DC Graduation Problems Extend to Wilson High School, Councilmember Says

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former Wilson student. During my senior yr, I know I missed over 70 days. Despite missing those days, I graduated, attended the University of Maryland and now have a rewarding career. Just because students miss class, doesn't mean they can't grasp the concepts. Students can watch online content to learn and receive support in other places. School is just a building where learning is "expected" to occur. Tons of learning happens outside of the classroom and online now. Also, alot of the senior courses are unnecessary classes. In my case, I only needed to take an English class to graduate, however my counselor gave me other classes that I could BS through and pass easily without attending regularly.

Just my thoughts

I’m not a Wilson graduate but I missed more than the allowed number of days my senior year in high school too. Went to a good college, graduated from a top 10 law school, productive member of society.

Me, too. I spent most of my last two years of high school practicing my free throws. Doesn’t mean I don’t want more and better for my kids or expect more responsibility with my tax dollars. I’ve also realized how much sooner I would have derived real joy from learning if I had been challenged sooner and more often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former Wilson student. During my senior yr, I know I missed over 70 days. Despite missing those days, I graduated, attended the University of Maryland and now have a rewarding career. Just because students miss class, doesn't mean they can't grasp the concepts. Students can watch online content to learn and receive support in other places. School is just a building where learning is "expected" to occur. Tons of learning happens outside of the classroom and online now. Also, alot of the senior courses are unnecessary classes. In my case, I only needed to take an English class to graduate, however my counselor gave me other classes that I could BS through and pass easily without attending regularly.

Just my thoughts

If that’s the case, then there’s obviously something wrong with the high school. Either you weren’t taking classes that were sufficiently challenging and interesting enough to compel your attendance or those classes weren’t offered. If they weren’t offered, that’s a problem that should be fixed. If you weren’t taking the most interesting and rigorous courseload, well, that’s on you and you shouldn’t have been granted a diploma for taking up space and taxpayer money to do nothing your senior year of high school.

That is not the students fault. It’s on DCPS. My child only needs English and Science and has another b.s class she can pass with her eyes closed. She now has a job and doesn’t need anymore b.s classes on her schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former Wilson student. During my senior yr, I know I missed over 70 days. Despite missing those days, I graduated, attended the University of Maryland and now have a rewarding career. Just because students miss class, doesn't mean they can't grasp the concepts. Students can watch online content to learn and receive support in other places. School is just a building where learning is "expected" to occur. Tons of learning happens outside of the classroom and online now. Also, alot of the senior courses are unnecessary classes. In my case, I only needed to take an English class to graduate, however my counselor gave me other classes that I could BS through and pass easily without attending regularly.

Just my thoughts

If that’s the case, then there’s obviously something wrong with the high school. Either you weren’t taking classes that were sufficiently challenging and interesting enough to compel your attendance or those classes weren’t offered. If they weren’t offered, that’s a problem that should be fixed. If you weren’t taking the most interesting and rigorous courseload, well, that’s on you and you shouldn’t have been granted a diploma for taking up space and taxpayer money to do nothing your senior year of high school.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! This is more of the "honors for all" attitude at Wilson. Let's just focus on struggling students and the rest are on their own. Mind boggling that parents just accept this and are not demanding the Principal address the needs of all students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former Wilson student. During my senior yr, I know I missed over 70 days. Despite missing those days, I graduated, attended the University of Maryland and now have a rewarding career. Just because students miss class, doesn't mean they can't grasp the concepts. Students can watch online content to learn and receive support in other places. School is just a building where learning is "expected" to occur. Tons of learning happens outside of the classroom and online now. Also, alot of the senior courses are unnecessary classes. In my case, I only needed to take an English class to graduate, however my counselor gave me other classes that I could BS through and pass easily without attending regularly.

