Why are HRCS so popular? Test scores stink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because lots of adults value living in the city, being really close to work, and being able to walk to urban amenities. In order to get that they're willing to compromise and send their kids to schools that are so-so when compared to the overall Washington metro area, but "good" for DC.

I'm sincerely not trying to be judgmental. But I think that's the main reason.

check out the MD school threads. and talk to friends in No. Virginia. so-so is the best we get (and ever got). think back to your own schools growing up - your occasional year with a dud for a teacher.

I actually don't think my school is so-so btw though it will likely have so-so test scores. I would pay for private in Moco or No Virginia (not because their schools are bad but because I want a specific thing public schools don't offer), and my charter gets me it for free

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because lots of adults value living in the city, being really close to work, and being able to walk to urban amenities. In order to get that they're willing to compromise and send their kids to schools that are so-so when compared to the overall Washington metro area, but "good" for DC.

I'm sincerely not trying to be judgmental. But I think that's the main reason.

Have you seen MoCo's scores? It makes most of DCPS Ward 3 look great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because lots of adults value living in the city, being really close to work, and being able to walk to urban amenities. In order to get that they're willing to compromise and send their kids to schools that are so-so when compared to the overall Washington metro area, but "good" for DC.

I'm sincerely not trying to be judgmental. But I think that's the main reason.

Have you seen MoCo's scores? It makes most of DCPS Ward 3 look great!

Sure but those MoCo schools aren't the ones parents who aim for HRCSs would move for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because lots of adults value living in the city, being really close to work, and being able to walk to urban amenities. In order to get that they're willing to compromise and send their kids to schools that are so-so when compared to the overall Washington metro area, but "good" for DC.

I'm sincerely not trying to be judgmental. But I think that's the main reason.

Have you seen MoCo's scores? It makes most of DCPS Ward 3 look great!

Sure but those MoCo schools aren't the ones parents who aim for HRCSs would move for.

BS. You compared DC to "overall metro area", when you do so, they are all so-so if your only measure is % that scored 4+. Thus, why not have the best of both worlds and go to a school in the 40% AND be able to walk to urban amenities? Your jealousy is showing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because lots of adults value living in the city, being really close to work, and being able to walk to urban amenities. In order to get that they're willing to compromise and send their kids to schools that are so-so when compared to the overall Washington metro area, but "good" for DC.

I'm sincerely not trying to be judgmental. But I think that's the main reason.

I agree, but I would describe it thus: my husband & I live by a certain set of values that we hope to pass along to our kids. We chose our location in DC because it embodies our values. We've chosen the best available school for our kids, with the full knowledge that it's not the Absolute Best. We're fine with second/third/etc best, education-wise--what our kids learn in school is not the most important aspect of what we as parents are giving them.

[Anonymous]

All of these testing cohorts are so small that the results speak more to the individual kids than anything else. There is no point in arguing a few percentage points, or even a few tenths when you're talking about, at most, twenty kids in a grade. I admit to being terrible at math myself, but I know enough to know that.

My child's charter school isn't even listed, btw. I guess because the testing grade is even smaller?

I think, although I could be wrong, that all the "fluffy" hrcs's all have only one class per grade in the testing age? And they're working with smaller class sizes to begin with?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of these testing cohorts are so small that the results speak more to the individual kids than anything else. There is no point in arguing a few percentage points, or even a few tenths when you're talking about, at most, twenty kids in a grade. I admit to being terrible at math myself, but I know enough to know that.

My child's charter school isn't even listed, btw. I guess because the testing grade is even smaller?

I think, although I could be wrong, that all the "fluffy" hrcs's all have only one class per grade in the testing age? And they're working with smaller class sizes to begin with?

A school and/or a testing grade must have 25 students or more to have its test scores listed / sortable by grade.

What school are you looking for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because lots of adults value living in the city, being really close to work, and being able to walk to urban amenities. In order to get that they're willing to compromise and send their kids to schools that are so-so when compared to the overall Washington metro area, but "good" for DC.

I'm sincerely not trying to be judgmental. But I think that's the main reason.

Have you seen MoCo's scores? It makes most of DCPS Ward 3 look great!

Sure but those MoCo schools aren't the ones parents who aim for HRCSs would move for.

Yes they are. Check out Westbrook and Wood Ares, for two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because most parents are savvy enough to know that you don't pick a school based strictly on test scores.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Not inspired by ITS's scores, and I say that as a long time parent. 25/18 for AA kids may be better than the DC average, but it is awful. 62/62 for white kids is quite poor also, especially compared to WOTP white scores, e.g., 81/84 at Key.

I want my bright child challenged and lifted by a room full of smart kids. Sadly, it looks like I've been kidding myself about ITS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not inspired by ITS's scores, and I say that as a long time parent. 25/18 for AA kids may be better than the DC average, but it is awful. 62/62 for white kids is quite poor also, especially compared to WOTP white scores, e.g., 81/84 at Key.

I want my bright child challenged and lifted by a room full of smart kids. Sadly, it looks like I've been kidding myself about ITS.

You - and other parents - should have a frank conversation with the principal. I'd be interested to see how they respond to these results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not inspired by ITS's scores, and I say that as a long time parent. 25/18 for AA kids may be better than the DC average, but it is awful. 62/62 for white kids is quite poor also, especially compared to WOTP white scores, e.g., 81/84 at Key.

I want my bright child challenged and lifted by a room full of smart kids. Sadly, it looks like I've been kidding myself about ITS.

what is your 3rd grader reading? Is it challenging? What are his/her friends reading? What stuff are they into? Why are you not asking these questions monthly. Why would you let test scores answer these questions and not your own two eyes. if your kids are being challenged and doing interesting work in school, you should know this. If they are not, you should also know this. Test scores should give you very little info you don't already have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because lots of adults value living in the city, being really close to work, and being able to walk to urban amenities. In order to get that they're willing to compromise and send their kids to schools that are so-so when compared to the overall Washington metro area, but "good" for DC.

I'm sincerely not trying to be judgmental. But I think that's the main reason.

Have you seen MoCo's scores? It makes most of DCPS Ward 3 look great!

Sure but those MoCo schools aren't the ones parents who aim for HRCSs would move for.

Yes they are. Check out Westbrook and Wood Ares, for two.

Where do you see scores for those schools?

[Anonymous]

Maryland Department of Education has a page - Google it

[Anonymous]

I for one didn't expect the MV numbers to be above those of CMI and ITS.