tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post4251469071308492522..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19116012354283224962015-10-08T08:54:08.536-07:002015-10-08T08:54:08.536-07:00Gates will continue to push schools and government...<b>Gates will continue to push schools and government around.</b><br /> SEE Washington Post article<br /><br /><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/improving-us-schools-tougher-than-global-health-gates-says/2015/10/07/56da9972-6d05-11e5-b31c-d80d62b53e28_story.html" rel="nofollow"><b>Improving U.S. schools tougher than global health, Gates says</b></a><br /><br /><i>Bill Gates, whose foundation has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into K-12 education and <b>influenced state and federal policy to embrace charter schools, teacher evaluation and the Common Core academic standards</b>, said Thursday that trying to improve education is harder than work on global health.<br /><br />“When we come up with a new malaria vaccine, nobody votes to undo our malaria vaccine,” Gates said in a speech at his foundation’s Seattle headquarters. “So it’s pretty steady progress. Every year is better than the last.”<br /><br />But when you’re dealing with 100,000 public schools, politics makes changes to K-12 education much less predictable, he said. </i> ..... and more<br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51231923217350866502015-10-08T07:55:14.268-07:002015-10-08T07:55:14.268-07:00There is a Seattle City Council Candidates Forum t...There is a Seattle City Council Candidates Forum tonight at Nathan Hale run by the Hale seniors. District 5, 8 and 9 candidates will be there. I believe it starts at 7PM.<br /><br />Next week, they have a school boards candidate forum.<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82461293807955580212015-10-07T19:37:51.317-07:002015-10-07T19:37:51.317-07:00As if this is news to us:
2+2=What? Parents Rail ...As if this is news to us:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/22What-Parents-Rail-Against-Common-Core-Math-259363861.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_DCBrand" rel="nofollow">2+2=What? Parents Rail Against Common Core Math</a><br /><br />Given that Michael Tolley and Shauna Heath seem to think this is what your child should learn, NOT the curriculum selected by their bosses - better start saving for math tutoring. What a &^^$%#@! mess!<br /><br />I'm glad Rick Burke testified at the board meeting that this is wrong.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13294554918296893122015-10-07T18:55:00.449-07:002015-10-07T18:55:00.449-07:00I believe that FERPA allows you to turn in a new f...I believe that FERPA allows you to turn in a new form anytime - and that new form would override the old one. I'm guessing the district would like them all by 10/10 in order to get all of the data into the systems (and so resources like parent directories accurately reflect family wishes), but they have to take the forms after that date.... That being said, if you miss the date, you're more likely to be left out of some of those more local resources, so getting the forms in ASAP is a good idea. Our principal included the link in an all school email and we also put it on our Facebook page... A couple of ideas to get the word out without depending upon the district.SPS Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00753456189315452834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85755455001112730522015-10-07T18:53:50.209-07:002015-10-07T18:53:50.209-07:00It appears to be the same message as the one I pos...It appears to be the same message as the one I posted several days ago. I am glad that Principal Vance (whom I know and worked with as co-president at RHS) wanted to make sure parents heard this.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50659979550617206832015-10-07T15:02:42.083-07:002015-10-07T15:02:42.083-07:00Melissa. A few days ago I submitted a FERPA form. ...Melissa. A few days ago I submitted a FERPA form. I selected option B ("no release of information"). I added a notation: "Exception: I want my son's photo included in the school yearbook." Today I received an email from the principal of my son's high school, informing me that the District has revised its FERPA form. Option B now includes sub-options, one of which is to allow the photo in the school yearbook. It is gratifying to entertain the notion that my notation may have given rise to this change.<br /><br />Unfortunately the District wants revised forms submitted in a short timeframe (turned into school by Friday October 10.)<br /> <br />I visited the District website and found that the District has similarly revised the K-8 form. I have not received notice from my younger child's middle school principal. <br /><br />It seems to me that every parent in SPS should get immediate notice of this revised from given the apparent deadline of Oct. 10.<br /><br />Every principal could just use Brian Vance's message. It is clearly written. I will forward you his message so you can post it if you like.