KIPP is going to get another DCPS school. Where is the outrage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: What is KIPP doing that is really so different from Friendship Tech, Thurgood Marshall, and Latin? Are there really enough kids for all these schools? Remember, these are public funds that could have other uses.

All of the schools on that list, with the exception of Latin (as of now), are dedicated to serving students who do not have other good educational options -- the bast majority of their students are students of color and students from poor families. Again, that's not the case at Latin, at least not yet. The question, though, isn't how those schools are different from each other, it's how those schools are different from other schools in the area that aren't serving students well. Looking at that, I'd say opening more seats at KIPP is an EXCELLENT use of public funds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: What is KIPP doing that is really so different from Friendship Tech, Thurgood Marshall, and Latin? Are there really enough kids for all these schools? Remember, these are public funds that could have other uses.

All of the schools on that list, with the exception of Latin (as of now), are dedicated to serving students who do not have other good educational options -- the bast majority of their students are students of color and students from poor families. Again, that's not the case at Latin, at least not yet. The question, though, isn't how those schools are different from each other, it's how those schools are different from other schools in the area that aren't serving students well. Looking at that, I'd say opening more seats at KIPP is an EXCELLENT use of public funds.

Seems like the total number of students is not enough for Bard, Latin, Friendship Tech, Thurgood Marshall, and KIPP, even if you did close Anacostia or Ballou. So why spend the money?

[Anonymous]

Parents in ward 8 are tired of you telling them what is best for their child. KIPP is proposing to renovate the rec center for public use in addition to rebuilding the new high school at Ferebee Hope and the KIPP have communicated with the community that almost all of the funds for it are coming from private money. That's a huge and valuable investment in ward 8.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents in ward 8 are tired of you telling them what is best for their child. KIPP is proposing to renovate the rec center for public use in addition to rebuilding the new high school at Ferebee Hope and the KIPP have communicated with the community that almost all of the funds for it are coming from private money. That's a huge and valuable investment in ward 8.

Nothing against KIPP (I think overall they do great work), but this is one of those statements that is technically correct, but in reality false. They will likely be getting a loan to build that school- and that loan will be repaid from the annual public per pupil facilities funding. If I go get private money but will pay it back from public money, that's really public money.

[Anonymous]

KIPP is saying they've raised the money for the renovation outright - from private funding - I don't know if its true or not but they have had private donors in the past pay for renovations that were not out of public funds. Smilow Campus (the former arts and tech campus in lincoln heights in ward 7) was renovated with a private donation, not a loan.
If they want to invest more private money into ward 8 I am in full support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:KIPP is saying they've raised the money for the renovation outright - from private funding - I don't know if its true or not but they have had private donors in the past pay for renovations that were not out of public funds. Smilow Campus (the former arts and tech campus in lincoln heights in ward 7) was renovated with a private donation, not a loan.
If they want to invest more private money into ward 8 I am in full support.

The last time I checked the financial audits done by DCPCSB of KIPP they had a ton of money. Far more than any other charter system in the city. I wouldn't be surprised if they had raised private funds and were paying for it outright.

Additionally, I have a child at KIPP and its been a fantastic experience. From PK3 - 5th grade my child has loved school and we'll be staying until we either move, or my child decides they're ready for a change. It's in no way militaristic (that's a racist trope meant to imply that black children are incapable of learning unless they are in a military like environment, and its completely untrue). Please don't talk about their academics if you haven't actually been in a building, I find their behavior expectations to be high but age appropriate and lovingly enforced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Because we should be fixing the schools that we already have, rather than undermining them with new openings.

What in the recent (~25 year) history of DCPS makes you think that they can magically "fix" these schools?

Anonymous wrote: Because it is a waste of money to operate so many half-empty schools.

Then close the failing DCPS schools and redirect the funds to better support students. Propping up failing, under-enrolled schools is not a strategy.

Anonymous wrote: Because EOTR is already getting Bard and Latin II.

Hooray! It's about time Wards 7 & 8 get the top-performing schools they deserve. We should be celebrating this and celebrating KIPP taking Ferebee-Hope.

DCPS has improved significantly at the elementary and middle school level in the past 25 years and I believe those gains will filter up, along with the one-star money and Connected Schols program.

DCPS cannot close Anacostia and Ballou unless the kids have somewhere to go. Are the charters volunteering to take all those kids, all grades, all special needs, any day of the year? I doubt it. They would have a much harder time claiming to be "successful" if they had to do the work DCPS does.

