SWW - Letters of Recommendation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI, this is still happening.

To make a long complicated story short, I caught and corrected an incorrect teacher email address over a week before the first interviews, but was told it was too late for the rec to be included. SWW entered an alternate “average score” in its place and admitted that no one who has one true rec and one “average score ever gets an interview.

It’s a mess. The system is broken enough in its best form, we don’t need to put up barriers to making it as fair as possible. And I’m ok if my child doesn’t get an interview based on their two genuine teacher recommendations, but I’m not ok with random numbers being added and a decision being based on those.

So be warned…

1. Only some families are notified of missing recommendations.
2. There is no monitoring of undelivered teacher emails.
3. The MSDC portal allows correction of teacher email address without indicating the portal is closed or that no request will be sent.
4. The recommendation deadline (apparently Feb 9 this year) is not published or communicated to families (except in the reminder email that only some families received)
5. MSDC and SWW provide conflicting information regarding school discretion to accept a recommendation outside the portal.

We followed up judiciously with all recommenders and even allowed them to bow out if they did not have enough time to complete the recommendation. We had backups available.

We followed up with the schools to ensure they have received the child's application and all supporting documents including recommendations. We were okay with rejection. We were not okay an error. All of the institutions are overwhelmed but responsive.

My child has a 100% interview record for the application schools they applied to which is what we expected and all I can ask for.

Maybe the process weeds out people who don't believe in personal responsibility. The Pentagon is only a few miles away full of our brightest minds in the nation who will teach you to take personality responsibility in every and all situations. Life if rarely fair and people who succeed don't make excuses. This application process mirrors real life IMHO.

spoken like a true sociopath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI, this is still happening.

To make a long complicated story short, I caught and corrected an incorrect teacher email address over a week before the first interviews, but was told it was too late for the rec to be included. SWW entered an alternate “average score” in its place and admitted that no one who has one true rec and one “average score ever gets an interview.

It’s a mess. The system is broken enough in its best form, we don’t need to put up barriers to making it as fair as possible. And I’m ok if my child doesn’t get an interview based on their two genuine teacher recommendations, but I’m not ok with random numbers being added and a decision being based on those.

So be warned…

1. Only some families are notified of missing recommendations.
2. There is no monitoring of undelivered teacher emails.
3. The MSDC portal allows correction of teacher email address without indicating the portal is closed or that no request will be sent.
4. The recommendation deadline (apparently Feb 9 this year) is not published or communicated to families (except in the reminder email that only some families received)
5. MSDC and SWW provide conflicting information regarding school discretion to accept a recommendation outside the portal.

We followed up judiciously with all recommenders and even allowed them to bow out if they did not have enough time to complete the recommendation. We had backups available.

We followed up with the schools to ensure they have received the child's application and all supporting documents including recommendations. We were okay with rejection. We were not okay an error. All of the institutions are overwhelmed but responsive.

My child has a 100% interview record for the application schools they applied to which is what we expected and all I can ask for.

Maybe the process weeds out people who don't believe in personal responsibility. The Pentagon is only a few miles away full of our brightest minds in the nation who will teach you to take personality responsibility in every and all situations. Life if rarely fair and people who succeed don't make excuses. This application process mirrors real life IMHO.

spoken like a true sociopath.

100%. Given the extent to which the system relies on parent involvement (i.e., kids can't even use their school email addresses, because they can't receive the interview emails that are sent), making it this complicated so that children with uninvolved parents get put at an even greater disadvantage is horrendously unfair. I really think middle school guidance counselors at least at DCPS/DCPCS schools should 100% be responsible for making sure this all works out. Given how the DC HS system works, this should be a paid and accountable position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is the rubric? I've asked for it, but so far they haven't given it to me.

One thing we learned is don't depend on this blog for real info.

https://www.myschooldc.org/how-apply/applying-high-school

This link specifically says recommendation letters can be required. What am I missing?

