How is it possible that Walt Whitman high school has a score of 4 on greatschools.org??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Churchill doesn't seem to have a rating listed at all now. Isn't it odd that ES and MS ratings seem to have held strong in comparison to the HS ones?

Huh. That is weird. They have a "low income" ranking (6) but not an overall school one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There were disparities at all the schools I looked at, but Whitman's were the most egregious. Walter Johnson has barely any disparity.

I don't have a dog in that particular fight, but it is interesting to look at WJ vs. Whitman vs. B-CC vs. other schools in terms of outcomes for low income kids.

The new GS system gives each school a score for the school at large, and one for the low income kids. So, WJ gets an 8 in general and a 6 for low income. B-CC gets a 7 in general but a 3 for low-income kids. WJ gets an 8 in general and a 6 for low-income kids. Sherwood is 8/6 and Blair is 6/3.

It's clear to me which school I would choose if we were picking a HS.

So does Clarksburg High School! Woo hoo! I'm doubling the asking price when I put our house on the market!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The students at Whitman did blow off the PARC test and choose to not try at all. My DC goes there and said that the general atmosphere was kids bubbling in random answers, writing random essays and listening to music during the test. But this is not only the students fault! The teachers actively encouraged them to not take it seriously! My child's English teacher told them it doesn't matter and they don't have to really try because they don't have to actually pass. The teacher was laughing about how the school board used the word "sit" as in they only need to "sit" through the tests, not pass them. Other teachers made similar comments and basically implied that students should not try their hardest. Say what you will about what that says about the school but don't put the whole blame on the students. Regardless, this year the atmosphere was very different because the tests actually counted. Whitman's scores will probably go way up as will their Great Schools rating.

Wow, I'd be infuriated if I were you & would want those principals/teachers head on a stake.

I mean, what do they care, it's not their future, right?

It's only the 4 years that college administrators scrutinize the most, why should they try their hardest?? Who cares??

Are you serious?? That sounds like gross negligence to me.

Oh, but you're absolutely right, it's definitely not all of the students fault...

It's the parents fault too!

If a teacher told my kid to blow off a test & I got wind of that (which apparently, all the parents knew it was going to happen beforehand) it wouldn't matter what that teacher told my kid!
If my kid ever wanted to use the car, his cell phone, see the light of day called freedom ever again, he would have taken that test & taken it the right way.

No teacher tells my kid what to do, I have the final say when it comes to my child & my child knows that.
Looks like the inmates were running the asylum.

Sounds like Whitman definitely isn't a school I'd want to send my kid to anytime soon, especially with clowns like that in charge & kids and their parents just following along blindly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The students at Whitman did blow off the PARC test and choose to not try at all. My DC goes there and said that the general atmosphere was kids bubbling in random answers, writing random essays and listening to music during the test. But this is not only the students fault! The teachers actively encouraged them to not take it seriously! My child's English teacher told them it doesn't matter and they don't have to really try because they don't have to actually pass. The teacher was laughing about how the school board used the word "sit" as in they only need to "sit" through the tests, not pass them. Other teachers made similar comments and basically implied that students should not try their hardest. Say what you will about what that says about the school but don't put the whole blame on the students. Regardless, this year the atmosphere was very different because the tests actually counted. Whitman's scores will probably go way up as will their Great Schools rating.

lol... but of course, if the non W HS PARCC scores are low it's because the kids are just dumb, it's a bad school, even though they really tried hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students at Whitman did blow off the PARC test and choose to not try at all. My DC goes there and said that the general atmosphere was kids bubbling in random answers, writing random essays and listening to music during the test. But this is not only the students fault! The teachers actively encouraged them to not take it seriously! My child's English teacher told them it doesn't matter and they don't have to really try because they don't have to actually pass. The teacher was laughing about how the school board used the word "sit" as in they only need to "sit" through the tests, not pass them. Other teachers made similar comments and basically implied that students should not try their hardest. Say what you will about what that says about the school but don't put the whole blame on the students. Regardless, this year the atmosphere was very different because the tests actually counted. Whitman's scores will probably go way up as will their Great Schools rating.

lol... but of course, if the non W HS PARCC scores are low it's because the kids are just dumb, it's a bad school, even though they really tried hard.

Pretty convenient, huh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students at Whitman did blow off the PARC test and choose to not try at all. My DC goes there and said that the general atmosphere was kids bubbling in random answers, writing random essays and listening to music during the test. But this is not only the students fault! The teachers actively encouraged them to not take it seriously! My child's English teacher told them it doesn't matter and they don't have to really try because they don't have to actually pass. The teacher was laughing about how the school board used the word "sit" as in they only need to "sit" through the tests, not pass them. Other teachers made similar comments and basically implied that students should not try their hardest. Say what you will about what that says about the school but don't put the whole blame on the students. Regardless, this year the atmosphere was very different because the tests actually counted. Whitman's scores will probably go way up as will their Great Schools rating.

lol... but of course, if the non W HS PARCC scores are low it's because the kids are just dumb, it's a bad school, even though they really tried hard.

