OC/DC: DC Public Schools--Pride of the Nation?
Posted by: Jeff Solsby | 02/21/2008 9:42 AM
Education is always on the mind of Californians--especially in an era of competing budget priorities and discussions of budget gaps. While Orange County public schools are--by and large--quite good, there will always be debate over adequate funding, use of resources, and a variety of other issues in OC public schools.
For some perspective on the state of schools in OC, look to this recent profile of Washington DC's public schools from today's Washington City Paper (the OC Weekly-equivalent, well maybe not "equivalent" but they're both weekly tabloid style alt papers). [Note: there is some colorful language in the story, quoting students.]
I will let the story speak for itself. It's disturbing on so many levels, not the least of which is that some of the most vulnerable kids are left stuck in a system they are monopolized into attending.
It gets better, or not.
Here is a recent in-depth profile series on the DC public schools by the Washington Post. The interactive, audio and video features are worth watching.
A Wiki posting on the District of Columbia provides this demographic data: "There were 248,338 households, out of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.8% were married couples living together, 18.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.0% were non-families. 43.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 3.07."
The Wiki posting also notes the total school population is only 54,000 and change with 19,000 and change in charter schools. That student population is about the size of Santa Ana's district. The per-pupil spending, according to this compilation is $13,000--first in the nation, while California hits mid-field at 23. The Census Bureau has slightly different numbers, here but the gist is the same.
While these stories yield no easy answers, it does confirm the belief that the road to a good education is not paved with "revolutionary" architecture, escalator-equipped buildings nor a plethora of under-utilized scuba sets.
Interesting stuff, to say the least.
For some perspective on the state of schools in OC, look to this recent profile of Washington DC's public schools from today's Washington City Paper (the OC Weekly-equivalent, well maybe not "equivalent" but they're both weekly tabloid style alt papers). [Note: there is some colorful language in the story, quoting students.]
I will let the story speak for itself. It's disturbing on so many levels, not the least of which is that some of the most vulnerable kids are left stuck in a system they are monopolized into attending.
It gets better, or not.
Here is a recent in-depth profile series on the DC public schools by the Washington Post. The interactive, audio and video features are worth watching.
A Wiki posting on the District of Columbia provides this demographic data: "There were 248,338 households, out of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.8% were married couples living together, 18.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.0% were non-families. 43.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 3.07."
The Wiki posting also notes the total school population is only 54,000 and change with 19,000 and change in charter schools. That student population is about the size of Santa Ana's district. The per-pupil spending, according to this compilation is $13,000--first in the nation, while California hits mid-field at 23. The Census Bureau has slightly different numbers, here but the gist is the same.
While these stories yield no easy answers, it does confirm the belief that the road to a good education is not paved with "revolutionary" architecture, escalator-equipped buildings nor a plethora of under-utilized scuba sets.
Interesting stuff, to say the least.
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