Linkages
We've talked before on this blog about the ongoing problems at Jefferson-Houston School, which date from Alexandria's 1999 school redistricting.
As the Washington Post baldly noted a few months ago, "The all-white board voted 7 to 2 to create a band of wealthier, whiter schools on the east side and leave three schools, Maury, Lyles-Crouch and Jefferson-Houston, heavily populated by minorities and the poor."
This was echoed by many community leaders, including former School Board member Linda Cheatham, who in comments delivered at a 1999 meeting of the Alexandria Human Rights Commission stated:
“The School Board concerns itself only with the legality of their actions rather than the morality of their action and [the] potential negative impact of re-segregation of the school system's overwhelming nonwhite middle-class school children. They relied on recent court rules in other jurisdictions that signaled a reversal in past desegregation initiatives to justify their actions while ignoring the harm that will undoubtedly befall the schools [and] the children. They have created 3 segregated schools, each with substantial number of children on free and reduced lunch, children who are not white, not proficient in English or learning, coping with learning disabilities and have failed to assure that they will receive a fair and adequate public education.”
What do the three schools have in common? Their boundaries encompass more than 800 units of public housing, the highest concentration in the City. Unlike the other schools, though, Jefferson-Houston has yet to experience a turnaround. It has failed to thrive since 1999, going into a tailspin almost immediately following the redistricting and faring worst of all three.
We've explored this topic before. But what may be going unnoticed or unheeded by our local leaders is the linkage between public housing and the school's ongoing difficulties.
Federal legislators, though, have started to understand that physical renovation is not the only element in a successful public housing redevelopment. Revitalizing the schools that serve these communities is essential, and legislation currently on the floor of the Senate reflects that growing awareness.
In testimony last June before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, then Assistant HUD Secretary Orlando Cabrera spoke about HOPE VI and school reform efforts:
The quality of schools in HOPE VI neighborhoods has long been considered an unaddressed collateral issue that undermines the outcomes for children living in HOPE VI developments. In addition, as the program emphasized mixed-income neighborhoods, including market rate tenants, poor neighborhood schools became a liability in attracting these tenants to the new development and surrounding neighborhood.
Of course S. 829 is stalled now owing to the uncertainty created by the upcoming Presidential election. There are also valid HUD concerns that education is outside its area of core competency and that the Department of Education needs to be involved in any such expansion of the scope of the HOPE VI program. And local school districts are going to complain if no money is made available through HUD's HOPE VI program or DOE to undertake comprehensive school reform.Today, many believe that good schools in HOPE VI neighborhoods are central to the success of a revitalization effort because they are a critical variable in creating opportunities for low-income children, attracting market rate residents with children to the community and in supporting both the short and long-term outcomes for HOPE VI families. Following from these assertions, Senate Bill 829 stipulates that school reform efforts should be a required component of the HOPE VI Revitalization grant, and that housing authorities and HUD should implement this component in targeted neighborhoods.
Nevertheless, this proposed legislation indicates that elected officials, educators, housing experts and HUD itself are beginning to understand the importance of school revitalization in any public housing redevelopment.
In addition to school reform, HUD's guidelines for the latest round of HOPE VI grants state that housing authorities can boost their funding scores by leveraging "collateral investments" in physical redevelopment activities, including schools. Those points for collateral investment leveraging are awarded for projects completed by April 1, 2013 that are currently underway or will be started and completed by that date.
The Growler has been told by senior City staff that Jefferson-Houston is the only Alexandria elementary school not to have had a significant renovation in recent years. And despite the fact that the School Board was presented earlier this year with a number of different options for closing, repurposing or rebuilding the school, the only Jefferson-Houston construction project on the horizon for the next five years appears to be a roof replacement.
