DC's School Report Cards are up. Any surprises?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ballou stays open because DCPS provides a by right high school within a certain distance of every address in the city. Merging with Anacostia would not achieve that.

I would love to know what you think this “certain distance” is because… have you seen the Dunbar catchment?

The distance thing is a planning goal. It's not an entitlement to individuals. They aren't going to open a new school to meet the goal, especially when there are other high schools in the area that are not overcrowded. HD Woodson, Eastern, and McKinley Tech conveniently serve a portion of students zoned for Dunbar, as do charters such as Latin and WLA, and Dunbar is not overcrowded, so DCPS doesn't view this as a problem even those things Dunbar's zone is bigger than technically desirable. But that doesn't mean other schools should also have a massive zone.

DCPS closed a lot of schools in past decades and came to regret it. And DCPS needs to maintain some extra capacity just in case it's needed, and to absorb kids from charters that fail. If, say, Thurgood Marshall Academy were to close, putting nearly 400 kids out, Ballou and Anacostia would have to absorb many of them. Even on zero notice.

Isn't this the DME's problem to figure out, not DCPS's?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ballou stays open because DCPS provides a by right high school within a certain distance of every address in the city. Merging with Anacostia would not achieve that.

I would love to know what you think this “certain distance” is because… have you seen the Dunbar catchment?

The distance thing is a planning goal. It's not an entitlement to individuals. They aren't going to open a new school to meet the goal, especially when there are other high schools in the area that are not overcrowded. HD Woodson, Eastern, and McKinley Tech conveniently serve a portion of students zoned for Dunbar, as do charters such as Latin and WLA, and Dunbar is not overcrowded, so DCPS doesn't view this as a problem even those things Dunbar's zone is bigger than technically desirable. But that doesn't mean other schools should also have a massive zone.

DCPS closed a lot of schools in past decades and came to regret it. And DCPS needs to maintain some extra capacity just in case it's needed, and to absorb kids from charters that fail. If, say, Thurgood Marshall Academy were to close, putting nearly 400 kids out, Ballou and Anacostia would have to absorb many of them. Even on zero notice.

Isn't this the DME's problem to figure out, not DCPS's?

How? Is the DME going to say that kids enrolled at a charter lose their right to attend DCPS when the charter closes on short notice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ballou stays open because DCPS provides a by right high school within a certain distance of every address in the city. Merging with Anacostia would not achieve that.

I would love to know what you think this “certain distance” is because… have you seen the Dunbar catchment?

The distance thing is a planning goal. It's not an entitlement to individuals. They aren't going to open a new school to meet the goal, especially when there are other high schools in the area that are not overcrowded. HD Woodson, Eastern, and McKinley Tech conveniently serve a portion of students zoned for Dunbar, as do charters such as Latin and WLA, and Dunbar is not overcrowded, so DCPS doesn't view this as a problem even those things Dunbar's zone is bigger than technically desirable. But that doesn't mean other schools should also have a massive zone.

DCPS closed a lot of schools in past decades and came to regret it. And DCPS needs to maintain some extra capacity just in case it's needed, and to absorb kids from charters that fail. If, say, Thurgood Marshall Academy were to close, putting nearly 400 kids out, Ballou and Anacostia would have to absorb many of them. Even on zero notice.

Isn't this the DME's problem to figure out, not DCPS's?

How? Is the DME going to say that kids enrolled at a charter lose their right to attend DCPS when the charter closes on short notice?

This. What is the DME going to do about it? DCPS has to provide a by-right school system for every single child residing in the city, including when charters close.

One could imagine a system in which charters had to take kids in this situation. But charters wouldn't like that, so it gets dumped in DCPS' lap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ballou stays open because DCPS provides a by right high school within a certain distance of every address in the city. Merging with Anacostia would not achieve that.

I would love to know what you think this “certain distance” is because… have you seen the Dunbar catchment?

The distance thing is a planning goal. It's not an entitlement to individuals. They aren't going to open a new school to meet the goal, especially when there are other high schools in the area that are not overcrowded. HD Woodson, Eastern, and McKinley Tech conveniently serve a portion of students zoned for Dunbar, as do charters such as Latin and WLA, and Dunbar is not overcrowded, so DCPS doesn't view this as a problem even those things Dunbar's zone is bigger than technically desirable. But that doesn't mean other schools should also have a massive zone.

