ugly, racist questions about Hearst

[Anonymous]

"When we moved into the neighborhood, whenever we asked folks on our block about the school, we were told that we should send our kids to private or try for a spot at Janney/Lafayette/etc. "

This is EXACTLY what is happening to me. I don't think (or don't want to think) that it's purely racial. I think the test scores are problematic, and I appreciate the previous poster's addressing them directly. At a small school, a small number of under-achievers will drag the average down. Still, Eaton's scores (while not great--let's face it, Horace Mann's scores are far above either HEarst or Eaton) are more consistent. The scores are not everything, but they're something, and I'm troubled by them. Rather than hear how great the playground is, etc. (and I agree), I'm worried that incoming classes will be taught to the test so the school can improve its scores. Because it's GOT to improve those scores. And why are the scores so low in such a rich neighborhood? Because a lot of poor kids parachute in from lousy neighborhoods. And I would be living in a wealthy neighborhood, paying mega-bucks to rent or own, and sending my child to school with kids who, last year (ON AVERAGE) scored 67 percent in reading and 76 percent in math. If I brought either of those grades home on a test, my parents would have arranged tutoring (after checking if I had been ill on exam day).

Eaton, not that far away, had scores of 75 (reading) and 78 (math). Stoddert's scores were 92 percent (math) and 90 percent (Reading), according to the school profile Web site:
http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Learn+About+Schools/School+Profiles/School+Profiles+-+Elementary+Schools

I'll visit Hearst, but I'd like to hear what the school is doing to improve test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[b] And I would be living in a wealthy neighborhood, paying mega-bucks to rent or own, and sending my child to school with kids who, last year (ON AVERAGE) scored 67 percent in reading and 76 percent in math. If I brought either of those grades home on a test, my parents would have arranged tutoring (after checking if I had been ill on exam day).

Eaton, not that far away, had scores of 75 (reading) and 78 (math). Stoddert's scores were 92 percent (math) and 90 percent (Reading), according to the school profile Web site:
http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Learn+About+Schools/School+Profiles/School+Profiles+-+Elementary+Schools

This is a completely sincere question: Is that really what those scores mean? I didn't think it meant that kids scored on average 67 percent (or whatever) but that rather, 47 percent had 'passed' (scoring either proficient or advanced). I don't know what the percentage is to score 'proficient' or advanced' though.

Can someone with more knowledge than I comment?

[Anonymous]

it means that x% of students scored proficient or advanced on the standardized tests given each year in accordance with No Child left behind (NCLB) regulations.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for confirming - seems 12:06 is incorrect then.

[Anonymous]

Yes, in Hearst's case, the scores mean that 67% of 3rd and 4th graders tested were proficient or advanced in math, and 76% were proficient or advanced in reading.

It DOES NOT mean that the average scores for those tested were 67 and 76.

[Anonymous]

FYI this is the place to find the breakdown of number of advanced vs proficient etc
http://www.nclb.osse.dc.gov/

[Anonymous]

So using the helpful link provided by 15:30 just above, here's how Hearst's 45 test-age students did on last year's DC-CAS test

READING
Advanced: 5 kids
Proficient: 29 kids
Basic: 8 kids
Below basic: 3 kids

MATH
Advanced: 11 kids
Proficient: 19 kids
Basic: 13 kids
Below basic: 2 kids

[Anonymous]

Deal is the best thing around for middle school. Of course, we'd be excited to be linked to them. The families at Hearst are really excited about this. What's your problem with Deal?

[Anonymous]

Do OOB Hearst students get to automatically feed into Deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do OOB Hearst students get to automatically feed into Deal?

Yes. The school "feeds" in to Deal so students attending a feeder school moves to the next school or you can go to Deal by right based on your address.

[Anonymous]

Still not getting what's supposed to be impressive about Deal. As far as I can tell, it just means you're not going to any of the other DCPS middle schools whose reputations are worse. It's not like we're talking about a great private school or rigorous program here.

[Anonymous]

Deal does offer a rigorous program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Deal does offer a rigorous program.

Still the same DCPS (non) curriculum.

[Anonymous]

12:06 and 16:54 Do you have a child at Deal? Why so intent to disparage? What is the threat? Did you spend $$$ and put yourself at financial risk to avoid Deal and now want to justify that decision? What gives?

[Anonymous]

17:05, spot on! I just do not understand the apparently irresistible urge to bash schools that, for many are the best, most viable options for their kids. What on earth would posess anyone to act so rudely. Don't hate me (or my kids) because I'm not rich, asshole.