<br /><br />JCSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65628046961688133012015-10-07T13:53:16.452-07:002015-10-07T13:53:16.452-07:00Here's video of a Seattle School Board candida...Here's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ip39aLavTM" rel="nofollow">video</a> of a Seattle School Board candidates' forum hosted by First A.M.E. Church Fellowship Hall, September 24, 2015.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16065719062339888773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91541583724328808422015-10-07T13:49:07.029-07:002015-10-07T13:49:07.029-07:00Yes, I will be having a candidate update before th...Yes, I will be having a candidate update before the ballots drop on October 13th. The candidate forums are making it very clear who should get elected (and who shouldn't).Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77380960736311482922015-10-07T13:31:49.649-07:002015-10-07T13:31:49.649-07:00A clear choice in the coming school board election...A clear choice in the coming school board election McLaren or Harris?<br /><br />No fuzzy nuances to contemplate on this one.<br /><br />Recently from Director McLaren as sent via email:<br /><br /><i>Our Board has hired SPS’s best Superintendent in almost 20 years. I agree with him on many of his initiatives, and our students, teachers and parents are seeing the gains that come from stable, forward-focused leadership. <b> It is imperative to elect Board members who support Larry Nyland and the vital work he is leading.</b> It is of great concern that some candidates for School Board promise to “shake things up,” implying that they do not support the important strides in motion.<br /><br />.... I am proud to be a strong force for unity, respectful dialogue, and positive change on the School Board.<br /><br />Warm regards,<br /><br />Marty</i><br /><br />=================<br />So the choice is clear for voters.<br /><br />Make your choice and vote accordingly.<br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49776448582247566412015-10-07T10:11:32.092-07:002015-10-07T10:11:32.092-07:00I would strongly encourage parents to write the Sc...I would strongly encourage parents to write the School Board and bring the math question front and center. Are they shelving MIF to focus only on test prep? Why bother to ask for parental input on new curricula only to junk it in one year?<br />The administration has a terrible record on effective math. They need to use MIF in elementary and expand better math to middle and high schools.<br />I have a great deal of confidence in Rick Burke. He will do what he can to strengthen math but he needs support.<br />S parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87388233979658042102015-10-07T10:10:08.856-07:002015-10-07T10:10:08.856-07:00Bye Bye Garfield as guaranteed HCC path. This was ...Bye Bye Garfield as guaranteed HCC path. This was posted on the HCC blog this a.m.:<br /><br />1. Garfield may max out of capacity next year and there are some early meetings going on at JSIS about this. Note: none of the decision making on pathways etc. is controlled by advanced learning.<br /><br /><br />Also from that blog, no plans for Spectrum beyond a name change.<br /><br />Downtown's really stepping up on improving outcomes for ALL within SPS!<br /><br />AL parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72339970045129257622015-10-07T09:47:34.654-07:002015-10-07T09:47:34.654-07:00The elementary math thread has been sent to the ne...The elementary math thread has been sent to the next page, so many readers won't see it. Don't want this missed by the greater population. Thanks to one blogger, we've just gotten to read what Tolley told K-5 teachers: Forget MIF, use our scope and sequence. Oh, you can use MIF, but you'll have only 30 days - at the start of school and in the midst of the strike - to appeal Central's scope and sequence and explain why you want to the BOARD APPROVED textbooks (plus your expert-teacher knowledge at filling in any concepts you think your class needs but doesn't get from the books.)<br /><br />Thanks Central! We've entered a new era of hodgepodge worksheets and MIF has been sidelined. An enormous textbook adoption set aside in Year Two. Just what you wanted all along. I guessed this would happen, just not so quickly or blatantly. In the name of "equity" ya know. Which is pure baloney. <br /><br />Didn't McLaren and Peaslee and Peters and Patu all push for MIF? Are they blind or are they choosing to drop the ball?<br /><br />MIFfedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86851125037313123712015-10-07T09:21:50.668-07:002015-10-07T09:21:50.668-07:00Seekr alerted us to this:
