Why do you think the DCPS is failing?

[Anonymous]

OP, I am right there with you wrt to one of the best regarded middle schools in the city. I can't believe the tenor of attacks on this thread--sounds like a bunch of DCPS teachers are on the thread trying to down play the importance of your concerns. In fact I'm convinced afters years of being on this forum, that most of cries of "helicopter parent!" come from teachers or admins who frequent this board. If you're not a teacher, then you've got some vested interest that you're not revealing here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look sweetie, you want a perfect world of grammar. When you find it let me know and I will gladly kick you over to that world. It doesn't take grammar to help those who are smug enough to want a perfect world.

No need to tell you to get a life, because what you are exhibiting on this thread, only gives credence to you being a miserable SOB.

Who is "sweetie" here? It might be me, but I can't tell. Would you mind clarifying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am right there with you wrt to one of the best regarded middle schools in the city. I can't believe the tenor of attacks on this thread--sounds like a bunch of DCPS teachers are on the thread trying to down play the importance of your concerns. In fact I'm convinced afters years of being on this forum, that most of cries of "helicopter parent!" come from teachers or admins who frequent this board. If you're not a teacher, then you've got some vested interest that you're not revealing here.

I approach my children's school and teachers with the motto, "Trust but verify. " I am perfectly happy to stand back if I can see real learning and progress but in my 5 years in the system we have had two not so great years. The first time I did not insist. Never again. If teachers want parents to step back we have to be convinced they will police their profession, otherwise parents must do it.

[Anonymous]

Many people in DC are warped. I can even feel myself warping after living here for about 10 years. It can be hard to recognize quality education and have reasonable expectations of professionalism and responsiveness if you never get out and about to see it. So it seems the mentality becomes to hunker down, defend what it as "good enough and getting better" and watch as thousands of kids get substandard educations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16:48 what do you want a "Stand your ground" episode? I said what I said and I meant what I meant. That's all, take it or leave it. If the norm was to leave ones name and address don't think that you're messing with punk-azz. I will step to you and you can bet your next suntan on that one, sweetie. You don't run nothing but your mouth.

I got your cowardice for you. If I was close to you, there would be no need to converse, chit-chat, shoot the breeze or talk. Keep it moving, you trollop.

Don't need any sort of episode with you as it's clear that your MO is cursing and fighting to get your point across. #1, I am AA which you obviously didn't assume based on that ghetto response you posted. I don't need to tan because I am as dark as the day is long. # 2 this is not an episode of Basketball Wives! Grown women fighting won't solve a thing. At the end of it all your grammar will still be disgraceful and you will still be a hood cyber thug. #3 if this is how you act online I assume the children in your life see this and follow suit which is why DCPS is over run by hoodlums that think your world owes them something. In my best Tamar Braxton voice "you better get your life boo."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16:48 what do you want a "Stand your ground" episode? I said what I said and I meant what I meant. That's all, take it or leave it. If the norm was to leave ones name and address don't think that you're messing with punk-azz. I will step to you and you can bet your next suntan on that one, sweetie. You don't run nothing but your mouth.

I got your cowardice for you. If I was close to you, there would be no need to converse, chit-chat, shoot the breeze or talk. Keep it moving, you trollop.

You sound like you just got out of prison.

[Anonymous]

I approach my children's school and teachers with the motto, "Trust but verify. " I am perfectly happy to stand back if I can see real learning and progress but in my 5 years in the system we have had two not so great years. The first time I did not insist. Never again. If teachers want parents to step back we have to be convinced they will police their profession, otherwise parents must do it.

Parents are not qualified to police teachers, or anyone but their own kids. How would you even recognize 'real learning and progress'?

I'm not a teacher, so I don't care whether or not you 'step back', but you really need to drop the smug misconception that parental satisfaction equals a good education/real learning/progress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I approach my children's school and teachers with the motto, "Trust but verify. " I am perfectly happy to stand back if I can see real learning and progress but in my 5 years in the system we have had two not so great years. The first time I did not insist. Never again. If teachers want parents to step back we have to be convinced they will police their profession, otherwise parents must do it.

Parents are not qualified to police teachers, or anyone but their own kids. How would you even recognize 'real learning and progress'?

I'm not a teacher, so I don't care whether or not you 'step back', but you really need to drop the smug misconception that parental satisfaction equals a good education/real learning/progress.

NP here. I'm not trying to pick a fight, I'm trying to get at what both you and the PP you quote are saying.

What does "they will police their profession" mean? Are you suggesting that teachers should shoulder some responsibility towards students they don't teach? And if so, how many? Which ones, and where do we draw the line?

Also, isn't is somewhat insulting to suggest "How would you even recognize 'real learning and progress'?" You expect your pediatrician to believe you when you discuss your child's development, because it's something you've become good at evaluating. Is there no similarity between that, and recognizing your child's learning and progress? I for one, know my child is learning and making progress because I see her coming home everyday with curiosity, interest, and mastery over subjects I did not teach her. Granted, that is only one anecdotal reference point, but are you suggesting it's not a valid measurement and my personal satisfaction is clouding my judgement?

I don't think I understand what exactly is being argued here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many people in DC are warped. I can even feel myself warping after living here for about 10 years. It can be hard to recognize quality education and have reasonable expectations of professionalism and responsiveness if you never get out and about to see it. So it seems the mentality becomes to hunker down, defend what it as "good enough and getting better" and watch as thousands of kids get substandard educations.

+1

[Anonymous]

11:14: Whatever dot com. You and I are two black chicks cut from different cloths. My MO that you describe is not that accurate. I usually don't say one word when I am back-slapping a hefford. Oooops upside the head.

