Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most HRCS have barriers to entry of one sort of another -- originally it was the individual lottery application process, now it's the siblings of those who got in initially -- that exclude the city's poor and disenfranchised.

Their absence makes everyone else feel better. It's called "creaming".

Exactly. Poaching the best students and wealthiest families from DCPS.

This is pure bullshit and will continue to be bullshit no matter how many times you try and repeat it. Every applicant to the lottery has an equal chance of getting into a charter.

Students SELF SELECT. Charters do not get to pick and choose.

This is nonsense. You don't view the lottery itself as a barrier - especially to those with poor computer skills, no computer access, or non-English speakers?

You don't think that schools that are far from mass transit present a barrier to those parents that don't have the luxury of time or money to drive their kids across town?

You don't think that - just to give one example - Washington Latin providing a bus for students in NW DC but no bus for students in Wards 7 and 8 might have some kind of impact on whether those students attend Latin or not?

What nonsense. Not a Latin parent, but from what I understand Latin is on the green line and offers a shuttle from the green line to the school. Plus I am pretty sure there has got to be buses that can take you there for free via metrobus.

As for the lottery, all of the DC libraries have computers and staff members more than happy to show people how to apply not to mention all of the social services in this city. These same services probably have access to translators too. Additionally any of these schools I am sure would be willing to walk a family through the process as well.

I am also willing to wager that these same disadvantaged folks you speak of have no problems applying for the various sorts of assistance available from our social safety nets so I call hogwash to your assertion about barriers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most HRCS have barriers to entry of one sort of another -- originally it was the individual lottery application process, now it's the siblings of those who got in initially -- that exclude the city's poor and disenfranchised.

Their absence makes everyone else feel better. It's called "creaming".

Exactly. Poaching the best students and wealthiest families from DCPS.

This is pure bullshit and will continue to be bullshit no matter how many times you try and repeat it. Every applicant to the lottery has an equal chance of getting into a charter.

Students SELF SELECT. Charters do not get to pick and choose.

This is nonsense. You don't view the lottery itself as a barrier - especially to those with poor computer skills, no computer access, or non-English speakers?

You don't think that schools that are far from mass transit present a barrier to those parents that don't have the luxury of time or money to drive their kids across town?

You don't think that - just to give one example - Washington Latin providing a bus for students in NW DC but no bus for students in Wards 7 and 8 might have some kind of impact on whether those students attend Latin or not?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most HRCS have barriers to entry of one sort of another -- originally it was the individual lottery application process, now it's the siblings of those who got in initially -- that exclude the city's poor and disenfranchised.

Their absence makes everyone else feel better. It's called "creaming".

Exactly. Poaching the best students and wealthiest families from DCPS.

This is pure bullshit and will continue to be bullshit no matter how many times you try and repeat it. Every applicant to the lottery has an equal chance of getting into a charter.

Students SELF SELECT. Charters do not get to pick and choose.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most HRCS have barriers to entry of one sort of another -- originally it was the individual lottery application process, now it's the siblings of those who got in initially -- that exclude the city's poor and disenfranchised.

Their absence makes everyone else feel better. It's called "creaming".

Exactly. Poaching the best students and wealthiest families from DCPS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey, everyone --

I know this question may sound silly to many, but...

I know that there are highly coveted public charters for PK3 and PK4, like LAMB and Two Rivers. But the DC CAS scores (for later grades) and public charter report cards for these schools do not look very promising, with nearly a third of students not performing at proficient or advanced levels. When compared to the high-performing DC public schools (I know there are not many), these charters don't look very promising at all. I know there must be a lot more to a good school than scores -- would someone like to pitch in on what makes some of these star schools so loved?

Many thanks.

