Tuesday Open Thread

Governor Inslee has opened a new state office called the Department of Children, Youth and Families.   The home page highlights adoption, early learning, foster children, child development services and child protection services.  On their Outcome Goals, they list: education, health and resilience.


In order to provide services in a way that accomplishes this vision, the new agency must measure the outcomes of each generation, paying particular attention to unequal outcomes for low-income children and families, communities of color, and other often marginalized groups. As we consider what outcomes we will set as goals for the new agency, we continue to ask ourselves two critical questions: how will we know that children, youth, and families are thriving, and what will need to be true to ensure this?

So, whether you are a parent, caregiver, state agency employee, service provider, or a Washingtonian who cares about the future of our children, we know you have important insight into what these overarching outcome goals might be. If you want to weigh in on this process, please take a few minutes to fill out this brief survey. You can also always reach us at oiaa@dcyf.wa.gov with ideas or questions.
I met with Superintendent Juneau yesterday and I'll have a thread up on that interview soon.

BECU offers a number of grants.  One grant area now accepting nominations from BECU members is People Helping People.  
Every year, we ask our members to nominate local organizations. The community then votes to determine the winner of the People's Choice Award. It's a way for us to recognize and honor both members and organizations in our communities that exemplify one of the most important values BECU was founded on: helping others. 
It looks like Bellevue teachers may have negotiated themselves a raise of  over 19%.  They vote on the new contract thru Friday.  Wonder where SEA is on their contract?

I'll have a news roundup of privacy issues but this story is a good start.  In Florida a law stemming from the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school was passed that now asks parents for one more thing when enrolling their child in public schools.  From the Florida Phoenix:
But the newest registration requirement this upcoming school year is a little-noticed provision that is now drawing concern, confusion and criticism as administrators grapple with Florida’s new school safety law.

That law says that each student – at the time of initial school registration – must disclose if they’ve been referred for mental health services. Parents and guardians will typically fill out and sign the registration forms.

Put in context, the mental health registration requirement is part of other information that must be disclosed at registration, such as “previous school expulsions, arrests resulting in a charge, juvenile justice actions, and referrals to mental health services…,” according to the law.

But with few details and instruction in the law, parents and educators are now in a quandary: How much information should be reported? What kind of mental health issues would be included? What if a student has ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) or anxiety-related testing? What about teen depression? What happens if a parent refuses to disclose information? Will a student be blocked from entering school?

No matter what, “This perpetuates the stigma,” said Alisa LaPolt, executive director of the Florida office of the National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI).
What's on your mind?

Comments

Seamom said…
I hope the new state office will make it possible for families to use their judgment in deciding when to pursue free range parenting practices without being reported to CPS or the police every time one of their under-13 children is more than 20 feet away from them.

Children's rights promote women's rights:
https://letgrow.org/how-helicopter-parenting-keeps-women-down/
Former Souper said…
SEA to meet on August 28th.

News from Washougal:

https://www.columbian.com/news/2018/jul/17/washougal-school-district-teachers-union-odds-negotiations/
dan dempsey said…
Interesting decisions in regard to the Blaine Amendment and the public funding of a portion of religious school costs..

Mr Kavanaugh tear down this wall?

-- Dan Dempsey
Anonymous said…
What is the latest on the 7+ period school day, which would require increased contractual limits on student loads and decreased contact time per course? I'm hoping teachers hold firm to the current 150.

watching
Tax Calculation said…

McCleary was funded via property tax. This link will calculate your McCleary contribution.

http://localscape.spatialest.com/#kingcountyassessor/Tax
Former Souper said…
Unions are sending a consistent message: The state has provided districts with a lot of money for teacher salaries.

How many unions are calling attention to levy caps: None

Kent and Mulkiteo teachers are under contract, but opened contract negotiations.

Tentative start dates in Everett, Marysville, Camano Island and Kent.
Tax Calculation, I'll say it again. Your link may tell people what they will be paying in property tax for McCleary BUT Seattle does NOT get all the money. A portion is to be distributed to property-poor counties.
Anonymous said…
@ Melissa, thanks for sharing that Florida law--what a mess. "The mental health registration requirement is part of other information that must be disclosed at registration, such as 'previous school expulsions, arrests resulting in a charge, juvenile justice actions, and referrals to mental health services…,' according to the law." So receipt of mental health services is lumped with arrests and juvenile justice matters? That just seems wrong, and it may even serve as a deterrent to receiving appropriate mental health services--which are a form of heath services, and appropriate for many.

It also seems likely to be incredibly ineffective. First, if you only ask about "referral" to mental health services, then anything someone finds on their own isn't covered--but maybe a referral someone received but didn't need would be, such as a number for a MH provider given "in case you ever feel depressed"? Second, if they are only asking at school entry, they are missing data on most kids at the school, since most such referrals would happen after a student was school age. Unless you're going to get annual MH updates on everyone--which would raise more alarms--it doesn't seem likely to do much good.

It also seems very risky. We here in SPS know how insecure student data can be.

HF

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday Open Thread

Why the Majority of the Board Needs to be Filled with New Faces

Who Is A. J. Crabill (and why should you care)?