tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post2293181074856592641..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Reading the Friday Memo of May 8, 2015Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32018556039547491842015-05-21T09:08:29.631-07:002015-05-21T09:08:29.631-07:00I had thought I had closed comments here as the di...I had thought I had closed comments here as the discussion seems to be disintegrating. (Although good for the people discussing online math services.)<br /><br />Again, do not try to out people. Really, who cares? <br /><br />But I will say that anyone running for public office who will not sign their name and stand by their convictions openly is probably not the best person to be on the School Board. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49796726122261404442015-05-21T07:48:47.162-07:002015-05-21T07:48:47.162-07:00APP (once IPP) was created to serve the outliers. ...APP (once IPP) was created to serve the outliers. It stemmed from a UW study on "precocious" preschoolers. The "highly gifted" children scored in the top 1%, with an IQ 4 SD above the mean (current HCC qualifications are top 5% and IQ 2 SD above the mean). A description of the original SPS highly capable program:<br /><br />"A kindergarten-through-high-school program for children and young people exhibiting extraordinary advancement in academic skills. This Individual Progress Program (IPP) is run by the Seattle Public Schools in collaboration with the Child Development Research Group. It is designed for students who are achieving at least four grade levels beyond the grade appropriate for their age. Some of these children are included in the longitudinal study. Begun in 1978, the IPP currently serves 75 children, balanced for sex and reflecting the racial makeup of the Seattle population."<br /><br />Such children are no longer well served in the very program that was created to serve such students.<br /><br />http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10022.aspx<br /><br />-history lessonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28123376434417048252015-05-21T07:18:23.452-07:002015-05-21T07:18:23.452-07:00Why are posters trying to shame Speddie; who cares...Why are posters trying to shame Speddie; who cares how many aliases anybody uses(if that's even the case, which I don't see at all)?<br /><br />Does it detract from the discussion or is this just harassment, apparently sanctioned by the silence of the blog owners?<br /><br />SPeddie and McGrad have made some of the most accurate(I have a Maverick myself) and insightful comments on this thread. They have set a positive tone, acknowledging the improvements, while criticizing the past. Giving credit where it's due and blame where it's deserved.<br /><br />Do want us to guess who you are Justsayin'?<br /><br />If you disagree, don't be lazy and try to out people and shame them, spend the time and make a good counterargument.<br /><br />Really AnnoyedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17327956518834956712015-05-21T06:16:19.600-07:002015-05-21T06:16:19.600-07:00Omg!!!! There's more than one Sped person????...Omg!!!! There's more than one Sped person???? Who knew? And, there's even more than one sped issue???? And, unbelievable! Some sped families WANT THE SAME thing other people do? Who knew that either!<br /><br />Michael C is running in the N. region in Seattle. OMG! Is McClure in the N? No, it is on QA, south of ship canal. Does sps ship off LD students to unpopular out of cluster schools? No, LD students get regular assignment. Try a little JustThinking, JustSayin.<br /><br />SpeddieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86508645801591794742015-05-21T05:09:23.131-07:002015-05-21T05:09:23.131-07:00Enough already: said "Melissa, these threads ...Enough already: said "Melissa, these threads always implode toward HC because there is inherent unfairness in the current system. If you are blind to that, wake up."<br /><br />This thread is not about HC it is about Spectrum. Two different groups.<br /><br />Get this, roughly 7% of the 1-8 SPS kids are identified to be >94% achievement in math AND reading and have an IQ of >97%. This is not a simple task. Surprising that such a backwater city, not up to much intellectual happenings, could achieve such a statistical anomaly. How does a city deal with such a dilemma?<br /><br /> <br />In the early years the Robinsons suggested Individual Progress Programs which is what is still going today at UCDS to some extent. Basically IEPS for all HC kids! Wow differentiation for all outliers in self contained classrooms. This model failed, as did all differentiated models. On to accelerated learning in self contained classrooms. Viola! 25+ kids, crowded buildings and it works for the majority of the HC kids. The others have to make due including: single domain high IQ, 2e, ELL and and the those well beyond the HC grouping in IQ/achievement. What works about it? It means teachers, buildings and our beloved district are not imploding trying to teach 2 kids in every class that are just too smart too be engaged by repetition and worksheets. And of course there is that dreaded capacity issue that APP has solved over the years.<br /><br />Is it perfect? Hell no. Is it hopefully a band-aid? yes. Has it diminished over the years? yes. <br /><br />But unless you can solve this real issue better than this program which has evolved over 30 years of constant tinkering mostly for the betterment of the District, then don't attempt to break the unbroken, in hopes it will fix the broken. <br /><br />Enoughof Enoughallready <br /><br /> <br />AHHHHHHHHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89953461555143116282015-05-21T04:05:19.150-07:002015-05-21T04:05:19.150-07:00Melissa,
Please don't delete this.
