tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1436199875851801632..comments2024-03-18T16:51:10.406-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Shaping and Controlling the NarrativeMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89249448410284260722012-04-09T22:29:53.547-07:002012-04-09T22:29:53.547-07:00I must say, I think there is a "whole lotta&q...I must say, I think there is a "whole lotta" truth in what Sahila and the TRUTHhurts say -- and Melissa, I have been around long enough to have watched both you and Charlie do the polite, moderate "ahem, ahem" thing -- to utterly NO avail. So I have become a total believer in blunt, no-bullshit speech. But I have two concerns (neither of which means you/this blog should change -- but maybe mean I should, when I comment).<br /><br />First, in my experience, discomfort with activist speech comes from 3 places -- maybe 4. First, there are a number of people who simply get really uncomfortable with "robust debate." They aren't bad; they aren't pro-ed reform; they just have a lower tolerance for conflict than others. To the extent that we can make them more comfortable when we meet them -- WITHOUT losing our "voice," the better, as many are our, and our kids' allies (and if they stay in the conversation long enough, many find their "voices" too).<br /><br />There are also a number of people who disagree on the merits (substance, now -- not "form" of debate as above), but who are not manipulative, they simply are (in my opinion, I am sure they would beg to differ) -- wrong. Folks who genuinely think that massive high-stakes testing across all courses in every grade leads to better learning outcomes for kids; people who think that having teachers compete against each other to see who can earn the most based on some incentive grid will improve teaching. I used to find these folks pretty benign, but I have listened to Sahila too long, and now think that people really need to challenge their assumptions. It is not ok, when the world (at least the educational one) is in peril, to simply blindly follow the pied pipers of ed reform. On the other hand, while they are enablers, they are persuadable, if you can get them to examine their assumptions and get used to the idea of being on the "outs" with the power brokers. Civil debate is essential here, too, as misinformed people, when informed, can become great allies. <br /><br />That leaves a "core" of people who know that they are spinning deeply ideological positions to try to make them more palatable (to the two groups above). These are the people who are screaming about activists and bloggers being Monsters. They KNOW they are bullshitting everyone. They feel entitled to do so (because they are right -- we are wrong; or they are rich, we are not; or they are powerful, we are not). Whatever. There is no legitimate argument to be had with these folks, because they are interested ONLY in keeping their "opposition" from pointing out the flaws, fallacies, and untruths in their positions. They are the ones who try to define what can be debated; and when debate is sufficiently "uncivil" that they won't talk to you any more (while they blithely dismiss their opponents as haters, malign their motives (e.g., claiming they are all union shills, when many are not particularly pro-union, they are just pro-education--with whatever union position that entails), and misstate their positions (anyone not pro-charter wants to continue the "status quo" -- when they know well we do not, and have been fighting the status quo far longer than they have). It is the malignancy, the dishonesty, the duplicity, of these folks that makes it necessary to persevere, no matter how uncomfortable it makes the people in groups 1 and 2; though keeping the debate as civil as possible, so the conflict-averse and the mis- or under-informed become our allies, is always a good goal.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36897637095463183872012-04-09T10:32:23.262-07:002012-04-09T10:32:23.262-07:00Get the big picture... the corporate take-over of ...Get the big picture... the corporate take-over of public education has been a world-wide plan for a long time. This document, Hidden Privatisation in Public Education, is the most clear and lucid matter-of-fact study I've read about it. There are many insights and understandings to be gleaned. The succinct chart (Box 23: Professional and Market Values), beginning on page 52, clarifies why so many veteran educators are feeling such angst.<br /><br />Don't be afraid of the length of this document. There is lots of white space.<br /><a href="http://download.ei-ie.org/docs/IRISDocuments/Research%20on%20Education/Privatisation%20and%20Commercialisation/2007-00242-01-E.pdf" rel="nofollow">IRIS Documents - Research on Education Privatisation and Commercialisation</a>Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21655761475955634632012-04-09T08:53:36.465-07:002012-04-09T08:53:36.465-07:00I know that rationally if our blog wasn't spar...<i>I know that rationally if our blog wasn't sparking discussion, no one would be writing about "those bloggers." I know that we are annoying people who want to control the narrative...</i> <br /><br />First they ignore you.<br />Then they laugh at you.<br />Then they fight you.<br />Then you win.<br /><br />Ghandi<br /><br />You're now at stage 3. <br /><br />WSDWGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48393823838469773092012-04-09T08:50:35.289-07:002012-04-09T08:50:35.289-07:00Melissa,
