Posts by Natalie Wexler — Contributor
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Morning bell: The ups and downs of school choice
“Controlled choice” for DC schools?: An education think tank sponsored a panel discussion on how (or if) we can create a school assignment system that would create more socioeconomic diversity. (Fordham Institute) Or too few good choices?: One DC parent concludes that charters can’t solve the problem of educational inequity. (The Atlantic) Too much… Keep reading…
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DC schools need a mayor who’s in a hurry
Ask most of the candidates in the District’s April 1 Democratic primary about the gap between our most and least successful public schools, and they’ll tell you they want every school to be great. That’s a laudable aspiration, but at our current pace it will take more than a generation to get there. Sadly, few candidates support acting boldly to change the lives… Keep reading…
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Morning bell: No-no’s in managing federal funds and administering tests
Federal aid to DC schools on hold: The Education Department said it had concerns about DC officials’ management of money targeted at improving 8 DCPS schools. (Post) Testing irregularities: Two charter schools and two DCPS schools had their standardized test scores thrown out because of serious violations of testing procedures. Less serious violations were found… Keep reading…
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What’s behind one charter high school’s success, and can it be replicated? Part 2
Thurgood Marshall Academy, a charter school in Anacostia, has had a track record of success with a tough population: low-income high school students. What is its secret, and is it something DCPS and other schools can replicate? In the first part of this post, I looked at how Thurgood Marshall (TMA) uses a summer prep program to help entering 9th-graders, who usually come in well… Keep reading…
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What’s behind one charter high school’s success, and can it be replicated? Part 1
Thurgood Marshall Academy, a charter school in Anacostia, has had a track record of success with a tough population: low-income high school students. What is its secret, and is it something DCPS and other schools can replicate? The entering 9th-graders at Thurgood Marshall (TMA) are generally on a 5th- or 6th-grade level in reading and math. But for the past 9 years, 100% of its… Keep reading…
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Morning bell: Has the Gray administration made real progress on education?
Mayor Gray’s record on education questioned: Vincent Gray touts a rise in scores, but critics point to problems: the state of middle schools and special education, and the persistent gap in achievement between wealthier and lower-income students. (Post) Not to mention OSSE: The Office of the State Superintendent, which oversees standardized testing and special education… Keep reading…
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Morning bell: Gray proposes millions more for education
Mayor’s budget allocates $100 million more to schools: The money will go to at-risk kids, middle schools, and an extended day at as many as 40 low-performing schools, among other things. (Post, WAMU) Catania throws hat in the ring: David Catania, an Independent who is chair of the DC Council’s education committee, announced that he would be a mayoral candidate in… Keep reading…
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Bowser wants to solve middle school problem by replicating Deal, but Wells says that won’t work
We interviewed candidates for DC mayor and competitive council races for the April 1 primary, and recorded the conversations on video. We will be posting the videos for each subject area and each race over a few weeks. Here is the second of two posts on what the candidates for mayor said about education. See all of the interviews here. Both Muriel Bowser and Tommy Wells say it’s… Keep reading…
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Morning bell: Charter board reverses course on school for at-risk kids
Troubled charter may stay open: After initially seeking to close Options, a school for at-risk students where officials have been charged with self-dealing, the Public Charter School Board now says it will ask DCPS to run the school’s academic programs next year. (Post) DC students eating more free breakfasts: The number of students getting free breakfast has increased… Keep reading…
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Wells wants bigger role for charters, others aren’t so sure
We interviewed candidates for DC mayor and competitive council races for the April 1 primary, and recorded the conversations on video. We will be posting the videos for each subject area and each race over a few weeks. Here is the first of two posts on what the candidates for mayor said about education. See all of the interviews here. How can we speed the pace of improvement in struggling… Keep reading…