Is this the best the School Board can do? Does City leadership understand the linkage between Jefferson-Houston's problems and the concentration of public housing in the community that it serves? And do they grasp the implications of Mr. Cabrera's statement that "poor neighborhood schools became a liability in attracting these tenants to the new development and surrounding neighborhood"? Will such residents buy into the redeveloped ARHA properties here if Jefferson-Houston's problems are not resolved?
posted by The Growler @ 6:24 AM
24 comments
24 Comments:
"And do they grasp the implications of Mr. Cabrera's statement that "poor neighborhood schools became a liability in attracting these tenants to the new development and surrounding neighborhood"?"
If the Braddock charrettes are any guide then the city is looking to fill the market rate units with young singles and retirees hungry for a city setting close to metro.
Other than the emotion of an ugly building what kind of analysis has been done to explain The Monarch's failure? It's too easy to blame the problem only on the economy.
No doubt the school is the key to stabilizing the neighborhood.
"If the Braddock charrettes are any guide then the city is looking to fill the market rate units with young singles and retirees hungry for a city setting close to metro."
In a battle between Braddock and Clarendon/Ballston, we are always going to lose. Its easy for City staff to promote the idea that young professionals are coming but the reality is that most of those in the Monarch (what few there are) are transient and will leave way before they have children.
The only pool of children that seem to be going to JH are the increasing pool of children from the public housing projects and Section 8 housing in PG. Even those residents who might move into these theoretical new developments will send their kids to private school at all costs.
And to think that some ARHA apologist was here this week arguing that the word "segregationist" is too hard to use against City and ARHA staff.
OK, so if that person ever decides to show up here again:
What would you call this then? Progress?
"Does City leadership understand the linkage between Jefferson-Houston's problems and the concentration of public housing in the community that it serves? "
Oh they understand I am sure. They just choose to stick their heads in the sand about it. Lovain has a new mission now where he wants to ban plastic bags in all retail stores. He is too busy to be bothered with the economic and social destruction of a whole generation of low-income African American school children so
Connie Ring can maintain his quota system.
Growler, are you allowed to analyze the tie-in of JH's sad disintegration and the overconcentration of public housing in Braddock East as part of the Braddock East planning group?
It seems like this is an issue that should be allowed for discussion, as part of the broader discussion on Resolution 830.
"And do they grasp the implications of Mr. Cabrera's statement that "poor neighborhood schools became a liability in attracting these tenants to the new development and surrounding neighborhood"? "
If they cant even figure out that public housing concentrations in front of Metros are an idea long past the need for change, then I dont think they can make this linkage.
To them, JH is a failure because of No Child Left Behind and its all Bush's fault....one accountability and testing is removed JH will go right back to being a great school and everyone will want ot send their kids there.
"Other than the emotion of an ugly building what kind of analysis has been done to explain The Monarch's failure? It's too easy to blame the problem only on the economy.
No doubt the school is the key to stabilizing the neighborhood".
I don't believe it is the school, nor the economy, that is driving the sale of homes in our areas down. From what I keep hearing from prospective buyers, it's the close proximity of public housing.
"Other than the emotion of an ugly building what kind of analysis has been done to explain The Monarch's failure?"
I actually got a chance to recently befriend one of the Monarchs new condo owners. Most of the folks that live there seem like nice people who moved here to get close to Old Town and the Metro.
But its telling that my new "friend" brought up two telling observations right away about
1. Its become clear to them that once they have children they will have to leave. The subject of children was broached and it was almost an immediate "We have heard horrible things about ACPS and JH from other friends in Alexandria"
2. Its also clear that they wish they would have read this blog before they bought. They actually started reading it recently and were amazed at some of the stories from 2006 and 2007 which revealed a lot of the problems inherent to the Parker Gray area and how most of this stuff has been a problem for such a long time.
The fact that a Monarch resident who has lived there less than 3 months is already talking about a. moving to Arlington and b. bemoaning why they thought the City might actually have a redevelopment plan is very telling andc should be of great concern to City leadership trying to attract new residents to the Braddock Road Metro area.
