Why are certain charters on the top of everyone's lists? What is the magic that makes them so loved?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most HRCS have barriers to entry of one sort of another -- originally it was the individual lottery application process, now it's the siblings of those who got in initially -- that exclude the city's poor and disenfranchised.

Their absence makes everyone else feel better. It's called "creaming".

Exactly. Poaching the best students and wealthiest families from DCPS.

This is pure bullshit and will continue to be bullshit no matter how many times you try and repeat it. Every applicant to the lottery has an equal chance of getting into a charter.

Students SELF SELECT. Charters do not get to pick and choose.

This is nonsense. You don't view the lottery itself as a barrier - especially to those with poor computer skills, no computer access, or non-English speakers?

You don't think that schools that are far from mass transit present a barrier to those parents that don't have the luxury of time or money to drive their kids across town?

You don't think that - just to give one example - Washington Latin providing a bus for students in NW DC but no bus for students in Wards 7 and 8 might have some kind of impact on whether those students attend Latin or not?

What nonsense. Not a Latin parent, but from what I understand Latin is on the green line and offers a shuttle from the green line to the school. Plus I am pretty sure there has got to be buses that can take you there for free via metrobus.

As for the lottery, all of the DC libraries have computers and staff members more than happy to show people how to apply not to mention all of the social services in this city. These same services probably have access to translators too. Additionally any of these schools I am sure would be willing to walk a family through the process as well.

I am also willing to wager that these same disadvantaged folks you speak of have no problems applying for the various sorts of assistance available from our social safety nets so I call hogwash to your assertion about barriers.

Metro is not free. And bus service to Latin is terrible. So again, if you do not have the luxury of time and money to get your kid across town, you are not going to send them there. Or if you do not live in one the targeted communities in NW where Latin provides (costly) bus service, you are not going to go there.

Sure, people can get help with the lottery if they need it. But that's the point - getting help is a hassle. I bet you don't need help - you can probably apply in 15 minutes from the comfort of your living room.

The point isn't hat it is impossible for poor and disadvantaged kids to go to charter schools - but there are barriers that exist for poor and disadvantaged kids that don't exist for others.

Latin was originally located in NW where said bus now serves. Do you really think charters actually choose where they live? Also bus service is free and not difficult to Latin. You are picking and failing.

[Anonymous]

Thank you 7:23. Latin parent here!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most HRCS have barriers to entry of one sort of another -- originally it was the individual lottery application process, now it's the siblings of those who got in initially -- that exclude the city's poor and disenfranchised.

Their absence makes everyone else feel better. It's called "creaming".

Exactly. Poaching the best students and wealthiest families from DCPS.

This is pure bullshit and will continue to be bullshit no matter how many times you try and repeat it. Every applicant to the lottery has an equal chance of getting into a charter.

Students SELF SELECT. Charters do not get to pick and choose.

This is nonsense. You don't view the lottery itself as a barrier - especially to those with poor computer skills, no computer access, or non-English speakers?

You don't think that schools that are far from mass transit present a barrier to those parents that don't have the luxury of time or money to drive their kids across town?

You don't think that - just to give one example - Washington Latin providing a bus for students in NW DC but no bus for students in Wards 7 and 8 might have some kind of impact on whether those students attend Latin or not?

What nonsense. Not a Latin parent, but from what I understand Latin is on the green line and offers a shuttle from the green line to the school. Plus I am pretty sure there has got to be buses that can take you there for free via metrobus.

As for the lottery, all of the DC libraries have computers and staff members more than happy to show people how to apply not to mention all of the social services in this city. These same services probably have access to translators too. Additionally any of these schools I am sure would be willing to walk a family through the process as well.

I am also willing to wager that these same disadvantaged folks you speak of have no problems applying for the various sorts of assistance available from our social safety nets so I call hogwash to your assertion about barriers.

Metro is not free. And bus service to Latin is terrible. So again, if you do not have the luxury of time and money to get your kid across town, you are not going to send them there. Or if you do not live in one the targeted communities in NW where Latin provides (costly) bus service, you are not going to go there.

Sure, people can get help with the lottery if they need it. But that's the point - getting help is a hassle. I bet you don't need help - you can probably apply in 15 minutes from the comfort of your living room.

The point isn't hat it is impossible for poor and disadvantaged kids to go to charter schools - but there are barriers that exist for poor and disadvantaged kids that don't exist for others.

Latin was originally located in NW where said bus now serves. Do you really think charters actually choose where they live? Also bus service is free and not difficult to Latin. You are picking and failing.

