The socio-economics of its students are a challenge for ACPS. There are a lot of first-generation and low-income children and their needs are really different from those of UMC children. As an UMC student, our DC appreciates having friends from very different backgrounds. A lot of the things we take for granted are not by DC's friends and understanding that has made DC a much better human being. ACPS has served my child very well -- his SATs couldn't be higher, he took APs in every subject he wanted, and he's headed to an exceptional college.

If I wished anything was different, it would be that the most disadvantaged students were served better. There are no magic bullets, but a long-term commitment (and money) for better teacher salaries, more personalized attention, and culturally/linguistically-skilled faculty and administrators is needed. My $15k/year property tax bill is half what my friends in the NY area pay, so I'd gladly pony up more for their benefit.

But, I really don't have much patience for other UMC parents who complain. Your child is a B student because you never taught him to study, not because the teachers are incompetent. If you can host a drunken house party in your $1 million house, don't complain about those poor kids being a public safety problem. If you can spend all your spare time driving your lax/crew/hockey athlete all over the entire East Coast, you could schedule in study time so he doesn't sit like a rock in honors classes. I'm guessing what you really want is a school system without the really strong students (so your kid won't look so poorly in comparison) and without the families of color.

It seems like you’re making every effort to avoid coming up with solutions. Fellow teacher, let’s talk in person — “naive” (not “nice”) teacher

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You win, 14:47, you win. The teachers suck, ACPS sucks, the administration sucks (and they're trolls), the school board sucks, demographics has nothing to do with ACPS's GS ranking, and any good teacher should have stated that SOL sub-scores are more valuable than SOL scores alone.

This is pretty typical for Alexandria City: 286 comments on this thread and 14662 views on same, yet well meaning contributors and folks with kids there or who went there as well as other City residents attempting honest civil discourse about our low ranking public school system are called "ACPS Bashers" and are ridiculed and snarked at as above.

We're seeing evidence of it again! Look at the post between the "nice" teacher who is now calling another teacher "seriously disgruntled." I don't think the problems all rest with Central Office!

Rec centers are funded by the city. Perhaps they can work something with ACPS to pay stipends? Yay! Maybe we’ve found a meaningful step forward that might help our kids! — “naive” teacher. P.S. Seriously disgruntled teacher, would you meet me for coffee sometime? Can you private message through DCUM?

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, but I’ve seen bitter, cynical teachers and they don’t make for good classroom experiences. Fellow teacher, take a break from teaching. It’s hard not to let that anger affect your relationships with your students. — “naive” happy teacher who wants to improve ACPS

P.s. what about improving our rec center after school programs? Stipends for teachers to tutor?

I think you're projecting. I don't read bitter or angry in the other teacher's post. I agree that if those are your feelings then you should be taking a break, and I hope that you're enjoying it.

I think the rec center programs are funded by the city, not ACPS. Perhaps I am mistaken about that? I don't think those are school system funded. I completely support increased funding for Campagna Kids and/or any other activities like that.

Sorry, but I’ve seen bitter, cynical teachers and they don’t make for good classroom experiences. Fellow teacher, take a break from teaching. It’s hard not to let that anger affect your relationships with your students. — “naive” happy teacher who wants to improve ACPS

P.s. what about improving our rec center after school programs? Stipends for teachers to tutor?

Anonymous wrote:

And now you're the one being ridiculous 15:39. This information is provided for free by the State. Why wouldn't the school system automatically share it with teachers? Why are you acting like I'm crazy for even asking this? If I can use this information to help my readers in my classroom, why would it not be made available to me as soon as school starts? That is what is wrong with ACPS. We have a lot of what we need but it is being mismanaged by the people who are supposed to be managing. Data that is readily available and free is being withheld, and when we ask about it we are treated like insolent fools.

I’m the [real] teacher who mentioned getting the SOL scores at the beginning of the year. I feel very sorry for my fellow teacher if s/he is treated like an insolent fool for asking to see scores. This tells me that perhaps there are big cultural differences between ACPS schools. My principal always treats teachers with respect, and listens carefully and thoughtfully to my ideas and suggestions. He will be happy to hear my suggestion that last year’s SOL scores be distributed at the beginning of the year. And by the way, I’m not an ACPS PR person. ACPS is obviously not perfect. SPED, for example, is one area that needs a lot of work.