There are plenty of failing charters the PCSB could focus on improving, rather than letting them malinger for 5 years at a time and then disrupting all the kids with closure.

DCPS is improving... slowly. KIPP would provide a quality high school in a year or two not in 25 years.

The PCSB is not the central office for charters. They can determine which schools open and close. They can set conditions but they don’t improve schools. Very few staffers at the PCSB have even run schools - whether traditional or charter. Their role is to hold schools accountable for meeting goals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:KIPP is saying they've raised the money for the renovation outright - from private funding - I don't know if its true or not but they have had private donors in the past pay for renovations that were not out of public funds. Smilow Campus (the former arts and tech campus in lincoln heights in ward 7) was renovated with a private donation, not a loan.
If they want to invest more private money into ward 8 I am in full support.

The last time I checked the financial audits done by DCPCSB of KIPP they had a ton of money. Far more than any other charter system in the city. I wouldn't be surprised if they had raised private funds and were paying for it outright.

Additionally, I have a child at KIPP and its been a fantastic experience. From PK3 - 5th grade my child has loved school and we'll be staying until we either move, or my child decides they're ready for a change. It's in no way militaristic (that's a racist trope meant to imply that black children are incapable of learning unless they are in a military like environment, and its completely untrue). Please don't talk about their academics if you haven't actually been in a building, I find their behavior expectations to be high but age appropriate and lovingly enforced.

If it's a racist trope it's one that they started, look at their own videos, information, and academic PDs!Perhaps they've changed, if so then they need to put out a new message....that's how they positioned themselves in the Charter movement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:KIPP is saying they've raised the money for the renovation outright - from private funding - I don't know if its true or not but they have had private donors in the past pay for renovations that were not out of public funds. Smilow Campus (the former arts and tech campus in lincoln heights in ward 7) was renovated with a private donation, not a loan.
If they want to invest more private money into ward 8 I am in full support.

The last time I checked the financial audits done by DCPCSB of KIPP they had a ton of money. Far more than any other charter system in the city. I wouldn't be surprised if they had raised private funds and were paying for it outright.

Additionally, I have a child at KIPP and its been a fantastic experience. From PK3 - 5th grade my child has loved school and we'll be staying until we either move, or my child decides they're ready for a change. It's in no way militaristic (that's a racist trope meant to imply that black children are incapable of learning unless they are in a military like environment, and its completely untrue). Please don't talk about their academics if you haven't actually been in a building, I find their behavior expectations to be high but age appropriate and lovingly enforced.

If it's a racist trope it's one that they started, look at their own videos, information, and academic PDs!Perhaps they've changed, if so then they need to put out a new message....that's how they positioned themselves in the Charter movement.

I recall the SLANT training ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:KIPP is saying they've raised the money for the renovation outright - from private funding - I don't know if its true or not but they have had private donors in the past pay for renovations that were not out of public funds. Smilow Campus (the former arts and tech campus in lincoln heights in ward 7) was renovated with a private donation, not a loan.
If they want to invest more private money into ward 8 I am in full support.

The last time I checked the financial audits done by DCPCSB of KIPP they had a ton of money. Far more than any other charter system in the city. I wouldn't be surprised if they had raised private funds and were paying for it outright.

Additionally, I have a child at KIPP and its been a fantastic experience. From PK3 - 5th grade my child has loved school and we'll be staying until we either move, or my child decides they're ready for a change. It's in no way militaristic (that's a racist trope meant to imply that black children are incapable of learning unless they are in a military like environment, and its completely untrue). Please don't talk about their academics if you haven't actually been in a building, I find their behavior expectations to be high but age appropriate and lovingly enforced.

If it's a racist trope it's one that they started, look at their own videos, information, and academic PDs!Perhaps they've changed, if so then they need to put out a new message....that's how they positioned themselves in the Charter movement.

But you are relying on stereotype without citing a current unbiased source. The PP has an actual child at a KIPP. Ergo, her argument vastly outweighs yours.

[Anonymous]

It is worth noting that the baby boom and subsequent not-moving-to-MD/VA-as-used-to-happen-a-lot that has waitlists at DCPS EOTP is citywide. Most DC kids live EOTR if I remember correctly. It makes sense to me to open a new high school option for kids who are entering the school system now.

