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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]One idea that might work is if DCPS is given charter authority and then uses neighborhood preference.  For example, Tommy Wells supports the idea of of Jefferson MS becoming a charter school with neighborhood preference.  Amidon Bowen ES could partner with AppleTree in a hybrid public/charter thingy and keep neighborhood preference.[/quote]
[quote=Anonymous]works for me.  I'm in-bounds for Brent.  I may be more likely to consider Jefferson with this set up than with the current.  Or not.  Depends on the actual implementation.  Does anyone that thinks Jefferson is OK as it is right now/is on the right track?  [/quote]
A charter might be just the thing Jefferson needs.

Jefferson, in my opinion, has the most potential of any DCPS MS outside of Deal and Hardy.  Its location and grounds are second to none, its catchment area has a small population – allowing for a strong city-wide program to re-emerge (many considered it the best DCPS MS in the mid-nineties).  The building’s bones are great.  The new principal is top notch.

For Jefferson to succeed, it needs to two things (from DCPS or a charter).  The first is follow through on the reform plan.  This includes setting an IB program, offering intense remediation for struggling students (extended days, summer programs, targeted efforts).  It needs advanced offerings ASAP (don’t wait for a certain enrollment threshold of stronger students).  The Academy needs to keep moving forward in making its culture and climate conducive to achievement.  Jefferson needs $35 million to modernize its facility.  It needs partnerships with the surrounding neighborhood, leveraging the world-class resources that are a stone’s throw away.  These were the stated plans for Jefferson, and they must be seen through to fruition.

Secondly, Jefferson needs to attract a critical mass of strong students.  That can happen by virtue of the strength of its program (IB, advanced offerings, facility, partnerships) or it can happen through a selective admission program of some type (co-located, honors program, see Blair HS in Montgomery County, etc.).  Somehow the school must convince a critical mass of parents with strong students to hold hands together and jump in.  I doubt the incremental improvements seen at elementary schools in DC will translate to Jefferson (or other middle schools trying to emerge as strong options).  Parents want rock solid assurances for middle school, in elementary they’ll take more of a chance.

If Jefferson becomes a charter, and innovative management delivers results, then it would be worth the shot.  The folks in DCPS central office, in my opinion, are smart dedicated people - I support the Chancellor.  But they are being asked to do what New York and Chicago does, with one-tenth the budget, and with a body politic that punishes progressive policies.  They are drinking from a fire hose.  The huge achievement gap pulls them in too many directions.

Perhaps letting Jefferson become a DCPS charter could be a good thing.
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