No, thats just an assumption and I don't believe that. Maybe kids at those schools weren't trying as well. But, there is obviously a higher indication that they were trying if other test scores such as MSA, SATs and so on are also low. Kids at Whitman clearly weren't trying because all the other test scores from the school are much higher. Therefore, it is a reasonable assumption to say that Whitman kids weren't putting effort into the test. Are you implying that I'm using effortlessness as an false excuse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students at Whitman did blow off the PARC test and choose to not try at all. My DC goes there and said that the general atmosphere was kids bubbling in random answers, writing random essays and listening to music during the test. But this is not only the students fault! The teachers actively encouraged them to not take it seriously! My child's English teacher told them it doesn't matter and they don't have to really try because they don't have to actually pass. The teacher was laughing about how the school board used the word "sit" as in they only need to "sit" through the tests, not pass them. Other teachers made similar comments and basically implied that students should not try their hardest. Say what you will about what that says about the school but don't put the whole blame on the students. Regardless, this year the atmosphere was very different because the tests actually counted. Whitman's scores will probably go way up as will their Great Schools rating.

lol... but of course, if the non W HS PARCC scores are low it's because the kids are just dumb, it's a bad school, even though they really tried hard.

No, thats just an assumption and I don't believe that. Maybe kids at those schools weren't trying as well. But, there is obviously a higher indication that they were trying if other test scores such as MSA, SATs and so on are also low. Kids at Whitman clearly weren't trying because all the other test scores from the school are much higher. Therefore, it is a reasonable assumption to say that Whitman kids weren't putting effort into the test. Are you implying that I'm using effortlessness as an false excuse?

I'm not the PP, but I can't believe you're finding any excuse to defend this.

You parents ALLOWED your kids to perform like garbage in this test. You knew beforehand that they were going to do this & you allowed them.

Like one of the PP's said, this is the time that colleges scrutinize college applicants the most.
When it comes to your child's/schools scores, are you going to write your child's college essay on the lamest excuse ever for their PARCC scores being so low?

Any excuse you give just sounds more & more ridiculous.

Face it, you allowed this to happen right under your nose & followed along blindly. Now you want to blame everyone else but you & your kid & it just sounds comical... like watching Benny Hill.

[Anonymous]

Maybe people should stop sending their kids to Whitman because of the score. They should most definitely move to the BCC and Churchill school districts. It sure would cut down on the overcrowding.

My guess is that score might be based on the fact that the kids didn't take the PARCC texting very seriously when it was first given. Many just filled in a. The test was administered to kids who were not taught the common core curriculum. They felt it was a waste of time for them to devote any effort. They already had taken HSAs and had finals among other things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students at Whitman did blow off the PARC test and choose to not try at all. My DC goes there and said that the general atmosphere was kids bubbling in random answers, writing random essays and listening to music during the test. But this is not only the students fault! The teachers actively encouraged them to not take it seriously! My child's English teacher told them it doesn't matter and they don't have to really try because they don't have to actually pass. The teacher was laughing about how the school board used the word "sit" as in they only need to "sit" through the tests, not pass them. Other teachers made similar comments and basically implied that students should not try their hardest. Say what you will about what that says about the school but don't put the whole blame on the students. Regardless, this year the atmosphere was very different because the tests actually counted. Whitman's scores will probably go way up as will their Great Schools rating.

lol... but of course, if the non W HS PARCC scores are low it's because the kids are just dumb, it's a bad school, even though they really tried hard.

No, thats just an assumption and I don't believe that. Maybe kids at those schools weren't trying as well. But, there is obviously a higher indication that they were trying if other test scores such as MSA, SATs and so on are also low. Kids at Whitman clearly weren't trying because all the other test scores from the school are much higher. Therefore, it is a reasonable assumption to say that Whitman kids weren't putting effort into the test. Are you implying that I'm using effortlessness as an false excuse?

I'm not the PP, but I can't believe you're finding any excuse to defend this.

You parents ALLOWED your kids to perform like garbage in this test. You knew beforehand that they were going to do this & you allowed them.

Like one of the PP's said, this is the time that colleges scrutinize college applicants the most.
When it comes to your child's/schools scores, are you going to write your child's college essay on the lamest excuse ever for their PARCC scores being so low?

Any excuse you give just sounds more & more ridiculous.

Face it, you allowed this to happen right under your nose & followed along blindly. Now you want to blame everyone else but you & your kid & it just sounds comical... like watching Benny Hill.

