recs won't penalize a kid. But what if a rec received already disqualified your kid? That's something you don't know yet. File your request but it won't help right now. Just be prepared either way.

[Anonymous]

I understand and think that’s the heart of the problem.

I am glad that your child was given this opportunity, why weren’t all kids in a similar situation given the same opportunity? How did they select your student and decide not to contact
my student? What was the criteria they used? What is the justification used to give some students an extension and notice but not other students?

This is definitely not a level playing field.

quote=Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is the rubric? I've asked for it, but so far they haven't given it to me.

One thing we learned is don't depend on this blog for real info.

https://www.myschooldc.org/how-apply/applying-high-school

This link specifically says recommendation letters can be required. What am I missing?

Attention to detail is critical and it's pretty evident why their is so much incorrect info here. The pp gave the general site but of course no one reads things anymore----

https://www.myschooldc.org/sites/default/files/dc/sites/myschooldc/page/attachments/SY24-25%20SWW_Admission%20Process%20Rubric_Final.pdf

"School Without Walls uses recommendations to better understand a student’s experience at school and to
provide context to their academic outcomes. Recommendations are a critical element to getting to know a
student and their experiences. School Without Walls requests two (2) recommendations, each worth a
maximum of 15points. We strongly encourage students and families to follow up with the individuals
submitting recommendations on their behalf and to check the accuracy of recommender emails to ensure we
have the most complete picture of the student as possible. However, students will not be penalized for
incomplete or missing recommendations and can be evaluated to move on to the interview stage based on
the recommendations that have been submitted."

Thanks. This directly contradicts what Walls told me. They also actively refused to provide information about what they were looking for in the letters of recommendation, even if they would be providing a form or were requesting a narrative. They also refused to share the due date. All of that makes it pretty hard to follow up.

When I asked for my child’s records to see exactly how they were scored I was stonewalled. I have filed a FERPA request but that can take a while, especially if they don’t comply. It seems like something is fishy or they would just hand over my child’s very small file without a fight.

Sorry you are going thru this but try to appeal to Central Office. No way they can they provide any info during the process. Simply not a priority with all they have to do. That's just facts!

The due date at least was online in the myschooldc portal. And it allowed you to prod the teachers by sending them reminders

NP but I think this is also a larger issue- how can a kid have a 4.0 and not get an interview? What is DCPS trying to pull with that? And how can a kid be penalized if the teacher doesn’t enter a rec letter? It’s just really inequitable.

[Anonymous]

Do file a FERPA request to see my kid's recommendations do I just follow this process?

https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Notifications%20and%20Disclosures%20SY%2018-19.pdf


I want to see my kid's---she also had a 4.0 and one of the two teachers she asked had awarded her with a academic award for that subject a few months earlier (given to 1/125 kids). She's a quiet kid--no behavioral issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do file a FERPA request to see my kid's recommendations do I just follow this process?

https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Notifications%20and%20Disclosures%20SY%2018-19.pdf


I want to see my kid's---she also had a 4.0 and one of the two teachers she asked had awarded her with a academic award for that subject a few months earlier (given to 1/125 kids). She's a quiet kid--no behavioral issues.

So I file this with the Walls principal?

[Anonymous]

This is an interesting point. When my senior asked for teacher recs, she had to waive her right to see the rec and I think that was FERPA. I don't remember MySchoolDC asking whether we waived the right to see the rec - does anyone else remember if that question was asked?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is an interesting point. When my senior asked for teacher recs, she had to waive her right to see the rec and I think that was FERPA. I don't remember MySchoolDC asking whether we waived the right to see the rec - does anyone else remember if that question was asked?

I don't think so. I don't remember answering any such question.

Does anyone else remember?

[Anonymous]

The due date at least was online in the myschooldc portal. And it allowed you to prod the teachers by sending them reminders

NP but I think this is also a larger issue- how can a kid have a 4.0 and not get an interview? What is DCPS trying to pull with that? And how can a kid be penalized if the teacher doesn’t enter a rec letter? It’s just really inequitable.

Getting good grades ≠ being a good and disciplined student in class. Some 4.0 applicants might’ve had bad recommendation letters which therefore made their overall scores ineligible for a walls interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do file a FERPA request to see my kid's recommendations do I just follow this process?

https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Notifications%20and%20Disclosures%20SY%2018-19.pdf


I want to see my kid's---she also had a 4.0 and one of the two teachers she asked had awarded her with a academic award for that subject a few months earlier (given to 1/125 kids). She's a quiet kid--no behavioral issues.

If your child is quiet in class, that might be why she did not receive an interview. I’m sure recommendation letter questionnaires ask about leadership and participation. I’m NOT trying to make any rude assumptions about your child, i just want to give you some insight on why she may have not qualified for an interview.

[Anonymous]

I looked again and still don't see the date. If the portal is so confusing that so many parents and teachers have such a hard time finding this information, it's not effective or transparent. Multiple asked questions about the criteria they would be using for admissions and specifics and they repeatedly said they didn't know. Then, when I tried to follow up they refused to provide any information and did not even direct me to a place where the information could be found. Given that SWW gave me information that directly contradicts what is published about how they were handling applications, it seems that either the information in the portal is not up to date, or that even those responsible for running admissions at SWW don't know the information is there.

If they want to publish a user guide or have a training that would be helpful. DCPS does this for other sites, such as Aspen so parents at least know where to look and what information is contained within the system. However, just expecting a bunch of 8th graders, parents who may never have used this portal before, and teachers who are already overworked to figure it out on their own seems like a recipe for disaster. At most, it's inequitable and rewards students whose parents are more tech-savvy.