Guess what our paths will cross and it will be on like popcorn. You can butter that sweetie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11:14: Whatever dot com. You and I are two black chicks cut from different cloths. My MO that you describe is not that accurate. I usually don't say one word when I am back-slapping a hefford. Oooops upside the head.

Guess what our paths will cross and it will be on like popcorn. You can butter that sweetie.

HEFFORD?? Time to correct you again....I'm assuming you meant heiffer or in your native tongue of ebonics, heiffa. This is when "keeping it real goes wrong!"

And here you have it ladies and gents: Exactly why DCPS is failing and no one will say it. The MAJORITY of the school system is filled to the brim with children who come from households headed by people like this. It's truly not the fault of the children, they are products of their environments. They grow up in environments where solvings ones issues are done with intimidation and violence with very little importance placed on a valuable education. How else can we account for the lack of change in the school system despite the amount of money spent per child, renovation efforts, teacher accountability and overhaul. Based on this person's first comment, she doesn't value the importance of communication with the school staff either. If you don't live in the JKLMM areas, your children will likely spend the majority of their day in a classroom with chilren raised by the likes of this cyber thug who wants to hit me upside the head, curse me out and exact bodily harm (most of this while assuming that I was WHITE.) Ignorant. Sad. Not only am I not intimidated, at this point I'm no longer amused. You're pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:11:14: Whatever dot com. You and I are two black chicks cut from different cloths. My MO that you describe is not that accurate. I usually don't say one word when I am back-slapping a hefford. Oooops upside the head.

Guess what our paths will cross and it will be on like popcorn. You can butter that sweetie.

HEFFORD?? Time to correct you again....I'm assuming you meant heiffer or in your native tongue of ebonics, heiffa. This is when "keeping it real goes wrong!"

And here you have it ladies and gents: Exactly why DCPS is failing and no one will say it. The MAJORITY of the school system is filled to the brim with children who come from households headed by people like this. It's truly not the fault of the children, they are products of their environments. They grow up in environments where solvings ones issues are done with intimidation and violence with very little importance placed on a valuable education. How else can we account for the lack of change in the school system despite the amount of money spent per child, renovation efforts, teacher accountability and overhaul. Based on this person's first comment, she doesn't value the importance of communication with the school staff either. If you don't live in the JKLMM areas, your children will likely spend the majority of their day in a classroom with chilren raised by the likes of this cyber thug who wants to hit me upside the head, curse me out and exact bodily harm (most of this while assuming that I was WHITE.) Ignorant. Sad. Not only am I not intimidated, at this point I'm no longer amused. You're pathetic.

* I meant solving

[Anonymous]

I have an excellent rapport with my children's schools and have known to reveal the "fake ass" people like you in general forums. So, don't get it twisted I am not the person you can overwhelm, undermined or insult as you want to state your case and be done with it. I like sistahs like you because the battle is not yours. Pathetic is what pathetic does and when you responded to me then it goes to show you that you need to add lonely to your moniker as well.

I meant what I said and I said what I meant. Now I am a cyber thug; this is mild and manner in the world of blog-bullying. Your race never entered into the equation but it was you who had to verify that you're "dark like me." Do you sweetie, be ever so wonderful in your world of being that black troll. Those trolls are rare and are collector's items.

You are just as clueless as our school board elected official for Ward 5. Wait a minute, you just might be one in the same. Lord have mercy. Celie, girrrrrrrrrrrrl you need to quit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I approach my children's school and teachers with the motto, "Trust but verify. " I am perfectly happy to stand back if I can see real learning and progress but in my 5 years in the system we have had two not so great years. The first time I did not insist. Never again. If teachers want parents to step back we have to be convinced they will police their profession, otherwise parents must do it.

Parents are not qualified to police teachers, or anyone but their own kids. How would you even recognize 'real learning and progress'?

I'm not a teacher, so I don't care whether or not you 'step back', but you really need to drop the smug misconception that parental satisfaction equals a good education/real learning/progress.

NP here. I'm not trying to pick a fight, I'm trying to get at what both you and the PP you quote are saying.

What does "they will police their profession" mean? Are you suggesting that teachers should shoulder some responsibility towards students they don't teach? And if so, how many? Which ones, and where do we draw the line?

Also, isn't is somewhat insulting to suggest "How would you even recognize 'real learning and progress'?" You expect your pediatrician to believe you when you discuss your child's development, because it's something you've become good at evaluating. Is there no similarity between that, and recognizing your child's learning and progress? I for one, know my child is learning and making progress because I see her coming home everyday with curiosity, interest, and mastery over subjects I did not teach her. Granted, that is only one anecdotal reference point, but are you suggesting it's not a valid measurement and my personal satisfaction is clouding my judgement?

I don't think I understand what exactly is being argued here.

I am the original poster quoted here. My issue is not parental satisfaction, when I look at what is happening in the classroom I ask is my child meeting the grade appropriate, not gifted, but DCPS mandated goals for this grade. We have had several where we have not and they have been in critical grades like first and second grade. Some teachers feel very comfortable discounting parents intuition about a problem when we spend the other 16 hours of a kids day with them. Yet when you ask teachers they say we only have them for 6-8 hours a day how are we supposed to make that change. That is what I heard. I want a partnership with my children's teachers, tell me what you need me to do and I will, but don't dismiss when I am saying my child is struggling with the homework you have sent and does not appear to be learning the basic skills like reading and adding and subtracting. It is fine to be smug about helicopter parents, but when you get a teacher that can't either because the classroom situation or their skills help your child you have an obligation to intervene. I learned that the hard way.

[Anonymous]

One more thing as the PP. There is no private or public school that does not have one of these teachers either because they have taught so long the don't need to listen, they are burned out, or any other number of reasons. The fact is that our parents should have care more than they did, now we do.