Antwan Wilson to be announced as new Chancellor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a white, middle-class (lower middle by DCUM standards) parent of two DCPS students and it is obvious to me, and should be obvious to everyone who lives in this city, that the Chancellor's top priority MUST be closing the achievement gap and educating the children who still make up the majority of this district. It turns my stomach to think that most readers of this forum think otherwise--that providing test-in middle school is more important.

I'm not saying that middle schools in DCPS are fine the way they are. I don't want to send my kids to their by-right middle school. But I'm not foolish enough to think that our little problem ought to take attention away from the way more serious issues that face the 75 percent of DCPS students who are poor and have fewer options.

Let me guess, PP, you grew up in a high SES family. If yes, please spare us your bleeding heart before you bleed out. My own family qualified for food stamps. I tested in to Boston Latin, after attending a city prep program during evenings and on weekends for two years, and went on to an Ivy. Middle class flight from urban schools is hardly a little problem; it is among the most serious of problems in the urban educational sphere. I wouldn't be a lawyer of color making six figures if I hadn't had a great many upper middle-class classmates from a young age. Make no mistake, test-in middle schools are critically important. Antwan Wilson's lack of interest in them will be deeply misguided, period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a white, middle-class (lower middle by DCUM standards) parent of two DCPS students and it is obvious to me, and should be obvious to everyone who lives in this city, that the Chancellor's top priority MUST be closing the achievement gap and educating the children who still make up the majority of this district. It turns my stomach to think that most readers of this forum think otherwise--that providing test-in middle school is more important.

I'm not saying that middle schools in DCPS are fine the way they are. I don't want to send my kids to their by-right middle school. But I'm not foolish enough to think that our little problem ought to take attention away from the way more serious issues that face the 75 percent of DCPS students who are poor and have fewer options.

1) Research says the achievement gap gets solved by other social services and policy, not by schools. But, hey, why not put the burden on schools because that sure seems convenient?

2) The achievement gap should be closed by boosting the achievement of the low-performers, not holding back the high performers.

3) Wilson has only had 3 (combative) years as a superintendent and the results aren't in yet. There are surely more proven candidates out there for this high profile job.

+10000.

[Anonymous]

I have no comment on whether this guy is qualified or not. But there does seem to be this undercurrent that we have tons of qualified candidates who are dying to take on a job like this. I very much doubt it. Being Chancellor of DC Public Schools seems like a thankless job with unreasonable expectations and with little upside. Why anyone would take the job is beyond me. And so I also suspect that the candidate pool is going to be underwhelming. And yes $400K is not that much (though certainly politically difficult to pay more) for anyone who would likely be qualified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a white, middle-class (lower middle by DCUM standards) parent of two DCPS students and it is obvious to me, and should be obvious to everyone who lives in this city, that the Chancellor's top priority MUST be closing the achievement gap and educating the children who still make up the majority of this district. It turns my stomach to think that most readers of this forum think otherwise--that providing test-in middle school is more important.

I'm not saying that middle schools in DCPS are fine the way they are. I don't want to send my kids to their by-right middle school. But I'm not foolish enough to think that our little problem ought to take attention away from the way more serious issues that face the 75 percent of DCPS students who are poor and have fewer options.

1) Research says the achievement gap gets solved by other social services and policy, not by schools. But, hey, why not put the burden on schools because that sure seems convenient?

2) The achievement gap should be closed by boosting the achievement of the low-performers, not holding back the high performers.

3) Wilson has only had 3 (combative) years as a superintendent and the results aren't in yet. There are surely more proven candidates out there for this high profile job.

Red herring for everyone!!!

1) It actually says it isn't solved exclusively by schools. It doesn't say schools aren't part of the solution. See what you did there?

2) Not mutually exclusive concepts. You can improve low performers and create more opportunities for others on the top end. Of course, resources are scarce and sometimes you have to make short term priorities at the expense of either things. You'll get more bang for your buck on the lower, more populous end. Plus one might argue there's a moral imperative to do so if you have to choose. But what I think the PP was reacting to was the typical DCUM crap that acts like the new hire has only one job - middle schools for gentrifiers, without regard to or mention of the bigger problems of facing the schools.

