tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1118175651594058187..comments2024-03-18T16:51:10.406-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Open Thread FridayMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7632531583153644572011-03-28T10:40:33.150-07:002011-03-28T10:40:33.150-07:00Bonus doesn’t lure best teachers to worst schools
...<b>Bonus doesn’t lure best teachers to worst schools</b><br /><br />March 28, 2011, Joanne Jacobs <br /><br />http://www.joannejacobs.com/2011/03/bonus-doesnt-lure-best-teachers-to-worst-schools/<br /><br />According to an article posted on Joanne Jacob's blog, <i>fewer than 1 percent of Washington’s certified teachers move from low-poverty to high-poverty schools each year</i>, despite the $5000 incentive offered by the State.<br /><br />A commenter posted this:<br /><br /><i>Forgive my crankiness, but whoever came up with this plan shows a stunning lack of appreciation for just how difficult it is to work in a high-needs school, and how comparatively easy it is to work in a low-poverty setting. <br /><br />So let’s see. You want me to move from my low-poverty suburban school, where students are mostly engaged, relatively motivated, high-functioning, with responsive parents and multiple support structures, to teach at a high-poverty school, where I have to fight to be heard, deal with unbridgable gaps in skill levels, little parental support and function as a de facto social worker. And let me guess, if I fail to produce the results I produced in my old school, you’ll brand me a bad teacher? For HOW much extra? <br /><br />Please.</i><br /><br />Sigh.Noteworthynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31618410425781106312011-03-28T07:37:59.927-07:002011-03-28T07:37:59.927-07:00USA Today published article about potential cheati...USA Today published article about potential cheating on standardized tests in DC school, which resulted in nearly $20K in bonuses for staff.<br /><br />http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-03-28-1Aschooltesting28_CV_N.htmPo3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49271331268014226582011-03-27T18:59:45.239-07:002011-03-27T18:59:45.239-07:00Here's an interesting blog about gifted educat...Here's an interesting blog about gifted education in Bellevue:<br /><br />http://gifted-ed.blogspot.com/<br /><br />What's interesting is how there is talk about moving away from the PRISM program and instead differentiating instruction within the regular classroom (kind of like ALO...hmmm).<br /><br />Another anonymousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29771871419595484062011-03-27T17:26:37.605-07:002011-03-27T17:26:37.605-07:00Guess who's back on the home page of the Broad...Guess who's back on the home page of the Broad Academy website?<br /><br />Yep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36709230595620416812011-03-27T09:18:08.603-07:002011-03-27T09:18:08.603-07:00Melissa and Charlie, can you check the Blogger spa...Melissa and Charlie, can you check the Blogger spam folder again? I think one of my comments got stuck in there. Thank you.Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-315677375261825932011-03-26T11:43:01.894-07:002011-03-26T11:43:01.894-07:00Seattle Times article today:
"Ousted principa...Seattle Times article today:<br />"Ousted principals quickly find new education jobs"<br /><br />After Red Lake High School was labeled one of Minnesota's worst schools, its board moved quickly to dismiss the principal. It didn't take long for Ev Arnold to land on his feet, though: The same district now pays him the identical salary to oversee the school's turnaround.<br /><br />Hmm...No news here- Seattle has been doing this for years!SPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12726295210572942506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4107202164895754002011-03-26T04:43:14.212-07:002011-03-26T04:43:14.212-07:00Each school has someone in the school office who i...Each school has someone in the school office who is responsible for helping students to replace lost ORCA cards. Be prepared for it to take more than a couple weeks.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20319538243668515112011-03-25T22:34:40.639-07:002011-03-25T22:34:40.639-07:00Has anyone tried to find anything anything on the ...Has anyone tried to find anything anything on the new SPS website? The search is terrible, and I find the navigation useless. <br /><br />My student's orca card got lost (or stolen) but typing in "Lost Orca Card" returns two totally unrelated searches! <br /><br />btw, anyone know how to get it replaced?wsnorthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03795943009142572757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13833698322054060112011-03-25T18:44:41.427-07:002011-03-25T18:44:41.427-07:00Leslie Rogers as SPS Cummunication leader!
