Is there a big-city school system that is a good model?

[Anonymous]

I know that many big-city school systems are dismal, DCPS is pretty much middle of the pack as far as I can tell. But is there a city we can look to for hope and inspiration? Is there a place where we can say, "that's how it should be done"?

Or is it just the nature of the beast that urban school systems don't work?

[Anonymous]

This depends on what your "schools that work" goals are - High standardized test scores? Higher order thinking skills that lead to college preparedness? Differentiated and individualized learning that tracks how far a student progresses from year to year? Graduating higher percentage of students?

School systems do different things well. For me, I don't care much about standardized tests. I'd rather look at ow many students progress at least one grade level from year to year in reading, math and science.

[Anonymous]

Good question, OP.

Brings another question to mind...why hasn't the DME cited some data from other city school districts during her process?
For sure if there were serious data to support her options, we would hear about it, right?

[Anonymous]

They did have a handout at the first working group meeting on the policies/experience of other school systems. Not sure if it's available online anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This depends on what your "schools that work" goals are - High standardized test scores? Higher order thinking skills that lead to college preparedness? Differentiated and individualized learning that tracks how far a student progresses from year to year? Graduating higher percentage of students?

School systems do different things well. For me, I don't care much about standardized tests. I'd rather look at ow many students progress at least one grade level from year to year in reading, math and science.

How would you measure this without standardized tests? I don't know of any school district that publishes this information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This depends on what your "schools that work" goals are - High standardized test scores? Higher order thinking skills that lead to college preparedness? Differentiated and individualized learning that tracks how far a student progresses from year to year? Graduating higher percentage of students?

School systems do different things well. For me, I don't care much about standardized tests. I'd rather look at ow many students progress at least one grade level from year to year in reading, math and science.

How would you measure this without standardized tests? I don't know of any school district that publishes this information.

I realized I'd get this question after I pushed "submit." I mis-wrote... I don't have an issue with standardized tests. I agree they are necessary. However, I'd like the data to compare my child's score throughout her academic career - ensuring that she's progressing from year to year. RATHER than comparing her classroom/grade with another classroom/grade in another school down the road. I just that think the latter approach is more effective at ensuring kids learn. Also, I'd prefer any standardized test to include teacher feedback.

[Anonymous]

San Diego has had some success.
http://voiceofsandiego.org/2011/08/15/school-test-scores-up-again-despite-cuts/

[Anonymous]

The answer is 'no'. No one has figured out how to it on a large scale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good question, OP.

Brings another question to mind...why hasn't the DME cited some data from other city school districts during her process?
For sure if there were serious data to support her options, we would hear about it, right?

DME cited experiences from several cities (Baltimore, SF,etc) though I think I remember all of them being too new to have actual data.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The answer is 'no'. No one has figured out how to it on a large scale.

NYC has a gifted and talented program. G&T is taboo in DCPS. Who would want them in your school system?

For kids with behavioral issues, for all the money DC spends on schools it could send some to hire more aides and interventional instructors to really help them. Then they'd have a much better shot at achieving. The short-term cost will surely offset the long-term.....

[Anonymous]

When I went to the DME session at Dunbar there were posters on many other urban school systems- I thought it was really interesting.

[Anonymous]

This organization, Council of Great City Schools, covers the largest school districts in the country. They have a lot of information.

www.cgcs.org/

[Anonymous]

All I can say is that we were considering a move to Philadelphia (the city - not the burbs) and it made me thank my lucky stars for DCPS. Holy hell it is a disaster up there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This organization, Council of Great City Schools, covers the largest school districts in the country. They have a lot of information.

www.cgcs.org/

Be careful, though -- a lot of what they do is propaganda, pushing the corporate agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The answer is 'no'. No one has figured out how to it on a large scale.

Because too many union interests get in the way of success.