upper income and white kid demographic is growng in DC, they deserve good schools too. Having UMC kids at al schools benefits eeryone-more social and financial capital.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if the teachers union runs DCPS, tell that to the union. And the chancellor.

There is that slice of parents saying DCPS isn't for me because my kid won't get challenged. But that's largely upper class parents not in or not satisfied with the JKLM/Deal/Wilson(JR) pyramid.

That's - how many? and it's mixed motivations for most of these parents, right? Because they don't want the demographics and the "teaching down to the dumb" that they are certain is happening at the demographically different schools in their neighborhood.

That has not been my experience. Setting aside that it ignores all of Latin and Basis that don't come from Ward 3, it is kind of offensive to black families to suggest that they (and by "they" I mean that's demographically what the rest of DCPS and HRCS are) are not seeking alternatives because their kids aren't being challenged. In point of fact, high performing black kids are MORE likely to peel off in my experience precisely because these same "good" ES and HRCS test scores tell us that the scores for black kids are markedly lower, and parents are concerned that merely "on grade level" will be good enough for their black student.


We were very happy at our HRCS but ultimately made a move in 5th because our kid was light years ahead of their grade but the school didn't test anything beyond a "4" (ahead by less than one grade level) and taught to the mean. That might have been ok, but not as the mean slid down year after year because high performing kids peeled off year after year. The ED at our school talks a good "equity" game but ignores the part of actually providing top flight education as a means to leveling the playing field. I refer to it in quiet as "Equity without Education".

In conversations with families at other DCPS ES and HRCS we found the same concerns and conversations were occurring. When we departed in 5th the school was demographically no different in 4th than it had been in 3rd or 2nd. In fact the only kids we lost to that point (other than the one who went overseas with State) were black kids who went private or in search of greener pastures. Unfortunately those kids were at the top of the class with our kid so we lost the rest of their cohort.

We are white and we left for more academic rigor and higher degree of accountability for disruptive behavior. So what's the narrative? Is this "white flight"? Does that term mean a white person leaving because there does not exist academic rigor, regardless of the demographic make-up of the school? Or does it mean a white person leaving to get away from black people? By arguing they are the same thing you are in fact making an argument that black=low performing or lowered expectations. That seems a more racist and insidious vision than allowing for the fact that all parents striving for excellent academic outcomes may and can leave for better options. It is lazy and entirely too easy to blame race and white flight. Doing so gives schools a pass for failing to provide top flight education for all enrolled students. We left. We don't suffer liberal guilt over it. If it makes DCUM or families that remain feel better to say it was racism that's fine by me. My kid is in an immeasurably improved environment at an incredibly rigorous school with a HS path. And the HRCS just lost one of the few remaining kids more than a grade level ahead. The school and community can look inward or outward at this point - no skin off my back. But continuing to just blame white flight is exacerbating the problem, lowering Tier and test scores and causing the demand for the school to plummet as against the last 6 years.

… where did you go then? Private? If not at a DCPS and no longer at your charter?

Basis. And, post-script, the HRCS from which we came has its smallest ever waitlist (at least against common lottery published data). I really hope the BoD starts paying attention before it is too late. Sadly, I fear the ED has insulated herself from criticism by cloaking herself in an "Equity" shield that none of the Board members are willing to question. The ship may go down on their watch, but at least no one will accuse them of being racist!

I know what school this is. My kids are also light years ahead academically and I have no expectation that the school will challenge my kids in core ELA and math. But I don't care, because we are providing that rigor outside of school, and frankly, doubt any DC public school (or G&T programs outside DC) would be on par. Further, our kids are both JHU-CTYers and we take advantage of those offerings as well.

Why do we stay? Our kids otherwise enjoy the school and (unlike other kids) suffer nothing from the lack of "rigor." At any rate, we plan to stay through 5th grade and then jump to private for middle school onward, as we aren't really interested in any of the charter options, even if we could bank on getting in.

FWIW, we are not white.

There are very few kids like this who aren't going to be challenged in any public school in the DMV area, and so your options are fundamentally different and nearly unique. There are many more kids who are at grade level or a year or two ahead and who don't have impossible-to-meet academic needs, they just have needs that aren't going to be met by their DCPS or charter options. I give my kids challenging work outside of school as well, but I think most parents if given the option would prefer for school to be teaching their kids.

