Reply to AEM post/discussion re racism and choice schools

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Reply to "AEM post/discussion re racism and choice schools"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Doesn’t one of the main posters send their kid to a high school program that they’re not zoned for?[/quote]

Yes, but I think that was part of the complaint, that the program is overwhelmingly white. [b]So parents taking advantage of the choices aren’t contributing positively to SES diversity. [/b]That said, we completed an application for said program even though we were pretty sure our DC wanted to stay in the zoned HS, and it was a barrier in my mind. They required an essay, as does Arl Tech, and that alone made it seem “exclusive,” and not just a lottery not based on “merit.” So it’s not a real surprise to me that it’s attracting a certain type of family/student, ones who aren’t intimidated by the barrier.[/quote]

But these programs are not designed specifically for SES diversity. It would be one thing if that is how they were designed/marketed, but... they aren't. More change needed of course.[/quote]

Sure, but I think the point is if it’s not contributing it might be harming, and that’s not great. I don’t agree that this is the case at the ES level, because walkable ES boundaries just cannot make desegregated schools at this level, even if you remove all the option schools. You’d just be shuffling the segregation to an alternate school. And the policies in place, to a large degree, have kept the option ES a fairly close reflection of the overall APS demographic.

But the option programs at the MS and HS level are not reflective of the APS demographic and that feels wrong to me, and to the poster. [b]Seems like a policy issue here, and one that’s solvable.[/b][/quote]

Yes and no. Admissions policies could potentially require %s of male/female; %sED; etc. But if academic preparedness and learning style and subject-matter passion aren't aligned, no such student should be admitted to a program designed for those things. And if an option program is not designed for those things, then it shouldn't be an option - because it's really not a unique program. The whole purpose of an alternative instructional model is to address the different learning styles of students. Not to give families options for the sake of having options or to create schools of specific demographics.

[b]The real solution is to address education at the elementary and middle school levels and eliminate achievement gaps so that students from all backgrounds are (1) prepared for a specific program and (2) have more interest in such programs. [/b]In conjunction, admission policies such as "x" number of slots available for students from each elementary or middle school (like HBW admissions) help; but fuller admission policies that include demographics like I mentioned above would produce much better diversity results. [/quote]

Correct, but how? If you know the answer, AND how you can get the community to buy in to implement the how when it seems like their precious snowflakes might not have each and every advantage all for themselves, in all sincerity you should be in charge.[/quote]

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