charter school lotteries- bettering my odds?

January 16, 2007 10:32 AM

Beating the lottery system for kindergarten slots in the top Washington DC charter schools- is this possible?

I am moving to DC this summer- into a school district that appears to be dismal. I have a son entering Kindergarten. Normally, I would consider taking the plunge, rolling up my sleeves, and supporting the local school but, the DC schools are in such flux, with administrators and the mayor arguing over how to fix them, that I don't currently see a hopeful starting point for improvement.

I am looking at a few of the charter schools and some of them, it seems, have become very successful and popular- thus the lottery system. I am wondering if there are ways to better my chances- i.e. offering to organize special field trips or presentations- or volunteering in any number of ways.....

Does anyone have experience with this? I feel so helpless just sending in the forms and waiting to be lucky..

posted by mistsandrain to education (9 comments total)

I don't think you can influence a lottery that way. It would sort of defeat the purpose of having a lottery.
posted by rikschell at 12:58 PM on January 16, 2007

I agree with rikschell -- the lottery system is there so that no one child is shown preference over another. Why not send your son to private school if you're so concerned about the quality of his local school district? I imagine there are some excellent ones in D.C.
posted by AV at 3:24 PM on January 16, 2007

Yeah. Seriously. The lottery system is there to very specifically guard against the sort of favouritism you're seeking. I doubt an end-run around it would work. And if it did, well, do you really want to be that person?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:54 PM on January 16, 2007

You're not really asking to better your chances. You're asking how to cheat the system.

If there is no way to increase the number of tickets/ping pong balls there is no way to increase your odds.

You could always do what Forrest Gump's mom did.

This is a situation that definitely verifies the alignment of your moral compass. What you're saying is that your child is more important than any other child and you're willing to bribe your way in. Now of course, to you, your child is more important, but is that socially responsible? I think no.

It's all about priorities... if your kids education is most important to you then you should do whatever you can, ethically. Are there other school districts in the general area? It may increase your commute, but what's an extra drive for your son? Assuming the schools are safe can you add to whatever your son is learning at school? A big part of poor school systems is the parental involvement.

My recommendation... try the lottery system, if you are chosen, great. If not, put you effort into supporting the public schools. If you are willing and able to volunteer at the charter school it make a world of difference at the public school. You may not be able to change the school system for every child, but you can make sure your child has a good education, and frankly that's all your concerned about.
posted by SupaDave at 6:45 AM on January 17, 2007

I am on the Board of a charter school in Pennsylvania. I'd recommend that you check out the charter documents of the various schools that you are considering (they should be available on line). Guidelines for the lottery process for each school should be explained there. While I am not up on the rules in DC, I know that in Pennsy, charter schools can use preferences in their lotteries. I don't know of any that give preferences for the types of things you're sugggesting, but who knows?

On the moral question here, I don't think you are suggesting bribery. You're just asking if there are ways to improve your odds within the rules of the game.

Also,
What you're saying is that your child is more important than any other child...
Yup. I know I think so and would be willing to stretch the bounds of "ethical" to ensure that he got everything I could get him.
posted by qldaddy at 8:58 AM on January 17, 2007

Apparently, several of you misunderstood my question and decided it was time to scold.... I think you have not given me the benefit of the doubt and I think I should not have chosen the "beat the system" wording....


qldaddy appears to be the only one who understands my motivation. The rest of you are a bit self righteous and judgemental.

Thank you, qldaddy.
posted by mistsandrain at 9:46 AM on January 17, 2007

With all due respect, mistsandrain, you yourself acknowledged that your wording suggested your motivation was other than it actually is. All we have to go on is what you write, and therefore that's all we can draw conclusions from.

I think, in light of that, your accusations of self-righteousness are a bit hasty. A simple clarification would have sufficed.
posted by AV at 7:16 PM on January 17, 2007

AV, if you had read my question thoroughly- you might have noticed that my intentions were to contribute volunteer time in exchange for, perhaps, better chances at a slot at a charter school. I also said that, under different circumstances, I would be ready to make my local public school a better place- by getting involved. I mentioned that the DC public school situation is very unstable at the moment- if you are at all familiar with the new mayor and the board of education you would know that they are in opposition over how to fix the deteriorating schools and there are, as yet, no clear plans on any new directions. I believe my efforts at the local school could easily be wasted. And I don't have a lot of time to waste energy.

If all you have to go on is what I write- then please read thoroughly.

And regarding private schools- perhaps you can afford them- but I can't. Regarding my attempts to get my son into a good situation- I am doing my best as a single mother working for a non profit for 60 plus hours a week to give my son his best chance and contribute as best I can to give others their best chance.

I don't know why people like you populate these sites looking to flame.
posted by mistsandrain at 9:33 AM on January 18, 2007

No matter what you decide to do, mistsandrain, this situation will be a learning experience for your child.
posted by box at 12:32 PM on January 19, 2007