I don't have kids at KIPP but have worked with them in various capacities and while it's not an instruction style that will work for every kid, it's also not "militaristic" or whatever OP said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:KIPP schools east of the river are some of the best options for families in ward 7 and 8. They have waitlists of hundreds of kids who want a seat. We need more great high schools and Ferebee is just sitting empty. Right now KIPP kids have to travel sometimes for hours to get to their current high school at union market. Having a ward 8 kipp high school would be great for kids and families. I’m unsure why there would be anything other than overwhelming support for this.
Also Kipp’s current high school is one of the only strong non-selective high school options in DC. Replicating the great stuff they’re doing so more kids have access to their curriculum and model is a win for everyone.
Why would anyone be outraged about more good school options?

Because we should be fixing the schools that we already have, rather than undermining them with new openings. Because it is a waste of money to operate so many half-empty schools. Because EOTR is already getting Bard and Latin II.

Do you live EOTR? Have you enrolled your child in a comprehensive high school that isn't Wilson?

My children are too young, sorry. I just don't see how enrollment projections support three new high schools. I am all for quality EOTR but how is Latin and Bard together not enough to meet the need?

Because eventually the current mayor plans to close more dcps schools widening boundaries for right to attend school. Shrinking the current dcps union and its power. Allowing charters to deal with union busting and most of th day to day stuff and political issues that go with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:KIPP schools east of the river are some of the best options for families in ward 7 and 8. They have waitlists of hundreds of kids who want a seat. We need more great high schools and Ferebee is just sitting empty. Right now KIPP kids have to travel sometimes for hours to get to their current high school at union market. Having a ward 8 kipp high school would be great for kids and families. I’m unsure why there would be anything other than overwhelming support for this.
Also Kipp’s current high school is one of the only strong non-selective high school options in DC. Replicating the great stuff they’re doing so more kids have access to their curriculum and model is a win for everyone.
Why would anyone be outraged about more good school options?

Because we should be fixing the schools that we already have, rather than undermining them with new openings. Because it is a waste of money to operate so many half-empty schools. Because EOTR is already getting Bard and Latin II.

Do you live EOTR? Have you enrolled your child in a comprehensive high school that isn't Wilson?

My children are too young, sorry. I just don't see how enrollment projections support three new high schools. I am all for quality EOTR but how is Latin and Bard together not enough to meet the need?

Because eventually the current mayor plans to close more dcps schools widening boundaries for right to attend school. Shrinking the current dcps union and its power. Allowing charters to deal with union busting and most of th day to day stuff and political issues that go with it.

This. They want to slowly fade out the neighborhood system and leave the most vulnerable kids at the mercy of charter schools that voters have no control over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:KIPP schools east of the river are some of the best options for families in ward 7 and 8. They have waitlists of hundreds of kids who want a seat. We need more great high schools and Ferebee is just sitting empty. Right now KIPP kids have to travel sometimes for hours to get to their current high school at union market. Having a ward 8 kipp high school would be great for kids and families. I’m unsure why there would be anything other than overwhelming support for this.
Also Kipp’s current high school is one of the only strong non-selective high school options in DC. Replicating the great stuff they’re doing so more kids have access to their curriculum and model is a win for everyone.
Why would anyone be outraged about more good school options?

Because we should be fixing the schools that we already have, rather than undermining them with new openings. Because it is a waste of money to operate so many half-empty schools. Because EOTR is already getting Bard and Latin II.

Do you live EOTR? Have you enrolled your child in a comprehensive high school that isn't Wilson?

My children are too young, sorry. I just don't see how enrollment projections support three new high schools. I am all for quality EOTR but how is Latin and Bard together not enough to meet the need?

Because eventually the current mayor plans to close more dcps schools widening boundaries for right to attend school. Shrinking the current dcps union and its power. Allowing charters to deal with union busting and most of th day to day stuff and political issues that go with it.

This. They want to slowly fade out the neighborhood system and leave the most vulnerable kids at the mercy of charter schools that voters have no control over.

Oh, ok. I’ve been a voter in DC for decades. There is no control over the neighborhood schools by voters. None. At least the charters are more responsive as they are afraid of losing families and getting complaints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is worth noting that the baby boom and subsequent not-moving-to-MD/VA-as-used-to-happen-a-lot that has waitlists at DCPS EOTP is citywide. Most DC kids live EOTR if I remember correctly. It makes sense to me to open a new high school option for kids who are entering the school system now.

I don't have kids at KIPP but have worked with them in various capacities and while it's not an instruction style that will work for every kid, it's also not "militaristic" or whatever OP said.

No single instructional style works for "every kid".