School residency cheaters investigated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an AA parent who recently purchased in DC, in a Deal/Wilson-zoned neighborhood. I know of a couple cases like this (i.e., possible residency fraud due to using relatives' addresses when child lives elsewhere in DC), although I don't know of any families that live in MD. I would not report them since I don't know the family situation with certainty, and also not really my thing. I do, however, think the bar for proving residency should be higher, given how prevalent this seems to be.

I definitely think this should be investigated by OSSE when warranted, and don't think it's racist to do so. There are many parents in DC, including many AA families, who play by the rules, and as a result are often relegated to waitlists, sometimes even when they live in the neighborhood (in the case of PK3/4).

That said, this is a poorly written article, and it doesn't really seem to be written in an objective way. Further, I think some of the tactics used in this story, while perhaps legal, are distasteful: "A dozen people with Maryland tags all of went directly to Maryland after picking up their kids. Reporters also observed that the mothers and children stayed there overnight." Were they camping out overnight outside of people's homes?

Finally, what paper is this? I've never heard of it. It looks to be a conservative paper, given the featured columns by Ann Coulter, the 'Guns' section, and the pro-Trump articles on the landing page. This makes me question the motives of the journalist even more.

You make a good point. Every residence fraud case robs some deserving DC kid of a coveted spot in a better school, or at least diverts scarce funding resources that otherwise could have gone for a science teacher, tutors, library books and after school programs.

The journalist may or may not be Walter Cronkite, but the story is important. Exposing theft of public services is motive enough. For example, I don't agree at all with the Wall St Journal's conservative editorials, but I acknowledge that the paper covers important stories.

PP here. Okay, point taken.

I wonder if DCPS/DCPCS could do something like launch a public campaign to discourage cheaters--e.g., media campaign stating that beginning 2017-2018 school year, school families will be subject to random checks to confirm residency, and that those found to be committing residency fraud will have to immediately unenroll. If such a campaign could be launched far in advance--maybe even sending notes home in backpacks--perhaps that would in effect put these families on notice so that they are more likely to enroll in their own schools in time for the start of the next school year. Just a thought--not sure what the best strategy would be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The article -- with an approach that may seem extreme -- shows that the many, many of the kids in question are not in delicate family situations.

The problem never gets addressed because everyone fears, understandably, doing harm to kids in vulnerable situations.

But that fear is what allows a huge amount of exploitation -- which is what the article is trying to show by its "icky stalking" of two-parent families.

At what point is the abuse bad enough that some action has to be taken despite the risks of needlessly investigating a valid situation?

I think this is really on point. Many of us knew about the fraud, but worried the kids were in need - so we didn't speak up. Now this "article" (and I use that term loosely) is making me (and maybe others) wonder if it is just a lot of people taking advantage of the system.

same w/ welfare

So, if the kids are "in need", isn't it the job of the State of Maryland or of Prince George's County to take care of their residents? Why should DC taxpayers assume this additional burden?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am extremely skeptical about the quality and motivation of Daily Caller investigative reporting, but I have to say, it does sound like a pretty severe problem and like they did actual (appropriate) reporting. It's not "stalking". But I'm not sure about the quality of the reporting. For example, how they describe L-T as

"in a mostly white neighborhood along a commuter route that runs from Prince George’s County to federal buildings downtown.

The school is almost entirely black and government statistics indicate that few of the students live in the neighborhood. Poor test scores have left neighborhood parents feeling they can’t use their own school, and must pay for private education or enroll their children in a more distant public school."

I don't think that accurately represents the L-T demographics, the current reputation of L-T, or the legitimate OOB system. It also seems to be trying to drive a pretty ugly racial/class wedge.

Exactly. Cheating happens in every use of public funds, but photographing people and following them home is beyond creepy.

Fraud is fraud, and this is standard for investigative journalism. It's clear that the school principal ("nothing to see here") won't do anything about the fraud, although the evidence is right in front of her eyes.

Calling this article journalism is really a stretch, with its frequent use of terms like vast majority, many, some, dozens. How does one follow "dozens" of people and also determine parental relationships? Oh and we're supposed to believe that the "vast majority" of these people are driving nice cars to jobs in DC, but "dozens" turn around and drive back to Maryland?

I don't doubt that residency fraud happens but this article is not journalism, it's hokey - and yes indeed, racist - conjecture.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The tax dollars being spent on MD families, some of whom are not from "delicate" situations, could actually be used toward DC kids who need special services! Fraud is fraud and someone is losing out. In this case, its needy DC kids.