Yes — of course the sort of open secret is that you can’t really rely on most public schools (even the “good” ones) to get kids where they need to be, at least not to the standard that many UMC families set/expect. All of our friend in the close in MD and VA public schools supplement like crazy, either on their own or by outsourcing to an AoPS, RSM, Kumon, etc. You’d think that these supposed “good” public schools (i.e, 9-10 on GS) full of well educated high SES families could provide an academic product sufficient obviate the need for further supplementing. But they don’t. And families understand that the kids are capable of so much more beyond the school curriculum, a curriculum, by the way, that would ostensibly satisfy the folks that find the rigor of the unmentionable HRCS to be lacking. My take: it’s all lacking (including the elem G&T programs) and I’d likely be doing the same thing in terms of supplementing even if we were at a “good” school that got the differentiation thing right.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if the teachers union runs DCPS, tell that to the union. And the chancellor.

There is that slice of parents saying DCPS isn't for me because my kid won't get challenged. But that's largely upper class parents not in or not satisfied with the JKLM/Deal/Wilson(JR) pyramid.

That's - how many? and it's mixed motivations for most of these parents, right? Because they don't want the demographics and the "teaching down to the dumb" that they are certain is happening at the demographically different schools in their neighborhood.

That has not been my experience. Setting aside that it ignores all of Latin and Basis that don't come from Ward 3, it is kind of offensive to black families to suggest that they (and by "they" I mean that's demographically what the rest of DCPS and HRCS are) are not seeking alternatives because their kids aren't being challenged. In point of fact, high performing black kids are MORE likely to peel off in my experience precisely because these same "good" ES and HRCS test scores tell us that the scores for black kids are markedly lower, and parents are concerned that merely "on grade level" will be good enough for their black student.

We were very happy at our HRCS but ultimately made a move in 5th because our kid was light years ahead of their grade but the school didn't test anything beyond a "4" (ahead by less than one grade level) and taught to the mean. That might have been ok, but not as the mean slid down year after year because high performing kids peeled off year after year. The ED at our school talks a good "equity" game but ignores the part of actually providing top flight education as a means to leveling the playing field. I refer to it in quiet as "Equity without Education".

In conversations with families at other DCPS ES and HRCS we found the same concerns and conversations were occurring. When we departed in 5th the school was demographically no different in 4th than it had been in 3rd or 2nd. In fact the only kids we lost to that point (other than the one who went overseas with State) were black kids who went private or in search of greener pastures. Unfortunately those kids were at the top of the class with our kid so we lost the rest of their cohort.

We are white and we left for more academic rigor and higher degree of accountability for disruptive behavior. So what's the narrative? Is this "white flight"? Does that term mean a white person leaving because there does not exist academic rigor, regardless of the demographic make-up of the school? Or does it mean a white person leaving to get away from black people? By arguing they are the same thing you are in fact making an argument that black=low performing or lowered expectations. That seems a more racist and insidious vision than allowing for the fact that all parents striving for excellent academic outcomes may and can leave for better options. It is lazy and entirely too easy to blame race and white flight. Doing so gives schools a pass for failing to provide top flight education for all enrolled students. We left. We don't suffer liberal guilt over it. If it makes DCUM or families that remain feel better to say it was racism that's fine by me. My kid is in an immeasurably improved environment at an incredibly rigorous school with a HS path. And the HRCS just lost one of the few remaining kids more than a grade level ahead. The school and community can look inward or outward at this point - no skin off my back. But continuing to just blame white flight is exacerbating the problem, lowering Tier and test scores and causing the demand for the school to plummet as against the last 6 years.

… where did you go then? Private? If not at a DCPS and no longer at your charter?

Basis. And, post-script, the HRCS from which we came has its smallest ever waitlist (at least against common lottery published data). I really hope the BoD starts paying attention before it is too late. Sadly, I fear the ED has insulated herself from criticism by cloaking herself in an "Equity" shield that none of the Board members are willing to question. The ship may go down on their watch, but at least no one will accuse them of being racist!

I know what school this is. My kids are also light years ahead academically and I have no expectation that the school will challenge my kids in core ELA and math. But I don't care, because we are providing that rigor outside of school, and frankly, doubt any DC public school (or G&T programs outside DC) would be on par. Further, our kids are both JHU-CTYers and we take advantage of those offerings as well.