Micheal ...<br />Melissa, <br /><br />Please don't delete this.<br /><br />Micheal (no last initial - but he boast about his blog all the time) = Speddie = probably McGrad. <br /><br />At least they all appear to be as the tone and disparagement are the same and speddie high tailed out of here once called out. If you are going to be an uncivil troll you shouldn't self promote in other threads with the same toned down tripe. <br /><br />Just Sayin'<br /><br /><br /> yucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87475714375122712562015-05-20T18:00:03.685-07:002015-05-20T18:00:03.685-07:00Just to say a little more about WEB - which could ...Just to say a little more about WEB - which could have been a great program, providing leadership coaching and teaching to all students, well, it was a popularity contest. Students were chosen (anointed) by 8th graders. That sort of selection process makes it almost impossible for students with significant disabilities to be included. The teacher - who was proud of running a school sanctioned fraternity/sorority gave guidelines - then let 8th graders pick. That really doesn't meet the individual needs of students with disabilities, who might need to be included in the "future leaders" program for reasons other than whatever the W.E.B staff. 8th graders aren't going to figure out the needs of students with disabilities, and they didn't. (That's why there is an "I" in IEP.) But, such pig-headedness is pretty debilitating. Then, there was the refusal to let students with disabilities be in ANY enrichment or electives. For those of you who think your kids are WAY too smart to consider inclusion of students with disabilities into your kids' academic classes - at least, you might be OK with inclusion for electives. BUT, not at McClure. Nope. Wouldn't do it. Students with disabilities couldn't be in shop (woodworking/metalworking), music, Spanish,.... only the pool was OK.<br /><br />Glad to hear it's improving. Can't imagine a school too much worse. Sarah Pritchett said it was the Spectrum parents. I believe her - but, she's also gone, and better leadership might help. The neighborhood is not as bad as the middle school, and the elementaries are actually good.<br /><br />McGradAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-92231305082550819682015-05-20T17:17:45.267-07:002015-05-20T17:17:45.267-07:00We use AOPS -- Art of Problem Solving. It's ri...We use AOPS -- Art of Problem Solving. It's rigorous. The textbooks are outstanding. If you want a taste of it their Alcumus program is free. It feeds you problems in the areas you designate, from Pre-Algebra up, and adjusts difficulty so that you are missing 25%, as they think that's the sweet spot of learning. Their explanations of the problem are detailed and clear, so if you "give up" or miss the problem and have the discipline to read the answer you will truly learn from your mistakes. They also have videos which I prefer to Kahn because they aren't a disembodied voice, but rather the AOPS founder, a likable nerdy math guy.<br /><br />McParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43311411276145394942015-05-20T14:28:38.392-07:002015-05-20T14:28:38.392-07:00We have used Stanford University's Education P...We have used Stanford University's Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY) as well as Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth (CTY) programs for math. Both are test-in and pricy, but provide very comprehensive and rigorous courses. They aren't right for everyone, but for my self-directed, math-loving, internally-driven child they were a godsend. (For my other kid? Not so much!) They're also nice in that you can get official transcripts.<br /><br />When my kid did geometry is was via EPGY. It was a very rigorous class, with a lot of proofs. My kid worked hard but loved it. <br /><br />HIMSmomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1063871044738537032015-05-20T14:25:53.057-07:002015-05-20T14:25:53.057-07:00As a current McParent (one graduated, one current)...As a current McParent (one graduated, one current) I echo what MM and upthread posters said about McClure's improvement. No school does everything perfectly but McClure is really making strides in many areas, including inclusion, rigor, differentiation, staff development, community involvement etc. <br /><br />A comment about Nyland's Friday Memo. Please note that there were only 25-30 parents at the Principal Coffee with the Superintendent (and not everyone at the coffee all agreed with the concerns about math and/or differentiation and/or Spectrum delivery). So yes it "filled the library" -sort of. Some parents were concerned about