Banneker versus School Without Walls

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, the test scores reflect inadequate college prep for some of the city's brightest students all the way from K-12. Look at SAT scores at NYC magnet programs for at-risk students, e.g. Bronx Science and Bronx Tech, if you doubt this. The average scores for AA and Latino students at those school are at least 200 points higher for both reading and math. The brightest poor minority kids can actually score high on standardized tests with the right prep and peer groups.

Your comparison is a bit misleading.

Banneker is 92% black and Hispanic

NYC's specialized schools such as Bronx High School of Science are about 9% black and Hispanic.

You have a point that there is no gifted and talented program in DC and that if they had one the minorities that participated would likely do better on the tests (though those left out of the program might do worse). New York City is also a much bigger school district. However, we still need to consider this option, because the other option that you are describing does not exist. Objectively Banneker's test scores are still good for DC and also very likely undervalue the students, as low income kids are likely to underperform on the tests and as grades are a better indicator of achievement. Abysmal is an exaggeration.

[Anonymous]

Thought I would come back and post for parents doing research on Banneker. Just because the PSAT/SAT averages aren’t what some want, it doesn’t mean your kid won’t score high. My kid scored in the 99th percentile for PSATs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, the test scores reflect inadequate college prep for some of the city's brightest students all the way from K-12. Look at SAT scores at NYC magnet programs for at-risk students, e.g. Bronx Science and Bronx Tech, if you doubt this. The average scores for AA and Latino students at those school are at least 200 points higher for both reading and math. The brightest poor minority kids can actually score high on standardized tests with the right prep and peer groups.

Your comparison is a bit misleading.

Banneker is 92% black and Hispanic

NYC's specialized schools such as Bronx High School of Science are about 9% black and Hispanic.

You have a point that there is no gifted and talented program in DC and that if they had one the minorities that participated would likely do better on the tests (though those left out of the program might do worse). New York City is also a much bigger school district. However, we still need to consider this option, because the other option that you are describing does not exist. Objectively Banneker's test scores are still good for DC and also very likely undervalue the students, as low income kids are likely to underperform on the tests and as grades are a better indicator of achievement. Abysmal is an exaggeration.

I think this comment really hits the mark. My sense is that Banneker does undersell the students, but if we think inter-generationally, the Banneker students' kids will likely be much better positioned from the start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thought I would come back and post for parents doing research on Banneker. Just because the PSAT/SAT averages aren’t what some want, it doesn’t mean your kid won’t score high. My kid scored in the 99th percentile for PSATs.

Congrats! That's great.