Posts tagged Charter Schools
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DCPS schools are more likely than charters to have high concentrations of at-risk kids
Students who are homeless, in foster care, or otherwise “at risk” are more likely to be in the DC Public School system than in charter schools are concentrated in a few DC Public Schools but are more spread-out in the charter sector. And the more at-risk kids a school has, the lower its standardized test scores. Keep reading…
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Mystery callers try to ensure that DC charters admit special needs students
Nationally, public charter schools serve fewer students with special needs than traditional public schools do, and some charge that charters are screening such students out. But for the past three years, DC’s Public Charter School Board has been deploying a “mystery caller” program to prevent that from happening here. Over the past couple of months, DC… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Tax deals
Save the trust fund; Tax stadiums; Black History and urban planning; Homeowners demand help; Fairfax cold to charter plan; High driving; Intersection of doom; Portland and DC changing; And…. Keep reading…
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DCPS spotlights the needs of African-American and Latino males
DC Public Schools has announced a new initiative that will train a “laser-like focus” on African-American and Latino males, two groups that fare worst on many measures of academic achievement. But the effort, which includes a new all-boys high school, will inevitably leave some students in relative darkness. DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson recently unveiled… Keep reading…
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High test scores at many charter schools may actually be “false positives”
For years, many elementary schools serving low-income kids—particularly charter schools—have focused on teaching basic skills in reading and math. But now one nationally recognized charter leader says that to close the achievement gap, schools need a different approach. Will DC charters follow suit? Last month, a leader of Achievement First, a well-respected… Keep reading…
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Five things you should know about what happened this year in DC education
It’s been an eventful year for education in DC. Here’s a look back at some of the major developments. 1. Much talk but little substance in the race to be DC’s Education Mayor Education emerged as a pivotal issue in the 2014 mayoral contest. Muriel Bowser began her campaign with a slogan of Alice Deal for All, promising to replicate the success of Ward… Keep reading…
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In DC’s confusing thicket of school choice, there’s a guide for those who need help the most
Families in DC have an abundance of school options. But many low-income families don’t have access to the information they need to make good choices. Some argue that school choice will ultimately result in a better education system, as families gravitate to schools that perform well. The best schools will flourish, according to this view, and competition will… Keep reading…
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Low-income DC students get a helping hand to make it to college graduation
It’s tough for low-income minority students to make it through college, especially if they’re first-generation college-goers. But thanks to the efforts of one DC nonprofit and several charter schools, students from the District may have a better chance than most. More and more DC students are taking the SAT and applying to college, but how many are actually graduating? Because… Keep reading…
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DC test scores have improved for both low-income and more affluent students
Standardized test scores in DC have risen significantly in the seven years since schools came under mayoral control, according to a recent study, and it’s not just because of an increase in affluent students. But while math scores have gone up steadily, literacy scores have largely stalled after an early jump. While DC officials have touted increases in test scores as… Keep reading…
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Residents feel mayoral control has muffled the public’s voice in education
Mayoral control of DC’s schools may have speeded reform, but many residents feel they have less input into education decisions than they used to, according to a new report. The report also found that people are worried charter school growth is threatening the stability of DC Public Schools. Community members interviewed for the report complained that it was often hard… Keep reading…