It's also *very* unclear why SWW contacted a select group of students and offered them an extension on their application and not others. If the burden is on families to figure this out, shouldn't be on all families? Why was a group singled out for special attention and given an extension while others were left in the dust? Does anyone know how SWW chose this group and why the same information and offer were not made to all affected students?

Anonymous wrote:Where was the due date on the portal? It’s possible I missed it, but ALSO inexcusable that the school refused to share the due date with me when I asked. If it was public information they could have at least pointed me to the portal, but they didn’t even do that, instead telling me that only teachers would be given this information. At a minimum, this part of the process lacks transparency and is extremely inequitable, possibly discriminatory depending on the criteria they used to decide who got personal outreach and an extension and who did not.


It’s also inexcusable that they reached out to select students to inform them about the missing letters, and only the deadline for this select group. I’ve asked what criteria they used to select which students would be contacted and offered an extension and which would not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think SWW forgot that they are a public school. These are at least arguably part of a child's academic record. I can't see a valid reason why they are not considered academic records. I will move forward with filing a FERPA complaint with the Dept. of Ed if they refuse to give me these records. Although it should not be necessary to get the United States government involved, this did work when a different DCPS refused to give me records I was clearly entitled to review.
L

It's less clear to me how to remedy the issue that it appears SWW did not follow their own published admissions criteria, or seemingly contacted a select number of students to alter them that a recommendation letter was missing but chose not to contact all affected students. Curious about what criteria they used to choose the students who were granted an extension and those who were not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is the rubric? I've asked for it, but so far they haven't given it to me.

One thing we learned is don't depend on this blog for real info.

https://www.myschooldc.org/how-apply/applying-high-school

This link specifically says recommendation letters can be required. What am I missing?

Attention to detail is critical and it's pretty evident why their is so much incorrect info here. The pp gave the general site but of course no one reads things anymore----

https://www.myschooldc.org/sites/default/files/dc/sites/myschooldc/page/attachments/SY24-25%20SWW_Admission%20Process%20Rubric_Final.pdf

"School Without Walls uses recommendations to better understand a student’s experience at school and to
provide context to their academic outcomes. Recommendations are a critical element to getting to know a
student and their experiences. School Without Walls requests two (2) recommendations, each worth a
maximum of 15points. We strongly encourage students and families to follow up with the individuals
submitting recommendations on their behalf and to check the accuracy of recommender emails to ensure we
have the most complete picture of the student as possible. However, students will not be penalized for
incomplete or missing recommendations and can be evaluated to move on to the interview stage based on
the recommendations that have been submitted."

Thanks. This directly contradicts what Walls told me. They also actively refused to provide information about what they were looking for in the letters of recommendation, even if they would be providing a form or were requesting a narrative. They also refused to share the due date. All of that makes it pretty hard to follow up.

When I asked for my child’s records to see exactly how they were scored I was stonewalled. I have filed a FERPA request but that can take a while, especially if they don’t comply. It seems like something is fishy or they would just hand over my child’s very small file without a fight.

If they didn't follow those rules about missing recommendations, that really stinks, and I'm sorry your family went through it.

I also contacted SWW to see if I could find out about my kid's scores. (When my older kid applied and interviewed and was waitlisted, I was able to find out DC's interview score.) It took multiple emails and one phone call but I finally found out that they will not divulge a kids' recommendation letter scores because they were written by teachers. At least, that's what I was told!

They clearly know they are a public school but most of you don't realize it. The site gives the status of everything submitted as well as due dates. Sounds like you weren't prepared as well as you should have been for the process. SWW tries to get thru everything with its present staff but they miss things. Teachers still have to teach and grade.

This is more on the teacher than anything. Maybe SWW can help since it does state in the guidelines the lack of recs won't penalize a kid. But what if a rec received already disqualified your kid? That's something you don't know yet. File your request but it won't help right now. Just be prepared either way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do file a FERPA request to see my kid's recommendations do I just follow this process?

https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Notifications%20and%20Disclosures%20SY%2018-19.pdf


I want to see my kid's---she also had a 4.0 and one of the two teachers she asked had awarded her with a academic award for that subject a few months earlier (given to 1/125 kids). She's a quiet kid--no behavioral issues.

If your child is quiet in class, that might be why she did not receive an interview. I’m sure recommendation letter questionnaires ask about leadership and participation. I’m NOT trying to make any rude assumptions about your child, i just want to give you some insight on why she may have not qualified for an interview.

None of us should be guessing here - the criteria should be made available.

To request your child's records email the Principal of SWW at [e-mail] and request your child's complete file. Specify that you are making the request under FERPA.

If anyone would like to request SWW's admission criteria, their policies about how they decided who to contact with an offer of an extension, etc., you can email DCPS's FOIA officer at [e-mail].

Student records and policies are covered by two distinct laws so you need to make these two separate requests to get both pieces of information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The due date at least was online in the myschooldc portal. And it allowed you to prod the teachers by sending them reminders

NP but I think this is also a larger issue- how can a kid have a 4.0 and not get an interview? What is DCPS trying to pull with that? And how can a kid be penalized if the teacher doesn’t enter a rec letter? It’s just really inequitable.

Getting good grades ≠ being a good and disciplined student in class. Some 4.0 applicants might’ve had bad recommendation letters which therefore made their overall scores ineligible for a walls interview.

I am a teacher and I hear you in general but a 4.0 student in general should not get bad recommendation letters. Maybe a few here and there but not a bunch of kids.