Segregation in DC schools - charter lottery doesn't help much
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Anonymous
But charter schools have innovation - I thought that's what they said matters. Are you saying now that a centralized system is better?? |
Anonymous
Not the PP. Firstly, to my understanding, not all "at risk" kids can simply be placed in whatever school by social services. Early Stages can place students in schools that meet their needs, but Early Stages is DCPS. Students designated as homeless have special educational protections, including placement in schools, but it's not just any school. Usually it's whatever school they were in before they became homeless, or whatever school is closest to where they're actually living. I am not sure exactly what rules apply to foster kids, but I'd imagine that they are similar to the rules that apply to kids who are homeless. I would love if charter schools were placement options for kids with these needs. There are some charter schools that are particularly good at working with special needs children, for example. |
Anonymous
The DC charter law doesn't allow ANYONE to be admitted to a charter except via the lottery -- unless there are vacancies in which case kids with issues could take the slots. Some charters tried establish a 'special needs preference' for the lottery and so far no one has been able to figure out a way to do it legally. |
Anonymous
PP here. Thanks for this. That was what I thought as well. I guess that each school would have to file an amendment for their individual charter if they wanted to set aside a seat for an Early Stages-esque placement, right? I know that DCPS's Early Childhood classes are capped at a certain level, with an Early Stages seat set aside that can only be filled with a non-Early Stages kid with the permission of Early Stages itself. But because every charter is its own LEA, they'd all have to opt in, right? |
Anonymous
That was an idea that was floated, but setting aside/holding seats for anyone, even an Early Stages student, was deemed in conflict with the authorizing law. So a charter can't do it unless someone goes to Congress and gets the law amended. |
Anonymous
Yes, in charters. At least, I'm very familiar with one such placement. |
Anonymous
Can you elaborate on this? |
Anonymous
No, that's not at all what is being said. What's being said is that there is inequality in the system. In-class innovation is all fine and good but it can't replace the wrap-around services and supports that at-risk kids need. DC does provide some funding and services to help support at-risk kids in DCPS schools but they withhold the same funding and supports from charters. And, until the same funding and support is being provided to charters as there is to DCPS schools, at-risk kids are better off in DCPS schools where they can actually benefit from those extra resources. And, until those inequalities in the system are addressed, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to be whining about why there aren't more at-risk kids in charters. |
Anonymous
I don't totally disagree, but I think that it's also worth recognizing that charters don't have to accept anyone who shows up, at any time in the year. They can kick people out. Public neighborhood schools do not have the same luxury. There is inequality in the system, but I also think it's foolish to try to create equality between two systems that simply do not work the same. DCPS isn't "withholding funding" from charters. They're just not giving DCPS money to non-DCPS schools. |
Anonymous
DCPS public schools DO regularly kick kids out, along with doing things like outsourcing special needs rather than dealing with it themselves (i.e. the huge fleet of "short buses" ferrying kids in and out of the city every day). Also, it's not "DCPS money" - charters are also public schools. If you aren't equally distributing funding, facilities, services and resources equally across ALL public schools, whether DCPS or charters, then you are screwing the kids and the taxpayers. And to add insult to injury what it sounds like now is that DCPS wants to start dumping all of its at risk kids on charters but keep the funding, services and resources for themselves. |
Anonymous
I don't want to give a whole lot of details for privacy reasons, but know of a child whose foster parents were permitted to choose a DCPS outside their neighborhood boundary and, when they weren't satisfied there, got into a charter. |
Anonymous
I'd point out that DCPS schools do indeed routinely dump students, whether anyone wants to acknowledge or admit it or not. Frankly one of the main reasons there are so many kids in charters is because DCPS could not meet their needs, made them miserable, and yes, some have in fact been "counseled out" of DCPS schools. |
Anonymous
| ^^ And they wind up in charters - just charters that aren't discussed in this forum. |
Anonymous
| my children go to a Title I EOTP school and are getting a terrific education. They bring the "diversity" if that means mixed race kids whose parents are affluent and highly educated. Their friends come from mostly new immigrant and single mother families, and are black and brown (my kids are brown too, but half white). It is an amazing school, and I can't help but feel smug that my children getting this great educational experience in such a diverse setting. charter schools are not the only answer. Look at your neighborhood school and try to see past the demographics that may not match what you grew up with. The kids are just kids, and many will surprise you and be smarter, more mature and better behaved than your kids. |
Anonymous
+1. *DEAD* 
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Good one, PP, you made me google fry bread.