tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3499329153724797952..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This WeekMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39497467217636512982014-07-10T03:08:23.074-07:002014-07-10T03:08:23.074-07:00Reader, Sped kids already get state mandated pres...Reader, Sped kids already get state mandated preschools, and state mandated birth to 3 services under IDEA. One would imagine that if Universal Preschool comes to fruition as a public institution, IEP teams (and IFSP teams for 0 - 3) would begin including service in the LRE, eg inclusion services, as they do now in K-12. The absolute LRE would be in the Universal Preschool. Specialed services would be specified for that environment. Interestingly, there is no general education certification for preschool EXCEPT for special education. Because of that, it's not surprising that special education preschools are of the highest quality currently. Also, preschool special education teachers receive a regular teacher's salary which is much higher than non certified, non regulated private preschool salary. Yes, some public school teachers, including preschool teachers, make 70k, even right here, right now, in SPS.<br /><br />What will be the certification process for preschool teachers? If nothing, or the very nominal degree in "early childhood development", often an AA, then special ed preschools will likely continue to be of much higher quality than Universal Preschool counterparts. And if there is no certification process, then the price tag should be less.<br /><br />Also a ReaderAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43337237641851858342014-07-06T22:23:28.461-07:002014-07-06T22:23:28.461-07:00Reader, here's the thing - just like Common Co...Reader, here's the thing - just like Common Core, this all feels very behind closed doors/behind the scenes work that is now being "presented" to the public (and the Board). <br /><br />Interestingly, one study cited by the Council report said that Sped kids in what was the "high quality" preschool did worse than those not in a program. I'm not sure there is enough evidence but that was troubling.<br /><br />I am doing research on this to understand what this all means, especially to established preschools.<br /><br />And the costs? Tremendous. They are saying preschool teachers in Boston get $70k a year. Plus PD, plus coaching. That takes a lot of dollars.<br /><br />What's odd is that there is NO mention of facilities except in passing. What is SPS going to do, just give away space?<br /><br />SPS parents need to get educated because while this may be a good idea in principle, you need to know what this means to our existing (over-enrolled, under-funded) schools.<br /><br />Why is SPS giving this so much attention?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34027297037278410532014-07-06T21:02:18.328-07:002014-07-06T21:02:18.328-07:00Where is special ed in the Preschool for All debat...Where is special ed in the Preschool for All debate, or even in the Preschool for All planning? I've heard the itinerant teacher program, which has supported kids in regular Pre-Ks, is being gutted. Who is organizing staffing and compliance, should Preschool for ALL become a reality? <br /><br />reader Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21378200803601140042014-07-06T20:55:16.202-07:002014-07-06T20:55:16.202-07:00When I was campaigning for school board a few year...When I was campaigning for school board a few years ago, folks made it pretty clear to me that the BEX Oversight Committee was anything but oversight. People told me there was alot of covering trails and preparing information to be communicated to the public and feeding contracts to their contacts. I don't have any way to verify that, but it was communicated as a problematic situation. -KateKate Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20972199318986793222014-07-06T20:39:49.935-07:002014-07-06T20:39:49.935-07:00Melissa, Thank you for the update.
It should be ...Melissa, Thank you for the update.<br /><br />It should be noted that pre-K classrooms are expected to be placed in buildings with Bex IV dollars.<br /><br />The city will deny Graham Hill Elementary with Family and Education dollars unless the district pays for a preK portable. Last check, voters doubled the Family and Education levy to support low income students and the city is holding a couple hundred million F&E Levy dollars. The state funds SPS facilities for K-12- and doesn't provide support for pre K.<br /><br />SPS administration was to sign a Letter of Agreement with the city regarding Preschool for All. Last check, the board was not briefed on Preschool for All. Funding for pre-K for all was not heard in SPS's Audit and Finance Committee.<br /><br />Lastly, SPS administration will be placing the city's program into SPS this year and before voters have approved funding. There is a funding gap (again, why isn't the city using F&E dollars) and LEV has gotten involved. Talk of getting funding from Gates.#BEXIVPfAnoreply@blogger.com