Attention to detail is critical and it's pretty evident why their is so much incorrect info here. The pp gave the general site but of course no one reads things anymore----

https://www.myschooldc.org/sites/default/files/dc/sites/myschooldc/page/attachments/SY24-25%20SWW_Admission%20Process%20Rubric_Final.pdf

"School Without Walls uses recommendations to better understand a student’s experience at school and to
provide context to their academic outcomes. Recommendations are a critical element to getting to know a
student and their experiences. School Without Walls requests two (2) recommendations, each worth a
maximum of 15points. We strongly encourage students and families to follow up with the individuals
submitting recommendations on their behalf and to check the accuracy of recommender emails to ensure we
have the most complete picture of the student as possible. However, students will not be penalized for
incomplete or missing recommendations and can be evaluated to move on to the interview stage based on
the recommendations that have been submitted."

Thanks. This directly contradicts what Walls told me. They also actively refused to provide information about what they were looking for in the letters of recommendation, even if they would be providing a form or were requesting a narrative. They also refused to share the due date. All of that makes it pretty hard to follow up.

When I asked for my child’s records to see exactly how they were scored I was stonewalled. I have filed a FERPA request but that can take a while, especially if they don’t comply. It seems like something is fishy or they would just hand over my child’s very small file without a fight.

Sorry you are going thru this but try to appeal to Central Office. No way they can they provide any info during the process. Simply not a priority with all they have to do. That's just facts!

The due date at least was online in the myschooldc portal. And it allowed you to prod the teachers by sending them reminders

+1. We had three recs because it was Ellington. But when a teacher submits, we got an email from my school dc saying it was submitted. After the first two were submitted, we went in and prodded the counselor for the third through the system. We also had DC remind them of the due date in the hallway. Maybe the portal should be updated to make it more clear.

The portal does need to be clearer. For example, it tells you if recs are outstanding, but not that they are complete. So you would have to know that to understand saying nothing says something meaningful about the recs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI, this is still happening.

To make a long complicated story short, I caught and corrected an incorrect teacher email address over a week before the first interviews, but was told it was too late for the rec to be included. SWW entered an alternate “average score” in its place and admitted that no one who has one true rec and one “average score ever gets an interview.

It’s a mess. The system is broken enough in its best form, we don’t need to put up barriers to making it as fair as possible. And I’m ok if my child doesn’t get an interview based on their two genuine teacher recommendations, but I’m not ok with random numbers being added and a decision being based on those.

So be warned…

1. Only some families are notified of missing recommendations.
2. There is no monitoring of undelivered teacher emails.
3. The MSDC portal allows correction of teacher email address without indicating the portal is closed or that no request will be sent.
4. The recommendation deadline (apparently Feb 9 this year) is not published or communicated to families (except in the reminder email that only some families received)
5. MSDC and SWW provide conflicting information regarding school discretion to accept a recommendation outside the portal.

We followed up judiciously with all recommenders and even allowed them to bow out if they did not have enough time to complete the recommendation. We had backups available.

We followed up with the schools to ensure they have received the child's application and all supporting documents including recommendations. We were okay with rejection. We were not okay an error. All of the institutions are overwhelmed but responsive.

My child has a 100% interview record for the application schools they applied to which is what we expected and all I can ask for.

Maybe the process weeds out people who don't believe in personal responsibility. The Pentagon is only a few miles away full of our brightest minds in the nation who will teach you to take personality responsibility in every and all situations. Life if rarely fair and people who succeed don't make excuses. This application process mirrors real life IMHO.

Did your child do all this follow up or did you? If you, then it actually says nothing about your child, the actual applicant.

[Anonymous]

BRING. BACK. TEST. SCORES.
It is well documented that (1) test scores predict success; (2) they are not sullied by subjective teacher personality and school culture nonsense (eg schools that have their shit together ride teachers to produce good and on-time recs); (3) prep is associated with parental income but test scores are one of the most fair predictors of success *including for low-income students* bc a good score from a low resourced env signals success, even if the absolute number is lower than a high score from a kid from a wealthier background.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For other families in the future- You can always log in to MySchoolDC to check if letters have been submitted.