Who cares pp? I sure don't. The first year the test was given it didn't count for anything. And by the way, colleges don't see PARCC scores. Lighten up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students at Whitman did blow off the PARC test and choose to not try at all. My DC goes there and said that the general atmosphere was kids bubbling in random answers, writing random essays and listening to music during the test. But this is not only the students fault! The teachers actively encouraged them to not take it seriously! My child's English teacher told them it doesn't matter and they don't have to really try because they don't have to actually pass. The teacher was laughing about how the school board used the word "sit" as in they only need to "sit" through the tests, not pass them. Other teachers made similar comments and basically implied that students should not try their hardest. Say what you will about what that says about the school but don't put the whole blame on the students. Regardless, this year the atmosphere was very different because the tests actually counted. Whitman's scores will probably go way up as will their Great Schools rating.

lol... but of course, if the non W HS PARCC scores are low it's because the kids are just dumb, it's a bad school, even though they really tried hard.

No, thats just an assumption and I don't believe that. Maybe kids at those schools weren't trying as well. But, there is obviously a higher indication that they were trying if other test scores such as MSA, SATs and so on are also low. Kids at Whitman clearly weren't trying because all the other test scores from the school are much higher. Therefore, it is a reasonable assumption to say that Whitman kids weren't putting effort into the test. Are you implying that I'm using effortlessness as an false excuse?

I'm not the PP, but I can't believe you're finding any excuse to defend this.

You parents ALLOWED your kids to perform like garbage in this test. You knew beforehand that they were going to do this & you allowed them.

Like one of the PP's said, this is the time that colleges scrutinize college applicants the most.
When it comes to your child's/schools scores, are you going to write your child's college essay on the lamest excuse ever for their PARCC scores being so low?

Any excuse you give just sounds more & more ridiculous.

Face it, you allowed this to happen right under your nose & followed along blindly. Now you want to blame everyone else but you & your kid & it just sounds comical... like watching Benny Hill.

Who cares pp? I sure don't. The first year the test was given it didn't count for anything. And by the way, colleges don't see PARCC scores. Lighten up.

That's clear.
Just look at your child's test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students at Whitman did blow off the PARC test and choose to not try at all. My DC goes there and said that the general atmosphere was kids bubbling in random answers, writing random essays and listening to music during the test. But this is not only the students fault! The teachers actively encouraged them to not take it seriously! My child's English teacher told them it doesn't matter and they don't have to really try because they don't have to actually pass. The teacher was laughing about how the school board used the word "sit" as in they only need to "sit" through the tests, not pass them. Other teachers made similar comments and basically implied that students should not try their hardest. Say what you will about what that says about the school but don't put the whole blame on the students. Regardless, this year the atmosphere was very different because the tests actually counted. Whitman's scores will probably go way up as will their Great Schools rating.

lol... but of course, if the non W HS PARCC scores are low it's because the kids are just dumb, it's a bad school, even though they really tried hard.

No, thats just an assumption and I don't believe that. Maybe kids at those schools weren't trying as well. But, there is obviously a higher indication that they were trying if other test scores such as MSA, SATs and so on are also low. Kids at Whitman clearly weren't trying because all the other test scores from the school are much higher. Therefore, it is a reasonable assumption to say that Whitman kids weren't putting effort into the test. Are you implying that I'm using effortlessness as an false excuse?

I'm not the PP, but I can't believe you're finding any excuse to defend this.

You parents ALLOWED your kids to perform like garbage in this test. You knew beforehand that they were going to do this & you allowed them.

Like one of the PP's said, this is the time that colleges scrutinize college applicants the most.
When it comes to your child's/schools scores, are you going to write your child's college essay on the lamest excuse ever for their PARCC scores being so low?

Any excuse you give just sounds more & more ridiculous.

Face it, you allowed this to happen right under your nose & followed along blindly. Now you want to blame everyone else but you & your kid & it just sounds comical... like watching Benny Hill.

Who cares pp? I sure don't. The first year the test was given it didn't count for anything. And by the way, colleges don't see PARCC scores. Lighten up.

+1. This will have no impact on college placement at all. Colleges don't see individual student's scores and colleges don't look at great schools info to assess school quality, particularly from schools they are familiar with.

I also find it hard to believe it will impact real estate prices, but that is at least plausible if people are less familiar with the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students at Whitman did blow off the PARC test and choose to not try at all. My DC goes there and said that the general atmosphere was kids bubbling in random answers, writing random essays and listening to music during the test. But this is not only the students fault! The teachers actively encouraged them to not take it seriously! My child's English teacher told them it doesn't matter and they don't have to really try because they don't have to actually pass. The teacher was laughing about how the school board used the word "sit" as in they only need to "sit" through the tests, not pass them. Other teachers made similar comments and basically implied that students should not try their hardest. Say what you will about what that says about the school but don't put the whole blame on the students. Regardless, this year the atmosphere was very different because the tests actually counted. Whitman's scores will probably go way up as will their Great Schools rating.

lol... but of course, if the non W HS PARCC scores are low it's because the kids are just dumb, it's a bad school, even though they really tried hard.

