FCPS comprehensive boundary review

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saw this linked in the weekly newsletter. Looks like draft scenarios will be out in the April/May timeframe.

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/D9UJD64C86AD/$file/FCPS%20Project%20Planning%20Presentation_FINAL%2010-08-24.pdf

Just took a look at this. It looks like with the boundary scenario tool they are using when they shift boundaries it reports potential enrollment, FARMS %, special ed %, race, and home language (Slide 23). If they are looking for socioeconomic rebalancing, this tool will do it for them.

You do understand that data scientists can customize tools and dashboards to address whatever concerns an individual school board has, right? They're not going to use the same exact tool they used for Omaha in Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saw this linked in the weekly newsletter. Looks like draft scenarios will be out in the April/May timeframe.

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/D9UJD64C86AD/$file/FCPS%20Project%20Planning%20Presentation_FINAL%2010-08-24.pdf

Just took a look at this. It looks like with the boundary scenario tool they are using when they shift boundaries it reports potential enrollment, FARMS %, special ed %, race, and home language (Slide 23). If they are looking for socioeconomic rebalancing, this tool will do it for them.

You do understand that data scientists can customize tools and dashboards to address whatever concerns an individual school board has, right? They're not going to use the same exact tool they used for Omaha in Fairfax County.

DP. The consultants were quite clear they’d be using the same software tool, developed by another company, that they’ve used on prior engagements. Whether they deploy the tool differently or focus on different outputs is a separate question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saw this linked in the weekly newsletter. Looks like draft scenarios will be out in the April/May timeframe.

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/D9UJD64C86AD/$file/FCPS%20Project%20Planning%20Presentation_FINAL%2010-08-24.pdf

Just took a look at this. It looks like with the boundary scenario tool they are using when they shift boundaries it reports potential enrollment, FARMS %, special ed %, race, and home language (Slide 23). If they are looking for socioeconomic rebalancing, this tool will do it for them.

You do understand that data scientists can customize tools and dashboards to address whatever concerns an individual school board has, right? They're not going to use the same exact tool they used for Omaha in Fairfax County.

No. I don’t understand that genius. Thank you. I said if they are looking to use it in that way, this tool is capable of doing it. Whether or not they choose to use it for that purpose is up to them and the school board. I guarantee they with both be considering those numbers even if it doesn’t go into the report the public sees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Saw this linked in the weekly newsletter. Looks like draft scenarios will be out in the April/May timeframe.

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/D9UJD64C86AD/$file/FCPS%20Project%20Planning%20Presentation_FINAL%2010-08-24.pdf

Just took a look at this. It looks like with the boundary scenario tool they are using when they shift boundaries it reports potential enrollment, FARMS %, special ed %, race, and home language (Slide 23). If they are looking for socioeconomic rebalancing, this tool will do it for them.

You do understand that data scientists can customize tools and dashboards to address whatever concerns an individual school board has, right? They're not going to use the same exact tool they used for Omaha in Fairfax County.

DP. The consultants were quite clear they’d be using the same software tool, developed by another company, that they’ve used on prior engagements. Whether they deploy the tool differently or focus on different outputs is a separate question.

They also agreed with Dunne that this will affect virtually every pyramid.

[Anonymous]

Scary to think these consultants are drawing map boundaries with the main priority being a balance in FARMS percentages. People who don’t live or commute in the area but making adjustments based on a map and likely informed by what google maps says for drive times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Scary to think these consultants are drawing map boundaries with the main priority being a balance in FARMS percentages. People who don’t live or commute in the area but making adjustments based on a map and likely informed by what google maps says for drive times.

Do any members of the consultant team live here? Making decisions based on a map and a data input with some abstract goal or outcome in mind lacks context.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Scary to think these consultants are drawing map boundaries with the main priority being a balance in FARMS percentages. People who don’t live or commute in the area but making adjustments based on a map and likely informed by what google maps says for drive times.

Do any members of the consultant team live here? Making decisions based on a map and a data input with some abstract goal or outcome in mind lacks context.

I think they’re based in New Jersey. I don’t believe any of them live here.

