Anonymous
04/02/2023 18:21
Subject: Re:Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Breaking it up by Ward would actually make a lot of sense. Giving local control to the relevant Ward Council member would ensure better and more direct oversight of DCPS.
Wow, no, in what world does that make sense? First of all, what about those of us who live on the edge of the ward? My kid goes to a DCPS OOB in another Ward that is actually closer than our IB school (proximity preference). We are more connected to this school in terms of community too -- the ward boundary is arbitrary and doesn't really reflect the community.
Second, do you actually think Ward council members are qualified to oversee schools? Because I don't. I understand the debate over mayoral control but at least the mayor has a large staff and budget and can hire people to run the schools. I'd also be open to an elected school board, for the record. But no, I don't want my Ward Council rep, who has a relatively small office and budget and, from what I can tell, pretty limited understanding of school oversight, running the schools. That's insane. Also, ward reps are actually pretty busy doing other stuff. It just makes no sense. Would they all have an individual school chancellor under them? What on earth.
I don't understand the OPs goal in wanting to break up the school district. Why? Is it really just to segregate the rich kids from the poor kids? I honestly cannot think of any good reason that isn't just "I don't like having to prioritize the needs of poor kids in my school system."
Some examples include school lunches, requiring translators and screen time in schools. Many parents would prefer that schools have little to no screen time in k-8, while other parents decry that, because some kids do not have computers at home, so wouldn’t get exposure to computers if not at school.
As for school lunches, many parents do not want their kids to be able to get food they didn’t send in money for that day i.e. don’t want their kid getting cookies at lunch that they didn’t pay for. If lunch is free for everyone in the school, kids whose parents pack lunch for them will end up getting unhealthy food for free that their parents didn’t approve of. If the parents approved of it, they would’ve sent in lunch money that day. In schools with needier student bodies, universal free lunch makes more sense.
The very fact that your main concern is the impact of free lunches on how many cookies your kid eats indicates to me that maybe you don't understand the complexities of the public school system.
That’s fine, I will just send my kids to private & be yet another parent who does so. Happy now?
NP and teacher: very happy to not have parents like you in my room
Anonymous
04/02/2023 13:31
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”
You’ve lost your mind.
Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”
The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.
Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.
”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”
Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.
Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.
Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.
You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.
They are failing because of terrible parenting. The parenting gap is real & growing.
What is the 'parenting gap'?
Also, I can never tell if these "terrible parenting" posters are just referring to poor Black kids. Is this just a giant racist dogwhistle?
Anonymous
04/02/2023 12:43
Subject: Re:Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
I’ve taught my kids to be inclusive, kind, hardworking & respectful. I would never send them to public school, though.
Anonymous
04/02/2023 12:41
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
Anonymous wrote:Instead of sending good students to gifted hideaways, why not have some gifted classes at each school and for rest, let students of different strengths together. Better students can become leaders, tutors and examples. These opportunities can help not only help weaker students but teach valuable life skills to good students as well. Colleges and employers really value leadership skills.
It is not my child’s job to be an “example” for someone else’s kid. Say your post out loud, and then you’ll realize how ridiculous you sound.
-Someone who went to schools rated 2/10 on GreatSchools pk-12, and knew by high school that I’d never put my future kids in such schools.
Anonymous
04/02/2023 12:29
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
Instead of sending good students to gifted hideaways, why not have some gifted classes at each school and for rest, let students of different strengths together. Better students can become leaders, tutors and examples. These opportunities can help not only help weaker students but teach valuable life skills to good students as well. Colleges and employers really value leadership skills.
Anonymous
04/02/2023 12:23
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
How many students DCPS has and how many in each ward?
Anonymous
04/02/2023 12:21
Subject: Re:Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Breaking it up by Ward would actually make a lot of sense. Giving local control to the relevant Ward Council member would ensure better and more direct oversight of DCPS.
Wow, no, in what world does that make sense? First of all, what about those of us who live on the edge of the ward? My kid goes to a DCPS OOB in another Ward that is actually closer than our IB school (proximity preference). We are more connected to this school in terms of community too -- the ward boundary is arbitrary and doesn't really reflect the community.
Second, do you actually think Ward council members are qualified to oversee schools? Because I don't. I understand the debate over mayoral control but at least the mayor has a large staff and budget and can hire people to run the schools. I'd also be open to an elected school board, for the record. But no, I don't want my Ward Council rep, who has a relatively small office and budget and, from what I can tell, pretty limited understanding of school oversight, running the schools. That's insane. Also, ward reps are actually pretty busy doing other stuff. It just makes no sense. Would they all have an individual school chancellor under them? What on earth.
I don't understand the OPs goal in wanting to break up the school district. Why? Is it really just to segregate the rich kids from the poor kids? I honestly cannot think of any good reason that isn't just "I don't like having to prioritize the needs of poor kids in my school system."
Some examples include school lunches, requiring translators and screen time in schools. Many parents would prefer that schools have little to no screen time in k-8, while other parents decry that, because some kids do not have computers at home, so wouldn’t get exposure to computers if not at school.