Some have given you the hairy eye while ...Melissa,<br /><br />Some have given you the hairy eye while claiming to be moderate and civil. I"m feeling the moderates aren't as moderate as they would like some to believe. Actually, I think some of these so called moderates might even be aggressive.Define Moderatenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56490752526871128552012-04-08T22:35:44.146-07:002012-04-08T22:35:44.146-07:00Regarding the narrative, I just googled "Teac...Regarding the narrative, I just googled "Teachers United" because until the Publicola article, I'd never heard of them. But they are in Olympia testifying apparently for all of us. <br /><br />The only hot link on their site was an "apply now..." Well, I don't want to apply. I wouldn't mind knowing more about them: how many are there; how spread out are they; which grade levels and schools do they represent: public? private? <br /><br />I guess you have to apply since not all of us are good enough for the group. I'm wondering if that organization would be a good one to make more transparent on this blog? <br /><br />Any ideas?<br /><br />n...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14896926582237080772012-04-08T22:32:37.096-07:002012-04-08T22:32:37.096-07:00Melissa,
I've learned SPS is like the Wizard ...Melissa,<br /><br />I've learned SPS is like the Wizard of Oz. YOu don't know what is going on until someone pulls back the curtain. Thanks for daylighting individuals that think they are the Masters of the Universe.Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80439833891216552362012-04-08T20:04:11.732-07:002012-04-08T20:04:11.732-07:00"If a nation’s laws are situational, that nat..."If a nation’s laws are situational, that nation has no laws, and soon isn’t a nation.”<br /><br />Right. The TFA law-bending-'til-it-snaps was just such a blatant disregard for law. No matter how they spun it, the fact is that the intent of certification is, well, certification. The intent of an emergency cert is, well, an emergency consisting of TWO situations, neither of which the contract with TFA met.<br /><br />There was no shortage of applicants. There was no specialized skill.<br /><br />That the intent of the cert/emergency cert rules was just sort of shuffled under the carpet speaks volumes, and does not bode well for a nation of laws, nor does it set an example for the students and community the district serves.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27073552016486992442012-04-08T19:45:58.841-07:002012-04-08T19:45:58.841-07:00I can't help but hear Jordan Royer referring t...I can't help but hear Jordan Royer referring to Mel or Charlie as "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BomVB3QkKQs" rel="nofollow">you monster</a>" in the voice of GLaDOS from Portal 2.<br /><br />/but maybe that's just me...ArchStantonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10746480698492983438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26780124578717380032012-04-08T18:48:55.508-07:002012-04-08T18:48:55.508-07:00Melissa.... why the heck are you removing my comme...Melissa.... why the heck are you removing my comments?<br /><br />Am I breaking some kind of post limit you have set but forgotten to tell us all about?<br /><br />All the posts were relevant...Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5978237015647907212012-04-08T15:08:44.161-07:002012-04-08T15:08:44.161-07:00William Gibson said:
“Before you diagnose yoursel...William Gibson said:<br /><br />“Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.”<br /><br />Well, I AM an asshole. I really don't want to be, but I am SICK of this subset of individuals feeling that they can conduct their "transparent" character assassination in private.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86540661776739160002012-04-08T09:31:31.930-07:002012-04-08T09:31:31.930-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54383202065887265402012-04-08T09:17:48.791-07:002012-04-08T09:17:48.791-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88349973366618608302012-04-08T09:11:47.891-07:002012-04-08T09:11:47.891-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24510858220924971802012-04-08T09:07:44.068-07:002012-04-08T09:07:44.068-07:00"I never give them hell. I just tell the trut..."I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." -Harry TrumanSahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19990903225253237162012-04-08T08:28:44.316-07:002012-04-08T08:28:44.316-07:00Amen to this from Enough Already:
"If an ind...Amen to this from Enough Already:<br /><br /><i>"If an individual’s morals are situational, that individual is without morals. <b>If a nation’s laws are situational, that nation has no laws, and soon isn’t a nation.”</b></i><br /><br />I would say that in the above example ... maybe still a nation but definitely NOT a REPUBLIC.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5865831338740506972012-04-08T08:24:59.333-07:002012-04-08T08:24:59.333-07:00Shaping narrative and how the "Facts are Repo...Shaping narrative and how the "Facts are Reported".<br /><br />OSPI funded "School Improvement Gaps" for under preforming schools => Cohort I selected for year one in 2009-2010 and continuing for three years.<br /><br />This was a competitive grant situation. The competition was among "<a href="http://k12.wa.us/Improvement/SIG/default.aspx" rel="nofollow">Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools</a>".<br /><br />You can find <a href="http://k12.wa.us/Improvement/SIG/CohortI.aspx" rel="nofollow">Cohort I HERE</a>. There were 18 schools from 9 Districts that were awarded grants. 