I would love to hear his thoughts on Middle school. Surely he has to know about the brain drain of kids before 5th grade who all head to latin and basis or privates on the Hill. I think he has good ideas on improving special education but he aslo needs to let folks know how he is supporting advnaced learners or heck, even kids at grade level who are too advanced for a lot of middle schools in DC>

Anonymous wrote:I won't be able to make it to the coffee. However, can someone please ask Catania if supports test-in middle schools whereby high-SES white students can learn unencumbered by classroom disruptions that are caused by the less affluent minority type? (and report back?)

Cluster Cheerleader? Nonresident? Gotcha. Guess what, learning isn't race-based and there's nothing wrong with grouping high achievers to challenge them.

I won't be able to make it to the coffee. However, can someone please ask Catania if supports test-in middle schools whereby high-SES white students can learn unencumbered by classroom disruptions that are caused by the less affluent minority type? (and report back?)

Anonymous wrote:Damn, I can't go. Will someone please ask him if he'd support a test-in MS? (and report back?)

Thanks!!!

I will, in Ward 6 (school within a school program at SH or EH). I was going to ask anyway, but strong suspect there's no hope.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the issue of PG cheaters really the most pressing issue facing DCPS? Hopefully you can come up with something more substantive as a topic of discussion. Remember, even if Catania loses to Bowser, he will continue to head the Education Committee and exert substantial influence on funding and policy priorities. Anyone in Ward 6 who is not concerned about middle schools has their heads in the sand.

His at-large seat is up for reelection this year, so I believe no matter what happens with the Mayoral race he will not be on the council, unless something has changed since earlier this summer, when I was reading up on the race.

You are correct. He will only hold his seat until the end of the year. But, he will still have the influence that the first poster described until then.

Damn, I can't go. Will someone please ask him if he'd support a test-in MS? (and report back?)

Thanks!!!

Anonymous wrote:Is the issue of PG cheaters really the most pressing issue facing DCPS? Hopefully you can come up with something more substantive as a topic of discussion. Remember, even if Catania loses to Bowser, he will continue to head the Education Committee and exert substantial influence on funding and policy priorities. Anyone in Ward 6 who is not concerned about middle schools has their heads in the sand.

His at-large seat is up for reelection this year, so I believe no matter what happens with the Mayoral race he will not be on the council, unless something has changed since earlier this summer, when I was reading up on the race.

Maybe instead, Catania can focus on voter fraud... great suggestions.

/sarcasm

So, Catania should risk alienating part of a key constituency because they may be a couple hundred kids from neighboring jurisdictions attending a publicly funded school in DC, some of whom could be Latino? Genius. No doubt this will improve DC schools exponentially.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great opportunity to ask him how he feels about the need to address out of state cheaters using highly sought after DC schools.

Perhaps, but my sense is most dc politicians are not interested in addressing this problem seriously because it often involves multigenerational families where the DC address is grandma's. It is mostly AA families with this arrangement and the candidates don't want to be seen as interfering. This is based on personal experience at our local school. I genuinely think it will take a lawsuit against the city to ever see real change.

There are lots of Hispanic families that are residency cheaters but they go unnoticed by the DCUM crowd.

Is the issue of PG cheaters really the most pressing issue facing DCPS? Hopefully you can come up with something more substantive as a topic of discussion. Remember, even if Catania loses to Bowser, he will continue to head the Education Committee and exert substantial influence on funding and policy priorities. Anyone in Ward 6 who is not concerned about middle schools has their heads in the sand.

Anonymous wrote:Great opportunity to ask him how he feels about the need to address out of state cheaters using highly sought after DC schools.

Perhaps, but my sense is most dc politicians are not interested in addressing this problem seriously because it often involves multigenerational families where the DC address is grandma's. It is mostly AA families with this arrangement and the candidates don't want to be seen as interfering. This is based on personal experience at our local school. I genuinely think it will take a lawsuit against the city to ever see real change.

Great opportunity to ask him how he feels about the need to address out of state cheaters using highly sought after DC schools.

Thanks for posting this, Jeff. I'll see who I can round up to meet him.

Public School Parents for Catania and Ward 6 for Catania are hosting "Coffee in Lincoln Park with David Catania" this weekend. It will be held Saturday, September 6 from 9-10:30 am at Lincoln Park near the playgrounds. This would be a great opportunity to learn about Catania's ideas for education, ask questions, and inform him of your concerns.

With all the talk about hill schools here lately, I hope some of you will take this opportunity to discuss possible solutions with Council Member Catania.