As for school lunches, many parents do not want their kids to be able to get food they didn’t send in money for that day i.e. don’t want their kid getting cookies at lunch that they didn’t pay for. If lunch is free for everyone in the school, kids whose parents pack lunch for them will end up getting unhealthy food for free that their parents didn’t approve of. If the parents approved of it, they would’ve sent in lunch money that day. In schools with needier student bodies, universal free lunch makes more sense.
The very fact that your main concern is the impact of free lunches on how many cookies your kid eats indicates to me that maybe you don't understand the complexities of the public school system.
That’s fine, I will just send my kids to private & be yet another parent who does so. Happy now?
Anonymous
04/02/2023 12:21
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
No matter you are rich or poor, pink or purple, these are basic things you need to teach your children.
Anonymous
04/02/2023 12:19
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
I think every school should've mandatory classes for parenting and it's different phases. Parents who know better can guide their kids better. I don't understand why people who don't teach their kids basic things like kindness, fairness and hard work, can criticize school system's performance.
Anonymous
04/02/2023 12:12
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The fact that I believe OP is well intentioned and people see nothing problematic about this approach is exactly why we need to have anti-racist conversations. And the fact that people will balk at that opinion is also a great reason.
The people who are advocating what you’re advocating for complain about both “white flight” and “gentrification.” Which are two sides of the same coin. Can’t have it both ways.
This^.
Anonymous
04/02/2023 12:09
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
With the way the district has been gentrifying for the last 20 years, why haven’t smart and honest reformers clawed their way to the top? It seems the same cronies and crooks with axes to grind have been running the show in the 90s 00s 10s and now 20s. Are the honest “outsiders” blackballed from rising the ladder and seizing some power?
Anonymous
04/02/2023 11:42
Subject: Re:Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
So, what I am hearing is that let’s continue on the current path because otherwise kids from intact families will actually achieve more, perform better. It seems the goal is that if poor kids are failing then no one else should get ahead and stay at somewhat same level. DC will become the exact version of Baltimore and even though Baltimore has 4th highest spending per pupil in the nation, they still can’t get kids to pass simple standardized tests.
You can’t fix lack of parenting by throwing money at schools, you just cannot. My kid’s goal is to achieve to the best of their potential, their goal is not to fulfill liberals per projects and uplift rest of the kids, that has to done on its own.
You can’t fix lack of parenting by throwing money at schools, you just cannot. My kid’s goal is to achieve to the best of their potential, their goal is not to fulfill liberals per projects and uplift rest of the kids, that has to done on its own.
Anonymous
04/02/2023 11:29
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”
You’ve lost your mind.
Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”
The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.
Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.
”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”
Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.
Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.
Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.
You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.
We need more of this, not less. Helping ALL students achieve their maximum potential should be priority #1 of any school. It doesn't make sense to artificially hold back one group of students just because others are failing.
Again, let's help ALL children, whether that's though G&T classes or individually tailored remedial education. Let's do all of the above.
Anonymous
04/02/2023 11:17
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sure. Just segregate the rich from the poor. Problem solved, right?
Small, walkable neighborhood schools are best. Nobody wants to sit on a bus for an hour each way.
Show me municipality of over 60,000 people that has universally good k-12 neighborhood schools and I’ll show you 10 that don’t. Big school districts DO NOT WORK.
It’s the other way around. When you have easy to work with students, there is no need for large districts. When there are high needs students, mixing them with ones that are less so seems like an answer. Then it doesn’t work, of course.
Anonymous
04/02/2023 11:16
Subject: Should DCPS be broken up into multiple districts?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:“Giving local control to relevant ward council member.”
You’ve lost your mind.
Wonder why every high school in DC except Jackson-Reed is below enrollment?”
The current system isn't working. We need to try something new and local control is part of the solution.
Look at the ES level, where there already is much more local control. And guess what?! Outcomes are generally a lot better at the ES level than MS or HS level.
”Local control” is code for “socioeconomic and racial segregation.”
Could you explain your reasoning? Right now you're just using big scary words to try to shut down this conversation. And please explain how the current system is better, which it's clearly not with so many students in DC failing.
Students in DC are not failing because the school district is too big. They are failing because of: poverty, failed family systems, stress and crime, institutionalized racism.
Splitting the school district up will not magically help these kids. It will just segregate them away from the kids who don't have these problems.
You want to split up the school district because you don't want to have to dedicate resources or policy focus towards children like this who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and need a lot more help than your kids do. In doing so, you won't actually help any of those kids -- they'll continue to struggle, and have even fewer options. But the schools in "your" district will be able to focus more on accelerated programming, enrichment for kids who already have all their other needs met, and other priorities of high income parents. It has nothing to do with your concern for the kids who are failing in DC. You just want to get them out of the way.
That isn’t my job, or the school system’s job.
Except you’re impacted by it when these kids grow into adulthood unprepared and — through largely no fault of their own — become a drain on the social safety net and law enforcement which you support as a taxpayer.
If they commit crimes, that’s their fault & they should be locked up.
Who pays for the public defender, the courts and the jail?