"so Connie Ring can maintain his quota system."
So what exactly does this mean?
"The fact that a Monarch resident who has lived there less than 3 months is already talking about a. moving to Arlington ......"
Note to the Monarch resident: If you are really talking about moving to Arlington, do it now, the sooner the better.
Ten years ago, I was drawn into the unbelievable mess of Alexandria's local government due to a problem on my block and opted to stay, figuring that time and sweat equity would improve a neighborhood already in transition.
I was wrong. I SO wish I had taken my losses and moved that first year. Ten years later, the neighborhood remains overburdened with public housing and segregated education, a situation supported and defended by Alexandria public officials.
"I SO wish I had taken my losses and moved that first year. Ten years later, the neighborhood remains overburdened with public housing and segregated education, a situation supported and defended by Alexandria public officials."
A good point is that the value of your house has increased dramatically over the last ten years. The other good point is........hmmm? I'm at a loss.
The fact is that Lyles-Crouch and Maury have definitely turned around. At Jefferson-Houston the tide may, I say may, be turning.
There are a few reasons for this:
- Principal (Ms. Graves) who appears to be dedicated and committed to improving the school (prior to her the school had five or Principals over six years)
- ACPS sees JH as the priority school for resources. Many of the teachers there are very good and are interested in the challenge associated with school improvement.
- A Parents' Group (local families with pre-school children, PTA families) has been working with the administration for the psst few months, and seem to be getting traction on ideas related to curriculum and community involvement.
What is missing so far is the commitment of the School Board to considering any new initiatives related to JH. From what I can tell a few members, not a majority, are interested in considering broader actions related to JH. But most, including the Chair, seem to be content with what I would refer to as a "wait and hope" approach.
The proof will be over the nnext two to three years, both with respect to test scores and broader attendance at the school.
If anyone is interested in the aforementioned Parents' Group, please visit Yahoo Groups and look for "jeffersonhouston."
"At Jefferson-Houston the tide may, I say may, be turning."
Whether or not the tide is turning it is a relief to something positive posted on this blog. Best of luck to all involved!
There are many parents working on a committee to improve Jefferson-houston... The Principal is fabulous, the teachers are dedicated and class sizes are small. There are many special programs in place to help all students. Many of the parents on the committee want to send our kids to the neighborhood school and want to stay in the city.
The rest is up to the City and the Board of Ed.... Hopefully they will follow through and not let us down again. Are you listening???
"Many of the parents on the committee want to send our kids to the neighborhood school and want to stay in the city."
Sadly I dont think your view reflects the views of those of us who have not had children yet but have considered having them. I am all for diversity but diversity by dumping the poor into one school is not true diversity.
The randomness of crime in this neighborhood is a signficant deterrent to wanting to have a child, stay in the neighborhood, and send a child to JH.
"The randomness of crime in this neighborhood is a signficant deterrent to wanting to have a child, stay in the neighborhood, and send a child to JH."
Crime is at the bottom of much of this discussion. If you went to the May 20 meeting on historic preservation at St. Joseph's Church then you know that we entered the church while a stabbing was ongoing. The police now protect themselves by revealing few statistics but until the public housing concentrations are reduced this kind of outrageous behavior will continue. No one is black enough to put up with the crude behavior that often passes for low income. Mr. Jennings maybe a year ago as part of Braddock charrettes also argued public housing should be dispersed and we heard he took a lot of political grief for doing so.
With gas prices through the roof, public transportation is an enticing alternative. Metro ridership has seen big jumps, not only during rush hour but off hours, as well. This situation should be an asset to homeowners in the area. Now if the politicians would only clean up the public housing mess, imagine what the future could hold for PG.
"broader attendance at the school."
This seems to be the larger issue, rather than academic improvement at the school. There seems to be the belief that an improvement in test scores will cause more people to want to send their kids to JH, when it would appear that a variety of social and economic factors also play a large part.