loss of honors LA classes, most spoke up about lack of Math rigor. (FWIW, it seemed they had kids all in the same class, which is a class/teacher issue more than a systemic failure to provide rigor in math IMO.) That is altogether different from painting McClure as exclusionary saying "lots of parents" "wanting a return to tracking" or thinking "inclusion takes too much time from their child." Nonsense. McClure has ~550 kids, ~25 of them had parents attending that meeting. It was small percentage of people articulating concern, so please keep that in perspective. In fact I disagree with Nyland's characterization with both the statements above. The questions were about how cluster grouping and differentiation would be implemented so that the needs of all students would be met. I'm sorry that Nyland's takeaway was expressed that way. And, if that is the basis for saying differentiation isn't happening at McClure, I'll respectfully disagree. Because it is. In some classes better than others but it's continuous improvement overall - and as a parent, that's what I need to see.<br /><br />I can't speak to how it was when Factie, Speddie and McGrad (?) were there or to their experience/s but it has been vastly different from the experience of our family. In the past 4 years the only 15 person class I witnessed were electives and Spanish b/c of scheduling issues. I never saw (or heard of) any core academic 35+ classes for gen ed and 15 for "spectrum" - Ever. I'm not saying it didn't happen in the past, only not the recent past.<br /><br />Math has for years been via test placement, and a very thorough process -- a placement test in 5th grade and conferencing with McClure math teachers and 5th grade math teachers. Very intentional placements. My 6th grader is in "6H" - which means some (9 maybe?) 6th graders in a gen ed 7th grade class. I did have issues last year when they made all 8th graders advance to Algebra. I don't feel it served anyone well - not the 8th graders who were prepared for that next class or the 7th graders who had to skip a year to go to Algebra. Staff is working out the kinks re: acceleration and how to best serve math students whose coursework takes them beyond Algebra in middle school. But from speaking with other middle school parents in other schools, McClure is hardly alone in this challenge.<br /><br />We're growing and improving.<br />Maverick PRIDE (Productivity, Respect, Integrity, Dependability and Excellence)<br /><br />McMomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20322142260136434912015-05-20T13:53:21.438-07:002015-05-20T13:53:21.438-07:00So those of you who went the online math route whe...So those of you who went the online math route when the school didn't offer advanced math, what online math program did you use? We tried a BYU Geometry online program that was awful. Do you know of a better one?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-81733722878612500602015-05-20T13:33:26.993-07:002015-05-20T13:33:26.993-07:00Grade advancement can also be just a temporary fix...Grade advancement can also be just a temporary fix. Highly academically gifted children tend to pick things up very quickly, but once they've adjusted to the new challenge the pace and depth of instruction are likely to fall short again. I'd argue that grade advancement is a better option for a high achieving kid that it would be for a highly gifted kid. Highly gifted kids are best served by something different in nature, not just more of the same but a year ahead. <br /><br />HFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-854610826095207022015-05-20T13:12:01.738-07:002015-05-20T13:12:01.738-07:00"It cheats children out of a year of childhoo..."It cheats children out of a year of childhood and a year of free public education." <br /><br />Hum that's an interesting view. I guess it depends. As I remember back, most of us could not wait to get out of school and get on with it. My friends and I were not coddled into oblivion like some kids are today.<br /><br />--MichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43923933692756713462015-05-20T12:10:36.971-07:002015-05-20T12:10:36.971-07:00Melissa,