You sound very sweet. You also sound very naïve. I think we need more of the first teacher and fewer of you in our system. The first teacher has already made your request for you although you don't seem to understand that.

And now you're the one being ridiculous 15:39. This information is provided for free by the State. Why wouldn't the school system automatically share it with teachers? Why are you acting like I'm crazy for even asking this? If I can use this information to help my readers in my classroom, why would it not be made available to me as soon as school starts? That is what is wrong with ACPS. We have a lot of what we need but it is being mismanaged by the people who are supposed to be managing. Data that is readily available and free is being withheld, and when we ask about it we are treated like insolent fools.

I’m the [real] teacher who mentioned getting the SOL scores at the beginning of the year. I feel very sorry for my fellow teacher if s/he is treated like an insolent fool for asking to see scores. This tells me that perhaps there are big cultural differences between ACPS schools. My principal always treats teachers with respect, and listens carefully and thoughtfully to my ideas and suggestions. He will be happy to hear my suggestion that last year’s SOL scores be distributed at the beginning of the year. And by the way, I’m not an ACPS PR person. ACPS is obviously not perfect. SPED, for example, is one area that needs a lot of work.

Again with the snark rather than addressing the real problem. Our tax dollars at work, people!

Anonymous wrote:And now you're the one being ridiculous 15:39. This information is provided for free by the State. Why wouldn't the school system automatically share it with teachers? Why are you acting like I'm crazy for even asking this? If I can use this information to help my readers in my classroom, why would it not be made available to me as soon as school starts? That is what is wrong with ACPS. We have a lot of what we need but it is being mismanaged by the people who are supposed to be managing. Data that is readily available and free is being withheld, and when we ask about it we are treated like insolent fools.

I'm not saying you're crazy for asking for them---it just seemed really nit-picky to claim that PP is not a "real" teacher because she did not expressly state an interest in SOL sub-scores (and not just the SOL scores). Is this part of the honest, civil discourse that's being called for here?

And now you're the one being ridiculous 15:39. This information is provided for free by the State. Why wouldn't the school system automatically share it with teachers? Why are you acting like I'm crazy for even asking this? If I can use this information to help my readers in my classroom, why would it not be made available to me as soon as school starts? That is what is wrong with ACPS. We have a lot of what we need but it is being mismanaged by the people who are supposed to be managing. Data that is readily available and free is being withheld, and when we ask about it we are treated like insolent fools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:17:28's post is why I think our wonderful (not) PR head is trolling the forums. It is stunning to think that a real teacher would be happy with only an SOL score and not the sub-scores.

You win, 14:47, you win. The teachers suck, ACPS sucks, the administration sucks (and they're trolls), the school board sucks, demographics has nothing to do with ACPS's GS ranking, and any good teacher should have stated that SOL sub-scores are more valuable than SOL scores alone.

This is pretty typical for Alexandria City: 286 comments on this thread and 14662 views on same, yet well meaning contributors and folks with kids there or who went there as well as other City residents attempting honest civil discourse about our low ranking public school system are called "ACPS Bashers" and are ridiculed and snarked at as above.

Yes, you're attempting honest, civil discourse. Keep telling that to yourself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:17:28's post is why I think our wonderful (not) PR head is trolling the forums. It is stunning to think that a real teacher would be happy with only an SOL score and not the sub-scores.

You win, 14:47, you win. The teachers suck, ACPS sucks, the administration sucks (and they're trolls), the school board sucks, demographics has nothing to do with ACPS's GS ranking, and any good teacher should have stated that SOL sub-scores are more valuable than SOL scores alone.

This is pretty typical for Alexandria City: 286 comments on this thread and 14662 views on same, yet well meaning contributors and folks with kids there or who went there as well as other City residents attempting honest civil discourse about our low ranking public school system are called "ACPS Bashers" and are ridiculed and snarked at as above.

Anonymous wrote:17:28's post is why I think our wonderful (not) PR head is trolling the forums. It is stunning to think that a real teacher would be happy with only an SOL score and not the sub-scores.

You win, 14:47, you win. The teachers suck, ACPS sucks, the administration sucks (and they're trolls), the school board sucks, demographics has nothing to do with ACPS's GS ranking, and any good teacher should have stated that SOL sub-scores are more valuable than SOL scores alone.

17:28's post is why I think our wonderful (not) PR head is trolling the forums. It is stunning to think that a real teacher would be happy with only an SOL score and not the sub-scores.