[Anonymous]

What I don't understand is my house is closer to Oakton and Madison and I am zone for Falls Church High school which is the furthest one. Each day I have to drive 15-20 minutes on route 50 on this crazy traffic whereas I can go to Madison and Oakton within 10 minutes. The logistic doesn't make sense at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I don't understand is my house is closer to Oakton and Madison and I am zone for Falls Church High school which is the furthest one. Each day I have to drive 15-20 minutes on route 50 on this crazy traffic whereas I can go to Madison and Oakton within 10 minutes. The logistic doesn't make sense at all.

There are a bunch of schools like this. Even worse, there are neighborhoods within walking distance of a middle school and high school but they are zoned for more distant schools effectively requiring vehicular (car/bus) transportation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I don't understand is my house is closer to Oakton and Madison and I am zone for Falls Church High school which is the furthest one. Each day I have to drive 15-20 minutes on route 50 on this crazy traffic whereas I can go to Madison and Oakton within 10 minutes. The logistic doesn't make sense at all.

Hopefully these are the kinds of things corrected by the new maps and not tinkering for income/ESOL reasons. There is a neighborhood in my area where their bus stop is within the walk distance (provided they are allowed to cross a two lane road where there is a crosswalk) for my kids’ ES but they instead go to a school about 2.5 miles away on the bus. It’s one of those things that goes back years but could easily be solved right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I don't understand is my house is closer to Oakton and Madison and I am zone for Falls Church High school which is the furthest one. Each day I have to drive 15-20 minutes on route 50 on this crazy traffic whereas I can go to Madison and Oakton within 10 minutes. The logistic doesn't make sense at all.

Falls Church high school is being expanded. Low likelihood that you get moved with a boundary change. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't understand is my house is closer to Oakton and Madison and I am zone for Falls Church High school which is the furthest one. Each day I have to drive 15-20 minutes on route 50 on this crazy traffic whereas I can go to Madison and Oakton within 10 minutes. The logistic doesn't make sense at all.

Hopefully these are the kinds of things corrected by the new maps and not tinkering for income/ESOL reasons. There is a neighborhood in my area where their bus stop is within the walk distance (provided they are allowed to cross a two lane road where there is a crosswalk) for my kids’ ES but they instead go to a school about 2.5 miles away on the bus. It’s one of those things that goes back years but could easily be solved right now.

We demand nuclear option with no grandfathering, now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Scary to think these consultants are drawing map boundaries with the main priority being a balance in FARMS percentages. People who don’t live or commute in the area but making adjustments based on a map and likely informed by what google maps says for drive times.

I think it is cost savings that are at the top of the list. The number of students per capita is high in Fairfax county- and has been for decades. It costs more as a result. They are squeezed. Reducing bussing costs is one way. Reducing programs is another.

If I were in charge, I would seriously think about going to AP only and pick the same three languages to be offered at each high school and the same x variety of AP classes offered. That would also help reduce costs and keep everyone in their local school. Streamline everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Scary to think these consultants are drawing map boundaries with the main priority being a balance in FARMS percentages. People who don’t live or commute in the area but making adjustments based on a map and likely informed by what google maps says for drive times.

I think it is cost savings that are at the top of the list. The number of students per capita is high in Fairfax county- and has been for decades. It costs more as a result. They are squeezed. Reducing bussing costs is one way. Reducing programs is another.

If I were in charge, I would seriously think about going to AP only and pick the same three languages to be offered at each high school and the same x variety of AP classes offered. That would also help reduce costs and keep everyone in their local school. Streamline everything.

I will add, that the special programs I would add would be for the trades. We need more electricians, plumbers, car mechanics, healthcare workers……. Make our schools work to make our community better. Public schools are for the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Scary to think these consultants are drawing map boundaries with the main priority being a balance in FARMS percentages. People who don’t live or commute in the area but making adjustments based on a map and likely informed by what google maps says for drive times.

I think it is cost savings that are at the top of the list. The number of students per capita is high in Fairfax county- and has been for decades. It costs more as a result. They are squeezed. Reducing bussing costs is one way. Reducing programs is another.

If I were in charge, I would seriously think about going to AP only and pick the same three languages to be offered at each high school and the same x variety of AP classes offered. That would also help reduce costs and keep everyone in their local school. Streamline everything.

Students per capita is decreasing in the county and FCPS will eventually face a demographic cliff the same way colleges are.