Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what difference does it make whether dc is compared to other cities or other states? by any conceivable standard, dc public schools are bad -- terrible even, given how lavish school budgets here are. we spend a f*ckton on schools and still dont get respectable results.

Given that DC is one of the most expensive areas to live in the country should we really consider that the resources for schools are lavish? Salaries are certainly higher than elsewhere, but reflect living costs. Schools are woefully under-resourced in my opinion. We have been through three DCPS schools - there are never enough PE teachers to get the recommended amount of PE. There is no longer foreign language in elementary schools, librarians are always on the chopping block, there is usually not weekly science at the elementary school level and no support for a high quality science program, often specials teachers are provided as a half time position meaning that you cannot find a qualified candidate (i have experience on LSAT as a parent). Any discretionary funding that could help to ensure field trips gets sucked up to avoid staffing layoffs. Teachers use their own money for supplies. I am shocked by the underfunding although I do think that the average teacher salary is certainly not terrible at $100 K for about nine months of work if you consider all the vacation. I would say it is deserved rather than lavish. Not trying to be critical but i think there is a genuine misperception that DC overspends on education. I think it is the opposite.

DC spends more on schools, and teacher salaries, than almost anywhere else (we have high school gym teachers making six figures!). Yet our schools are really bad. I'd say we're not getting much in return for the money we spend.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, DC is a city. It is a single urban area with no suburb, being compared to full states.

If you compare DC to other major cities, it is different.

Not saying DC is doing great by all of its students (some yes, for sure), but the chart you are citing is useless.

Not OP but taking that into consideration I think #30 is pretty good.

31 Washington
32 Arkansas
33 Kansas
34 Ohio
35 Missouri
36 Georgia
37 Idaho
38 Michigan
39 Nevada
40 California
41 Hawaii
42 Alabama
43 Mississippi
44 Oregon
45 Oklahoma
46 South Carolina
47 West Virginia
48 Arizona
49 Louisiana
50 Alaska
51 New Mexico

Well, not exactly. Most of the states coming after DC are largely rural and lacking in big cities.

I’d say DC comes in next to last among states with major cities.

??? Since when are California, Ohio, and Michigan lacking in big cities? Come on PP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what difference does it make whether dc is compared to other cities or other states? by any conceivable standard, dc public schools are bad -- terrible even, given how lavish school budgets here are. we spend a f*ckton on schools and still dont get respectable results.

Given that DC is one of the most expensive areas to live in the country should we really consider that the resources for schools are lavish? Salaries are certainly higher than elsewhere, but reflect living costs. Schools are woefully under-resourced in my opinion. We have been through three DCPS schools - there are never enough PE teachers to get the recommended amount of PE. There is no longer foreign language in elementary schools, librarians are always on the chopping block, there is usually not weekly science at the elementary school level and no support for a high quality science program, often specials teachers are provided as a half time position meaning that you cannot find a qualified candidate (i have experience on LSAT as a parent). Any discretionary funding that could help to ensure field trips gets sucked up to avoid staffing layoffs. Teachers use their own money for supplies. I am shocked by the underfunding although I do think that the average teacher salary is certainly not terrible at $100 K for about nine months of work if you consider all the vacation. I would say it is deserved rather than lavish. Not trying to be critical but i think there is a genuine misperception that DC overspends on education. I think it is the opposite.

Anonymous wrote:what difference does it make whether dc is compared to other cities or other states? by any conceivable standard, dc public schools are bad -- terrible even, given how lavish school budgets here are. we spend a f*ckton on schools and still dont get respectable results.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, DC is a city. It is a single urban area with no suburb, being compared to full states.

If you compare DC to other major cities, it is different.

Not saying DC is doing great by all of its students (some yes, for sure), but the chart you are citing is useless.

Functionally, most of DC us a large suburb. There is no difference between palisades or CCDC or any other upper NW neighborhood and the inner suburbs of any city.

Many, if not most, U.S. cities contain significant areas of medium or lower density residential areas that are functionally like suburbs. But on top of that, they have the actual, politically distinct suburbs and the exurbs also within the state. Whereas DC only has the actual city limits. Big difference, particularly since it means we have just a single, urban school district (plus charters), not a lot of smaller school districts like most states. Apples and oranges.

+1

For instance look at Massachusetts. If you just compared Boston to DC, that would be more meaningful. If you want to compare DC to Massachusetts you should compare north VA/DC/Montgomery and PG Counties. The rich suburbs boost the educational rankings.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, DC is a city. It is a single urban area with no suburb, being compared to full states.

If you compare DC to other major cities, it is different.

Not saying DC is doing great by all of its students (some yes, for sure), but the chart you are citing is useless.

Not OP but taking that into consideration I think #30 is pretty good.

31 Washington
32 Arkansas
33 Kansas
34 Ohio
35 Missouri
36 Georgia
37 Idaho
38 Michigan
39 Nevada
40 California
41 Hawaii
42 Alabama
43 Mississippi
44 Oregon
45 Oklahoma
46 South Carolina
47 West Virginia
48 Arizona
49 Louisiana
50 Alaska
51 New Mexico

Well, not exactly. Most of the states coming after DC are largely rural and lacking in big cities.

I’d say DC comes in next to last among states with major cities.

Ah yes California, Washington State, Georgia and Nevada, all famous for having zero major cities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, DC is a city. It is a single urban area with no suburb, being compared to full states.

If you compare DC to other major cities, it is different.

Not saying DC is doing great by all of its students (some yes, for sure), but the chart you are citing is useless.

Not OP but taking that into consideration I think #30 is pretty good.

31 Washington
32 Arkansas
33 Kansas
34 Ohio
35 Missouri
36 Georgia
37 Idaho
38 Michigan
39 Nevada
40 California
41 Hawaii
42 Alabama
43 Mississippi
44 Oregon
45 Oklahoma
46 South Carolina
47 West Virginia
48 Arizona
49 Louisiana
50 Alaska
51 New Mexico

Well, not exactly. Most of the states coming after DC are largely rural and lacking in big cities.

I’d say DC comes in next to last among states with major cities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, DC is a city. It is a single urban area with no suburb, being compared to full states.

If you compare DC to other major cities, it is different.

Not saying DC is doing great by all of its students (some yes, for sure), but the chart you are citing is useless.

Not OP but taking that into consideration I think #30 is pretty good.

31 Washington
32 Arkansas
33 Kansas
34 Ohio
35 Missouri
36 Georgia
37 Idaho
38 Michigan
39 Nevada
40 California
41 Hawaii
42 Alabama
43 Mississippi
44 Oregon
45 Oklahoma
46 South Carolina
47 West Virginia
48 Arizona
49 Louisiana
50 Alaska
51 New Mexico

Well, not exactly. Most of the states coming after DC are largely rural and lacking in big cities.

I’d say DC comes in next to last among states with major cities.

??? Since when are California, Ohio, and Michigan lacking in big cities? Come on PP.

Phoenix Arizona is very big city.

Anonymous wrote:what difference does it make whether dc is compared to other cities or other states? by any conceivable standard, dc public schools are bad -- terrible even, given how lavish school budgets here are. we spend a f*ckton on schools and still dont get respectable results.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, DC is a city. It is a single urban area with no suburb, being compared to full states.

If you compare DC to other major cities, it is different.

Not saying DC is doing great by all of its students (some yes, for sure), but the chart you are citing is useless.

Functionally, most of DC us a large suburb. There is no difference between palisades or CCDC or any other upper NW neighborhood and the inner suburbs of any city.