Why don't DC parents fix their schools?

[Anonymous]

OP, many DC parents are quite actively engaged in changing the school system. SOme of us are lucky enough to live in districts with great schools (in my case, Oyster-- which we love). Others do not. Parents in the Ross neighborhood have made great strides in bringing that school along so that they don't have to choose between the neighborhood they love and a quality education. Ditto in many other areas.

It's not only the wealthy parents, at least not anymore. If you're involved at all with charter schools, then you know how many parents in underserved areas have made huge efforts to get their schools to these PUBLIC institutions and then to support those communities as they thrive. Many parents participate on restructuring committees, and so many are doing what we can to show the Chancellor and our principals what we value most.

For many parents-- in fact, most in DC-- active involvement is exceptionally difficult. If you work several jobs, typically outside of your impoverished community, and have to raise your kids and maybe elderly relatives all on too little money, effecting structural change in the schools is hard.

As for how "We" all let it get so bad, well, you need a lesson in the structural inequalities that make financing DC schools so difficult, starting from the hemmorhage of tax dollars to the suburbs, continuing with exceptionally old buildings on scarce land. Did you know that the bond issues that suburban school districts use for their shiny new buildings do not count toward calculating cost-per-student figures? They don't. But repairing a 70-year-old roof, exterminating rats in an ancient city building, and ripping out non-functioning toilets installed in the 50s do count. As do security guards.

DC government shares the blame for the schools' problems. It was incompetent for decades, which led to the more affluent students fleeing to suburbs or private schools. But we are up against a lot.

[Anonymous]

Just checking in today to see of all those "lazy" public school parents have fixed everything.

I also need a mirror to be hung....when you are done...could you just stop by....

[Anonymous]

The assumption that parents are the ones who have fixed schools is arrogant. Parents who are supporters of schools spend some quality hours there certainly, but it is the school leaders and staff that are doing the work to "fix" schools. Let's give them some credit!