Agree. A coworker just moved from DC to MD (PG County). Her child has an IEP. The weekend after she moved, I asked her what school her child would be attending next year. Her response was that she had not decided yet if she was going to put him in his (new) home school or leave him in his DC school because of the free aftercare she'd be losing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an AA parent who recently purchased in DC, in a Deal/Wilson-zoned neighborhood. I know of a couple cases like this (i.e., possible residency fraud due to using relatives' addresses when child lives elsewhere in DC), although I don't know of any families that live in MD. I would not report them since I don't know the family situation with certainty, and also not really my thing. I do, however, think the bar for proving residency should be higher, given how prevalent this seems to be.

I definitely think this should be investigated by OSSE when warranted, and don't think it's racist to do so. There are many parents in DC, including many AA families, who play by the rules, and as a result are often relegated to waitlists, sometimes even when they live in the neighborhood (in the case of PK3/4).

That said, this is a poorly written article, and it doesn't really seem to be written in an objective way. Further, I think some of the tactics used in this story, while perhaps legal, are distasteful: "A dozen people with Maryland tags all of went directly to Maryland after picking up their kids. Reporters also observed that the mothers and children stayed there overnight." Were they camping out overnight outside of people's homes?

Finally, what paper is this? I've never heard of it. It looks to be a conservative paper, given the featured columns by Ann Coulter, the 'Guns' section, and the pro-Trump articles on the landing page. This makes me question the motives of the journalist even more.

You make a good point. Every residence fraud case robs some deserving DC kid of a coveted spot in a better school, or at least diverts scarce funding resources that otherwise could have gone for a science teacher, tutors, library books and after school programs.

The journalist may or may not be Walter Cronkite, but the story is important. Exposing theft of public services is motive enough. For example, I don't agree at all with the Wall St Journal's conservative editorials, but I acknowledge that the paper covers important stories.

PP here. Okay, point taken.

I wonder if DCPS/DCPCS could do something like launch a public campaign to discourage cheaters--e.g., media campaign stating that beginning 2017-2018 school year, school families will be subject to random checks to confirm residency, and that those found to be committing residency fraud will have to immediately unenroll. If such a campaign could be launched far in advance--maybe even sending notes home in backpacks--perhaps that would in effect put these families on notice so that they are more likely to enroll in their own schools in time for the start of the next school year. Just a thought--not sure what the best strategy would be.

I meant to specify home visits as checks to confirm residency. And it would have to be completely random, so that these audits won't be accused of targeting families that are low SES, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am extremely skeptical about the quality and motivation of Daily Caller investigative reporting, but I have to say, it does sound like a pretty severe problem and like they did actual (appropriate) reporting. It's not "stalking". But I'm not sure about the quality of the reporting. For example, how they describe L-T as

"in a mostly white neighborhood along a commuter route that runs from Prince George’s County to federal buildings downtown.

The school is almost entirely black and government statistics indicate that few of the students live in the neighborhood. Poor test scores have left neighborhood parents feeling they can’t use their own school, and must pay for private education or enroll their children in a more distant public school."

I don't think that accurately represents the L-T demographics, the current reputation of L-T, or the legitimate OOB system. It also seems to be trying to drive a pretty ugly racial/class wedge.

Exactly. Cheating happens in every use of public funds, but photographing people and following them home is beyond creepy.

Fraud is fraud, and this is standard for investigative journalism. It's clear that the school principal ("nothing to see here") won't do anything about the fraud, although the evidence is right in front of her eyes.

Calling this article journalism is really a stretch, with its frequent use of terms like vast majority, many, some, dozens. How does one follow "dozens" of people and also determine parental relationships? Oh and we're supposed to believe that the "vast majority" of these people are driving nice cars to jobs in DC, but "dozens" turn around and drive back to Maryland?

I don't doubt that residency fraud happens but this article is not journalism, it's hokey - and yes indeed, racist - conjecture.

So basically you are saying that yes, you believe the article because you acknowledge residency fraud happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am extremely skeptical about the quality and motivation of Daily Caller investigative reporting, but I have to say, it does sound like a pretty severe problem and like they did actual (appropriate) reporting. It's not "stalking". But I'm not sure about the quality of the reporting. For example, how they describe L-T as

"in a mostly white neighborhood along a commuter route that runs from Prince George’s County to federal buildings downtown.