Just my thoughts

If that’s the case, then there’s obviously something wrong with the high school. Either you weren’t taking classes that were sufficiently challenging and interesting enough to compel your attendance or those classes weren’t offered. If they weren’t offered, that’s a problem that should be fixed. If you weren’t taking the most interesting and rigorous courseload, well, that’s on you and you shouldn’t have been granted a diploma for taking up space and taxpayer money to do nothing your senior year of high school.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! This is more of the "honors for all" attitude at Wilson. Let's just focus on struggling students and the rest are on their own. Mind boggling that parents just accept this and are not demanding the Principal address the needs of all students.

I thought Wilson offered a bunch of AP classes.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former Wilson student. During my senior yr, I know I missed over 70 days. Despite missing those days, I graduated, attended the University of Maryland and now have a rewarding career. Just because students miss class, doesn't mean they can't grasp the concepts. Students can watch online content to learn and receive support in other places. School is just a building where learning is "expected" to occur. Tons of learning happens outside of the classroom and online now. Also, alot of the senior courses are unnecessary classes. In my case, I only needed to take an English class to graduate, however my counselor gave me other classes that I could BS through and pass easily without attending regularly.

Just my thoughts

If that’s the case, then there’s obviously something wrong with the high school. Either you weren’t taking classes that were sufficiently challenging and interesting enough to compel your attendance or those classes weren’t offered. If they weren’t offered, that’s a problem that should be fixed. If you weren’t taking the most interesting and rigorous courseload, well, that’s on you and you shouldn’t have been granted a diploma for taking up space and taxpayer money to do nothing your senior year of high school.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! This is more of the "honors for all" attitude at Wilson. Let's just focus on struggling students and the rest are on their own. Mind boggling that parents just accept this and are not demanding the Principal address the needs of all students.

I thought Wilson offered a bunch of AP classes.....

They do - more than any other school in the city. http://www.wilsonhs.org/pdf/Wilson%20Course%20Catalog%20SY%202015-16.pdf

Students can also dual-enroll at local colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former Wilson student. During my senior yr, I know I missed over 70 days. Despite missing those days, I graduated, attended the University of Maryland and now have a rewarding career. Just because students miss class, doesn't mean they can't grasp the concepts. Students can watch online content to learn and receive support in other places. School is just a building where learning is "expected" to occur. Tons of learning happens outside of the classroom and online now. Also, alot of the senior courses are unnecessary classes. In my case, I only needed to take an English class to graduate, however my counselor gave me other classes that I could BS through and pass easily without attending regularly.

Just my thoughts

If that’s the case, then there’s obviously something wrong with the high school. Either you weren’t taking classes that were sufficiently challenging and interesting enough to compel your attendance or those classes weren’t offered. If they weren’t offered, that’s a problem that should be fixed. If you weren’t taking the most interesting and rigorous courseload, well, that’s on you and you shouldn’t have been granted a diploma for taking up space and taxpayer money to do nothing your senior year of high school.

That is not the students fault. It’s on DCPS. My child only needs English and Science and has another b.s class she can pass with her eyes closed. She now has a job and doesn’t need anymore b.s classes on her schedule.

I think you’re right that she sdowsnt need additional “bs classes” on her schedule. I’m positing that perhaps the school should offer her legitimately challenging and interesting classes to fill out her school day. Alternatively, perhaps they could at least squeeze the remaining material into a single semester and offer an early graduation option. What’s apparently happening now, though, is ridiculous and doesn’t serve anyone well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former Wilson student. During my senior yr, I know I missed over 70 days. Despite missing those days, I graduated, attended the University of Maryland and now have a rewarding career. Just because students miss class, doesn't mean they can't grasp the concepts. Students can watch online content to learn and receive support in other places. School is just a building where learning is "expected" to occur. Tons of learning happens outside of the classroom and online now. Also, alot of the senior courses are unnecessary classes. In my case, I only needed to take an English class to graduate, however my counselor gave me other classes that I could BS through and pass easily without attending regularly.