Not only can "your research" f...Melissa,<br /><br />Not only can "your research" find this info, but most of us know how to google, too, which is why I brought up the Air Force study. So, what is the purpose of public schools? The public schools and the military are more alike than different. Was the Air Force study generalized into the daily culture of the military? No. Why not? Of course, that's the million dollar question for a fair society. BTW, the military tends to be more fair that public schools.<br /><br />The demographics are real in Spectrum and APP. I'm not making them up--and you know it. This is real life and real childrens' lives. The statistics are clear.<br /><br />I am for differentiation across the board and have personally done it as a teacher for many years--including in literacy and science, which is why my students' achievement is extremely high year after year. What, exactly, are you talking about? What do we disagree on in terms of this topic? What is your track record on student achievement?<br /> <br />Not all "APP students are a different subject." More than a few parents' petitioned to get their students in. More than a few students are average compared to their demographic peers. Some are extremely advanced and gifted--and they are, in fact, the "different subject."<br /><br />You can call this "going in circles" and threaten to bail out of the conversation when the heat gets turned up, but as long as some children continue to get on the fast track by birth and others continue to get left behind because of birth, this issue won't rest--on this blog or anywhere else (at least in this nation).<br /><br />BTW, as an actual veteran teacher, I discover high performers in the classroom (at least at the younger ages) every year because I help them accelerate and reach their actual potential. They certainly "lift the other boats" but I never mistake preparation and walk-in-the-door performance for potential.<br />I have also recommended more than a few children for APP over the years and have had strong support from their parents. <br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41177481997126278682015-05-20T11:53:46.476-07:002015-05-20T11:53:46.476-07:00Grade advancement should be available but it shoul...Grade advancement should be available but it shouldn't be the only solution. It cheats children out of a year of childhood and a year of free public education. For children who'd need more than one skip, it's less likely to be a good fit.Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16459012778470044322015-05-20T11:46:20.828-07:002015-05-20T11:46:20.828-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89460144284005390992015-05-20T11:37:48.172-07:002015-05-20T11:37:48.172-07:00Enough Already, this will be my last post because ...Enough Already, this will be my last post because I'm not going to keep going in circles.<br /><br />One thing I can say about your thinking on APP/Spectrum families is that you sure make a lot of assumptions. You have no real idea the backgrounds/incomes of those in APP/Spectrum. Are they more likely to be higher? Yes, but not everyone and there's no way you can know for certain.<br /><br />"Should low performing children all be put in one classroom?"<br /><br />Nope and once again, an assumption. One, not all parents test their kids for HC, being perfectly happy to leave them in their neighborhood school. So not all high-achieving kids leave the Gen Ed classes. Two, even if your child might not be high-performing, there are all those middle-of-the-road students. How you perceive that once Spectrum/APP kids leave the class that what is left are low performers, I don't know.<br /><br />We disagree on the need for differentiation. I believe you need it for both LA and math and science. <br /><br />I can't speak for Charlie but I have always said that if the district supported teachers with PD in differentiated teaching (and knowing how to do that with curriculum), I would see no need for Spectrum. (You're welcome to go look - it's true.)<br /><br />APP students are a different subject and I can only say that the feds and the state and most districts in this country believe that as well.<br /><br />Kolman, you would have to define/explain "hurts kids." <br /><br />Are you saying that having kids in different classrooms based on ability means some don't get their academic needs met in the class they are in?<br /><br />Or are some getting a better education because of that segregation? Of course, then there's the question of if there is segregation, isn't it possible that both sets of kids get their academic needs met?<br /><br />Or are you saying "hurts" because there is stigma to not being in the more advanced class? Or there is playground talk that is hurtful? <br /><br />I'm not trying to be right; I'm advocating for every single child to have his/her academic needs met.<br /><br />As well, I know, from many, many conversations with teachers, that many teachers want the high-performers in the classroom to help drive the class energy and interest. The problem is that, despite the Superintendent's saying kids do better staying together, I have research that says it helps the low-performers but not the high.<br /><br />MM, thank you for that input. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23126790232518016802015-05-20T11:36:46.827-07:002015-05-20T11:36:46.827-07:00Actually Lynn, mine has been Spectrum entering 1st...Actually Lynn, mine has been Spectrum entering 1st grade and HC entering 6th. I am very concerned with rigor and keep close tabs on the schoolwork. It is appropriate in my opinion.<br /><br />MMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51648658745236441022015-05-20T11:36:17.121-07:002015-05-20T11:36:17.121-07:00Lynn,