Why do we stay? Our kids otherwise enjoy the school and (unlike other kids) suffer nothing from the lack of "rigor." At any rate, we plan to stay through 5th grade and then jump to private for middle school onward, as we aren't really interested in any of the charter options, even if we could bank on getting in.

FWIW, we are not white.

There are very few kids like this who aren't going to be challenged in any public school in the DMV area, and so your options are fundamentally different and nearly unique. There are many more kids who are at grade level or a year or two ahead and who don't have impossible-to-meet academic needs, they just have needs that aren't going to be met by their DCPS or charter options. I give my kids challenging work outside of school as well, but I think most parents if given the option would prefer for school to be teaching their kids.

I was here in DC in the beginning of charters and involved with one of the first charters that opened. It is not completely true that charters were started to only help the underprivileged. Charters were started to give DC kids and families something better. The first families in charters were relatively diverse income wise (though not racially because 20+ years ago DC was still "chocolate city"). Obviously back then DC overall had lower incomes so, of course, the first charters reflected the reality of the city.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we stay focused on MS and HS? Elementary is not a factor in this discussion and light years away 9 year olds also do not factor in
And this discussion is not about the UMC black families that can afford private and I do believe that all families worry about their kids and want what is best
We are talking about what options there are for MC and UMC white families that live in DC and want more diversity in their schools and what comfort level they have to be the only white kid in the school.
Most schools are predominantly black and many of those kids live out of bounds over the river and in MD which is a whole other story
We live under the mason Dixon line and it makes sense demographically but we still need to acknowledge that many of us who moved here to be in DC and experience this great city are met with a terrible school system overall and those of us that can not afford private or get a lottery spot are lost in what to do.
I don’t think the Washington natives are raciest and I think for the most part DC implants are not racists but there is an obvious cultural difference. Many of my DC (dear child) friends are black but I don’t know where they live and have never met their parents because they are not involved at school and it leave loss in their social life. great kids! just limited

Can we please stay focused on the UMC white people! I mean, jeez, after hundreds of years of it being all about everyone else when will white people with means finally get the attention they so desire?

-Signed a white person who is mortified by PP

It is okay for white people in DC to want to discuss these thorny school choice issues. Asking that the conversation stay focused on this issue is different than asking that ALL conversations about public school in DC focus on white people.

One of the reasons this problem exists is because it is taboo for white people in DC to openly discuss issues like discomfort with being the only white family in a class or grade. People will say it in hush tones and behind closed doors, but there's shame in it, like you are saying something deeply selfish or even racist. There are so many elephant in this room that don't get addressed because white people don't want to be seen as insensitive or supporting white supremacy. But it would be better to just get it out and address it head on. It's not as though staying quiet about it solves the problem -- it just means that people move schools and then lie about why they did it. "Oh this school is more convenient for our commute" or whatever. It would be better if we just talked about tit openly to figure out if there is a way to address it.

I have a white kid in a predominantly black DCPS and we love the school but the issue of her being the only white kid in many settings comes up a lot. We are fielding her questions and concerns the best we can but let me tell you, it's not easy because we have to both support her for the situation she is currently in (as a racial minority) while also thinking about teaching her about white supremacy, a concept that currently makes little to no sense to her because she spend a lot of her time in a majority-black environment where she sometimes feels like the odd kid out. It's threading a weird needle and there is very little guidance for this specific situation.

I talk about this stuff because I'm trying to figure it out. I have to talk to other white people about it because they are the only ones who are in the same situation and who might understand the competing priorities. Telling us to be quiet and stop centering ourselves in a conversation that we started about our experience is weird. We aren't hijacking a conversation among POC about school equity. We're trying to have a conversation about how we, as white people, can support school equity while also fulfilling our parental duty to support our own kids academically and socially.

If you don't have useful information or advice, you are not required to participate.

There's a lot going on in your reply. Some of it I get and some seems downright silly and dripping with liberal guilt. Let's unpack.

First, I haven't a clue why you or anyone else would ever hesitate to say out loud that being an "only" is a tough place to be. That's a statement of fact regardless of race, religion, sex or any other thing that makes one "different". What's concerning to me is that you seem to be saying it in hush tones and worrying about whether people will call you a racist if you say it out loud. Do you think you are a racist? Do you think it is racist to say being an only can be isolating and lonely? If not then why the hell do you care what others say? The people on DCUM and IRL who come back at you to tell you that expressing concern about being an only is racist, or that somehow they are often the only one and they don't like it so somehow you should similarly suffer are trying to use your liberal guilt against you. They are controlling you and the narrative...and it is working. Stop apologizing for being concerned that your kid is an only or one of very few. It is "taboo" if you let people control you and tell you how you should feel.

