Bard Early College HS in Ward 7/8

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If SWW, McKinley, and Banneker cannot fill up on kids with 5/5, where are the additional 150 for this school.going to come from?

The only middle schools with 10 or more students with 5s on PARCCC ELA are Deal, Hardy, KIPP Key, BASIS and Washington Latin. DCI had 9.

https://osse.dc.gov/node/1348731

Don't make too much of the 5s. The PARCC cut score is deigned to have a very low percentage of 5s. If there were more, they would change the test and raise the cut score. They track it. The test is designed so that 4 is college ready score. Frankly the test would be just as valid if they did away with 5s altogether.

This chart shows how across all states using the test, the % of 5s is very low. This is intentional. Note also that when you get to math subject tests, you don't really have many 5s because it is one thing to be advanced in math generally as a 3rd grader (9.1%), but awkward to say someone is advanced in a specific Algebra II curriculum (1.8%). You either learned it or you didn't. Anyone getting a 4+ learned it.

https://www.politico.com/states/f/?id=00000158-73e6-dc8a-a15c-fffe6d460000

Still, the number of 8th graders with 5/5 scores is very small. And if you take out the number who would consider Early College but happen to prefer Ellington, Wilson, SWW, Banneker, or McKinley, and then rule out everyone who would find the commute too long, that leaves hardly anyone.

I predict this will go nowhere, and if it does, it will be watered-down and nowhere near the actual academic level of Early College. DCPS needs to focus on its actual problems and the abysmal functioning of the schools that it has, not dangle shiny objects. I'm all for better serving kids EOTR, but how about-- I know it sounds crazy-- actually meeting the needs of all the kids from PK3 onward?

The point is that 5 are not relevant. The benchmark for college readiness is a 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If SWW, McKinley, and Banneker cannot fill up on kids with 5/5, where are the additional 150 for this school.going to come from?

The only middle schools with 10 or more students with 5s on PARCCC ELA are Deal, Hardy, KIPP Key, BASIS and Washington Latin. DCI had 9.

https://osse.dc.gov/node/1348731

Don't make too much of the 5s. The PARCC cut score is deigned to have a very low percentage of 5s. If there were more, they would change the test and raise the cut score. They track it. The test is designed so that 4 is college ready score. Frankly the test would be just as valid if they did away with 5s altogether.

This chart shows how across all states using the test, the % of 5s is very low. This is intentional. Note also that when you get to math subject tests, you don't really have many 5s because it is one thing to be advanced in math generally as a 3rd grader (9.1%), but awkward to say someone is advanced in a specific Algebra II curriculum (1.8%). You either learned it or you didn't. Anyone getting a 4+ learned it.

https://www.politico.com/states/f/?id=00000158-73e6-dc8a-a15c-fffe6d460000

Still, the number of 8th graders with 5/5 scores is very small. And if you take out the number who would consider Early College but happen to prefer Ellington, Wilson, SWW, Banneker, or McKinley, and then rule out everyone who would find the commute too long, that leaves hardly anyone.

I predict this will go nowhere, and if it does, it will be watered-down and nowhere near the actual academic level of Early College. DCPS needs to focus on its actual problems and the abysmal functioning of the schools that it has, not dangle shiny objects. I'm all for better serving kids EOTR, but how about-- I know it sounds crazy-- actually meeting the needs of all the kids from PK3 onward?

The point is that 5 are not relevant. The benchmark for college readiness is a 4.

Oh come on. Scoring a 4 in 8th grade means the student is proficient in 8th grade coursework and is on track to attend college IN FOUR YEARS. It does not mean the student is ready for Early College starting in a few months. Early College is supposed to be more challenging than the Honors classes at a good high school. An 8th grader scoring a 4 would not even be eligible for that. Those kids score 5s.

[Anonymous]

That’s certainly a question. How many PARCC 5s are residents of wards 7 or 8?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If SWW, McKinley, and Banneker cannot fill up on kids with 5/5, where are the additional 150 for this school.going to come from?

The only middle schools with 10 or more students with 5s on PARCCC ELA are Deal, Hardy, KIPP Key, BASIS and Washington Latin. DCI had 9.

https://osse.dc.gov/node/1348731

Don't make too much of the 5s. The PARCC cut score is deigned to have a very low percentage of 5s. If there were more, they would change the test and raise the cut score. They track it. The test is designed so that 4 is college ready score. Frankly the test would be just as valid if they did away with 5s altogether.

This chart shows how across all states using the test, the % of 5s is very low. This is intentional. Note also that when you get to math subject tests, you don't really have many 5s because it is one thing to be advanced in math generally as a 3rd grader (9.1%), but awkward to say someone is advanced in a specific Algebra II curriculum (1.8%). You either learned it or you didn't. Anyone getting a 4+ learned it.

https://www.politico.com/states/f/?id=00000158-73e6-dc8a-a15c-fffe6d460000

Still, the number of 8th graders with 5/5 scores is very small. And if you take out the number who would consider Early College but happen to prefer Ellington, Wilson, SWW, Banneker, or McKinley, and then rule out everyone who would find the commute too long, that leaves hardly anyone.