The school is almost entirely black and government statistics indicate that few of the students live in the neighborhood. Poor test scores have left neighborhood parents feeling they can’t use their own school, and must pay for private education or enroll their children in a more distant public school."

I don't think that accurately represents the L-T demographics, the current reputation of L-T, or the legitimate OOB system. It also seems to be trying to drive a pretty ugly racial/class wedge.

Exactly. Cheating happens in every use of public funds, but photographing people and following them home is beyond creepy.

Fraud is fraud, and this is standard for investigative journalism. It's clear that the school principal ("nothing to see here") won't do anything about the fraud, although the evidence is right in front of her eyes.

Calling this article journalism is really a stretch, with its frequent use of terms like vast majority, many, some, dozens. How does one follow "dozens" of people and also determine parental relationships? Oh and we're supposed to believe that the "vast majority" of these people are driving nice cars to jobs in DC, but "dozens" turn around and drive back to Maryland?

I don't doubt that residency fraud happens but this article is not journalism, it's hokey - and yes indeed, racist - conjecture.

So what if it is. Maybe gets a conversation started that we all know needs to happen.

[Anonymous]

There is some fraud, I'm sure, but also, sometimes families are really complicated. Thus, I think schools/administrators should be able to have some flexibility to be compassionate. OSSE has a responsibility to address fraud, but also a responsibility to support children's needs, regardless of what percentage of nights they sleep in one house or another or who "technically" has custody vs. who practically has custody.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an AA parent who recently purchased in DC, in a Deal/Wilson-zoned neighborhood. I know of a couple cases like this (i.e., possible residency fraud due to using relatives' addresses when child lives elsewhere in DC), although I don't know of any families that live in MD. I would not report them since I don't know the family situation with certainty, and also not really my thing. I do, however, think the bar for proving residency should be higher, given how prevalent this seems to be.

I definitely think this should be investigated by OSSE when warranted, and don't think it's racist to do so. There are many parents in DC, including many AA families, who play by the rules, and as a result are often relegated to waitlists, sometimes even when they live in the neighborhood (in the case of PK3/4).

That said, this is a poorly written article, and it doesn't really seem to be written in an objective way. Further, I think some of the tactics used in this story, while perhaps legal, are distasteful: "A dozen people with Maryland tags all of went directly to Maryland after picking up their kids. Reporters also observed that the mothers and children stayed there overnight." Were they camping out overnight outside of people's homes?

Finally, what paper is this? I've never heard of it. It looks to be a conservative paper, given the featured columns by Ann Coulter, the 'Guns' section, and the pro-Trump articles on the landing page. This makes me question the motives of the journalist even more.

You make a good point. Every residence fraud case robs some deserving DC kid of a coveted spot in a better school, or at least diverts scarce funding resources that otherwise could have gone for a science teacher, tutors, library books and after school programs.

The journalist may or may not be Walter Cronkite, but the story is important. Exposing theft of public services is motive enough. For example, I don't agree at all with the Wall St Journal's conservative editorials, but I acknowledge that the paper covers important stories.

PP here. Okay, point taken.

I wonder if DCPS/DCPCS could do something like launch a public campaign to discourage cheaters--e.g., media campaign stating that beginning 2017-2018 school year, school families will be subject to random checks to confirm residency, and that those found to be committing residency fraud will have to immediately unenroll. If such a campaign could be launched far in advance--maybe even sending notes home in backpacks--perhaps that would in effect put these families on notice so that they are more likely to enroll in their own schools in time for the start of the next school year. Just a thought--not sure what the best strategy would be.

This would not have any effects. people are cheating and they know it, they do it because it is convenient for them and make them save $$$$ (free preK3, free Prek4, free aftercare). if the penalty is having to unenroll if caught, nobody would care. the chance of being caught is little, and the consequence is simply having to leave the school, which would be the same if they situation if they do not enroll at all. the real deal would be if somebody is caught, then is forced to pay back tuition for all the years the child, and possibly the siblings, have been in DCPS. force them to pay, even if it takes years of payments. I understand this does not happen, the few cheaters who are caught are simply made leave the school, so the others learn that there is no downside to cheating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear ms. Watson,

You're not a crusader. You are a self-aggrandizement small person harassing children. Really? You're shocked that many parents were upset that you stalked them? I'm shocked that you have the balls to even basically say that what you really want is for Ludlow Taylor to get white enough for your kids to go there.

God help your kids.

I can see why you might be annoyed that someone might discover your fraud. But should you really be surfing the 'Net while on your day job at the DC DMV?