Shall ...Leslie Rogers as SPS Cummunication leader!<br /><br />Shall we expect a bandwagon of charter banter?Disgustednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49769711790339784682011-03-25T16:18:41.896-07:002011-03-25T16:18:41.896-07:00Yes, Helen, they've turned completely around f...Yes, Helen, they've turned completely around from their old ways. They are no longer aligned with Broad/Gates, now they're aligned with Gates/Broad. It's very different.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33031173227296625972011-03-25T16:04:15.243-07:002011-03-25T16:04:15.243-07:00In other words, they've done a 360-degree turn...In other words, they've done a 360-degree turn from their old position?<br /><br />Helen Schinske (who has heard people say that seriously)hschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41643624089981210722011-03-25T15:51:29.532-07:002011-03-25T15:51:29.532-07:00SC asked:
"Why, oh why, would the district h...SC asked:<br /><br /><i>"Why, oh why, would the district hire Strategies 360, uh, hire one of its employees, into the Chief Communications Officer position?"</i><br /><br />Because the District is not hiring "Broad Interns" any more. With all the talk of openness and transparency comes an action to maintain access for "Special Interests". Same-O same-O.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27678291925634394702011-03-25T15:43:07.581-07:002011-03-25T15:43:07.581-07:00Not disputing that people may be surprised, such a...<i>Not disputing that people may be surprised, such as folks who are being cut off from transportation, but details about the community stops, level 3 school start times, and shared routes won't be put into writing for a few more months, I believe.</i><br /><br />Actually -word is that those details WILL be in the letters - staff is preparing for lots of post-delivery phone calls and questions<br /><br />"in the know"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78303806367409404522011-03-25T15:39:38.276-07:002011-03-25T15:39:38.276-07:00"The appointment [of Lesley Rogers, of Strate..."The appointment [of Lesley Rogers, of Strategies 360] follows a national search and interview process that included a team of more than 30 people – District staff, school staff, community members, a union representative and parents."<br /><br />No way. Just when I was getting quite optimistic that things were opening up, transparency was happening...Lots of good things, but now this.<br /><br />Really? After a nationwide search they just happened to hire someone from the company that is the Our Schools Coalition, the short-lived astroturf Gates/Alliance machanism formed to influence contract negotiations?<br /><br />As Melissa said, Strategies 360 is in bed with Gates/Broad, has been for...how long? At LEAST a year, and has postured itself as "the community" (specifically the members of its "coalition": some minority interest groups - including at least three, probably more, of the groups in the latest scandal)- business, and a couple politicians, specifically Tim Burgess, who has made such a hoopla lately out of "helping" the city become ethical.<br /><br />Why, oh why, would the district hire Strategies 360, uh, hire one of its employees, into the Chief Communications Officer position?<br /><br />My trust level just retreated to where it was before we switched superintendents.<br /><br />Unbelievable.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76449287133022877432011-03-25T15:29:31.045-07:002011-03-25T15:29:31.045-07:00RBHS stats:
http://www.rainiervalleypost.com/sw-r...RBHS stats:<br /><br />http://www.rainiervalleypost.com/sw-rainier-beach-highs-students-can-go-to-college-so-why-dont-they/<br /><br />and this is the graduating class, the percentage is certainly much lower if you account for students who started as freshman but dropped out.<br /><br />-AstonishedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61795689943545222992011-03-25T15:09:33.134-07:002011-03-25T15:09:33.134-07:00SP, my heart sank when I saw who they hired for Co...SP, my heart sank when I saw who they hired for Communications. The Alliance and Strageties 360 are very aligned (in fact, that's who does the Alliance's communications). Very neat fit,no?<br /><br />And that committee was NEVER announced. I know this because I asked repeated how one could be on it so I could post it here. But I will find out who did end up getting on it and how they were recruited.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51942688411312880582011-03-25T14:48:53.145-07:002011-03-25T14:48:53.145-07:00If I remember correctly, the transportation letter...If I remember correctly, the transportation letter that comes out this time of year just basically says whether or not you are eligible, right?<br /><br />The details about the specific bus route and times come in August.