Why are HRCS so popular? Test scores stink.

[Anonymous]

The test scores for MV, CMI, and IT. There are a number of DCPS Title I schools with huge populations of ELL and at-risk kids doing better. So why are these charters so popular?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The test scores for MV, CMI, and IT. There are a number of DCPS Title I schools with huge populations of ELL and at-risk kids doing better. So why are these charters so popular?

Because there are a number of DCPS schools doing worse. MUCH WORSE. And their performance stinks so much, that parents are willing to cross the city to try better luck elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

You do know that the HRC moniker is made up?

People will say that they don't care about the tests. But there are many other so-called HRCs that have good elementary test scores including YY, LAMB.

And there are the charters that are not popular on DCUM (DC Prep, KIPP) that are doing very well.

[Anonymous]

All parents don't equally value a school that teaches to the test, or at least they don't equally prioritize that over other factors. Especially true of white and higher SES but not limited to those demographics.

[Anonymous]

I think test scores this year indicate a flawed test (see janney etc). But I also think that some hrcs models don't fit well with standardized tests. Parents of kids in these schools know exactly where their students are (what they are able to read, what their vocabulary is, what they are bale to do in math). If a test says their child is simply proficient in ELA but the child is reading and enjoying advanced books, is the parent going to freak out and move their child - no. The hard part if for the school to communicate this outside of it's parents. I suspect they won't try and will instead embark on test prep Saturday curriculums

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All parents don't equally value a school that teaches to the test, or at least they don't equally prioritize that over other factors. Especially true of white and higher SES but not limited to those demographics.

Let the excuses for poor test scores begin!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The test scores for MV, CMI, and IT. There are a number of DCPS Title I schools with huge populations of ELL and at-risk kids doing better. So why are these charters so popular?

Because they aren't Title I.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All parents don't equally value a school that teaches to the test, or at least they don't equally prioritize that over other factors. Especially true of white and higher SES but not limited to those demographics.

Let the excuses for poor test scores begin!

+1

[Anonymous]

Lol When poor kids don't do well it's because the school sucks. When high see kids don't do well it's a flawed test. Emperor's New Clothes

[Anonymous]

Because most parents are savvy enough to know that you don't pick a school based strictly on test scores.

[Anonymous]

As long as you folks keep treating education like it's a fight where if you win, I lose - then we all lose.

Congrats - "your" test scores are high. Isn't that enough?

At our "HRCS" (a name made up in a farce DCUM thread) we are continuing to work on our testable grades. Not sure why you take joy in a school not doing well. Seems...off putting.

[Anonymous]

I didn't choose a school based on test scores. I'm IB for a school with high test scores, but a I picked a HRCS with more programing.

Judging by the OP - I'm glad I made that choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol When poor kids don't do well it's because the school sucks. When high see kids don't do well it's a flawed test. Emperor's New Clothes

families at these schools know whether they suck or not. It is likely also true that families at title 1 schools know whether they suck or not - sometimes families fight hard to keep these school open despite their low test scores. I believe we should listen to these families too and not just dismiss them. Parents know whether a school is good or not.

For HRCS, the most important number is retention between 1st and 4th grade. If they are loosing kids in droves after the PK-k churn, the school has problems. If the classes are fairly stable (just a few leaving for better ns feeder patterns), then the school is good despite the test scores. Parents there know whether the school is good just like you (if your kids are in in 1st or above) know how much and well your kid is learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't choose a school based on test scores. I'm IB for a school with high test scores, but a I picked a HRCS with more programing.

Judging by the OP - I'm glad I made that choice.

+1.

OP what school do your kids attend? Why do you care what we choose? Serious questions, not snark. Do you expect someone to answer from one of these school without disclosing yours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As long as you folks keep treating education like it's a fight where if you win, I lose - then we all lose.

Congrats - "your" test scores are high. Isn't that enough?

At our "HRCS" (a name made up in a farce DCUM thread) we are continuing to work on our testable grades. Not sure why you take joy in a school not doing well. Seems...off putting.

I don't think OP is "taking joy" in this. She's just asking the question which I think needs to be asked loud and clear.