Just my thoughts

If that’s the case, then there’s obviously something wrong with the high school. Either you weren’t taking classes that were sufficiently challenging and interesting enough to compel your attendance or those classes weren’t offered. If they weren’t offered, that’s a problem that should be fixed. If you weren’t taking the most interesting and rigorous courseload, well, that’s on you and you shouldn’t have been granted a diploma for taking up space and taxpayer money to do nothing your senior year of high school.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! This is more of the "honors for all" attitude at Wilson. Let's just focus on struggling students and the rest are on their own. Mind boggling that parents just accept this and are not demanding the Principal address the needs of all students.

I thought Wilson offered a bunch of AP classes.....

They do - more than any other school in the city. http://www.wilsonhs.org/pdf/Wilson%20Course%20Catalog%20SY%202015-16.pdf

Students can also dual-enroll at local colleges.

Please tell me more about this dual enrollment please. I did this in my home city (3,000 miles away), but I didn't know DC offered this program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former Wilson student. During my senior yr, I know I missed over 70 days. Despite missing those days, I graduated, attended the University of Maryland and now have a rewarding career. Just because students miss class, doesn't mean they can't grasp the concepts. Students can watch online content to learn and receive support in other places. School is just a building where learning is "expected" to occur. Tons of learning happens outside of the classroom and online now. Also, alot of the senior courses are unnecessary classes. In my case, I only needed to take an English class to graduate, however my counselor gave me other classes that I could BS through and pass easily without attending regularly.

Just my thoughts

If that’s the case, then there’s obviously something wrong with the high school. Either you weren’t taking classes that were sufficiently challenging and interesting enough to compel your attendance or those classes weren’t offered. If they weren’t offered, that’s a problem that should be fixed. If you weren’t taking the most interesting and rigorous courseload, well, that’s on you and you shouldn’t have been granted a diploma for taking up space and taxpayer money to do nothing your senior year of high school.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! This is more of the "honors for all" attitude at Wilson. Let's just focus on struggling students and the rest are on their own. Mind boggling that parents just accept this and are not demanding the Principal address the needs of all students.

I thought Wilson offered a bunch of AP classes.....

They do - more than any other school in the city. http://www.wilsonhs.org/pdf/Wilson%20Course%20Catalog%20SY%202015-16.pdf

Students can also dual-enroll at local colleges.

Please tell me more about this dual enrollment please. I did this in my home city (3,000 miles away), but I didn't know DC offered this program.

https://dcps.dc.gov/service/participate-dual-enrollment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former Wilson student. During my senior yr, I know I missed over 70 days. Despite missing those days, I graduated, attended the University of Maryland and now have a rewarding career. Just because students miss class, doesn't mean they can't grasp the concepts. Students can watch online content to learn and receive support in other places. School is just a building where learning is "expected" to occur. Tons of learning happens outside of the classroom and online now. Also, alot of the senior courses are unnecessary classes. In my case, I only needed to take an English class to graduate, however my counselor gave me other classes that I could BS through and pass easily without attending regularly.

Just my thoughts

If that’s the case, then there’s obviously something wrong with the high school. Either you weren’t taking classes that were sufficiently challenging and interesting enough to compel your attendance or those classes weren’t offered. If they weren’t offered, that’s a problem that should be fixed. If you weren’t taking the most interesting and rigorous courseload, well, that’s on you and you shouldn’t have been granted a diploma for taking up space and taxpayer money to do nothing your senior year of high school.

That is not the students fault. It’s on DCPS. My child only needs English and Science and has another b.s class she can pass with her eyes closed. She now has a job and doesn’t need anymore b.s classes on her schedule.

I think you’re right that she sdowsnt need additional “bs classes” on her schedule. I’m positing that perhaps the school should offer her legitimately challenging and interesting classes to fill out her school day. Alternatively, perhaps they could at least squeeze the remaining material into a single semester and offer an early graduation option. What’s apparently happening now, though, is ridiculous and doesn’t serve anyone well.

I agree. Why aren't we expecting more from the school? We should expect them to create interesting and challenging electives. Or have a half day option for work release and still be counted present if they are at work.