Didn't you just say on this thread that...Lynn,<br /><br />Didn't you just say on this thread that you didn't think achievement scores should be part of the HC designation? <br /><br />Reality Check...<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11072019308499444412015-05-20T11:29:24.793-07:002015-05-20T11:29:24.793-07:00MM,
The issue is whether the academic rigor in bl...MM,<br /><br />The issue is whether the academic rigor in blended classrooms is strong enough for Spectrum students. The parents complaining about lack of challenge were current McClure parents. How is McClure going to change instruction to meet their children's instructional needs?Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71048348852570593782015-05-20T11:20:53.341-07:002015-05-20T11:20:53.341-07:00It's funny how McClure is in the spotlight. It...It's funny how McClure is in the spotlight. It's actually a very low-key relaxed school. <br /><br />Dr. Nyland chose to visit and make some points about LRE and tracking, so I guess we parents who like the direction McClure is heading need to speak up. It seems most of the posts are from long ago parents or people who don't know the school.<br /><br />My child is happy with the inclusion classes. Yes, there are challenges presented that would not be there in a non-inclusion classroom, but that's what learning is about, facing challenges. Academic rigor is as strong as it should be, in my eyes. Lots of challenges there as well.<br /><br />Overall, very good academic education, very good social education. Overall grade: A<br /><br />I know parents at Lakeside, U Prep, Seattle Academy, Seattle Country Day, Evergreen, Kings, Fatima, Seattle Girls, Explorer, Hamilton, Washington, and I know their kids are doing fine there as well. But, I sincerely feel McClure is the better school because it has the strong academics, plus the strong community that the neighborhood and mixing of students provide.<br /><br />So, one vote in favor.<br /><br />MM<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9154932299628748282015-05-20T10:43:09.790-07:002015-05-20T10:43:09.790-07:00To segregate or not to segregate, that is the ques...To segregate or not to segregate, that is the question.<br /><br />If it hurts no one, then why not?<br /><br />But if hurts some kids, but helps others, then what?<br /><br />Speddie and others think it hurts kids when segregation occurs. <br /><br />Lynn, Charlie and others think it doesn't.<br /><br />They can't both be right.<br /><br />KolmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85177309848738009282015-05-20T10:42:01.343-07:002015-05-20T10:42:01.343-07:00Charlie, now you are backtracking on labels. Polit...Charlie, now you are backtracking on labels. Politically and in people's actual lives, labels are very, very important. You and Melissa used to call even Spectrum students "gifted" by category. Some of them may be, but they aren't simply by test score.<br /><br />Now you are saying that by "any other name, they are still a rose." That's not true, either. By and large, Spectrum and APP children are second or third generation college products of White American parents or first or second generation college education Asian or mixed race parents. Their non-Spectrum (RIP) peers are typically descendents of slavery and Jim Crow, Native Americans, recent immigrants, or others who missed the gravy train. MOST Spectrum students are AVERAGE compared to their demographic peers. MANY APP students are AVERAGE in comparison to their demographic peers. That is the crux of the issue when it comes to emotional reactions. In our guts, most people already know this. The fact that both you and Melissa had children in Spectrum may color your grasp or admission of these facts. That is normal, or average, too.<br /><br />Which is why the creator of CoGAT expects different scores from different socioeconomic groups.<br /><br />As many others have pointed out, large class sizes cause havoc in teaching on many levels. That is in the no-brainer category.<br /><br />Here's the million dollar question.