Reply to Overcrowding and lack of space in Ward 3 Schools

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Newbie questions. Is there an FAQ or short summary of facts? 
For example

How is overcrowding determined, is there a set formula?

Have schools been ranked in terms of capacity? Which are closest to dangerous levels?

Are administrators and teachers trained in best practices for space utilization, organization, and scheduling? More classrooms don't necessarily mean better instruction. I've seen some pretty significant wastes of space and time.

Do trailers impact performance negatively? Can trailers be part of longer-term flexibility in instruction? Many of the high-performing schools in DC and the area have used trailers for years. Friends' kids at Murch told me they preferred the trailer to the creepy old building. Mann didn't seem to suffer academically during trailer park era, but that was because of teachers and leadership.

Are there other cities, maybe in other countries, that efficiently manage learning environments in limited spaces?

Could neighborhood preference for charters help?

I have no solutions, but it's hard to ask questions in person when folks get really worked up.

TIA[/quote]

School capacity is determined by target students/class x # of classrooms; also fire codes, but you'd be shocked at what that allows (and of course it does not take into account the need to education the people crammed into the room).
Yes, there was a capacity ranking done as part of Groso's modernization formula. Which is worst varies, but the most recent top was Murch (50% of all class activity and 75% of admin was outside the regular building).
I don't know about training, but if you have ever seen the master schedule of a big school, it will make your head spin the way they creatively cram everything into available space and time. And they get creative doing things like Murch's infamous boys bathroom conversion to the nurse's office; creating split grade classes, creating mega-classes with co-teachers, and so on. But post-renovation, most schools no longer have the land for adding trailers. Many schools now have extremely limited play space.
No data.
There are no charters in Ward 3, so no.

That's my best shot at answering based on my 10 years as a DCPS parent.[/quote]

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