Anonymous wrote:Hello everyone,

I'm the parent who had the great lottery numbers at Pullen, Robert Goddard, and Chavez, in that order, but only got an offer from Chavez. I spoke with them this morning and now I have a clearer vision of the process. I can also say that the system does not seem to be corrupt in any way, although I can see how some parents may feel that way if they don't get what they think they should get. I'll explain with an example. Say I got the following results (not the actual numbers):

#1 at Pullen
#19 at Goddard
#75 at Chavez

When they say they treat each program equally, they mean that after the numbers are generated, the number applies to that list only. The program that gets filled first is a random choice. This year, they chose to fill Chavez first. If they had 78 spaces available, they sent out invites to the first 78 on the Chavez list. This is how a #75 placement can knock out a #1 placement from a different list. It's not based on ethnicity derived from last name, language spoken at home, hair color, or any other discriminatory criteria. It's just which school is randomly chosen to be filled first. If they had chosen to fill Goddard first, we would have been invited to Goddard. If they chose to fill Pullen first, we would have been invited to Pullen.

I have a high degree of confidence that nothing nefarious is taking place. It was my "fault" for not understanding all of the details. I first thought that if I had three "winning" lottery numbers, I'd get three offer letters. However, after reading through everything, I see now that this is not the case.

The way to prevent this scenario is to make sure you're going to be happy with all of the choices you make, because you could be awarded any of them...or, just choose one program only.

Thanks for everyone's insight and comments. I wish our society invested more in our children, all schools were high-performing, and there was no need for a lottery...maybe some day.

Anonymous wrote:Hello everyone,

I'm the parent who had the great lottery numbers at Pullen, Robert Goddard, and Chavez, in that order, but only got an offer from Chavez. I spoke with them this morning and now I have a clearer vision of the process. I can also say that the system does not seem to be corrupt in any way, although I can see how some parents may feel that way if they don't get what they think they should get. I'll explain with an example. Say I got the following results (not the actual numbers):

#1 at Pullen
#19 at Goddard
#75 at Chavez

When they say they treat each program equally, they mean that after the numbers are generated, the number applies to that list only. The program that gets filled first is a random choice. This year, they chose to fill Chavez first. If they had 78 spaces available, they sent out invites to the first 78 on the Chavez list. This is how a #75 placement can knock out a #1 placement from a different list. It's not based on ethnicity derived from last name, language spoken at home, hair color, or any other discriminatory criteria. It's just which school is randomly chosen to be filled first. If they had chosen to fill Goddard first, we would have been invited to Goddard. If they chose to fill Pullen first, we would have been invited to Pullen.

I have a high degree of confidence that nothing nefarious is taking place. It was my "fault" for not understanding all of the details. I first thought that if I had three "winning" lottery numbers, I'd get three offer letters. However, after reading through everything, I see now that this is not the case.

The way to prevent this scenario is to make sure you're going to be happy with all of the choices you make, because you could be awarded any of them...or, just choose one program only.

Thanks for everyone's insight and comments. I wish our society invested more in our children, all schools were high-performing, and there was no need for a lottery...maybe some day.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for sharing that info, PP.

But what if you really want a spot at Pullen? What do you do?

Anonymous wrote:I checked on Thursday and the day of the lottery and it still shows Heather Hills as the TAG center for my address. I did see changes but the TAG center location was not one of them. Unsure what happened as to why she was chosen however, i feel they will not change it and bump a person from Heather Hills that has the same number. Wondering if anyone has had this happen?

Anonymous wrote:I don't remember if I mentioned Spanish on the app. I may have, but I can't find any record of that. However, that shouldn't have caused a different placing with a net change of 65 slots. Does saying you speak French at home cause some placements to jump over others (for Kindergarten)? I think we'd see lawsuits galore if that were true.

I'm going to (calmly) reach out tomorrow. I'm hoping I'll get some answers/resolution.

Anonymous wrote:Well for TAG we were given a number in the 80's for Glenarden woods and it clearly states that our TAG school is Heather hills based on our address. Unless there was a boundary change and they have not updated the website. I am grateful for a the number hoping that she will get a spot, but do not understand how my neighbor TAG school was Heather hills and we are glenarden woods. If i call i do not want to make the situation worse. But very confused.