Saying that 9 year olds don't factor into this discussion ignores the reality of Latin and Basis starting in 5th grade and the impact that has on parental decisions for rising 5th graders and their MS and HS paths.

The conflating of "UMC" and "white" in this discussion is a problem. What you are expressing is concern about being an only white kid in a class, club, etc. That's fair. But don't conflate that with UMC. White people aren't the only UMC families in DC, and not all white people are UMC. The issue here isn't UMC or money, it's race. Stick to that.

The "anti-racist" thing is a challenge. Kids who have attended DCPS or PCSB schools since they were 3 and live in DC understand that what happened to blacks in America was appalling. They have empathy. What's less clear is to what degree some of this anti-racist teaching intentionally or otherwise communicated to 7 year old white kids about how they should feel about their own culpability (spoiler alert: nothing, they are 7!) That's all fair as well. It is also part and parcel of living in DC, or going to a liberal arts college in the US.

Finally, if you are wondering whether you should prioritize your own kid's educational outcomes or "equity" then you need to check your priorities. My kid attended a diverse school (@25% white, 60% black). The classes were basically representative of that breakdown. As they got older the school was failing to teach to where my advanced kid was and so we changed schools. Did not hesitate. New school has more whites and anything else (still in DC). Do I notice the marked increase in white faces? Of course. Do I feel guilty about it? Not one damn bit. My kid didn't take a spot from someone, it was a lottery. And I didn't fail the old school by leaving, the old school failed me.

TL ; DR Stop conflating being the "only" (or one of a very few) with being UMC and white, stop letting others shame you or convince you that something is "taboo" or to be handled in hushed tones, and if you aren't a racist then WTF do you care if some ignorant fool calls you that?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we stay focused on MS and HS? Elementary is not a factor in this discussion and light years away 9 year olds also do not factor in
And this discussion is not about the UMC black families that can afford private and I do believe that all families worry about their kids and want what is best
We are talking about what options there are for MC and UMC white families that live in DC and want more diversity in their schools and what comfort level they have to be the only white kid in the school.
Most schools are predominantly black and many of those kids live out of bounds over the river and in MD which is a whole other story
We live under the mason Dixon line and it makes sense demographically but we still need to acknowledge that many of us who moved here to be in DC and experience this great city are met with a terrible school system overall and those of us that can not afford private or get a lottery spot are lost in what to do.
I don’t think the Washington natives are raciest and I think for the most part DC implants are not racists but there is an obvious cultural difference. Many of my DC (dear child) friends are black but I don’t know where they live and have never met their parents because they are not involved at school and it leave loss in their social life. great kids! just limited

Can we please stay focused on the UMC white people! I mean, jeez, after hundreds of years of it being all about everyone else when will white people with means finally get the attention they so desire?

-Signed a white person who is mortified by PP

It is okay for white people in DC to want to discuss these thorny school choice issues. Asking that the conversation stay focused on this issue is different than asking that ALL conversations about public school in DC focus on white people.

One of the reasons this problem exists is because it is taboo for white people in DC to openly discuss issues like discomfort with being the only white family in a class or grade. People will say it in hush tones and behind closed doors, but there's shame in it, like you are saying something deeply selfish or even racist. There are so many elephant in this room that don't get addressed because white people don't want to be seen as insensitive or supporting white supremacy. But it would be better to just get it out and address it head on. It's not as though staying quiet about it solves the problem -- it just means that people move schools and then lie about why they did it. "Oh this school is more convenient for our commute" or whatever. It would be better if we just talked about tit openly to figure out if there is a way to address it.

I have a white kid in a predominantly black DCPS and we love the school but the issue of her being the only white kid in many settings comes up a lot. We are fielding her questions and concerns the best we can but let me tell you, it's not easy because we have to both support her for the situation she is currently in (as a racial minority) while also thinking about teaching her about white supremacy, a concept that currently makes little to no sense to her because she spend a lot of her time in a majority-black environment where she sometimes feels like the odd kid out. It's threading a weird needle and there is very little guidance for this specific situation.

