Walls admissions article in the Post

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

Are you aware of any matriculation data to suggest that this "deterioration" has actually occurred outside of your own mind? Serious question because if one assumes an excellent high school's primary goal is to get kids into the colleges they desire then that it the test.

Walls parents know that the quality of admissions went down when they scrapped the admissions test.

I'm curious, how do they know that--test scores, college admissions, etc.? Last year was the first year so are they physic?

No, when they spoke to their kids.

I guess you don’t speak to yours.

Yelp...as expected more BS without any substance....

No wonder your kids don’t talk to you. You sound like an ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

Any sense of grade inflation continuing at Walls or Wilson? Grading at most schools is uneven. AP course work and scores is the better indicator than GPA but most HS students don't take significant AP load until 2nd half of HS

Grade inflation is here to stay but it’s due to DCPS policy, not the individual schools. You cannot receive lower than a 63 on any assignment, test, quiz, etc. that you turn in. So kids can fail every test they take and still get a B+ in a class.

How can a student fail every test/assignment/quiz (63%) and still earn a B+? That math doesn’t make sense.

Tests and quizzes are 40% of the overall grade. 63% of 40% is 25ish. So if they get full credit for class work (which you can correct, redo etc) and participation then you get an 85%. So maybe not a B+ but a B.

[Anonymous]

Also I said they could fail every test and get a B+, not every assignment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

Are you aware of any matriculation data to suggest that this "deterioration" has actually occurred outside of your own mind? Serious question because if one assumes an excellent high school's primary goal is to get kids into the colleges they desire then that it the test.

Not sure what type of matriculation data you are talking about (matriculation to Walls? college matriculation data?)...either way, not clear what hypothesis you are testing or how matriculation data would help (matriculation data is data on who goes to a school they are accepted to, not what schools they are accepted to). In any event, college acceptances over the past couple of years have been turned upside down across the board due to COVID/test optional so there's really no way to discern any patterns...

And, as for your comment about whether the "deterioration" has occurred anywhere other than my mind, it's an obnoxious question/comment...like so many on DCUM...but for any serious people that might be on here looking for information that might actually help them make decisions about their kids education, I fully admit it is anecdotal. But it is sometimes helpful to hear from parents who: 1) have some longitudinal experience at a school; and 2) have some comparative experience with peer schools. I have both. Based on the experience we have had, Walls has deteriorated. It is likely the best option that some have (for those that get in) and a better choice for some than Wilson (for those who have that choice)...but for many it may be a worse choice than Wilson. In our experience, the teachers are (on average) worse (though there are some good ones). They seem to think that more work means better teaching. There are fewer options for APs and rigorous academic clubs. The administration is unresponsive. These issues were true for my older one that went through Walls but have gotten worse.

The matriculation data about which I inquired was obviously college data. Seems like you acknowledge that there isn't any such data to prove your hypothesis. What is noteworthy is that you suggest that covid will screw with recent data so even if data were to suggest no material change you would dismiss it. Let's pull that thread a but, shall we? Would not the same covid theory apply to your "deterioration" theory at Walls? A lot of what you say has gotten worse would surely have been exacerbated by covid (fewer clubs, overworked and unresponsive admins, teacher attrition).

You got to the heart of my question when you said, "I fully admit it is anecdotal." I don't object to anecdotal observations or single points of data. My objection is to people who come in with a theory and then pick and choose facts in support of it while ignoring other facts or factors. In your case you actually embraced a material factor (covid) to dismiss the lack of matriculation data deterioration but refused to even for a moment consider how that factor might be implicated in your "deterioration" observations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there demographic information available showing the 9th grade class at Walls? And if so do we know how it compares to prior years?

What would the demographic information tell you about the quality of accepted students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

Any sense of grade inflation continuing at Walls or Wilson? Grading at most schools is uneven. AP course work and scores is the better indicator than GPA but most HS students don't take significant AP load until 2nd half of HS

Grade inflation is here to stay but it’s due to DCPS policy, not the individual schools. You cannot receive lower than a 63 on any assignment, test, quiz, etc. that you turn in. So kids can fail every test they take and still get a B+ in a class.

How can a student fail every test/assignment/quiz (63%) and still earn a B+? That math doesn’t make sense.

Tests and quizzes are 40% of the overall grade. 63% of 40% is 25ish. So if they get full credit for class work (which you can correct, redo etc) and participation then you get an 85%. So maybe not a B+ but a B.

At my children’s school (DCPS/WotP), assignments can be redone with a maximum grade of 86% possible (even if you get 100% on the redo). The weighting of quizzes/tests vary by teacher/school. So at my children’s school, it’s highly unlikely that a student can fail every quiz/text (with a 63%), and make a maximum of 86% of redone assignments and earn a final B grade. The student who is failing every quiz/test is most likely not making above an 86% on their first attempt at assignments.

