DCist: Schools Roundup: Best of the Best Edition

mdf

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:21:33 -0500

D.C. Dad here. We have two boys, ages 3.5 and 2 and are evaluating school options. If we stayed in the DCPS system, our boys would be attending one of the highest ranked elementary schools - one that has a very good reputation. We were completely suprised by the relative %s of "advanced" students (36% in DC; 70+% in many MD and VA schools). Chelita's follow-up post confirms our concerns. Does anyone have any information on comparing the tests for "advanced" students across DC/MD/VA? Again, we are floored by these statistics, and they have completely altered the weighing/balancing of the education options for our boys. I would very much like to engage in a frank dialouge about this, either here, or somewhere else.

neener

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:59:30 -0500

Thanks for that info Chelita, what you describe I've tried to tell many teachers over and over again, that what some consider success is failing in Montgomery County.

downtown rez

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:25:07 -0500

Chin`up, Chelita. We're only starting at a deficit.

chelita

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:21:47 -0500

It's incredible, but when I, a DCPS teacher, read that there are schools with 36% advanced, I think, wow, that's great!! Until I realize that in MD and VA, it's 77-79%. Working in DC really lowers one's standards. Shoot, at my school we get all excited with kids who are proficient. Proficient just means scoring on grade level. We treat it like the kid's a little Einstein. We are so in the toilet, it's depressing.

oceanchild

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:58:26 -0500

Also, to top that DC schools ranking took 36% of students rating advanced on those tests. In Maryland and Virginia it was 77-79% advanced. Wow.

oceanchild

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:52:15 -0500

Why do we want Ballou to march in the Inaugural Parade, vs any other DC schools that applied? (An NPR story this morning mentioned Eastern.) I mean, Ballou already has the Rose Parade and the Macy's Parade and the last Inaugural Parade. I don't see why another school shouldn't get the chance. But maybe that's just a bitter old band geek talking, whose school got passed over for the same few bands year after year.

OldPosterKnownAsCranky

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:32:27 -0500

Mrs. Cranky is working on her National Boards certification. It's a heck of an undertaking.

IMGoph

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:32:24 -0500

barry and thomas need to keep their greasy little fingers out of the details of classroom governance and leave that to the professionals. if something like this is allowed to stand, it's just going to open the floodgates to letting these idiots put their fingerprints on a million places where they don't belong. ugh, makes me sick. i'm so glad i didn't vote for thomas.

tecki

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:04:05 -0500

How effective is this certification? Does passing really mean you are a better teacher, or is it just a fancy piece of paper? I ask because my wife used to be a teacher (and, ironic for the context, is now in law school) and she had to put up with all sorts of silly requirements and such for public school until bagging it and going to private school. I'm all for certification and better training for teachers and all that, but is this legit?

Wizzyliz

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:58:33 -0500

WOW!! Next thing you know, DC will be asking city attorneys to have law degrees.