DCPS closed a lot of schools in past decades and came to regret it. And DCPS needs to maintain some extra capacity just in case it's needed, and to absorb kids from charters that fail. If, say, Thurgood Marshall Academy were to close, putting nearly 400 kids out, Ballou and Anacostia would have to absorb many of them. Even on zero notice.

Isn't this the DME's problem to figure out, not DCPS's?

How? Is the DME going to say that kids enrolled at a charter lose their right to attend DCPS when the charter closes on short notice?

This. What is the DME going to do about it? DCPS has to provide a by-right school system for every single child residing in the city, including when charters close.

One could imagine a system in which charters had to take kids in this situation. But charters wouldn't like that, so it gets dumped in DCPS' lap.

We have a set-up in which it is known and foreseen that failure by one entity can cause a crisis for another--and all the students of both of those entities--then hell yeah the DME as head of that set-up better have a plan to avoid avoidable crisis.

Sending kids to other charters may be one such option, assuming it's legal. Who cares if charters don't like it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ballou stays open because DCPS provides a by right high school within a certain distance of every address in the city. Merging with Anacostia would not achieve that.

I would love to know what you think this “certain distance” is because… have you seen the Dunbar catchment?

The distance thing is a planning goal. It's not an entitlement to individuals. They aren't going to open a new school to meet the goal, especially when there are other high schools in the area that are not overcrowded. HD Woodson, Eastern, and McKinley Tech conveniently serve a portion of students zoned for Dunbar, as do charters such as Latin and WLA, and Dunbar is not overcrowded, so DCPS doesn't view this as a problem even those things Dunbar's zone is bigger than technically desirable. But that doesn't mean other schools should also have a massive zone.

DCPS closed a lot of schools in past decades and came to regret it. And DCPS needs to maintain some extra capacity just in case it's needed, and to absorb kids from charters that fail. If, say, Thurgood Marshall Academy were to close, putting nearly 400 kids out, Ballou and Anacostia would have to absorb many of them. Even on zero notice.

Isn't this the DME's problem to figure out, not DCPS's?

How? Is the DME going to say that kids enrolled at a charter lose their right to attend DCPS when the charter closes on short notice?

This. What is the DME going to do about it? DCPS has to provide a by-right school system for every single child residing in the city, including when charters close.

One could imagine a system in which charters had to take kids in this situation. But charters wouldn't like that, so it gets dumped in DCPS' lap.

We have a set-up in which it is known and foreseen that failure by one entity can cause a crisis for another--and all the students of both of those entities--then hell yeah the DME as head of that set-up better have a plan to avoid avoidable crisis.

Sending kids to other charters may be one such option, assuming it's legal. Who cares if charters don't like it?

Oh, honey bun. The DME's plan is that DCPS takes them. And if individual charters want to take some, fine-- tends to be the ones who are underenrolled and likely lower-quality. That's the DME's plan.

Who cares if charters don't like it? The DME does! The Mayor does! The councilmembers do! Charter schools have lots of political influence in this city. Accept it.

Now, to be fair, the system has never truly been tested by a sudden failure of a large school. If, God forbid, a large school were to burn down or something, perhaps the DME would formulate some sort of plan that's different from everyone going to their IB, whatever it happens to be. But until that happens, the DME's plan is definitely, definitely, definitely to just let the chips fall however they fall and DCPS has to deal with it. So don't say they don't have a plan.

[Anonymous]

I think in a true sudden nightmare scenario where a significant number of students are suddenly ousted, it's likely the council would appropriate some extra funds.

The problem is more the constant, chronic grind of DCPS having to clean up after this charter here, that charter there, year after year.

[Anonymous]

A list of all charters that closed, with the official reasons, can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRbaCM3AJtig0eGsJoLNWx-YBejYEfu4IX8I9kOvpQtwQ4erIHhLr9PpkaX7LgTvhYWDYyX8jF6HuAW/pubhtml

Sometimes they were absorbed by another charter, sometimes not. Other times DCPS has continued to operate the site of a closed charter as a distinct school (Excel, Dorothy Height).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ballou stays open because DCPS provides a by right high school within a certain distance of every address in the city. Merging with Anacostia would not achieve that.

I would love to know what you think this “certain distance” is because… have you seen the Dunbar catchment?