The student who is failing every quiz/test will most likely earn a D or an F (or some sort of C if they get it together in time).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

Any sense of grade inflation continuing at Walls or Wilson? Grading at most schools is uneven. AP course work and scores is the better indicator than GPA but most HS students don't take significant AP load until 2nd half of HS

Grade inflation is here to stay but it’s due to DCPS policy, not the individual schools. You cannot receive lower than a 63 on any assignment, test, quiz, etc. that you turn in. So kids can fail every test they take and still get a B+ in a class.

How can a student fail every test/assignment/quiz (63%) and still earn a B+? That math doesn’t make sense.

Tests and quizzes are 40% of the overall grade. 63% of 40% is 25ish. So if they get full credit for class work (which you can correct, redo etc) and participation then you get an 85%. So maybe not a B+ but a B.

At my children’s school (DCPS/WotP), assignments can be redone with a maximum grade of 86% possible (even if you get 100% on the redo). The weighting of quizzes/tests vary by teacher/school. So at my children’s school, it’s highly unlikely that a student can fail every quiz/text (with a 63%), and make a maximum of 86% of redone assignments and earn a final B grade. The student who is failing every quiz/test is most likely not making above an 86% on their first attempt at assignments.

The student who is failing every quiz/test will most likely earn a D or an F (or some sort of C if they get it together in time).

Then your child’s school is not following DCPS grading policy. Just look it up. 40% assessments, 50% practice and application, 10% engagement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

Any sense of grade inflation continuing at Walls or Wilson? Grading at most schools is uneven. AP course work and scores is the better indicator than GPA but most HS students don't take significant AP load until 2nd half of HS

Grade inflation is here to stay but it’s due to DCPS policy, not the individual schools. You cannot receive lower than a 63 on any assignment, test, quiz, etc. that you turn in. So kids can fail every test they take and still get a B+ in a class.

How can a student fail every test/assignment/quiz (63%) and still earn a B+? That math doesn’t make sense.

Tests and quizzes are 40% of the overall grade. 63% of 40% is 25ish. So if they get full credit for class work (which you can correct, redo etc) and participation then you get an 85%. So maybe not a B+ but a B.

At my children’s school (DCPS/WotP), assignments can be redone with a maximum grade of 86% possible (even if you get 100% on the redo). The weighting of quizzes/tests vary by teacher/school. So at my children’s school, it’s highly unlikely that a student can fail every quiz/text (with a 63%), and make a maximum of 86% of redone assignments and earn a final B grade. The student who is failing every quiz/test is most likely not making above an 86% on their first attempt at assignments.

The student who is failing every quiz/test will most likely earn a D or an F (or some sort of C if they get it together in time).

And the maximum grade of 86 is supposed to be for late assignments, not redone assignments turned in on time. But again your child’s school/teacher is not following DCPS grading policy. Many schools are, as that is the written policy. And you can fight your kid’s grade if assessments are worth more than 40%. I would.

[Anonymous]

I don’t see what all this talk about minimum grades has to do with Walls. My kid only made it through 7th grade on those rules (tons of red 50s and orange 63s in Aspen). Missed the Walls cutoff by a mile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

Any sense of grade inflation continuing at Walls or Wilson? Grading at most schools is uneven. AP course work and scores is the better indicator than GPA but most HS students don't take significant AP load until 2nd half of HS

Grade inflation is here to stay but it’s due to DCPS policy, not the individual schools. You cannot receive lower than a 63 on any assignment, test, quiz, etc. that you turn in. So kids can fail every test they take and still get a B+ in a class.

How can a student fail every test/assignment/quiz (63%) and still earn a B+? That math doesn’t make sense.

Tests and quizzes are 40% of the overall grade. 63% of 40% is 25ish. So if they get full credit for class work (which you can correct, redo etc) and participation then you get an 85%. So maybe not a B+ but a B.

At my children’s school (DCPS/WotP), assignments can be redone with a maximum grade of 86% possible (even if you get 100% on the redo). The weighting of quizzes/tests vary by teacher/school. So at my children’s school, it’s highly unlikely that a student can fail every quiz/text (with a 63%), and make a maximum of 86% of redone assignments and earn a final B grade. The student who is failing every quiz/test is most likely not making above an 86% on their first attempt at assignments.

The student who is failing every quiz/test will most likely earn a D or an F (or some sort of C if they get it together in time).

And the maximum grade of 86 is supposed to be for late assignments, not redone assignments turned in on time. But again your child’s school/teacher is not following DCPS grading policy. Many schools are, as that is the written policy. And you can fight your kid’s grade if assessments are worth more than 40%. I would.