<br /><br />Not disputing that people may be surprised, such as folks who are being cut off from transportation, but details about the community stops, level 3 school start times, and shared routes won't be put into writing for a few more months, I believe.<br /><br />Of course, this also makes me wonder since they just mailed out the letters confirming each student's assignment next year, why do they need a separate mailing (ie, double the postage)? Couldn't this have easily been put on the assignment letters we just got?Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777580098975083499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25497094885854053592011-03-25T14:40:23.641-07:002011-03-25T14:40:23.641-07:00re: The news release about the new communications ...re: The news release about the new communications position just filled.<br /><br />"The appointment follows a national search and interview process that included a team of more than 30 people – District staff, school staff, community members, a union representative and parents."<br /><br />Really? Team of 30? I'd live to see the roster. <br />Which community members and parents (both plural) participated? Did anyone see any announcements about this for either volunteers or for the process itself? Maybe that should be a good question for the new communications person?SPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12726295210572942506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65484592651014722562011-03-25T14:25:35.396-07:002011-03-25T14:25:35.396-07:00@Spruiter
Oh I think there will be more than a few...@Spruiter<br />Oh I think there will be more than a few surprises in the Transportation letters from what I've heard - adventures yet to come...Northendernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66265044632556121682011-03-25T14:12:26.801-07:002011-03-25T14:12:26.801-07:00"The Race to the Top" Scheme<a href="http://www.educationnews.org/ednews_today/108436.html" rel="nofollow">"<i>The Race to the Top</i>" Scheme</a>dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11925553952267513512011-03-25T14:07:12.272-07:002011-03-25T14:07:12.272-07:00Transportation letters for next year are supposed ...Transportation letters for next year are supposed to be sent out today. I hope nobody is taken too much by surprise by the new transportation plan.Spruiternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54108746464189776112011-03-25T13:58:31.665-07:002011-03-25T13:58:31.665-07:00Eric B,
I dispute your USA 90% number. I think t...Eric B,<br /><br />I dispute your USA 90% number. I think this calculation is meaningless.<br /><br />If you take the number of students entering grade 1, multiply that by 75% and then compare that number with graduates 12 years later, I doubt even 75% are graduating.<br /><br />"The Education Lobby" generates all kinds of meaningless stats using bizarre formulas. Among my favorite examples was the 98% graduation rate for New Tech Sacramento, which can be found in California records. However when number of entering ninth graders is compared with number graduating 4 years later not even 50% graduate.<br /><br />=========<br />Percentages are often produced to push an agenda and are far too often disconnected from reality.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60391348118445676112011-03-25T13:52:47.340-07:002011-03-25T13:52:47.340-07:00Right Po3,
Maybe they won't be able to hand s...Right Po3,<br /><br />Maybe they won't be able to hand so many non-compete contracts to them due to conflict of interest!mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25863217298290474672011-03-25T13:46:56.846-07:002011-03-25T13:46:56.846-07:00"Rogers is leaving her job as Vice President ..."Rogers is leaving her job as Vice President of Communications for Strategies 360"<br /><br />Well maybe now we won't have to spend so much on consulting fees to this company...Po3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34856266479691368362011-03-25T13:43:33.582-07:002011-03-25T13:43:33.582-07:00OPEN TREAD TOPIC:
CCSS- Common Core State Standar...OPEN TREAD TOPIC:<br /><br />CCSS- Common Core State Standards is being pushed upon all in WA State in spite of costs to local districts and a virtual complete loss of control. Note my Recall efforts for <a href="http://www.school-truth.com/dorn.html" rel="nofollow">Randy Dorn</a> and <a href="http://www.school-truth.com/GovChris.html" rel="nofollow">Gov. Gregoire</a>.<br /><br />This is a boondoogle of enormous proportion and the "Conventional Media" is giving this a free pass.<br /><br />Here is my EdNews.org article.=> <a href="http://www.educationnews.org/blogs/152220.html" rel="nofollow"> Washington State: Major Battleground for CCSS and More</a>dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.com