A neighbor said it best "We are not a neighborhood, so how can we be a neighborhood school". When looked at in light of the fact that most of the population growth in PG would be in the northern part of PG, which right now is about as far away from a neighborhood as one can imagine, hope for the school, while noble and wonderful, does not inspire much confidence of improvement.
The simple fact is that Mrs. Graves and her teacher corps can't go home every night and protect these chidlren from the social and economic disaster zones they live in, cant improve the neighborhood these kids live in, cant offer them much beyond, well, HOPE.
But hope isnt going to protect a kid from the problems at Adkins, Bland and Madden.
"The randomness of crime in this neighborhood is a signficant deterrent"
So much of the thought process related to PG is misguided. Policies are now what outsiders like Miller and Euille wish impose. Miller moved from the neighborhood long ago. Eudora Lyles is dead and Ms. Hamer crossed the tipping point with her unflattering references to gentrification in the Braddock Plan. Over the years the white gentry and black middle class have fought many battles together. On May 20 many of us supported the celebration of Parker Gray's black history only to watch a man complain he had been stabbed. As a local Barack Obama would never have survived Alexandria's politics.
" On May 20 many of us supported the celebration of Parker Gray's black history only to watch a man complain he had been stabbed."
Business as usual; last night in Adkins and Bland, there were 3 massive police responses (is 12 cars enough at Adkins or do they need more)?
It becomes almost an expected fact of life now that when the weather warms up, crime in the usual locations is not far behind.
How this is good for the kids who end up going to JH and Maury is beyond me.
"The simple fact is that Mrs. Graves and her teacher corps can't go home every night and protect these chidlren from the social and economic disaster zones they live in"
This is an important fact that Harris and the other advocates never bring up; in their zeal to "protect" the neighborhood they feel is doing great, they forget the tremendous damage that neighborhood is causing for the kids of the next generation.
I wrote it in an email to Council once, demanding to know why JH was not incorporated into the Braddock East discussions; the lack of a response was telling.
"It becomes almost an expected fact of life now that when the weather warms up, crime in the usual locations is not far behind."
I agree; I never see a discussion of public housing or the socioeconomic factors that are killing JH come up in any discussion on the Yahoo Group recently started by JH parents.
Like many others in PG, they dont want to touch that powder keg.
"The proof will be over the nnext two to three years, both with respect to test scores and broader attendance at the school."
Not sure if you have seen the Metro Plan, Trey, but where would the attendance you and Bill Campbell speak of actually come from?
Madison, Payne, Jaguar are all rentals. There is no source of new neighbors (i.e. homeowners with roots) that would be the source of increased attendance at the school.
It sounds like what you need to start pushing for is a redistricting or an end to the factors that discourage homeowners from moving here.
"I never see a discussion of public housing or the socioeconomic factors that are killing JH come up in any discussion on the Yahoo Group recently started by JH parents."
Early on the group decided to focus on areas where the members felt that they could have impact - curriculum, community involvement, and coordination amongst the group, administration, and school board. The macro-level issues discussed in this post, while important, are nothing that the group can directly address. We took the established district as a given.
"Not sure if you have seen the Metro Plan, Trey, but where would the attendance you and Bill Campbell speak of actually come from?"
While I am not Trey, I will respond since the original was my post. The attendance of which I speak includes the families of school-age children (such as mine) who have decided to send their children to other schools. I think that we saw small steps as, at least in the beginning, a path to success.
The original goal of the parents' group was to identify a way to increase the involvement of local families in the school, including through enrollment of their children. A parents' group at Maury had success using a similar approach.
The broader issues are easy to identify but tougher to deal with. The parents' group, in my opinion, is trying a bottom-up approach of involvement as opposed to a top-down approach of restructuring.
The top-down approach is the responsibility of the School Board. With their preoccupation on the Superintendent search and with some amount of in-fighting, I do not see them looking at this approach in the near future.
Post a Comment
<< Home