Oh, sweetie. We are ib for deal and Wilson, and I don't work. For money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is some fraud, I'm sure, but also, sometimes families are really complicated. Thus, I think schools/administrators should be able to have some flexibility to be compassionate. OSSE has a responsibility to address fraud, but also a responsibility to support children's needs, regardless of what percentage of nights they sleep in one house or another or who "technically" has custody vs. who practically has custody.

Regardless of how "complicated" a family situation, the legal test for school residency is surprisingly simple. The residence of the primary custodial parent governs school residency.

Personally, as a DCPS parent and DC taxpayer, I don't feel very "compassionate" about kids who arrive and leave school daily in their parents' MD-plated Cadillac Escalade. Clearly someone wants to take advantage of free aftercare aftercare and put the money saved into car bling, and is willing to commit fraud to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am extremely skeptical about the quality and motivation of Daily Caller investigative reporting, but I have to say, it does sound like a pretty severe problem and like they did actual (appropriate) reporting. It's not "stalking". But I'm not sure about the quality of the reporting. For example, how they describe L-T as

"in a mostly white neighborhood along a commuter route that runs from Prince George’s County to federal buildings downtown.

The school is almost entirely black and government statistics indicate that few of the students live in the neighborhood. Poor test scores have left neighborhood parents feeling they can’t use their own school, and must pay for private education or enroll their children in a more distant public school."

I don't think that accurately represents the L-T demographics, the current reputation of L-T, or the legitimate OOB system. It also seems to be trying to drive a pretty ugly racial/class wedge.

Exactly. Cheating happens in every use of public funds, but photographing people and following them home is beyond creepy.

Fraud is fraud, and this is standard for investigative journalism. It's clear that the school principal ("nothing to see here") won't do anything about the fraud, although the evidence is right in front of her eyes.

Calling this article journalism is really a stretch, with its frequent use of terms like vast majority, many, some, dozens. How does one follow "dozens" of people and also determine parental relationships? Oh and we're supposed to believe that the "vast majority" of these people are driving nice cars to jobs in DC, but "dozens" turn around and drive back to Maryland?

I don't doubt that residency fraud happens but this article is not journalism, it's hokey - and yes indeed, racist - conjecture.

Exactly. I liked the part where they said they had "a thousand" examples, and they "estimated" 40 per cent were put of state. If you have a thousand, can you not count?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am extremely skeptical about the quality and motivation of Daily Caller investigative reporting, but I have to say, it does sound like a pretty severe problem and like they did actual (appropriate) reporting. It's not "stalking". But I'm not sure about the quality of the reporting. For example, how they describe L-T as

"in a mostly white neighborhood along a commuter route that runs from Prince George’s County to federal buildings downtown.

The school is almost entirely black and government statistics indicate that few of the students live in the neighborhood. Poor test scores have left neighborhood parents feeling they can’t use their own school, and must pay for private education or enroll their children in a more distant public school."

I don't think that accurately represents the L-T demographics, the current reputation of L-T, or the legitimate OOB system. It also seems to be trying to drive a pretty ugly racial/class wedge.

It is not far from the truth. The neighborhood parents know who the neighborhood kids are, obviously, but there are tons of residency cheaters with tall tales to justify their MD tags. Of the neighborhood parents, my off the cuff guess would be: 40% at L-T, (but most move due to issues with post-preschool years highlighted in article) 30% charter, 30% private, or parochial, to St Peters.

[Anonymous]

This would not have any effects. people are cheating and they know it, they do it because it is convenient for them and make them save $$$$ (free preK3, free Prek4, free aftercare). if the penalty is having to unenroll if caught, nobody would care. the chance of being caught is little, and the consequence is simply having to leave the school, which would be the same if they situation if they do not enroll at all. the real deal would be if somebody is caught, then is forced to pay back tuition for all the years the child, and possibly the siblings, have been in DCPS. force them to pay, even if it takes years of payments. I understand this does not happen, the few cheaters who are caught are simply made leave the school, so the others learn that there is no downside to cheating.

There are situations where residency cheaters have to pay back: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/police-officers-allegedly-enrolled-their-children-in-city-schools-illegally/2015/06/11/896eb078-106a-11e5-a0dc-2b6f404ff5cf_story.html

The question is why is this done sporadically and what can we do to make sure that all residency cheaters pay back what they have stolen?

[Anonymous]

It is a major issue, and the mayor needs to address it.

Conveniently Kaya has resogned, so she won't be touching this with a ten foot pole.