Posts by Steven Glazerman — Contributor
-
What do parents want? A good school, not too far, and some other kids that look like them
Rich or poor, black or white, a family’s decision of where to enroll their child in school is one of the most important, gut-wrenching, and revealing choices they can make. In DC, parents can choose from over 200 charter and district schools. By analyzing that data for a recent study, we were able to shed some light on what drives parents’ choices. Keep reading…
-
Video: Crossing a city street should not be this dangerous
Crosswalks are supposed to make it safer to walk across a street, but they don’t work if drivers don’t stop or slow down. This video of my morning commute shows how scary walking can be, and why it’s worth taking efforts to make crosswalks better. Video of the walk across North Capitol at Pierce Street NE by the author. “Please pardon the Blair Witch Project-style… Keep reading…
-
DC’s most diverse charter schools
Which DC charter schools are the most racially and ethnically diverse? Here’s a list. To parents, the most important features of a school may include quality of instruction, proximity to home, and safety. These preferences matter in a place like DC where charter schools and choice are so prevalent. But many parents also look for another factor: racial and ethnic diversity. The… Keep reading…
-
Bad advocacy research abounds on school reform
DC school reform was a failure, claims a new report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). It’s a proven success, others insist. All sides of school reform debates are guilty of misinterpreting federal test data in ways that serve advocacy goals rather than finding truth. The EPI report blasts recent DC’s sweeping 2007 school reforms and similar efforts in Chicago… Keep reading…
-
Shocking rhetoric from John Townsend and AAA
This week’s Washington City Paper cover story quoted AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend calling Greater Greater Washington editor David Alpert “retarded” and a “ninny,” and comparing Greater Greater Washington to the Ku Klux Klan. Many other reporters, people on Twitter, and residents generally have clearly stated in response… Keep reading…
-
Kenyan McDuffie talks education and growth
With a special election for the Ward 5 seat on the DC Council coming up on May 15, the candidates are hot to deliver their messages and woo voters. Kenyan McDuffie, whom Greater Greater Washington endorsed 2 years ago, is starting to articulate ideas for how he might lead Ward 5. With development opportunities at the McMillan Sand Filtration site, near the Brookland Metro, and along… Keep reading…
-
Favoring local residents would undermine charter schools
Kwame Brown and Tommy Wells recently suggested that charter schools give special admission preference to families in the immediate neighborhood. While this may sound like a good idea at first, it would undermine the ability of many charters to be as successful as they are. The logic is this: if someone lives near a school, why shouldn’t they be able to attend it? Isn’t… Keep reading…
-
Flawed study mis-rates potential DC school closings
DC would likely close some successful schools while expanding failing schools if it relies upon a study released last week. The much-anticipated study, which the Deputy Mayor for Education commissioned to help plan school closures and charter school policies, is highly flawed. The goal of the study was to help DCPS balance out near-empty buildings in some locations… Keep reading…
-
Mayor Gray should keep promises on education funding
The DC government found a magic pot of money this year, and it totals $42.2 million according to CFO Natwar Gandhi’s latest estimates. It’s laudable that Mayor Gray wants to put half toward education, according to the Post’s Bill Turque. What’s not so laudable is his plan to give all the money to DCPS schools and neglect public charter schools. DCPS… Keep reading…
-
Get thee to a rec center!
Have you been to your neighborhood recreation center? DC has many great playgrounds and recreation centers. While some are overcrowded, more often they are not fully being utilized. These become more lively and vibrant if residents use them more and get to know each other. For many newer residents, rec center buildings can seem mysterious or foreboding. What is this… Keep reading…