No, thats just an assumption and I don't believe that. Maybe kids at those schools weren't trying as well. But, there is obviously a higher indication that they were trying if other test scores such as MSA, SATs and so on are also low. Kids at Whitman clearly weren't trying because all the other test scores from the school are much higher. Therefore, it is a reasonable assumption to say that Whitman kids weren't putting effort into the test. Are you implying that I'm using effortlessness as an false excuse?

Most wealthy kids prep for SATs.

Also, if those kids did well in MSA -- a standardized test -- why blow PARCC -- a standarized test?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The students at Whitman did blow off the PARC test and choose to not try at all. My DC goes there and said that the general atmosphere was kids bubbling in random answers, writing random essays and listening to music during the test. But this is not only the students fault! The teachers actively encouraged them to not take it seriously! My child's English teacher told them it doesn't matter and they don't have to really try because they don't have to actually pass. The teacher was laughing about how the school board used the word "sit" as in they only need to "sit" through the tests, not pass them. Other teachers made similar comments and basically implied that students should not try their hardest. Say what you will about what that says about the school but don't put the whole blame on the students. Regardless, this year the atmosphere was very different because the tests actually counted. Whitman's scores will probably go way up as will their Great Schools rating.

lol... but of course, if the non W HS PARCC scores are low it's because the kids are just dumb, it's a bad school, even though they really tried hard.

No, thats just an assumption and I don't believe that. Maybe kids at those schools weren't trying as well. But, there is obviously a higher indication that they were trying if other test scores such as MSA, SATs and so on are also low. Kids at Whitman clearly weren't trying because all the other test scores from the school are much higher. Therefore, it is a reasonable assumption to say that Whitman kids weren't putting effort into the test. Are you implying that I'm using effortlessness as an false excuse?

I'm not the PP, but I can't believe you're finding any excuse to defend this.

You parents ALLOWED your kids to perform like garbage in this test. You knew beforehand that they were going to do this & you allowed them.

Like one of the PP's said, this is the time that colleges scrutinize college applicants the most.
When it comes to your child's/schools scores, are you going to write your child's college essay on the lamest excuse ever for their PARCC scores being so low?

Any excuse you give just sounds more & more ridiculous.

Face it, you allowed this to happen right under your nose & followed along blindly. Now you want to blame everyone else but you & your kid & it just sounds comical... like watching Benny Hill.

Who cares pp? I sure don't. The first year the test was given it didn't count for anything. And by the way, colleges don't see PARCC scores. Lighten up.

Completely agree. Those tests counted for nothing and colleges will never see the scores. I don't have kids that go to Whitman either, but I highly doubt real estate prices will take a hit over one year of bad sores on a meaningless test. I don't condone purposely blowing a test because you think it's a joke, but clearly the teaches didn't think it was very important either. Give it a rest, I'm sure their scores will shoot right back up after this year's testing.

[Anonymous]

I agree that PARCC is a total waste of time and right after so many AP tests that many kids take. I would rather that time be spent teaching. But, I am having a hard time understanding why teachers would urge kids to do poorly and encourage "tanking" the test. If school and teachers are educators surely it is just wrong to tell your students that they should do bad on anything on purpose? Shouldn't we be teaching kids that you always try your best and even if it a test you disagree with, failing on purpose is wrong and such attitude will develop into bad attitude later on when when it counts? Life is full of things we have to do even if we think they are not important. If I and DH choose not to do something our boss tells us to do because we disagree is needed, we might lose our jobs, no? If we choose not to clean the house because we hate such waste of time and effort, and would rather live in a messy house, when we gets rats, we might rethink the importance of such a "stupid" chore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that each schools scores are based on test results & NOT the opinions or reviews of the parents (as some seem to think the scores are correlated by).

So how does:

Walter Johnson score an 8
BCC score a 7
Churchill score a 6 and
Whitman score a 4 out of 10??

The kids from Whitman are always bragging about how much money they have & they say they're "slumming it" when they hang out with kids from the other "W" schools & BCC (I've heard it myself & saw it written on social media).

So how are these kids who are so well off, going to a school with a ranking of 4 on great schools??

Aren't the parents livid?

I haven't seen anyone bragging about money or pretend slumming it, and neither have my 3 kids at Whitman. The kids we see around are all very busy and have a lot going on for them, and too much to lose to muck it up with drugs, slip ups, misjudgment. They good kids, can't wait to see them continue to grow!