Of course charters choose where they live. Do you think that they are randomly assigned a location by the DC government?

Metrobus is free, yes. But the special Latin bus is not. The Latin-organized bus that picks up at Guy Mason in NW DC and takes kids directly to the school costs $1,500 per year per student. And that bus is not available to kids in Ward 7 and 8.

It's not a knock on Latin, or the parents who send their kids there. But it is obvious on its face that there are barriers that exists the for poor kids (and kids with parents that are uneducated, do not speak English, or just do not care ) that disproportionately impact their ability to attend charters.

[Anonymous]

The 60, 62, 63, 64 and several other Metrobuses are within a couple of blocks of Latin - all covered on the DC One student pass.

I had a 2 mile walk to get to one of my schools growing up, and I'd wager that the non-English speakers probably came from countries where it was even harder than that for kids to get to school - so frankly the "it's a barrier" argument merits nothing more than a huge eyeroll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most HRCS have barriers to entry of one sort of another -- originally it was the individual lottery application process, now it's the siblings of those who got in initially -- that exclude the city's poor and disenfranchised.

Their absence makes everyone else feel better. It's called "creaming".

Exactly. Poaching the best students and wealthiest families from DCPS.

This is pure bullshit and will continue to be bullshit no matter how many times you try and repeat it. Every applicant to the lottery has an equal chance of getting into a charter.

Students SELF SELECT. Charters do not get to pick and choose.

This is nonsense. You don't view the lottery itself as a barrier - especially to those with poor computer skills, no computer access, or non-English speakers?

You don't think that schools that are far from mass transit present a barrier to those parents that don't have the luxury of time or money to drive their kids across town?

You don't think that - just to give one example - Washington Latin providing a bus for students in NW DC but no bus for students in Wards 7 and 8 might have some kind of impact on whether those students attend Latin or not?

What nonsense. Not a Latin parent, but from what I understand Latin is on the green line and offers a shuttle from the green line to the school. Plus I am pretty sure there has got to be buses that can take you there for free via metrobus.

As for the lottery, all of the DC libraries have computers and staff members more than happy to show people how to apply not to mention all of the social services in this city. These same services probably have access to translators too. Additionally any of these schools I am sure would be willing to walk a family through the process as well.

I am also willing to wager that these same disadvantaged folks you speak of have no problems applying for the various sorts of assistance available from our social safety nets so I call hogwash to your assertion about barriers.

Metro is not free. And bus service to Latin is terrible. So again, if you do not have the luxury of time and money to get your kid across town, you are not going to send them there. Or if you do not live in one the targeted communities in NW where Latin provides (costly) bus service, you are not going to go there.

Sure, people can get help with the lottery if they need it. But that's the point - getting help is a hassle. I bet you don't need help - you can probably apply in 15 minutes from the comfort of your living room.

The point isn't hat it is impossible for poor and disadvantaged kids to go to charter schools - but there are barriers that exist for poor and disadvantaged kids that don't exist for others.

Latin was originally located in NW where said bus now serves. Do you really think charters actually choose where they live? Also bus service is free and not difficult to Latin. You are picking and failing.

Of course charters choose where they live. Do you think that they are randomly assigned a location by the DC government?

Metrobus is free, yes. But the special Latin bus is not. The Latin-organized bus that picks up at Guy Mason in NW DC and takes kids directly to the school costs $1,500 per year per student. And that bus is not available to kids in Ward 7 and 8.

It's not a knock on Latin, or the parents who send their kids there. But it is obvious on its face that there are barriers that exists the for poor kids (and kids with parents that are uneducated, do not speak English, or just do not care ) that disproportionately impact their ability to attend charters.

HRCSs frequently have to compete on the commercial real estate market. That means they go where they can afford to go. Furthermore, some of the highest scoring schools in the city are KIPP and DC Prep - both of which are very high FARMS. So, Shenanigans on your B.S. and take your grudge elsewhere bitterwoman.

[Anonymous]

The barrier argument is just stupid.

We see all the students in our DC's class. They come to our home for birthday parties and we go to theirs. Huge differences sometimes in the family's income, but the kids don't care yet. (FYI, we are on the poorer side of most of these parties. Cake for the kids and pizza for the grownups.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charters that actually have some meaningful number of high SES or white families. I don't want my kid to be the ONLY white kid and at our IB, she would be one of about 4 white kids in the entire school. I see the way the other kids act on the playground and the bullying she would endure is not worth the effort of trying to make the school work. Hgiher SES kids tend to have significantly less behavioral problems. Another factor for charters that do have a higher number of AA or poor kids is the location. Is it clear that the parents have to make an effort to get their kids to school every day> That usually means the parents also give a damn about education.