Seattle schools have on...Seekr alerted us to this:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/enrollment-in-seattles-top-scoring-elementary-and-middle-schools-skews-white/?utm_content=buffer3bf3f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=owned_buffer" rel="nofollow"><b>Seattle schools have one of nation’s largest equity gaps, new study says</b></a><br /><br /><i>Seattle ranked near the bottom of a 50-city study on several measures of equity examining who was more likely to attend the highest and lowest performing schools.</i><br /><br />on Sept 30 the Board held a work session on "Closing the Opportunity Gap" and staff presented a 42 page .pdf of slides that contained NO DATA.<br /><br />Here is the missing data in regard to grades 3-8 math:<br /><br /><a href="http://mathunderground.blogspot.com/2015/10/are-seattle-school-closing-math.html" rel="nofollow">Are Seattle Schools closing the Math "Opportunity Gap"? or just failing to report the data?</a><br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32101546738591199302015-10-07T08:58:47.632-07:002015-10-07T08:58:47.632-07:00District Watcher wrote about the NY Times article:...District Watcher wrote about the NY Times article:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/07/us/test-scores-under-common-core-show-that-proficient-varies-by-state.html?WT.mc_id=SmartBriefs-Newsletter&WT.mc_ev=click&_r=0" rel="nofollow"><b>Test Scores Under Common Core Show That ‘Proficient’ Varies by State</b></a><br /><br />It include this:<br /> <i>Some teachers see the state’s presentation as misleading. “They shot themselves in the foot by putting it that way,” Kathryne Roston, a fourth-grade teacher at West Broad Elementary School here, said upon seeing how Ohio categorized the test results. “<b>If you look up ‘proficient’ in the dictionary, what does that mean? Does it mean what they are making it mean?</b>”</i> .......<br /><br /><i>Fewer than half of the 40 states that adopted CCSS originally are using tests from either of the testing consortia that develop the exams,<b> making it difficult to equate results from different states</b>.<br /><br />“<b>It may be a little too premature to declare it a failure,</b>” said James A. Peyser, the secretary of education in Massachusetts, where the State Board of Education will vote in November on whether to use the PARCC tests, “<b>but for sure it’s in retreat.</b>”<br /><br />More confusion is to come.</i><br /><br />In WA State the State Board of Education already revised the cut score to below the proficient level in regard to graduation. <br /><br />On August 5, the State Board of Education <a href="http://mathunderground.blogspot.com/2015/08/replace-one-size-fits-all-diploma.html" rel="nofollow"><b>lowered the cut score on the SBAC testing for passing to below the “standard score for proficient”</b></a>. Then explained that this was done to ease the transition for our system and demonstrate fairness to students. This statement was needed to maintain the dual illusions of fairness and quality in this unfair one-diploma system.<br /><br />================<br />Randy Dorn originally stated back in 2010 that SBAC testing would save WA State money. I wonder how much this debacle is costing WA State? Hey it is better than WASL but not as good as MSP for math.... Cheaper than either??? Who knows?<br /><br />-- Dan DempseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23207955047707252542015-10-07T08:54:23.127-07:002015-10-07T08:54:23.127-07:00The board passed a resolution to eliminate element...The board passed a resolution to eliminate elementary school suspensions. Thus, the district is going to need additional space for these students. Policies related to pre k and space availability should tempered with the need to create space to eliminate out of school suspensions.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Preknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9854846898132620862015-10-07T07:27:05.293-07:002015-10-07T07:27:05.293-07:00This is embarrassing.
http://www.seattletimes.com...This is embarrassing.<br /><br />http://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/enrollment-in-seattles-top-scoring-elementary-and-middle-schools-skews-white/?utm_content=buffer3bf3f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=owned_buffer<br /><br />- SeekrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90773254163048781362015-10-06T22:20:16.566-07:002015-10-06T22:20:16.566-07:00For the PreK thing...well, duh? The program just o...For the PreK thing...well, duh? The program just opened, after most people would have already made childcare plans. Many people think a 6 hour day is too long for most 3s and 4s unless in the context of daycare as a support for full time care needs and including rest time and quite a lot of downtime - it's unclear to me what the SPP's program "academic day" looks like, but it doesn't sound like what I want for my preschooler. It's quite expensive for people who are affluent. And it leaves people who work in a bind - either you pay extra for before/after and try to figure out summer/winter/spring break, etc (and while programs exist for older kids to fill in those gaps, there's few to none in N Seattle for preschoolers - I looked last year). Or you triage around those times. Plus no transportation. It doesn't sound appealing to me.<br /><br />North SeattleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32483417133730075102015-10-06T19:08:53.697-07:002015-10-06T19:08:53.697-07:00Standardized common core tests just got another ki...Standardized common core tests just got another kick in the shins thanks to the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/07/us/test-scores-under-common-core-show-that-proficient-varies-by-state.