This can work. My high school was set up like this. We had an awesome selection of electives: photography, nutrition, a class that ran a day care (I forget what the class was called), film making, coding, etc. The expectation was that we filled our schedule. If we only needed an English and Math class we could take those, one study period, electives, and get work release.

Not to mention this would give students the ability to explore interests before college so they are more in tune with what they'd like to major in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a former Wilson student. During my senior yr, I know I missed over 70 days. Despite missing those days, I graduated, attended the University of Maryland and now have a rewarding career. Just because students miss class, doesn't mean they can't grasp the concepts. Students can watch online content to learn and receive support in other places. School is just a building where learning is "expected" to occur. Tons of learning happens outside of the classroom and online now. Also, alot of the senior courses are unnecessary classes. In my case, I only needed to take an English class to graduate, however my counselor gave me other classes that I could BS through and pass easily without attending regularly.

Just my thoughts

If that’s the case, then there’s obviously something wrong with the high school. Either you weren’t taking classes that were sufficiently challenging and interesting enough to compel your attendance or those classes weren’t offered. If they weren’t offered, that’s a problem that should be fixed. If you weren’t taking the most interesting and rigorous courseload, well, that’s on you and you shouldn’t have been granted a diploma for taking up space and taxpayer money to do nothing your senior year of high school.

That is not the students fault. It’s on DCPS. My child only needs English and Science and has another b.s class she can pass with her eyes closed. She now has a job and doesn’t need anymore b.s classes on her schedule.

I think you’re right that she sdowsnt need additional “bs classes” on her schedule. I’m positing that perhaps the school should offer her legitimately challenging and interesting classes to fill out her school day. Alternatively, perhaps they could at least squeeze the remaining material into a single semester and offer an early graduation option. What’s apparently happening now, though, is ridiculous and doesn’t serve anyone well.

I agree. Why aren't we expecting more from the school? We should expect them to create interesting and challenging electives. Or have a half day option for work release and still be counted present if they are at work.

This can work. My high school was set up like this. We had an awesome selection of electives: photography, nutrition, a class that ran a day care (I forget what the class was called), film making, coding, etc. The expectation was that we filled our schedule. If we only needed an English and Math class we could take those, one study period, electives, and get work release.

Not to mention this would give students the ability to explore interests before college so they are more in tune with what they'd like to major in.

Read the course catalog -- there's a lot of interesting stuff available outside of English/math/history and the slew of APs, at least at Wilson.

Public speaking
Accounting
Printmaking
Middle Eastern studies
Sociology
Psychology
Constitutional Law

http://www.wilsonhs.org/pdf/Wilson%20Course%20Catalog%20SY%202015-16.pdf

[Anonymous]

So then why are students only taking one or two classes senior year? I think the graduation requirement should be that they have a full schedule (including work release)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can schools remove OOB kids who don’t meet attendance requirements and not have them count against that school’s graduation rate?

* I realize they can’t do this now, but it might be a piece of the solution.

Wouldn't they have to give up funding? (IOW: the Hell with honesty and integrity if it affects getting paid, y'all!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard that white females have some of the highest absences at Wilson. But they have high grades. There are a lot of different issues at play here for all SES groups. Just sayin' to be careful about just focusing on OOB...

Yes, and I heard they're all blonde angels.

Maybe we're both only repeating gossip and rumor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can schools remove OOB kids who don’t meet attendance requirements and not have them count against that school’s graduation rate?

* I realize they can’t do this now, but it might be a piece of the solution.

Wouldn't they have to give up funding? (IOW: the Hell with honesty and integrity if it affects getting paid, y'all!)

If the kids are there at count day in October they get paid for the full year. A whole nother can of worms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can schools remove OOB kids who don’t meet attendance requirements and not have them count against that school’s graduation rate?

* I realize they can’t do this now, but it might be a piece of the solution.

Many of the bad and disruptive students at Wilson are not really OOB, but rather "FIB" or "DIB" -- far or distant "in-boundary." Wilson's boundaries are pretty big (almost gerrymandered in appearance) and include some sketchy areas. It's not just Upper NW.