+1. I could see when Walls had received the recommendations and used it to remind teachers of the deadline last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BRING. BACK. TEST. SCORES.
It is well documented that (1) test scores predict success; (2) they are not sullied by subjective teacher personality and school culture nonsense (eg schools that have their shit together ride teachers to produce good and on-time recs); (3) prep is associated with parental income but test scores are one of the most fair predictors of success *including for low-income students* bc a good score from a low resourced env signals success, even if the absolute number is lower than a high score from a kid from a wealthier background.

100%. Test scores and give a bump for kids at T1 schools and for at-risk kids. If that drives parents to send their kids to T1 schools, so much the better.

[Anonymous]

Are some of you getting emails saying your child WAS NOT selected for an interview? Like, how do we know there was an error? We have just received nothing so I assumed no interview, but we have not heard anything, either way, at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI, this is still happening.

To make a long complicated story short, I caught and corrected an incorrect teacher email address over a week before the first interviews, but was told it was too late for the rec to be included. SWW entered an alternate “average score” in its place and admitted that no one who has one true rec and one “average score ever gets an interview.

It’s a mess. The system is broken enough in its best form, we don’t need to put up barriers to making it as fair as possible. And I’m ok if my child doesn’t get an interview based on their two genuine teacher recommendations, but I’m not ok with random numbers being added and a decision being based on those.

So be warned…

1. Only some families are notified of missing recommendations.
2. There is no monitoring of undelivered teacher emails.
3. The MSDC portal allows correction of teacher email address without indicating the portal is closed or that no request will be sent.
4. The recommendation deadline (apparently Feb 9 this year) is not published or communicated to families (except in the reminder email that only some families received)
5. MSDC and SWW provide conflicting information regarding school discretion to accept a recommendation outside the portal.

We followed up judiciously with all recommenders and even allowed them to bow out if they did not have enough time to complete the recommendation. We had backups available.

We followed up with the schools to ensure they have received the child's application and all supporting documents including recommendations. We were okay with rejection. We were not okay an error. All of the institutions are overwhelmed but responsive.

My child has a 100% interview record for the application schools they applied to which is what we expected and all I can ask for.

Maybe the process weeds out people who don't believe in personal responsibility. The Pentagon is only a few miles away full of our brightest minds in the nation who will teach you to take personality responsibility in every and all situations. Life if rarely fair and people who succeed don't make excuses. This application process mirrors real life IMHO.

Did your child do all this follow up or did you? If you, then it actually says nothing about your child, the actual applicant.

LMAO this is giving me life. The helicopter parent discussing personal responsibility is basically wiping their kids own ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BRING. BACK. TEST. SCORES.
It is well documented that (1) test scores predict success; (2) they are not sullied by subjective teacher personality and school culture nonsense (eg schools that have their shit together ride teachers to produce good and on-time recs); (3) prep is associated with parental income but test scores are one of the most fair predictors of success *including for low-income students* bc a good score from a low resourced env signals success, even if the absolute number is lower than a high score from a kid from a wealthier background.

100%. Test scores and give a bump for kids at T1 schools and for at-risk kids. If that drives parents to send their kids to T1 schools, so much the better.

This is exactly what Lowell in SF does. (they quickly reversed on the no-test thing).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BRING. BACK. TEST. SCORES.
It is well documented that (1) test scores predict success; (2) they are not sullied by subjective teacher personality and school culture nonsense (eg schools that have their shit together ride teachers to produce good and on-time recs); (3) prep is associated with parental income but test scores are one of the most fair predictors of success *including for low-income students* bc a good score from a low resourced env signals success, even if the absolute number is lower than a high score from a kid from a wealthier background.

100%. Test scores and give a bump for kids at T1 schools and for at-risk kids. If that drives parents to send their kids to T1 schools, so much the better.

Just so you know most middle schools in dc are title 1. DCI and two rivers, for instance, are title 1 schools. As is KIPP and many private schools like blessed sacrament, basilica school, St Ann’s and more. Basis and Latin are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are some of you getting emails saying your child WAS NOT selected for an interview? Like, how do we know there was an error? We have just received nothing so I assumed no interview, but we have not heard anything, either way, at all.