Getting back to your original question, why to parents like their charter... For us, it was the smaller class size and the focus on a curriculum that sounded interesting and complete (5th grade). What I didn't realize is that from the very beginning THEIR focus was on bringing my child along on a journey that allowed him to enjoy going to school each day, learn a lot in a short period of time, and all the while without fully realizing how much he was learning. He went to school and learned something new everyday - and not just book smart stuff, LIFE stuff! Also, their teachers are incredibly organized and want the child to become organized, something they place a high value on. They update their website daily, with what they did that day in class, what is due tomorrow AND what will be happening specifically all week. Basically, they are planners. Something I think elementary teachers have completely stopped doing (JKLM experience here). Also, they only have one teacher per grade, so in essence one science teacher for 100 students. Pretty typical. But it never seemed to overwhelm them. I think hiring the right teachers makes a huge difference. Check the school website - do you get a feeling of inclusion, and the teachers having a strong role there? So listen, did I know it was going to be this amazing? I had heard great things, but I didn't quite know how MY child was going to fit in. Turns out, it's a fantastic fit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charters that actually have some meaningful number of high SES or white families. I don't want my kid to be the ONLY white kid and at our IB, she would be one of about 4 white kids in the entire school. I see the way the other kids act on the playground and the bullying she would endure is not worth the effort of trying to make the school work. Hgiher SES kids tend to have significantly less behavioral problems. Another factor for charters that do have a higher number of AA or poor kids is the location. Is it clear that the parents have to make an effort to get their kids to school every day> That usually means the parents also give a damn about education.

This comment is ridiculous to me...racism is so real.

Yup it's segregation with education as an excuse

Anonymous wrote:Hey, everyone --

I know this question may sound silly to many, but...

I know that there are highly coveted public charters for PK3 and PK4, like LAMB and Two Rivers. But the DC CAS scores (for later grades) and public charter report cards for these schools do not look very promising, with nearly a third of students not performing at proficient or advanced levels. When compared to the high-performing DC public schools (I know there are not many), these charters don't look very promising at all. I know there must be a lot more to a good school than scores -- would someone like to pitch in on what makes some of these star schools so loved?

Many thanks.

Anonymous wrote:Charters that actually have some meaningful number of high SES or white families. I don't want my kid to be the ONLY white kid and at our IB, she would be one of about 4 white kids in the entire school. I see the way the other kids act on the playground and the bullying she would endure is not worth the effort of trying to make the school work. Hgiher SES kids tend to have significantly less behavioral problems. Another factor for charters that do have a higher number of AA or poor kids is the location. Is it clear that the parents have to make an effort to get their kids to school every day> That usually means the parents also give a damn about education.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charters that actually have some meaningful number of high SES or white families. I don't want my kid to be the ONLY white kid and at our IB, she would be one of about 4 white kids in the entire school. I see the way the other kids act on the playground and the bullying she would endure is not worth the effort of trying to make the school work. Hgiher SES kids tend to have significantly less behavioral problems. Another factor for charters that do have a higher number of AA or poor kids is the location. Is it clear that the parents have to make an effort to get their kids to school every day> That usually means the parents also give a damn about education.

This comment is ridiculous to me...racism is so real.

Yup it's segregation with education as an excuse

Anonymous wrote:Most HRCS have barriers to entry of one sort of another -- originally it was the individual lottery application process, now it's the siblings of those who got in initially -- that exclude the city's poor and disenfranchised.

Their absence makes everyone else feel better. It's called "creaming".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charters that actually have some meaningful number of high SES or white families. I don't want my kid to be the ONLY white kid and at our IB, she would be one of about 4 white kids in the entire school. I see the way the other kids act on the playground and the bullying she would endure is not worth the effort of trying to make the school work. Hgiher SES kids tend to have significantly less behavioral problems. Another factor for charters that do have a higher number of AA or poor kids is the location. Is it clear that the parents have to make an effort to get their kids to school every day> That usually means the parents also give a damn about education.

This comment is ridiculous to me...racism is so real.

Anonymous wrote:Two Rivers isn't Title 1.