<br />Should low performing children all be put in one classroom? The Air Force study notwithstanding, can you tell me the ethical problems with that in a public school? Now, do the the reverse and correlate it largely to parent college level and economic level and largely historical privilege. See the problem with these "go-to" self-contained classes in so-called "public schools"?<br /><br />Your "lack of differentiation" mantra in elementary is only true for math in some schools. Readers and Writers Workshop is premised upon differentiation. This is another example of armchair quarterbacking and lack of real world school reality (the merits of these methods are debatable, but the inherent differentiation is not) for those who read and hear but don't practice.<br /><br />I think elementary math should be taught both in heterogeneous and fluid skill level groups (notice I didn't say "ability" level" groups).<br /><br />Melissa, these threads always implode toward HC because there is inherent unfairness in the current system. If you are blind to that, wake up.<br /><br />--enough already<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84810804899544000842015-05-20T09:47:11.785-07:002015-05-20T09:47:11.785-07:00If McClure had Spectrum math classes your principa...If McClure had Spectrum math classes your principal was doing it wrong. If the students receiving special education services were placed in one math class rather than being spread over the three or four grade level math classes, your principal was not very skilled at setting up the master class schedule. <br /><br />Whatever the cause of the poor scheduling, the solution cannot be to deny appropriate instruction to advanced students. I know it's socially acceptable in Seattle to call their parents selfish, elitist, racist and generally awful. Now parents of general education students can demand that a school change it's teaching and scheduling practices because they don't like having so many special education students in their kid's classroom? Really?<br /><br />The thing that stands out to me is this statement from McClure's Language Arts department: <i>There will no longer be separate Spectrum classes. To make this decision, we have looked at test data, grades, disciplinary, attendance, and school report data and have come to the conclusion that there is not a vast difference between the performance, behaviors, and attitudes of students in our General Education and Spectrum Language Arts classrooms. We can effectively serve our students in a blended model and we believe this model will lead to higher achievement and opportunities for rigor for all of our students.</i><br /><br />Their focus on grades, discipline, attendance, behaviors and attitudes of students illustrates a lack of knowledge regarding advanced learners. Spectrum students aren't well-behaved kids with perfect attendance. Spectrum is for students who perform well above average for their grade level and may require more advanced work to remain engaged. <br /><br />Teachers are <b>always</b> sure that they can <i>effectively serve our students in a blended model</i>. Parents of Spectrum students do not agree. Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86450881905934311232015-05-20T09:33:40.291-07:002015-05-20T09:33:40.291-07:00I'd like to hear more about what's going o...I'd like to hear more about what's going on in McClure math now. My HCC kid, who we put at Mc rather than HIMS, took Algebra in 6th, where she was in a very large, mixed ability class. Some were math-loving 6th and 7th graders, some very reluctant 8th graders. Some did fine and others struggled mightily. So, not a special cohort or anything. They announced late in the year there would be no math beyond Algebra, stranding our 6th grader, which was great because it forced us into online math, which for us has been just incredible. So the kids ready for higher math were kind of dumped, and though I am extremely grateful for the unintended consequence, it doesn't smack of special treatment.<br /><br />My kid is just one perspective, but she doesn't sense much of a difference in her honors LA (the only other "special" class) from her other classes, in terms of quality of instruction or how focussed, etc. the students are. One of her friends' parents did express frustration to me that his child's gen ed classes were populated by a lot of kids that didn't seem to care about school or learning, and I can see how that would be frustrating. But 4 of 5 of our classes are gen ed. I don't think the elimination of Spectrum at McClure will make much difference, as it's not really a program anyway.<br /><br />McParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com