12 Districts did not receive grants.<br /><br />Note the 35 pages from the Feds that describes what needs to be done. See last link on the above linked page: <i>The preceding information is posted to this Web site as required by the U.S. Department of Education: Guidance on School Improvement Grants Under Section 1003(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Word) (pg. 35 (I-5)) </i><br /><br />In examining the above document SEA = State Education Agency and LEA = Local Education Agency. <br /><br />Note that one of the following models that MUST be used:<br />1. Turn Around :: pg 11<br />2. Restart :: pg 14<br />3. School Closure :: pg 14<br />4. Transformation Model :: pg15 <br /><br />When examining extensive school research, there is not much to indicate that any of these are wise choices for long term school improvement.<br /><br />----section K-5. page 40<br /><b>How frequently must an SEA report on the SIG metrics?</b><br />An SEA must report on the metrics annually, with the first report providing baseline data and each subsequent report providing data based on the prior year of implementation of one of the four interventions. The SEA must provide such annual reports for each year for which the SEA allocates SIG funds under section 1003(g) of the ESEA.<br /><br />section K-6. page 41<br /><b>Will the Department provide other guidance about the process for submitting and the substance to be included in the required reports?</b><br />Yes. The Department will issue separate guidance to provide States with information regarding the specific process for submitting the required reports and the information to be contained in the reports.<br />-----------------------------<br /><br />In typical OSPI fashion there is very little reported thus far. The original proposals from the 18 winning schools included goals for each of the three years of the grant. Most of these were using MSP test scores from OSPI. YET OSPI has yet to issue the annually required report for school year 20010-2011 which was the first funced year of the project.<br /><br />Originally OSPI stated this report would be out by end of 2011, now its become May 2012.<br /><br />================<br />In the meantime you can read complete nonsense from LEV like this on Totem Middle School.<br />Note LEV all comments that described the actual results based on the SIG application criteria <a href="http://www.educationvoters.org/2011/12/15/totem-middle-school-has-the-solution-for-math-success/" rel="nofollow">are gone. --- LEV got hacked</a> .. HOW convenient for obscuring the truth.<br /><br />It appears that OSPI as well as LEV has been an agent in controlling the narrative.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36442751169713108952012-04-08T08:15:52.929-07:002012-04-08T08:15:52.929-07:00Cautionary Tale for DeBell, LMNOP (for short), WTP...Cautionary Tale for DeBell, LMNOP (for short), WTPSA & the rest of the money club:<br /><br />Fact--the more you try to hide, the more transparent you become<br /><br />--enough already (not impressed by the money club's attempts to be street smart)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57130084787774023642012-04-08T07:41:46.214-07:002012-04-08T07:41:46.214-07:00Since we are dealing more and more with science fi...Since we are dealing more and more with science fiction/non-fiction by this group of “lying aggressors” (who are angry because they can't completely control the message), here are some fitting quotes from William Gibson: <br /><br />“Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes.” <br /><br />“A nation,” he heard himself say, “consists of its laws. A nation does not consist of its situation at a given time. If an individual’s morals are situational, that individual is without morals. If a nation’s laws are situational, that nation has no laws, and soon isn’t a nation.”<br /><br />“When you want to know how things really work, study them when they're coming apart.” <br /><br />“The deadliest bullshit is odorless, and transparent.”<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75256368589320180042012-04-08T06:51:15.336-07:002012-04-08T06:51:15.336-07:00i luv this disinformation campaign. let's hav...i luv this disinformation campaign. let's have debate and let's be civil and let's focus on The Truth' and let's focus on the issues - <br /><br />and I'll define what is civil and I'll define what is 'The Truth' and i'll define what is allowable to be called 'debate' AND ALL the definitions will be founded upon what my clique of connected and well compensated insiders will allow ---<br /><br />and anyone who challenges us will be attacked as uncivil and attacked as NOT truthie and attacked as attackers instead of debaters ...<br /><br />and let NO ONE point out that we're a bunch of back scratching butt kissers to the most powerful!!<br /><br />oh well - bake to me the nobody<br /><br />Aside - WHAT is a personal attack? seriously? WHY is it verboten to point out the FACT that a group of well to do, connected, well paid toadies to the powerful are committed to lying about everyone who disagrees with their toadyism ???<br /><br />IF we cower and crawl away because we're being lied about and attacked as attackers by the lying aggressors, we deserve to lose to the liars.<br /><br />TheTRUTHHurtsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56011808843619772762012-04-07T21:16:23.510-07:002012-04-07T21:16:23.510-07:00Controlling the narrative....