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0" rel="nofollow">New York Times front page article</a>. Seems Common Core comparison across states just isn't happening because parents students teachers even politicians have rebelled. Who'da thunk? Hmmm, just about everyone other than the Nonproft Eduwonks aka B&M Gates Foundation and their grantees. And the Corporate Reformies. Textbook crumbling of Dictates to the Masses failing. <br /><br />Hint: Next time take time to include the actual community. Maybe it will go a little better.<br /><br />DistrictWatacherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74550058538052040792015-10-06T16:25:03.901-07:002015-10-06T16:25:03.901-07:00Jaded, I am currently gathering information on thi...Jaded, I am currently gathering information on this issue of staff downsizing. I have heard upwards of 25 elementaries are losing staff;yours is the first middle school I have heard of that is.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84700489480102273152015-10-06T16:10:05.498-07:002015-10-06T16:10:05.498-07:00Just received the following email from the JAMS pr...Just received the following email from the JAMS principal (in part):<br /><br />"Here at Jane Addams Middle School we have experienced lower 8th grade enrollment than projected, which has lead the district to reduce our budget by 2.0 certificated staff with an additional .4 reduction in certificated Special Education staff.<br /><br />We have an immediate plan to reduce sections of Social Studies, Special Education and Science as well as to shift funding from a variety of areas. We may have the opportunity to delay these changes until the semester. However, if Jane Addams is required to reduce the entire 2.0 FTE, at the semester we will need to make reductions in the above areas as well as in music, world language, and in math. Many student schedule changes will need to occur." <br /><br />Unbelievable. JAMS opened last year - this is the second year of operations. Virtually all of the 8th graders were relocated from Eckstein or Hamilton and have already experienced enough disruption of their middle school years. You would think that the district would cut some slack in this situation.<br /><br />How can the district be off by so much?!<br /><br />Jaded JaguarAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33133757095637411962015-10-06T15:44:00.673-07:002015-10-06T15:44:00.673-07:00Everyone with elementary kids complaining about th...<br />Everyone with elementary kids complaining about the flipped times - I get it. It will impact me too, in fact it will be a huge struggle. Thats why i hope we can somehow lobby for a 2 tier system. But we need to look at the big picture. Our kids are not going to be in elementary school forever, Maybe by the time our kids are sleep deprived middle or high schoolers we might be calling on the district to listen to research and do what is biologically appropriate and make later start times? If we don't suck up the ridiculously early start in elementary school, we will be hit with it a few years down the track - where arguably the stakes are higher. We may not benefit from a change now but our children WILL benefit in the future. That is why this elementary parent supports the change. Though, I would argue it would be better to make any changes concurrently with the lengthening of the school day, taking this into account. <br /><br />Big PictureAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51232984942778247452015-10-06T15:37:59.229-07:002015-10-06T15:37:59.229-07:00The school district should determine it's star...The school district should determine it's start times based on what is best for the kids academic outcomes and mental health, taking into account what are reasonable expectations for staff and its transportation schedule (ideally with a 2 tier bus system).<br /><br />The 3 tier transportation system should not be driving this process.<br />The disagreements here are not so much the flipping of times per se - its the fact that 3 tiers mean most times are either unreasonably early and unreasonably late. We are all fighting over which population should be saddled with most unreasonable time (they early one). The early times are too early for any aged population (elementary or high school). If the district could move to a 2 tier system, I think much of the opposition from elementary parents concerned about early start times with a flip would vanish (perhaps thats not what the district wants though). <br /><br />The convenience of families (working and otherwise) while should not be a factor. <br />It is not currently a factor. For instance - how convenient is a 9.30am elementary start time for families who mostly need to start work much earlier? Not very. Before school care helps but it is difficult for some. <br />How convenient is any elementary school end time before say 5pm for working families that don't likely finish work before that time? After school care helps with this issue. <br />How convenient is 11-12 weeks of summer break? It's made manageable with a hodgepodge of camps, babysitters, grandparents etc.<br />The point is, the school district does not exist to provide convenient child care during working hours - it raison d'etre is to educate our kids and this should be done within the hours that are most reasonable to ensure the academic success and wellbeing of the majority of kids, based on the information (research evidence) that we now have.