I predict this will go nowhere, and if it does, it will be watered-down and nowhere near the actual academic level of Early College. DCPS needs to focus on its actual problems and the abysmal functioning of the schools that it has, not dangle shiny objects. I'm all for better serving kids EOTR, but how about-- I know it sounds crazy-- actually meeting the needs of all the kids from PK3 onward?

The admissions will be by interview, not test score, so not sure why all this commentary on PARCC scores.

Because the point is, there just won't be enough kids who are truly on the Early College academic level to make this school work as intended.

Does it offend you that Ward 7 and 8 kids with mere 4s on PARCC who may "just" end up at Towson might be able to benefit from this program? Is it that you think your own child deserves a better middle school instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If SWW, McKinley, and Banneker cannot fill up on kids with 5/5, where are the additional 150 for this school.going to come from?

The only middle schools with 10 or more students with 5s on PARCCC ELA are Deal, Hardy, KIPP Key, BASIS and Washington Latin. DCI had 9.

https://osse.dc.gov/node/1348731

Don't make too much of the 5s. The PARCC cut score is deigned to have a very low percentage of 5s. If there were more, they would change the test and raise the cut score. They track it. The test is designed so that 4 is college ready score. Frankly the test would be just as valid if they did away with 5s altogether.

This chart shows how across all states using the test, the % of 5s is very low. This is intentional. Note also that when you get to math subject tests, you don't really have many 5s because it is one thing to be advanced in math generally as a 3rd grader (9.1%), but awkward to say someone is advanced in a specific Algebra II curriculum (1.8%). You either learned it or you didn't. Anyone getting a 4+ learned it.

https://www.politico.com/states/f/?id=00000158-73e6-dc8a-a15c-fffe6d460000

Still, the number of 8th graders with 5/5 scores is very small. And if you take out the number who would consider Early College but happen to prefer Ellington, Wilson, SWW, Banneker, or McKinley, and then rule out everyone who would find the commute too long, that leaves hardly anyone.

I predict this will go nowhere, and if it does, it will be watered-down and nowhere near the actual academic level of Early College. DCPS needs to focus on its actual problems and the abysmal functioning of the schools that it has, not dangle shiny objects. I'm all for better serving kids EOTR, but how about-- I know it sounds crazy-- actually meeting the needs of all the kids from PK3 onward?

The point is that 5 are not relevant. The benchmark for college readiness is a 4.

Oh come on. Scoring a 4 in 8th grade means the student is proficient in 8th grade coursework and is on track to attend college IN FOUR YEARS. It does not mean the student is ready for Early College starting in a few months. Early College is supposed to be more challenging than the Honors classes at a good high school. An 8th grader scoring a 4 would not even be eligible for that. Those kids score 5s.

How do you know they won't do very well when challenged? So hypocritical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If SWW, McKinley, and Banneker cannot fill up on kids with 5/5, where are the additional 150 for this school.going to come from?

The only middle schools with 10 or more students with 5s on PARCCC ELA are Deal, Hardy, KIPP Key, BASIS and Washington Latin. DCI had 9.

https://osse.dc.gov/node/1348731

Don't make too much of the 5s. The PARCC cut score is deigned to have a very low percentage of 5s. If there were more, they would change the test and raise the cut score. They track it. The test is designed so that 4 is college ready score. Frankly the test would be just as valid if they did away with 5s altogether.

This chart shows how across all states using the test, the % of 5s is very low. This is intentional. Note also that when you get to math subject tests, you don't really have many 5s because it is one thing to be advanced in math generally as a 3rd grader (9.1%), but awkward to say someone is advanced in a specific Algebra II curriculum (1.8%). You either learned it or you didn't. Anyone getting a 4+ learned it.

https://www.politico.com/states/f/?id=00000158-73e6-dc8a-a15c-fffe6d460000

Still, the number of 8th graders with 5/5 scores is very small. And if you take out the number who would consider Early College but happen to prefer Ellington, Wilson, SWW, Banneker, or McKinley, and then rule out everyone who would find the commute too long, that leaves hardly anyone.

I predict this will go nowhere, and if it does, it will be watered-down and nowhere near the actual academic level of Early College. DCPS needs to focus on its actual problems and the abysmal functioning of the schools that it has, not dangle shiny objects. I'm all for better serving kids EOTR, but how about-- I know it sounds crazy-- actually meeting the needs of all the kids from PK3 onward?

The admissions will be by interview, not test score, so not sure why all this commentary on PARCC scores.

Because the point is, there just won't be enough kids who are truly on the Early College academic level to make this school work as intended.

Does it offend you that Ward 7 and 8 kids with mere 4s on PARCC who may "just" end up at Towson might be able to benefit from this program? Is it that you think your own child deserves a better middle school instead?

I think all the children deserve a better middle school.

I am all for kids being challenged, but to call this Early College is ridiculous. It would be a magnet high school with strong academics.

[Anonymous]

From the Washington Post -- the whole discussion of who will be picked / advanced is not in line with Bard's stated approach:

"Bard High School Early College will function like a magnet school, and students across the city can apply if they want to attend. Bard will interview applicants and require a writing sample but will not consider test scores or transcripts in the selection process.

