Reply to A Note from a Public School Mom of Three & a Candidate's Wife

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=jsteele]NEIGHBORHOOD PREFERENCE INFO:

Okay, I just returned form a meet and greet with John Settles. He had been forewarned about this issue and actually offered to set up a conference call with our users. If anyone is interested in that, let me know. But, for the time being I told hims simple post here (such as I'm posting now) is probably sufficient.

First, unbeknownst to me, David Grosso has already introduced legislation to allow neighborhood preference. The bill has gone nowhere, but you can see the text here:

http://dcclims1.dccouncil.us/images/00001/20130410125256.pdf

This bill is completely unacceptable to me. It allows a neighborhood preference for 20% of the students, but the preference doesn't apply to pre-K (this seems like a strange limitation to me).

Settles said that this bill is the basis of his position. However, he further said that he believes this should only be applied to situations in which the local DCPS school has been closed and a charter opened in its building. I am not aware of examples that would meet that qualification.

He repeatedly stressed that he does not see charter schools as a replacement for local DCPS schools and that the focus needs to be on creating strong local DCPS schools in every neighborhood.

Having had several conversations about education with Settles, I see his education priorities like this:

1) Getting DCPS and Charters to cooperate in an organized manner so that they are partners not competitors;
2) Fixing DCPS internal structures to increase accountability and improve outputs;
3) Creating great neighborhood schools (this might even be number 2 instead of 3);
..
..
..
Way, way down...

x) Neighborhood preference for charter schools.

[/quote]

This makes Settles sound incredibly pragmatic, in a good way.[/quote]

This is all very interesting.  Since he is OOB for Hearst, I wonder how that will affect his position on the easiest way to alleviate overcrowding at Wilson - get rid of the automatic OOB feeder rights established by Rhee 5 years ago?

I don't get cooperation instead of competition - DCPS is usually pissed about the kids they get from KIPP etc, but I'm not sure where cooperation really comes in?????

Charters in early stages move sometimes numerous times - are we giving a bunch of people an extra lucky bite at the apple?  Just because of alleged transportation problems?

This sounds voluntary right?

Just explain to Settles that Latin apparently had over 1,000 applications for 111 spots, 57 of which are reserved for sibs.  Who in their right mind would not rent etc in their new location if they win the lottery?  That would leave maybe 30 spots for normal kids (the ones the lottery is supposed to serve?)

Basis had over 500 where we were listed in top 2 or 3 (not counting sib preference), and we only have 5th grade slots basically.  Again, wealthy people will just establish residency in the area by the time they have to prove it after winning the lottery.  Neighborhood preference for the "hot" charters (and KIPP apparently has waitlists too) will just end up being a lot of maneuvering by those with the means to do it.  We would have done anything except cheat or lie, but having proof of residency at the time you register is not cheating or lying.

Ok I'll vote for him if you think everyone else is more stuck in their position..............

Is that your position?[/quote]

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