No, the 86% maximum is for both late assignments and redone assignments (turned in on time).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

Are you aware of any matriculation data to suggest that this "deterioration" has actually occurred outside of your own mind? Serious question because if one assumes an excellent high school's primary goal is to get kids into the colleges they desire then that it the test.

Not sure what type of matriculation data you are talking about (matriculation to Walls? college matriculation data?)...either way, not clear what hypothesis you are testing or how matriculation data would help (matriculation data is data on who goes to a school they are accepted to, not what schools they are accepted to). In any event, college acceptances over the past couple of years have been turned upside down across the board due to COVID/test optional so there's really no way to discern any patterns...

And, as for your comment about whether the "deterioration" has occurred anywhere other than my mind, it's an obnoxious question/comment...like so many on DCUM...but for any serious people that might be on here looking for information that might actually help them make decisions about their kids education, I fully admit it is anecdotal. But it is sometimes helpful to hear from parents who: 1) have some longitudinal experience at a school; and 2) have some comparative experience with peer schools. I have both. Based on the experience we have had, Walls has deteriorated. It is likely the best option that some have (for those that get in) and a better choice for some than Wilson (for those who have that choice)...but for many it may be a worse choice than Wilson. In our experience, the teachers are (on average) worse (though there are some good ones). They seem to think that more work means better teaching. There are fewer options for APs and rigorous academic clubs. The administration is unresponsive. These issues were true for my older one that went through Walls but have gotten worse.

The matriculation data about which I inquired was obviously college data. Seems like you acknowledge that there isn't any such data to prove your hypothesis. What is noteworthy is that you suggest that covid will screw with recent data so even if data were to suggest no material change you would dismiss it. Let's pull that thread a but, shall we? Would not the same covid theory apply to your "deterioration" theory at Walls? A lot of what you say has gotten worse would surely have been exacerbated by covid (fewer clubs, overworked and unresponsive admins, teacher attrition).

You got to the heart of my question when you said, "I fully admit it is anecdotal." I don't object to anecdotal observations or single points of data. My objection is to people who come in with a theory and then pick and choose facts in support of it while ignoring other facts or factors. In your case you actually embraced a material factor (covid) to dismiss the lack of matriculation data deterioration but refused to even for a moment consider how that factor might be implicated in your "deterioration" observations.

Good lord that's a lot of word vomit---I'm not the prior poster but am a statistician by training and have no idea what you mean by "matriculation data deterioration" or whatever larger point you're trying to make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

+1
This is our experience too...we have had two go through Walls (one graduated a couple of years ago) and one at Wilson. Walls has deteriorated pretty substantially since our first went through...

Are you aware of any matriculation data to suggest that this "deterioration" has actually occurred outside of your own mind? Serious question because if one assumes an excellent high school's primary goal is to get kids into the colleges they desire then that it the test.

Not sure what type of matriculation data you are talking about (matriculation to Walls? college matriculation data?)...either way, not clear what hypothesis you are testing or how matriculation data would help (matriculation data is data on who goes to a school they are accepted to, not what schools they are accepted to). In any event, college acceptances over the past couple of years have been turned upside down across the board due to COVID/test optional so there's really no way to discern any patterns...

And, as for your comment about whether the "deterioration" has occurred anywhere other than my mind, it's an obnoxious question/comment...like so many on DCUM...but for any serious people that might be on here looking for information that might actually help them make decisions about their kids education, I fully admit it is anecdotal. But it is sometimes helpful to hear from parents who: 1) have some longitudinal experience at a school; and 2) have some comparative experience with peer schools. I have both. Based on the experience we have had, Walls has deteriorated. It is likely the best option that some have (for those that get in) and a better choice for some than Wilson (for those who have that choice)...but for many it may be a worse choice than Wilson. In our experience, the teachers are (on average) worse (though there are some good ones). They seem to think that more work means better teaching. There are fewer options for APs and rigorous academic clubs. The administration is unresponsive. These issues were true for my older one that went through Walls but have gotten worse.

The matriculation data about which I inquired was obviously college data. Seems like you acknowledge that there isn't any such data to prove your hypothesis. What is noteworthy is that you suggest that covid will screw with recent data so even if data were to suggest no material change you would dismiss it. Let's pull that thread a but, shall we? Would not the same covid theory apply to your "deterioration" theory at Walls? A lot of what you say has gotten worse would surely have been exacerbated by covid (fewer clubs, overworked and unresponsive admins, teacher attrition).

