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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP, I personally would not place my child in a school that is 99% FARMS.  The social atmosphere will be  different.  Usually kids from these types of backgrounds come to school with lots of social, cognitive,emotional,  and behavoirial problems.    I'm not saying that all FARM students fit this profile.  However, in DC it's most likely that these children come from dysfunctional homes where there is child abuse, substance abuse issues, and a list of other problems.   It could be a cultural shock listening to a four year verbalizing profanity and misogynistic words, but can't even recite the alphabet.  It will be a cultural shock to witness how angry, maladjusted, and unstable these students are.  Most of these students never been read to, never been told the words, "I love you", or their emotional needs were never met from the time they were infants.   Teachers spend a great deal of time trying to diffuse negative social behavior that teaching sometimes take a backseat.  Which means your child's needs aren't going to get met because the priorities of the FARM students are so much more important.  The needs of the FARM students are a priority.  The entire educational setting will be focus on assisting those students with the various issues that they bring to school.  The fact of the matter is that many poor inner-city children in DC are born to parents who don't give a damn.   So, when unstable parents bring children into the world, it is up to the schools to provide some form of stability, love, attention, and other unmet needs to these children.   I think there are some phenomenal teachers and specialists out there who do an amazing job with these students.   However, it's a difficult task. It's the reason why so many DCPS are problematic.  We have  a culture of children who are born from generations of poverty, child abuse, and other issues.  Teachers are forced to take on the role of a parent in these classrooms.

Also, it will be extremely difficult for you to establish friendships with the parents.  There is a provincial attitude and a strong level of  resistance with some DC residents (especially those from the lower class black communities) against integration and diversity.  So, you may encounter some negative attitudes and behaviors from the parents as well.

You have to ask yourself do you want to take a risk and make your child the sacrificial lamb? [/quote]

Agree with all of this and we are in a 50% FARMS school in NOVA.

The school focuses first on social services and providing those type of services to kids - making sure the parents get their kids to school on time, making sure they kids eat breakfast, that they have the school supplies they need, that they have winter coats, etc.

Second, the spend an enormous effort on behavior programs and ensuring good behavior.  The positive behavior program is talked about more during the school day then academics.

Third, and finally, is academics for the masses.  And these are academics that are taught to just below average because that's about where the majority of the kids fall.  They leave for the summer and loose a few months of learning. They come back in the fall and the first 4 months are all review.  Then at this time of year, they try and tackle new subjects.

Fourth, if any resources are left and they have not all been spent, academics for those with special needs or ELL.

Last, academics for average or advanced kids. You can find these kids in the classroom by the fact they are silently reading to themselves while teachers work with other kids. These kids babysit themselves during the day with quiet reading or other busy worksheets. The teacher has no time for them. [/quote]

Thank you for posting the truth. There is a reason why people tout FARM rates and test scores and the above proves their facts.[/quote]

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