Walls test today

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not necessarily. They will decide who passed the test. The best 20%, for instance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The story was a mess, but did say clearly that the top 15% that you mention were allowed to take the test. This is just lowering the bar for test taking, not entrance into the school overall. The underlying hope is that some of the poorer kids from those schools will be able to pass the test. Now I have no idea if the bar for passing the test is being lowered.

There is already a clear attention to 'race' in the enrollment of kids to the high school, but I have never seen the formula.

I agree the story was a mess. It also did not provide a credible explanation of why the policy change was being postponed for a year. Yes, I understand that apparently the change was not properly published on a website - but who was hurt by that? It seems no one, since the top 15% were informed by letter that they would be eligible to take the test. So, big deal if it wasn't on the website - all the people that it affected were notified.

Also, someone needs to explain to me what is so wrong about trying to increase diversity this way. It strikes me as similar to what Texas has done - offering UT admission to every high school valedictorian. That has successfully increased diversity at UT.

The story may have confused things a lot. Were the top 15 (is it a hard number of students or percentage of the class) allowed to sit for the exam? I read the story as that they were not this year but are going to allow that exception next year. The 4 or 5 on PARCC is clear on the website, it was stated at the open house, it was stated at High School Night at Deal so I assume at other middle schools as well and it is clear on the MySchoolDC application. I have no idea how this standard could have been a surprise. I talked with an admissions officer at the Walls open house and he told me about this exception (to allow the top students at every middle school to sit for the exam). I do not see a problem in letting more students sit for the exam. Also, the fact that students that do not be the threshold criteria is also not new, this apparently happened even when there was just a minimum GPA requirement.

The top 15 were not allowed to take this year's exam, unless they scored a 4 or 5 on PARCC. But they were TOLD earlier this year that there was a way around that -- that top 15 students would be able to sit for the exam. And then, it turned out, that the policy isn't going to be in place for another year, effectively meaning these students have lost their chance.

I do wonder if the top 15 policy only applies to DCPS, or would it also be allowed for charter school students. Since SWW is supposed to be open to all students I would think that it would.

I have a charter 8th grader and we were told nothing about a policy change. Is the point to seek diversity but only from dcps?

[Anonymous]

It's my DC's first choice. So far, the process was smooth, communication with them was fast, the exam was perfect for 8th-graders, and people at the test was polite. Good luck, everyone. It seems a great school! Hopefully, it's PITA free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

It's a joke

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

It's a joke

? Are you drinking this early?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

It's a joke

Could you elaborate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

It's a joke

Could you elaborate?

DP. I don't know why PP says it is a joke. Last year, before PARCC was required, 8th graders still needed a minimum 3.0 to take the test. Of the 1240 applications submitted, only 263 made it past the test for an offer or waitlist. That's 21% or applicants who had a 3.0 or higher. Of that 140 got offers following the interviews, which is just over 11%. That's not different from some of the more selective private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

It's a joke

Could you elaborate?

DP. I don't know why PP says it is a joke. Last year, before PARCC was required, 8th graders still needed a minimum 3.0 to take the test. Of the 1240 applications submitted, only 263 made it past the test for an offer or waitlist. That's 21% or applicants who had a 3.0 or higher. Of that 140 got offers following the interviews, which is just over 11%. That's not different from some of the more selective private schools.

Where did you find those numbers? Do you have them for Banneker?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

It's a joke

Could you elaborate?

DP. I don't know why PP says it is a joke. Last year, before PARCC was required, 8th graders still needed a minimum 3.0 to take the test. Of the 1240 applications submitted, only 263 made it past the test for an offer or waitlist. That's 21% or applicants who had a 3.0 or higher. Of that 140 got offers following the interviews, which is just over 11%. That's not different from some of the more selective private schools.

Where did you find those numbers? Do you have them for Banneker?

713 applications, 154 seats, 2 waitlist from the MyschoolDC data:

http://enrolldcps.dc.gov/node/61

Also, a poster earlier in the thread posted the link to waitlist data as of June, August and October.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

It's a joke

Could you elaborate?