3) Actually, the results that have been reported are in. And they speak well for him. But I guess it is easier to just complain, huh? Can you please tell us who the rock star, magic bullet candidate is? I guess that's a question for all of you sitting in the cheap seats throwing stones. Name someone!

But here's what I wonder about people like you: when you post that kind of intellectually dishonest crap, do you do it intentionally or are you just a simple minded twit that cannot actually see anything but what's in front of your eyes? If the former I guess I can respect you. But I fear you're actually just a sheltered dim wit who has no idea that governing a managing a diverse city takes trade offs and choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a white, middle-class (lower middle by DCUM standards) parent of two DCPS students and it is obvious to me, and should be obvious to everyone who lives in this city, that the Chancellor's top priority MUST be closing the achievement gap and educating the children who still make up the majority of this district. It turns my stomach to think that most readers of this forum think otherwise--that providing test-in middle school is more important.

I'm not saying that middle schools in DCPS are fine the way they are. I don't want to send my kids to their by-right middle school. But I'm not foolish enough to think that our little problem ought to take attention away from the way more serious issues that face the 75 percent of DCPS students who are poor and have fewer options.

Let me guess, PP, you grew up in a high SES family. If yes, please spare us your bleeding heart before you bleed out. My own family qualified for food stamps. I tested in to Boston Latin, after attending a city prep program during evenings and on weekends for two years, and went on to an Ivy. Middle class flight from urban schools is hardly a little problem; it is among the most serious of problems in the urban educational sphere. I wouldn't be a lawyer of color making six figures if I hadn't had a great many upper middle-class classmates from a young age. Make no mistake, test-in middle schools are critically important. Antwan Wilson's lack of interest in them will be deeply misguided, period.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Folks,

The Council has to approve this hire. Take your concerns there and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a white, middle-class (lower middle by DCUM standards) parent of two DCPS students and it is obvious to me, and should be obvious to everyone who lives in this city, that the Chancellor's top priority MUST be closing the achievement gap and educating the children who still make up the majority of this district. It turns my stomach to think that most readers of this forum think otherwise--that providing test-in middle school is more important.

I'm not saying that middle schools in DCPS are fine the way they are. I don't want to send my kids to their by-right middle school. But I'm not foolish enough to think that our little problem ought to take attention away from the way more serious issues that face the 75 percent of DCPS students who are poor and have fewer options.

the priority of the chancellor is not me and my demographic because 1) my kids are not the majority demographic of the city's school and because 2) my kids' needs will be met by me one way or another. Thank GOD they are focused on the kids who need, really need, the focus. I hope to stay in this city, and my decision to stay is very much dependent on the poor children of this city not being trapped in poverty and crime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Folks,

The Council has to approve this hire. Take your concerns there and see what happens.

Good point. Hopefully someone there has the guts to ask for evidence this was the absolute best person available for the job.

A guy who graduated from the Broad Academy in 2014.

[Anonymous]

Now let's find a Police Chief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't matter. Katherine Bradley is still in charge, no matter who the mayor is, no matter who the chancellor is.

Amen to the amen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Maybe. This is just another Kaya. She might as well had stayed. Overpaid and under qualified. It's the DC way!"


+1 million

Should we start taking bets on whether his writing abilities are as bad as the Wilson principal's?

"She might as well had stayed. " And you have the nerve to criticize anyone's writing. PULEEZE!!!

[Anonymous]

Compared to most of the instructional superintendents, DME, and a lot of principals, Wilson looks under qualified, other than having the title superintendent for a hot minute.

Looks like some of his achievements have pretty much happened in DC already.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Was Bowser looking for a yes man on EMOC who doesn't have as much local support as Kaya did?

[Anonymous]

In the sense that she came up under Rhee. Otherwise she was trained in NY.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Maybe. This is just another Kaya. She might as well had stayed. Overpaid and under qualified. It's the DC way!"


+1 million

Should we start taking bets on whether his writing abilities are as bad as the Wilson principal's?

Kaya at least was local talent, so I was glad to she got a chance.

But why do we import mediocre, unproven folks?

It's like some kind of stupid anti-gentrification program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Was Bowser looking for a yes man on EMOC who doesn't have as much local support as Kaya did?

That would explain it.