The distance thing is a planning goal. It's not an entitlement to individuals. They aren't going to open a new school to meet the goal, especially when there are other high schools in the area that are not overcrowded. HD Woodson, Eastern, and McKinley Tech conveniently serve a portion of students zoned for Dunbar, as do charters such as Latin and WLA, and Dunbar is not overcrowded, so DCPS doesn't view this as a problem even those things Dunbar's zone is bigger than technically desirable. But that doesn't mean other schools should also have a massive zone.

DCPS closed a lot of schools in past decades and came to regret it. And DCPS needs to maintain some extra capacity just in case it's needed, and to absorb kids from charters that fail. If, say, Thurgood Marshall Academy were to close, putting nearly 400 kids out, Ballou and Anacostia would have to absorb many of them. Even on zero notice.

Isn't this the DME's problem to figure out, not DCPS's?

How? Is the DME going to say that kids enrolled at a charter lose their right to attend DCPS when the charter closes on short notice?

This. What is the DME going to do about it? DCPS has to provide a by-right school system for every single child residing in the city, including when charters close.

One could imagine a system in which charters had to take kids in this situation. But charters wouldn't like that, so it gets dumped in DCPS' lap.

We have a set-up in which it is known and foreseen that failure by one entity can cause a crisis for another--and all the students of both of those entities--then hell yeah the DME as head of that set-up better have a plan to avoid avoidable crisis.

Sending kids to other charters may be one such option, assuming it's legal. Who cares if charters don't like it?

Oh, honey bun. The DME's plan is that DCPS takes them. And if individual charters want to take some, fine-- tends to be the ones who are underenrolled and likely lower-quality. That's the DME's plan.

Who cares if charters don't like it? The DME does! The Mayor does! The councilmembers do! Charter schools have lots of political influence in this city. Accept it.

Now, to be fair, the system has never truly been tested by a sudden failure of a large school. If, God forbid, a large school were to burn down or something, perhaps the DME would formulate some sort of plan that's different from everyone going to their IB, whatever it happens to be. But until that happens, the DME's plan is definitely, definitely, definitely to just let the chips fall however they fall and DCPS has to deal with it. So don't say they don't have a plan.

The DME's plan is to send his own kids to private school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think in a true sudden nightmare scenario where a significant number of students are suddenly ousted, it's likely the council would appropriate some extra funds.

The problem is more the constant, chronic grind of DCPS having to clean up after this charter here, that charter there, year after year.

Hypothetically how big would the failure need to be? Like if KIPP went down, I think it would be a real stress test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SH and a lot of the other DCPS middle schools offer a lot of sports and extracurriculars. The really high-achieving kids are likely to be very busy with some combination of activities like the musical, debate, mock trial, and sports teams, etc. That does not always leave a ton of time for tutoring unless you absolutely need it.

SH offerings are mediocre.

What do you mean? On the academic front, obviously, since there aren't true above-grade-level classes at SH outside math in DCPS. You're arguing that the musicals, debate, mock trial, sports teams are mediocre relative to other DCPS middle schools, or privates, or the burbs or what?

Math at SH is not above grade level. The higher track is grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SH and a lot of the other DCPS middle schools offer a lot of sports and extracurriculars. The really high-achieving kids are likely to be very busy with some combination of activities like the musical, debate, mock trial, and sports teams, etc. That does not always leave a ton of time for tutoring unless you absolutely need it.

SH offerings are mediocre.

What do you mean? On the academic front, obviously, since there aren't true above-grade-level classes at SH outside math in DCPS. You're arguing that the musicals, debate, mock trial, sports teams are mediocre relative to other DCPS middle schools, or privates, or the burbs or what?

Math at SH is not above grade level. The higher track is grade level.

Why does some troll keep repeating this over and over? It's not even responsive to the post before this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SH and a lot of the other DCPS middle schools offer a lot of sports and extracurriculars. The really high-achieving kids are likely to be very busy with some combination of activities like the musical, debate, mock trial, and sports teams, etc. That does not always leave a ton of time for tutoring unless you absolutely need it.

SH offerings are mediocre.

What do you mean? On the academic front, obviously, since there aren't true above-grade-level classes at SH outside math in DCPS. You're arguing that the musicals, debate, mock trial, sports teams are mediocre relative to other DCPS middle schools, or privates, or the burbs or what?

Math at SH is not above grade level. The higher track is grade level.

Why does some troll keep repeating this over and over? It's not even responsive to the post before this.

