Reply to Ward 2/3 High School proposal in the NW Current

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=jsteele][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=jsteele][quote=Anonymous]
My family is totally and completely unaffected by any of the outcomes, which makes it easier to apply an unbiased eye.

It looks like there are two chokepoints, Deal and Wilson.  The feeders need to be adjusted for both.

First, Eaton and Oyster need to be eliminated from Deal.  Eaton is closer to Hardy, so that's easy.  Oyster has Adams, so that's easy.  For those at Oyster that don't want SI, they can go to Hardy, which is much closer.

Next, the eastern borders of the Deal catchment need to be rationalized so that they don't zig-zag through different elementaries.  Keep Shepherd, there's no other MS for that school, it has always been a good combination of IB and diversity.  Divest Bancroft.  It's an SI school, those students have other SI options EotP.  Send them to Adams or Chec and let Adams feed Chec as well.  Whatever portions of Powell are IB for Deal should also be divested.  Same as Bancroft: Adams or Chec.

Next, can the rationalized Deal and Hardy both fit into Wilson?   If yes, no problem.  However, the unholy marriage of Francis Stevens to SWW (or whatever that hot mess is supposed to be) doesn't.  That ego driven institution needs to be removed from the mix.  Eastern or Cardozo are the logical choices.  The previously mentioned Adams is east of the park and logically goes to Chec or Cardozo.

You're welcome.[/quote]

There are some thoughtful ideas here. The primary issue I have are the cases in which boundaries are being switched to lower-performing schools. There seems to be a belief among many posters in this thread -- not necessarily you -- that if DCPS simply draws a line on the map, parents will meekly adhere to the new boundaries. In fact, if parents are not happy with the new school assignments, they will seek alternatives such as charters, private, or moving. [b]I stand firmly on the principle that no student should be unwillingly assigned to a lower performing school. [/b]Similarly, I hold that no plan should be promoted that will like lead to an outflow of students from DCPS. The solution is to wed the ideas you have above to a plan for increasing the performance of the new destination schools and a transition plan for the interim. We need to get beyond solutions which have winners and losers and get to solutions that have winners and winners.
 [/quote]

The above bolded is the equivalent of saying "Status Quo". If students can only move in one direction, nobody can move. If nobody moves, there is no way we can solve any of the structural problems that DCPS is facing. Catania speaks in this kind of pabulum and it drives me bonkers.

I can agree with the rest of your post.[/quote]

Sadly, I have to agree.  It would be nice if no one had to be reassigned to a spot that they deemed less desirable, but some schools just don't have space for everyone who has rights for them currently.  Love Catania, but on this point, we do need to do something.  I expect that if he actually got elected, he would have to break his promise almost immediately and hope folks got over it (or claim that the alternative being offered was just as good even if folks didn't actually think so).  But right now, he needs support and harnessing an angry community is one way to try to get elected.[/quote]

Okay, so it looks like we have two volunteer families to attend lower performing schools. It's nice to see people being part of the solution instead part of the problem.

[/quote]

As one of the folks posting, I think that is being a little harsh, don't you think Jeff?  I am just acknowledging the reality that some folks will be cut out of options that people currently deem as being desirable.  We should be working create better options around the city and believe it or not I am.  But I have to admit to myself that whatever my small contribution helps come up with, people are more likely going to grudgingly accept rather than openly embrace.  The new ideas will be just that at the start. Ideas.  And they will require a lot of additional hard work to make them reality during which time we'll still have a lot of uncertainty.[/quote]

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