“We are looking for students who are not necessarily perfect on paper, but students who demonstrate a spark or intellectual curiosity,” said Clara Haskell Botstein, the associate vice president of Bard Early Colleges. “We seek out and identify talent in nontraditional ways.”

Haskell Botstein said the school is seeking teachers who have doctorate degrees and college teaching experience. Once hired, they will be on the District’s payroll and considered assistant professors at Bard College.

D.C. Public Education Fund, a fundraising organization created in 2007 to support reform efforts in the public school system, will help fund the launch of Bard High School Early College. Once it hits full capacity — more than 100 students per grade — the school system will cover its costs through its standard funding allocations."

[Anonymous]

Looking at PARCC scores in wards 7 and 8 doesn't give you a full picture because many ward 7 and 8 students go across town to other highschools.

[Anonymous]

I really don’t want to hear another word about the need for coordination and planning across the education sectors and how charters open without concern for the neighboring DCPS schools.

This school is being opened in under a year (with apps due in 10 weeks) with literally no community engagement, specifically to try and claw back students from charter schools (stated in the WaPo).

It isn’t about helping all kids but trying to peel back higher performers from elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking at PARCC scores in wards 7 and 8 doesn't give you a full picture because many ward 7 and 8 students go across town to other highschools.

Yes that’s why I asked about residents.

And the fear I have is that students from the rest of DC, especially high performers, aren’t going to go to Ward 7 or 8 for school in pretty much any circumstance I can imagine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking at PARCC scores in wards 7 and 8 doesn't give you a full picture because many ward 7 and 8 students go across town to other highschools.

Yes that’s why I asked about residents.

And the fear I have is that students from the rest of DC, especially high performers, aren’t going to go to Ward 7 or 8 for school in pretty much any circumstance I can imagine.

If you read the WaPo story, they don't really want or expect families from other parts of the city to go there. They are doing this for students who live in Ward 7 and 8

[Anonymous]

Good piece on the Bard program. It's a liberal arts focused program that's designed to foster critical thinking, not just a bridge to technical schools as some other "early college" programs (the article cites in Houston welding programs to prep for trade school as an example).

The Bard model began at Simon Rock, a respected private school in the Berkshires, and has expanded to other urban areas. It'a an interesting concept. They require essays and interview for admission and not grades/attendance. They're looking for students capable of critical thinking, including but not limited to students who've been overlooked/neglected in the school system.

https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/12/early-college-isnt-a-new-idea/509759/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking at PARCC scores in wards 7 and 8 doesn't give you a full picture because many ward 7 and 8 students go across town to other highschools.

Yes that’s why I asked about residents.

And the fear I have is that students from the rest of DC, especially high performers, aren’t going to go to Ward 7 or 8 for school in pretty much any circumstance I can imagine.

If you read the WaPo story, they don't really want or expect families from other parts of the city to go there. They are doing this for students who live in Ward 7 and 8

That's no more true anymore than suggesting SWW doesn't want students from Wards 7 & 8

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking at PARCC scores in wards 7 and 8 doesn't give you a full picture because many ward 7 and 8 students go across town to other highschools.

Yes that’s why I asked about residents.

And the fear I have is that students from the rest of DC, especially high performers, aren’t going to go to Ward 7 or 8 for school in pretty much any circumstance I can imagine.

If you read the WaPo story, they don't really want or expect families from other parts of the city to go there. They are doing this for students who live in Ward 7 and 8

That's no more true anymore than suggesting SWW doesn't want students from Wards 7 & 8

^^ I'll grammar police myself "any more"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking at PARCC scores in wards 7 and 8 doesn't give you a full picture because many ward 7 and 8 students go across town to other highschools.

Yes that’s why I asked about residents.

And the fear I have is that students from the rest of DC, especially high performers, aren’t going to go to Ward 7 or 8 for school in pretty much any circumstance I can imagine.

If you read the WaPo story, they don't really want or expect families from other parts of the city to go there. They are doing this for students who live in Ward 7 and 8

That's no more true anymore than suggesting SWW doesn't want students from Wards 7 & 8

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-partners-with-college-to-offer-associate-degree-to-high-schoolers-in-poorest-neighborhoods/2018/10/17/7adaaac6-d227-11e8-8c22-fa2ef74bd6d6_story.html?utm_term=.6defbc838b5b

D.C. partners with college to offer associates degree to high schoolers in poorest neighborhoods

"...The city hopes a liberal arts college curriculum can boost the performance of high school students living in neighborhoods with the District’s highest dropout rates and meet families’ demands for more rigorous education options in poorer areas of the city.

The Bard High School Early College would operate out of a vacant school building or an existing school in the District, though it would be a separate operation with its own principal and faculty.

The program is expected to be housed in a building east of the Anacostia River — the swath of the city with the highest concentration of impoverished children. The city said it will collect feedback from the public in coming months to determine the building it should select.

'With Bard High School Early College, we are answering the community’s call for more early college options and building new pathways to college for our young people,' Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said in a news release announcing the partnership Wednesday."