You got to the heart of my question when you said, "I fully admit it is anecdotal." I don't object to anecdotal observations or single points of data. My objection is to people who come in with a theory and then pick and choose facts in support of it while ignoring other facts or factors. In your case you actually embraced a material factor (covid) to dismiss the lack of matriculation data deterioration but refused to even for a moment consider how that factor might be implicated in your "deterioration" observations.

Good lord that's a lot of word vomit---I'm not the prior poster but am a statistician by training and have no idea what you mean by "matriculation data deterioration" or whatever larger point you're trying to make.

As a statistician by training was English not your first language? Did they not teach you to read through all the data and support before starting your work? Had you read the post to which I replied you'd have noted that I asked about "matriculation data". Since you seem not so good with the English I will explain to you that it is a reference to data on where kids who graduate matriculate. The person then responded and introduced some sort of concept of "deterioration"; I sarcastically applied that concept back from whence it came.

Are you the same rocket scientist who replies to all posts on DCUM with "word vomit" when the words and concepts get too complex for you? If reading is that hard for you then by all means close the browser and go do something that doesn't make you feel bad about your intellect.

It's not hard when you break down the whole sentences into bite sized concepts. You should try it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did you hear?

Also, does anyone know if Walls has any plans to reinstate the test? My DC is a rising 8th grader and without the test I don't see any point of having him apply...if the requirements are absurd inflated DCPS grades and interviews, the advantage of Walls over Wilson (academically stronger peer group) will no longer be strong enough to make up for the disadvantages.

Walls will still be filled with straight A kids, this is the advantage over Wilson, all other considerations being equal (like proximity form your house).

Right...but straight A isn't what it used to be given grade inflation. Something like 40 percent of Deal gets straight As (and I've hear that it's higher at some other schools). So, yes, there is some advantage but it is mainly one of behavior/discipline...and, while that may be a big advantage--especially if your kid is really bothered by disruption/hallway tussles--don't kid yourself that your DC will be surrounded by "high achievers" at Walls. The question is whether that advantage outweighs the disadvantages of Walls (e.g., if your option is Wilson, far fewer clubs/extracurriculars, APs, overall teacher quality). Having a kid at each right now, it's kind of a wash.

Any sense of grade inflation continuing at Walls or Wilson? Grading at most schools is uneven. AP course work and scores is the better indicator than GPA but most HS students don't take significant AP load until 2nd half of HS

Grade inflation is here to stay but it’s due to DCPS policy, not the individual schools. You cannot receive lower than a 63 on any assignment, test, quiz, etc. that you turn in. So kids can fail every test they take and still get a B+ in a class.

How can a student fail every test/assignment/quiz (63%) and still earn a B+? That math doesn’t make sense.

Tests and quizzes are 40% of the overall grade. 63% of 40% is 25ish. So if they get full credit for class work (which you can correct, redo etc) and participation then you get an 85%. So maybe not a B+ but a B.

At my children’s school (DCPS/WotP), assignments can be redone with a maximum grade of 86% possible (even if you get 100% on the redo). The weighting of quizzes/tests vary by teacher/school. So at my children’s school, it’s highly unlikely that a student can fail every quiz/text (with a 63%), and make a maximum of 86% of redone assignments and earn a final B grade. The student who is failing every quiz/test is most likely not making above an 86% on their first attempt at assignments.

The student who is failing every quiz/test will most likely earn a D or an F (or some sort of C if they get it together in time).

And the maximum grade of 86 is supposed to be for late assignments, not redone assignments turned in on time. But again your child’s school/teacher is not following DCPS grading policy. Many schools are, as that is the written policy. And you can fight your kid’s grade if assessments are worth more than 40%. I would.

No, the 86% maximum is for both late assignments and redone assignments (turned in on time).

No the grading policy does not say redone work can at max be 86%. Only late submissions.

[url] https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Secondary-Grading-and-Reporting-Policy-8621.pdf

[Anonymous]

Even if grading across the board at DC middle schools has gotten easier during the pandemic, won't this affect all kids relatively equally? Meaning, those who would have had a B average instead have a B+ average, but those who would have had a B+ average instead have an A average?

Maybe there are a few outliers here and there, but if you're taking the top 500 kids who apply across the city, won't those pretty much be the same kids regardless?

I'm not sure how the academic quality of student body would dramatically plummet if there pulling from the same top 500?
(Now, the heavy weighting of the interview is another story, but Walls typically goes pretty far down the waitlist so if your kid was ranked 175 instead of 75, there's a good chance they'll get an offer anyway)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone file a FOIA request yet?

Surprised that the Washington Post hasn’t jumped on this?

😉

The FOIA request will take 3 weeks, minimum, once submitted...and DCPS will stretch in out another 3-4 most likely.

Can someone confirm that he/she submitted it?

Reupping: Has anyone filed a FOIA request yet?