DP. I don't know why PP says it is a joke. Last year, before PARCC was required, 8th graders still needed a minimum 3.0 to take the test. Of the 1240 applications submitted, only 263 made it past the test for an offer or waitlist. That's 21% or applicants who had a 3.0 or higher. Of that 140 got offers following the interviews, which is just over 11%. That's not different from some of the more selective private schools.

The joke is to make people go though the test so the process looks hard and objective only to make a joke of it via the soft interview much easier to manipulate.

Who supervises what happens between those 263 who pass the test to the 140 getting offers?

That's the joke

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

It's a joke

Could you elaborate?

DP. I don't know why PP says it is a joke. Last year, before PARCC was required, 8th graders still needed a minimum 3.0 to take the test. Of the 1240 applications submitted, only 263 made it past the test for an offer or waitlist. That's 21% or applicants who had a 3.0 or higher. Of that 140 got offers following the interviews, which is just over 11%. That's not different from some of the more selective private schools.

The joke is to make people go though the test so the process looks hard and objective only to make a joke of it via the soft interview much easier to manipulate.

Who supervises what happens between those 263 who pass the test to the 140 getting offers?

That's the joke

Who should supervise? Don’t they have discretion to select who they want so long as the threshold GPA and test criteria are met?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

It's a joke

Could you elaborate?

DP. I don't know why PP says it is a joke. Last year, before PARCC was required, 8th graders still needed a minimum 3.0 to take the test. Of the 1240 applications submitted, only 263 made it past the test for an offer or waitlist. That's 21% or applicants who had a 3.0 or higher. Of that 140 got offers following the interviews, which is just over 11%. That's not different from some of the more selective private schools.

The joke is to make people go though the test so the process looks hard and objective only to make a joke of it via the soft interview much easier to manipulate.

Who supervises what happens between those 263 who pass the test to the 140 getting offers?

That's the joke

263 kids qualified for 140 seats. Not every qualified kid is going to get a spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passing the test is not a set score. The top 250 scores pass the test and are then interviewed.

Also, the Post article said that since more students pass the score than can be admitted, that the lottery plays a role.

However, last year at the open house they said they decide person by person.

It is a really non-transparent process. I"m not sure anyone, outside the school's administration, truly knows how decisions are made. I'm not convinced they fully abide by the process they discuss.

The article was incorrect- there is not a "passing score" on the entrance exam. The top 200 or whatever number of students get to the interview phase. Every year that cut off is different based on student scores. It's not as if everyone who scores 80% or above every year gets an interview. So no one "passes" and doesn't get an interview.

The email sent out to invite students to take the test says those students who "pass" the test will be invited for interviews. I took that to mean there was a pass score?

Not a numerical score, like scoring a 92% etc.

Passing means they invite the 250-300 students who scored the highest in any given year to an interview.

It's a joke

Could you elaborate?

DP. I don't know why PP says it is a joke. Last year, before PARCC was required, 8th graders still needed a minimum 3.0 to take the test. Of the 1240 applications submitted, only 263 made it past the test for an offer or waitlist. That's 21% or applicants who had a 3.0 or higher. Of that 140 got offers following the interviews, which is just over 11%. That's not different from some of the more selective private schools.

Where did you find those numbers? Do you have them for Banneker?

713 applications, 154 seats, 2 waitlist from the MyschoolDC data:

http://enrolldcps.dc.gov/node/61

Also, a poster earlier in the thread posted the link to waitlist data as of June, August and October.

Thanks! So on Banneker - a waitlist of 2. Can that be right. They are demanding a new campus to expand their school.
G an

[Anonymous]

Reasons why Banneker's wait list is shorter.

1% white; 20% Latino; 3% Asian and 74% Black.

Its facilities are dismal building.

It is known for LOTS of homework.

People believe that they are not interested in recruiting white students. The expansion and renovation are supposed to help change that -- and draw a more diverse student body. This is not a bad hypothesis -- the white population is growing quickly at Ellington post-renovation.

Their SAT scores are not as high as SWW but every demographic group exceeds the DC average. And the average scores are at or above those for Black and Latino students nationally.