Is residency fraud a real issue or is it overblown?

[Anonymous]

Have never heard of any residency fraud issues at my kids' schools in upper NW, either elementary or at Deal, nor was it an issue at the charter one kid attended east of the Park before we moved here. I have a hard time really thinking this is a problem, in general, though the PP earlier who suggested people think it's contributing to a decline at some schools in NE has an interesting different perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in NE and I think it's a real issue. But I also think it's a bigger issue at schools that most on DCUM would never consider sending their kids too. It might be a problem at some charters and a few of the more desirable schools, but for the most part the administration at those schools have a strong interest in verifying residency and keeping everyone on the up and up, because having a lot of kids who don't even live in the district at your school is bad for fostering a sense of community, which is part of what makes an elementary school more desirable for a lot of parents. Though, hilariously, I know of at least one NE school that has a strong sense of community among the PG County families who commit residency fraud to send their kids there. In that case (and no, I will NOT be naming the school, I don't want to get in the middle of this) many of these kids have parents or grandparents who attended the school in question, and there is a sense of ownership even though their families have since moved to PG. It is, IMO, a very messy situation and unlikely to end soon.

I also know of one NE charter that has a somewhat notorious problem with residency fraud, which has emerged in the last few years. The gossip on this school is that it has fallen in esteem among DC families looking at charters in the last few years and struggled to fill out classes past PK3, and that they have handled this by turning a bit of a blind eye to irregular residency paperwork because they just need students. This school is on a very popular commuting route and has a popular ECE program, though there are many rumblings about poor teaching and low standards in upper grades. Among the families I know, there is a belief that an increase in residency fraud at the school has contributed to its declining rep. The school used to be known as a "neighborhood" school, and was popular with neighborhood families unhappy with DCPS options but who really liked having a walkable commute to school and the option to form community with nearby families. You can see how residency fraud would have an impact on that -- kids get older and want to walk to school with friends, but hmmm, the friends arrive via a car with Maryland plates every day.

I'm not really even judging the families doing this -- people just want what is best with their kids, and I have friends in PG county who have struggled with the schools there. I do have an issue with school administrators who use people committing residency fraud for their own purposes. And ultimately I think this practice is really bad for schools and communities, even if I don't think the people doing it are bad people.

The PG element has got to go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in NE and I think it's a real issue. But I also think it's a bigger issue at schools that most on DCUM would never consider sending their kids too. It might be a problem at some charters and a few of the more desirable schools, but for the most part the administration at those schools have a strong interest in verifying residency and keeping everyone on the up and up, because having a lot of kids who don't even live in the district at your school is bad for fostering a sense of community, which is part of what makes an elementary school more desirable for a lot of parents. Though, hilariously, I know of at least one NE school that has a strong sense of community among the PG County families who commit residency fraud to send their kids there. In that case (and no, I will NOT be naming the school, I don't want to get in the middle of this) many of these kids have parents or grandparents who attended the school in question, and there is a sense of ownership even though their families have since moved to PG. It is, IMO, a very messy situation and unlikely to end soon.

I also know of one NE charter that has a somewhat notorious problem with residency fraud, which has emerged in the last few years. The gossip on this school is that it has fallen in esteem among DC families looking at charters in the last few years and struggled to fill out classes past PK3, and that they have handled this by turning a bit of a blind eye to irregular residency paperwork because they just need students. This school is on a very popular commuting route and has a popular ECE program, though there are many rumblings about poor teaching and low standards in upper grades. Among the families I know, there is a belief that an increase in residency fraud at the school has contributed to its declining rep. The school used to be known as a "neighborhood" school, and was popular with neighborhood families unhappy with DCPS options but who really liked having a walkable commute to school and the option to form community with nearby families. You can see how residency fraud would have an impact on that -- kids get older and want to walk to school with friends, but hmmm, the friends arrive via a car with Maryland plates every day.

I'm not really even judging the families doing this -- people just want what is best with their kids, and I have friends in PG county who have struggled with the schools there. I do have an issue with school administrators who use people committing residency fraud for their own purposes. And ultimately I think this practice is really bad for schools and communities, even if I don't think the people doing it are bad people.

The PG element has got to go!

That school has destroyed itself on the altar of equity and inclusion. I sent my children there and they are now destroyed. God forgive me!!