Different poster and I would take a critical eye at the cape scores. 70% of children at SH are not at grade level. This is unacceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SH and a lot of the other DCPS middle schools offer a lot of sports and extracurriculars. The really high-achieving kids are likely to be very busy with some combination of activities like the musical, debate, mock trial, and sports teams, etc. That does not always leave a ton of time for tutoring unless you absolutely need it.

SH offerings are mediocre.

What do you mean? On the academic front, obviously, since there aren't true above-grade-level classes at SH outside math in DCPS. You're arguing that the musicals, debate, mock trial, sports teams are mediocre relative to other DCPS middle schools, or privates, or the burbs or what?

Math at SH is not above grade level. The higher track is grade level.

Why does some troll keep repeating this over and over? It's not even responsive to the post before this.

Not the “troll” you’re referring to but the PP just below this post. SH is my neighborhood school. I really wanted yo like it. It might end up being where my kids go due to lottery luck.

You asked why people keep saying that math at the high grade track is grade level and the other math is below grade level? They’re saying that because it’s true. Only 4% of kids are doing above grade level at SH. I looked up the cape. I also talked to parents and teachers and former parents. It’s objectively not great. I have hopes it can be better. But lying about its performance helps no one except you feel better about your choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SH and a lot of the other DCPS middle schools offer a lot of sports and extracurriculars. The really high-achieving kids are likely to be very busy with some combination of activities like the musical, debate, mock trial, and sports teams, etc. That does not always leave a ton of time for tutoring unless you absolutely need it.

SH offerings are mediocre.

What do you mean? On the academic front, obviously, since there aren't true above-grade-level classes at SH outside math in DCPS. You're arguing that the musicals, debate, mock trial, sports teams are mediocre relative to other DCPS middle schools, or privates, or the burbs or what?

Math at SH is not above grade level. The higher track is grade level.

Why does some troll keep repeating this over and over? It's not even responsive to the post before this.

Not the “troll” you’re referring to but the PP just below this post. SH is my neighborhood school. I really wanted yo like it. It might end up being where my kids go due to lottery luck.

You asked why people keep saying that math at the high grade track is grade level and the other math is below grade level? They’re saying that because it’s true. Only 4% of kids are doing above grade level at SH. I looked up the cape. I also talked to parents and teachers and former parents. It’s objectively not great. I have hopes it can be better. But lying about its performance helps no one except you feel better about your choices.

DP here. It depends how you define "grade level". Did you look at the middle school advanced math CAPE spreadsheet? If someone gets a 4 in Algebra 1, rather than a 5 in 8th grade math, are they above grade level? What about a 7th grader who's taking 8th grade math? Think about it and let us know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SH and a lot of the other DCPS middle schools offer a lot of sports and extracurriculars. The really high-achieving kids are likely to be very busy with some combination of activities like the musical, debate, mock trial, and sports teams, etc. That does not always leave a ton of time for tutoring unless you absolutely need it.

SH offerings are mediocre.

What do you mean? On the academic front, obviously, since there aren't true above-grade-level classes at SH outside math in DCPS. You're arguing that the musicals, debate, mock trial, sports teams are mediocre relative to other DCPS middle schools, or privates, or the burbs or what?

Math at SH is not above grade level. The higher track is grade level.

Why does some troll keep repeating this over and over? It's not even responsive to the post before this.

Not the “troll” you’re referring to but the PP just below this post. SH is my neighborhood school. I really wanted yo like it. It might end up being where my kids go due to lottery luck.

You asked why people keep saying that math at the high grade track is grade level and the other math is below grade level? They’re saying that because it’s true. Only 4% of kids are doing above grade level at SH. I looked up the cape. I also talked to parents and teachers and former parents. It’s objectively not great. I have hopes it can be better. But lying about its performance helps no one except you feel better about your choices.

DP here. It depends how you define "grade level". Did you look at the middle school advanced math CAPE spreadsheet? If someone gets a 4 in Algebra 1, rather than a 5 in 8th grade math, are they above grade level? What about a 7th grader who's taking 8th grade math? Think about it and let us know.

I did think about it. Sorry not you can try to invent whatever facts make you feel good but the truth is that 70% of kids at Stuart are below grade level. 70%. And sure there might be some at Mathnesium doing grade level work. But 7th grader taking algebra 1 isn’t advanced. Sorry. It’s grade level.