Try the following i...Controlling the narrative....<br /><br />Try the following in the Superintendent selection process ... for controlling the narrative.<br /><br />From the Times on April 3.<br /><br /><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017902292_suptsearchprocess04m.html" rel="nofollow">Seattle superintendent search process raises concern</a><br /><br /><i>In about a month, the Seattle School Board will choose the next leader of the city's public schools.<br /><br />You will not meet this person before he or she is chosen.<br /><br />That's because, unlike in previous superintendent searches, the board has decided not to let members of the public directly question the finalists at a public meeting.<br /><br />Instead, each of the three finalists will interview with the board and a 25-person focus group, visit a school and hold a 45-minute news conference.<br /><br />The reason, in part, is that board members are worried that the candidates would be scared off by overly negative questioning at public meetings. Members also said they think they'll get more useful feedback from the focus group.</i><br /><br /><b>Well so much for an Open and Transparent process</b><br /><br />===========<br />The Board certainly avoids discussion of facts in public .... preferring propaganda.<br /><br />This is how the Board will restore public confidence in the SPS.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45604504418606333292012-04-07T19:44:32.834-07:002012-04-07T19:44:32.834-07:00Another thing I have been pondering in all this is...Another thing I have been pondering in all this is the appearance of new people in discussions about SPS. Some of these people I have never seen before at a Board meeting or work session or committee meetings. <br /><br />I'm not talking about parents per se but random up-the-food-chain people who suddenly have these very important opinions of the direction of K-12 education in Seattle.<br /><br />Everyone is absolutely entitled to an opinion - we all pay taxes towards public education but it just strikes me as odd that so many are now chiming in and creating new advocacy groups (that all have the same members).<br /><br />I can only say there is money to be made in bringing in ed reform and I wonder if some people have that motive in the back of their mind.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13418947267934928282012-04-07T18:35:50.309-07:002012-04-07T18:35:50.309-07:00Hired Guns on Astro-turf: How to buy and sell ed r...Hired Guns on Astro-turf: <a href="http://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/?article=4240" rel="nofollow">How to buy and sell ed reform</a>Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2863691116154119212012-04-07T17:04:08.773-07:002012-04-07T17:04:08.773-07:00And the gadflies are not complying. They must be s...And the gadflies are not complying. They must be stopped!Po3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12566557471811336882012-04-07T17:03:43.044-07:002012-04-07T17:03:43.044-07:00I agree with you that it is hard to find the "...I agree with you that it is hard to find the "sweet spot." I read this blog sporadically. I find it interesting and informative for a while, but it seems I always get to a point where the vitriol (mostly in comments, but occasionally from authors) makes me sort of ill. I know many of the people who have been personally attacked on this blog, and before you attack <i>me</i>, let me clarify that I am talking about school-level staff, not Central Admin. For the most part they have been well-intentioned people trying to do right by children in jobs that are difficult and sometimes thankless. So when their integrity is questioned by random strangers on the internet who do not not know them and do not know the situation, well... That's pretty far from the "sweet spot," IMHO.<br /><br />Signed,<br />parent in a school that has been the subject of too much blogosphere attention in the not-too-distant pastAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7837893038165602382012-04-07T14:53:50.015-07:002012-04-07T14:53:50.015-07:00I, too, am a midlife-career-change teacher who wor...I, too, am a midlife-career-change teacher who worked half my life in the private sector where the Peter Principal is alive and well. <br /><br />We put commerce ahead of democracy these days. Corporate profits ahead of the common good. Enron in charge of energy. Insurance companies ahead of healthcare. And the trend continues in education. <br /><br />n...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com