I talk about this stuff because I'm trying to figure it out. I have to talk to other white people about it because they are the only ones who are in the same situation and who might understand the competing priorities. Telling us to be quiet and stop centering ourselves in a conversation that we started about our experience is weird. We aren't hijacking a conversation among POC about school equity. We're trying to have a conversation about how we, as white people, can support school equity while also fulfilling our parental duty to support our own kids academically and socially.

If you don't have useful information or advice, you are not required to participate.

No, I feel you. It is HARD out there for a white UMC family. Stay strong my white sistah and fight the good fight. You will get your 40 acres and a mule if you keep on keeping on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we stay focused on MS and HS? Elementary is not a factor in this discussion and light years away 9 year olds also do not factor in
And this discussion is not about the UMC black families that can afford private and I do believe that all families worry about their kids and want what is best
We are talking about what options there are for MC and UMC white families that live in DC and want more diversity in their schools and what comfort level they have to be the only white kid in the school.
Most schools are predominantly black and many of those kids live out of bounds over the river and in MD which is a whole other story
We live under the mason Dixon line and it makes sense demographically but we still need to acknowledge that many of us who moved here to be in DC and experience this great city are met with a terrible school system overall and those of us that can not afford private or get a lottery spot are lost in what to do.
I don’t think the Washington natives are raciest and I think for the most part DC implants are not racists but there is an obvious cultural difference. Many of my DC (dear child) friends are black but I don’t know where they live and have never met their parents because they are not involved at school and it leave loss in their social life. great kids! just limited

Can we please stay focused on the UMC white people! I mean, jeez, after hundreds of years of it being all about everyone else when will white people with means finally get the attention they so desire?

-Signed a white person who is mortified by PP

It is okay for white people in DC to want to discuss these thorny school choice issues. Asking that the conversation stay focused on this issue is different than asking that ALL conversations about public school in DC focus on white people.

One of the reasons this problem exists is because it is taboo for white people in DC to openly discuss issues like discomfort with being the only white family in a class or grade. People will say it in hush tones and behind closed doors, but there's shame in it, like you are saying something deeply selfish or even racist. There are so many elephant in this room that don't get addressed because white people don't want to be seen as insensitive or supporting white supremacy. But it would be better to just get it out and address it head on. It's not as though staying quiet about it solves the problem -- it just means that people move schools and then lie about why they did it. "Oh this school is more convenient for our commute" or whatever. It would be better if we just talked about tit openly to figure out if there is a way to address it.

I have a white kid in a predominantly black DCPS and we love the school but the issue of her being the only white kid in many settings comes up a lot. We are fielding her questions and concerns the best we can but let me tell you, it's not easy because we have to both support her for the situation she is currently in (as a racial minority) while also thinking about teaching her about white supremacy, a concept that currently makes little to no sense to her because she spend a lot of her time in a majority-black environment where she sometimes feels like the odd kid out. It's threading a weird needle and there is very little guidance for this specific situation.

I talk about this stuff because I'm trying to figure it out. I have to talk to other white people about it because they are the only ones who are in the same situation and who might understand the competing priorities. Telling us to be quiet and stop centering ourselves in a conversation that we started about our experience is weird. We aren't hijacking a conversation among POC about school equity. We're trying to have a conversation about how we, as white people, can support school equity while also fulfilling our parental duty to support our own kids academically and socially.

If you don't have useful information or advice, you are not required to participate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want a charter, don’t lie to yourself about choosing it’s program when you are really choosing its demographics.

They are not separable. It's incredibly difficult to teach, and simultaneously teaching students who vary widely in their current academic achievement is darn near impossible. If there's a school with lots of poor kids who are way above grade level academically, I'd be happy to send my kids there. But we chose a charter school with high achievement and few poor kids, and I understand that the school's ability to have the program they do is made possible by the student demographics. Those demographics are much richer and whiter than DC as a whole, but still much more racially and economically diverse than many area suburbs.

Yeah -- the demographics have a material impact on the school atmosphere, environment, and outcomes. So it makes perfect sense for a family, of any race/SES, to consider demographics when selecting a school. For example, I'm black and would avoid sending my children to a school that is demograpically-dominated (+75%+) by poor black children and no middle-class blacks. And yes, that includes KIPP. That kind of situation just doesn't work out well for UMC black kids (especially boys) for a whole host of reasons that should be obvious, but probably aren't to some. Now, that sort of factoring may have different implications when practiced by white (or non-black) folks, but I'm not going to scrutinize the choices of other people when I'm essentially compelled to make the same or similar choices, even if I'm making those choices for different reasons, or out of different concerns.

