DC Schools

Something I wrote today (slightly edited):

There is no question that there is a need for rightsizing of the schools, given demographics, proximity of buildings, etc. E.g., keeping an 80 student enrollment school open makes little sense.

But just like it's almost impossible for transit to compete in an environment where most people don't have to pay for parking, it's going to be very difficult for the traditional school system to compete during the long transformational process as long as new charters can continue to open.

Probably, to give the traditional schools breathing room, a moratorium on new charters school go into effect. Also the rule giving charter schools first option for purchase/lease of school buildings should probably be rescinded.

Someone responded to me, stating that it is only the presence and effectiveness of charter schools in terms of attracting students that has communicated to DCPS that they have to do something.

I agree, but.... Frankly within DCPS I still don't think that there is the same sense of urgency that there is being expressed on the part of Fenty, Rhee et all. HOWEVER, this would give some sense of stability to the people within DCPS, and allow them breathing room to focus on truly executing transformation. quid pro quo. We give you some stability. OTOH, you produce-transform or you're out.
-----------
Plus there is a good webfeature on the Washington Post site listing each DC public school and the relevant data.

Also see this blog entry from May 2006, "Positive deviance and DC Public Schools" and from December 2006, "Positive deviance in NYC school system remains unrecognized."