This comment is ridiculous to me...racism is so real.

Yeah, I read that earlier, thought of about a 5 page rebuttal, considered that it's so ridiculous that maybe it's a troll, and then just left it alone.

I went to school with some very high SES (not just DC-lawyer/lobbyist high) kids. Many of the were dumb as rocks and bullies too. Even worse because they knew they could get away with a lot since their parents' donations paid for my scholarship and then some.

As I read your post, I immediately thought of these two brothers attending a top three private in NW DC. They are two of the meanest, nastiest, most undisciplined and disruptive kids I know. But, mommy and daddy pay full tuition for three kids plus donate a bundle to the school. High SES and white, but hey that's all that is required for the original PP.

You're not having the same conversation. Rich, private school bullies are a different animal from low-SES, urban public school trouble-makers. They're both horrible; but the former isn't causing a problem in elementary school at the HRCs.

Had the OP asked about her fear of date-rape drugs, then that would have been your queue.

[Anonymous]

Cue, you mean.

-- product of a middling public school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cue, you mean.

-- product of a middling public school

Just auto-correct.

[Anonymous]

The ¨magic¨ is that a school comes in which offers something innovative, beyond the general DCPS curriculum, and higher SES parents opt in. Then they quickly fill it up, and it becomes next to impossible for anyone else to get in.

Better luck in the lottery at Hearst than at LAMB.

[Anonymous]

The "magic" is that it is a lot easier and more frequently expel students for various undesirable attributes at a rate of 71:1 as compared to public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "magic" is that it is a lot easier and more frequently expel students for various undesirable attributes at a rate of 71:1 as compared to public schools.

Source?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most HRCS have barriers to entry of one sort of another -- originally it was the individual lottery application process, now it's the siblings of those who got in initially -- that exclude the city's poor and disenfranchised.

Their absence makes everyone else feel better. It's called "creaming".

Exactly. Poaching the best students and wealthiest families from DCPS.

This is pure bullshit and will continue to be bullshit no matter how many times you try and repeat it. Every applicant to the lottery has an equal chance of getting into a charter.

Students SELF SELECT. Charters do not get to pick and choose.

This is nonsense. You don't view the lottery itself as a barrier - especially to those with poor computer skills, no computer access, or non-English speakers?

You don't think that schools that are far from mass transit present a barrier to those parents that don't have the luxury of time or money to drive their kids across town?

You don't think that - just to give one example - Washington Latin providing a bus for students in NW DC but no bus for students in Wards 7 and 8 might have some kind of impact on whether those students attend Latin or not?

What nonsense. Not a Latin parent, but from what I understand Latin is on the green line and offers a shuttle from the green line to the school. Plus I am pretty sure there has got to be buses that can take you there for free via metrobus.

As for the lottery, all of the DC libraries have computers and staff members more than happy to show people how to apply not to mention all of the social services in this city. These same services probably have access to translators too. Additionally any of these schools I am sure would be willing to walk a family through the process as well.

I am also willing to wager that these same disadvantaged folks you speak of have no problems applying for the various sorts of assistance available from our social safety nets so I call hogwash to your assertion about barriers.

Metro is not free. And bus service to Latin is terrible. So again, if you do not have the luxury of time and money to get your kid across town, you are not going to send them there. Or if you do not live in one the targeted communities in NW where Latin provides (costly) bus service, you are not going to go there.

Sure, people can get help with the lottery if they need it. But that's the point - getting help is a hassle. I bet you don't need help - you can probably apply in 15 minutes from the comfort of your living room.

The point isn't hat it is impossible for poor and disadvantaged kids to go to charter schools - but there are barriers that exist for poor and disadvantaged kids that don't exist for others.

Like not being prepared?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "magic" is that it is a lot easier and more frequently expel students for various undesirable attributes at a rate of 71:1 as compared to public schools.

Source?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-charter-schools-expel-students-at-far-higher-rates-than-traditional-public-schools/2013/01/05/e155e4bc-44a9-11e2-8061-253bccfc7532_story.html

D.C. charter schools expelled 676 students in the past three years, while the city’s traditional public schools expelled 24, according to a Washington Post review of school data. During the 2011-12 school year, when charters enrolled 41 percent of the city’s students, they removed 227 children for discipline violations and had an expulsion rate of 72 per 10,000 students; the District school system removed three and had an expulsion rate of less than 1 per 10,000 students.

[Anonymous]

That source should be posted to many threads.