Of course, that's the crux of systematic racism, isn't it? Doing what I believe to be best/necessary for my black children operates to further entrench racial inequality, at least to some degree.

But the problem comes when UMC white folks assume schools’ performance and environment based on those demographics. Not all, but many DCPS schools with <10% white kids are safe and nurturing environments, even in upper elementary. We’re at one and are having many few behavioral issues in mid elementary than friends in some of the charters. Not to say your black children would have the same experience as my kids, but my kids’ experience is relevant to many of the folks that aren’t even considering non-charters.

Which school I want to send my black child there

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we stay focused on MS and HS? Elementary is not a factor in this discussion and light years away 9 year olds also do not factor in
And this discussion is not about the UMC black families that can afford private and I do believe that all families worry about their kids and want what is best
We are talking about what options there are for MC and UMC white families that live in DC and want more diversity in their schools and what comfort level they have to be the only white kid in the school.
Most schools are predominantly black and many of those kids live out of bounds over the river and in MD which is a whole other story
We live under the mason Dixon line and it makes sense demographically but we still need to acknowledge that many of us who moved here to be in DC and experience this great city are met with a terrible school system overall and those of us that can not afford private or get a lottery spot are lost in what to do.
I don’t think the Washington natives are raciest and I think for the most part DC implants are not racists but there is an obvious cultural difference. Many of my DC (dear child) friends are black but I don’t know where they live and have never met their parents because they are not involved at school and it leave loss in their social life. great kids! just limited

Can we please stay focused on the UMC white people! I mean, jeez, after hundreds of years of it being all about everyone else when will white people with means finally get the attention they so desire?

-Signed a white person who is mortified by PP

Get over yourself!
This is a legit issue in DC
Where do you live? Where does your kid go to school?

Anonymous wrote:Can we stay focused on MS and HS? Elementary is not a factor in this discussion and light years away 9 year olds also do not factor in
And this discussion is not about the UMC black families that can afford private and I do believe that all families worry about their kids and want what is best
We are talking about what options there are for MC and UMC white families that live in DC and want more diversity in their schools and what comfort level they have to be the only white kid in the school.
Most schools are predominantly black and many of those kids live out of bounds over the river and in MD which is a whole other story
We live under the mason Dixon line and it makes sense demographically but we still need to acknowledge that many of us who moved here to be in DC and experience this great city are met with a terrible school system overall and those of us that can not afford private or get a lottery spot are lost in what to do.
I don’t think the Washington natives are raciest and I think for the most part DC implants are not racists but there is an obvious cultural difference. Many of my DC (dear child) friends are black but I don’t know where they live and have never met their parents because they are not involved at school and it leave loss in their social life. great kids! just limited

Can we please stay focused on the UMC white people! I mean, jeez, after hundreds of years of it being all about everyone else when will white people with means finally get the attention they so desire?

-Signed a white person who is mortified by PP

Anonymous wrote:I say this as a committed white parent who wants kids in local DCPS: I don’t know what to do when my kid starts lapping peers academically. It’s happening now. And this is middle school. I don’t want to move my kid but wonder what we’re supposed to do.

I don’t doubt that your are well-meaning. But there is no solution based on your choice of schools. I suppose you could get involved in education policy circles if you are interested (and have the inclination to become deeply informed on core matters of curriculum and instruction)in ways to improve outcomes for lower-SES kids, but that would be something broader than the specific school you’re involved with, and beyond time horizon of your kids’ academic career.

I say this as a committed white parent who wants kids in local DCPS: I don’t know what to do when my kid starts lapping peers academically. It’s happening now. And this is middle school. I don’t want to move my kid but wonder what we’re supposed to do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTF how many poor white people live in DC?
How is it toxic? It is what it is

Yes. It is what it is: a toxic academic landscape. You simply don't have any near-term power to change or challenge that.

So what is the solution?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTF how many poor white people live in DC?
How is it toxic? It is what it is

Yes. It is what it is: a toxic academic landscape. You simply don't have any near-term power to change or challenge that.

PP. And I say that as a UMC black parent that has to be clear-eyed about all of this.

Anonymous wrote:WTF how many poor white people live in DC?
How is it toxic? It is what it is

Yes. It is what it is: a toxic academic landscape. You simply don't have any near-term power to change or challenge that.