Because of that detail I'm skeptical of this entire thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BRING. BACK. TEST. SCORES.
It is well documented that (1) test scores predict success; (2) they are not sullied by subjective teacher personality and school culture nonsense (eg schools that have their shit together ride teachers to produce good and on-time recs); (3) prep is associated with parental income but test scores are one of the most fair predictors of success *including for low-income students* bc a good score from a low resourced env signals success, even if the absolute number is lower than a high score from a kid from a wealthier background.

100%. Test scores and give a bump for kids at T1 schools and for at-risk kids. If that drives parents to send their kids to T1 schools, so much the better.

This is exactly what Lowell in SF does. (they quickly reversed on the no-test thing).

Correct this to say that Lowell doesn't literally use "title 1," they have a bump for someone from an "underrepresented school"

https://www.sfusd.edu/schools/enroll/apply/applying-lowell-high-school

SF has the same woke-ishness as DC, and if they can bring the test back, so can we.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BRING. BACK. TEST. SCORES.
It is well documented that (1) test scores predict success; (2) they are not sullied by subjective teacher personality and school culture nonsense (eg schools that have their shit together ride teachers to produce good and on-time recs); (3) prep is associated with parental income but test scores are one of the most fair predictors of success *including for low-income students* bc a good score from a low resourced env signals success, even if the absolute number is lower than a high score from a kid from a wealthier background.

100%. Test scores and give a bump for kids at T1 schools and for at-risk kids. If that drives parents to send their kids to T1 schools, so much the better.

Just so you know most middle schools in dc are title 1. DCI and two rivers, for instance, are title 1 schools. As is KIPP and many private schools like blessed sacrament, basilica school, St Ann’s and more. Basis and Latin are not.

I’m not sure how I feel about giving a bump to kids from private schools — I probably wouldn’t it outside of a placement for accommodations context — but otherwise, yes, this sounds right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where is the rubric? I've asked for it, but so far they haven't given it to me.

One thing we learned is don't depend on this blog for real info.

https://www.myschooldc.org/how-apply/applying-high-school

This link specifically says recommendation letters can be required. What am I missing?

Attention to detail is critical and it's pretty evident why their is so much incorrect info here. The pp gave the general site but of course no one reads things anymore----

https://www.myschooldc.org/sites/default/files/dc/sites/myschooldc/page/attachments/SY24-25%20SWW_Admission%20Process%20Rubric_Final.pdf

"School Without Walls uses recommendations to better understand a student’s experience at school and to
provide context to their academic outcomes. Recommendations are a critical element to getting to know a
student and their experiences. School Without Walls requests two (2) recommendations, each worth a
maximum of 15points. We strongly encourage students and families to follow up with the individuals
submitting recommendations on their behalf and to check the accuracy of recommender emails to ensure we
have the most complete picture of the student as possible. However, students will not be penalized for
incomplete or missing recommendations and can be evaluated to move on to the interview stage based on
the recommendations that have been submitted."

Thanks. This directly contradicts what Walls told me. They also actively refused to provide information about what they were looking for in the letters of recommendation, even if they would be providing a form or were requesting a narrative. They also refused to share the due date. All of that makes it pretty hard to follow up.

When I asked for my child’s records to see exactly how they were scored I was stonewalled. I have filed a FERPA request but that can take a while, especially if they don’t comply. It seems like something is fishy or they would just hand over my child’s very small file without a fight.

Sorry you are going thru this but try to appeal to Central Office. No way they can they provide any info during the process. Simply not a priority with all they have to do. That's just facts!

The due date at least was online in the myschooldc portal. And it allowed you to prod the teachers by sending them reminders

+1. We had three recs because it was Ellington. But when a teacher submits, we got an email from my school dc saying it was submitted. After the first two were submitted, we went in and prodded the counselor for the third through the system. We also had DC remind them of the due date in the hallway. Maybe the portal should be updated to make it more clear.

The portal does need to be clearer. For example, it tells you if recs are outstanding, but not that they are complete. So you would have to know that to understand saying nothing says something meaningful about the recs.

I see a notice that they are complete.