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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]NP.  I don't get why neighborhoods that already have the demographics to support full honors classes, e.g. Brentwood, have to wait for years for the classes to be created. Apparently, the demographics came long before the classes at Stuart Hobson, and advanced math at Hardy (namely 7th grade algebra).

It's very difficult to get high SES parents to enroll without the honors classes. Why not just set them up once neighborhood demographics have shifted?

Because DCPS doesn't budget along those lines?? Serious Q. 
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That would make too much sense. Instead of luring with an obvious carrot, DCPS insists that MC/UMC folks enroll in their IB school that doesn't meet their needs and fight to turn it around. Unless of course you're a semi-important DC government employee. Then you just get plopped into a desirable WOTP school of your choice.[/quote]

I feel like not just DCPS insists, half of this board also insists. [/quote]

Sorry to post again but bears repeating.  What is the #1 goal of DCPS closing the achievement gap.  Getting more high SES people in the system expands the achievement gap which is counter to the goal of DCPS.

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MS parents don't really care the achievement gap. MS is where academics become extremely important and non-negotiable for parents that really care. DCPS is more of a social program than school system. No one can answer why DC may be the only school system in the country without magnet program or component? The fall back is racial dynamics. Meanwhile, most MC\UMC African-American families chose private schools versus chancing a subpar education for their kids. If DCPS had any type of leadership, I'd be trying to lure customers back not ignore them.  [/quote]

oh personally I totally agree with you but again the new chancellor is going to be judged on closing the achievement gap.  Adding in UMC folks expands the achievement gap and note it's not even racial anymore.  The council is demanding that the at-risk gap be closed.  No school district in the country has been successful doing this but again one way to fudge the numbers is to make sure non at-risk kids don't advance too quickly and you do that by not having tracking and honors classes.[/quote]

I'm afraid you're quite right about this. Ooh look - we're closing the achievement gap! Yes by artificially increasing attrition of advanced and UMC students. But, it doesn't help to have research showing that lower performing kids do indeed suffer from tracking (there may be contrary research as well, but it has not moved into the category of common assumptions). I believe that is why also tracking might be unpopular on this board, among some. 
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I agree with you tracking is part of it too

Most places track for math as early as 4th 5th grade and then high school is all tracking but until high school the core subjects outside of math usually aren't tracked  [/quote]

Most "places" in the country aren't home to the highest-performing white students in any jurisdiction as a group and among the lowest-performing low SES AA students (competing with heavily minority inner cities like Detroit, Philly and Atlanta for the lowest-performing students).

If you don't track in DC in predominantly low SES schools, almost all the UMC parents stay away.  It's a no-brainer.  So figure out how to thoughtfully track as a lesser-of-the-evils solution.  Do it for the simple reason that the poor kids clearly don't gain from the phenomenon of UMC families avoiding their schools altogether.[/quote]

This is a really good point. I'm not sure that "tracking" is the answer, but if DC schools are going to integrate, the schools have to be prepared to meet the academic needs of all students.  [/quote]

I truly wish folks wouldn't comment on things they know nothing about.  Detroit has had a strong magnet and GT program for decades.  I went to a GT school in Detroit from 3rd grade and it rivaled some of the D.C. privates in offerings.  I took computer science, art, and algebra in 7th grade.  I would wholeheartedly send my kids to a similar school if it was available to EOTP parents.[/quote]

Agreed, the majority of cities have magnet programs. I can't name one other than DC that doesn't. Was in a magnet program in Memphis ages ago. The lack of knowledge is pretty sad. [/quote]

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