<br /><br />Likewise, sports and extracurricular activities should also not a consideration. <br />I don't believe they currently are so why should they now be taken into account. These are optional activities and we should not arrange a legally mandated requirement for all kids (school) around activities that only some chose, or are able to participate in (And everyone wants their kids particular activity/practice time to take precedence in setting the time it seems). It won't be the end of the world. Sports practices and extracurricular activities will still continue, they will just need to fit in with the new schedule. Calm down. Youth soccer will not stop being played in Seattle because of it.<br />Everyone picks selective arguments based on their own situation. <br />I just don't get these people who are complaining about their elementary kids being out at soccer practice til 9pm at night and how bad for sleep it will be it they start school earlier. Have you ever thought it's probably not that great even with the late start time. Lots of families would not choose (choice, being the operative word) to have such a demanding schedule for a young kid - yet you CHOOSE to do that. Families cannot CHOOSE their school start and end time - no matter how difficult some may find these times to be for particular child or personal circumstances. School comes first. Then you can CHOOSE to try to fit in activities around that and figure out how to do that, or choose not to. Your choice to have your kid play select soccer or whatever should have no bearing on any other kids school start time. <br /><br />Finally, Mercer Island and Bellevue School districts are also currently analysing start times (they are similarly early) and expect to make change for the next year. Moving to later start times is going to be move on the right side of history.<br /><br />timing is everythingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2429739955379889782015-10-06T15:24:30.683-07:002015-10-06T15:24:30.683-07:00".... it was reported by Cashel Toner at the ...".... it was reported by Cashel Toner at the Ex Ctm meeting last week, that one City classroom had 3-4 students and the other 8-9 students"<br /><br />The district invested hundreds of administrative hours in the city's prek program, and it took a lot of the board's time and energy for a very small amount of children...not to mention quite a dog/pony show at one of the board meetings.<br /><br />PreKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15471078325201721132015-10-06T14:49:20.848-07:002015-10-06T14:49:20.848-07:00You think that people who don't like this prop...<i>You think that people who don't like this proposal are selfish?</i> No I didn't say this.<br /><i> That they aren't thinking comprehensively? </i> Yes, this is what I mean.<br /><br /><b>Pushback</b>, If everyone who is pushing back against this went through a fact-based mental exercise of thinking of their family's needs over the entire K-12 school experience then I think there would be less push back. I think this is true even for poor families. I think that people are throwing up straw man arguments (see Eric B's points) because they choose not to think comprehensively. I think that if this change goes through then in five years, families would be screaming bloody murder if the District threatened to go back to the way it is now.<br /><br />The exception may be for people who truly believe that athletics are more important than academics. And you know what? I don't care what those people think. SPS is a school district, not an athletic league. Peak mentally functioning hours should be for school, not sports.Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58155219596833976302015-10-06T14:35:33.802-07:002015-10-06T14:35:33.802-07:00Pre-K, it was reported by Cashel Toner at the Ex C...Pre-K, it was reported by Cashel Toner at the Ex Ctm meeting last week, that one City classroom had 3-4 students and the other 8-9 students. (The one that the district enrolled at Bailey-Gatzert has 19 students, just one short of the size of the classroom available.) The Board directors asked what was happening at the Van Asselt locations and Ms. Toner said the City had issues with enrollment but there were waitlists.<br /><br />My take is that the City did not get any middle class families. They do not want entire classrooms of low-income students because the outcomes are generally not as good. I think they held out as long as they could and now will have to move those waitlists. As a taxpayer, I don't like paying for a full-time teacher and teaching aide for 4 students in a classroom. That was not what we were promised. (Of course, we were promised more students in preschool but that's not the truth either. Someone really should call Tim Burgess out on this.)<br /><br />On K-8s. There's a discussion that needs to happen. I think there are some real issues there that have not been discussed and that may be part of the transportation puzzle.<br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.com