tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post4693570151650603887..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Open Thread FridayMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11024519798334538852011-06-16T09:16:31.481-07:002011-06-16T09:16:31.481-07:00Why are we even paying Bob Vaughan? I've neve...Why are we even paying Bob Vaughan? I've never seen him advocate for advanced learners.Linh-Conoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27730966231209197342011-06-13T21:53:37.555-07:002011-06-13T21:53:37.555-07:00Doc Ed,
I was not intending to shower any unwarra...Doc Ed,<br /><br />I was not intending to shower any unwarranted praise upon General Stanford or his tenure as superintendent; as I was certainly here and up close to the 'action' I do know all too well the reality behind the PR. The point I was trying to make was that the idea 'floated' out about headquarters directors and managers applying for their jobs could have done wonders for the entrenched bureaucrats clinging to positions. <br /><br />It has been awhile since I was more familiar with RCWs, but there had been a requirement of years of service as a teacher in order to obtain a principal certification. Unfortunately, waivers are available and districts can find ways around the requirement; Seattle had a principal that had actually falsified documents in order to receive state credentials not that long ago...when informed of this, the district swept it under the rug and maintained said principal in a school until retirement.Ed Docnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53811491596644676852011-06-13T09:56:23.318-07:002011-06-13T09:56:23.318-07:00Channel Q13 has a piece by Cliff Mass describing w...Channel Q13 has a piece by Cliff Mass describing what he would have said about math education on KUOW if they had let him (it's prefaced by a piece on protesters submitting a petition to KUOW). You can see it <a href="http://www.q13fox.com/videobeta/?watchId=38b0cbf5-7207-405f-8369-01a9125fab7b" rel="nofollow">here.</a>Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17931426387722382832011-06-12T13:41:24.543-07:002011-06-12T13:41:24.543-07:00Salander said:
These folks never seem to be hired ...Salander said:<br /><i>These folks never seem to be hired into principal positions. Many of these people continue to teach and have given up on ever being principal.<br /><br />Instead we have all these "instructional leaders" that need to be coached to do their jobs as they know nothing and have no experience.</i><br />---------<br />---------<br /><br /><b>The requirement to be in SPS leadership positions is alignment with "<i>the approved message</i>" .. it has zero to do with the ability to deliver results.</b><br /><br />The SPS emphasis is on cheerleading and spin.<br /><br />Look at NWEA/MAP testing... SPS admin is still trying to sell that as a tool for formative assessment ... because that was a major "publicly given reason" for MAP purchase. The fact MAP is a completely ridiculous tool for formative assessment is never touched by the "Spinners in Charge".<br /><br />It is all CYA ... MAP testing ... MATH program ... TfA ... spin it (do not evaluate it).<br /><br />========<br />Salander said:<br /><i>"Many of these people continue to teach and have given up on ever being principal."</i> <br />==> a wise analysis as without "philosophical and ideological alignment" to the SPS line of total BS ... ya just can't get on the admin totem pole.<br /><br /><i>SPS rule #0</i><br /> Ideology trumps getting results.<br /><br /><i>SPS politics rule #1.</i><br /> BS trumps Data ...<br /><br /><i>SPS politics rule #2.</i><br /> Spin trumps reality<br /><br /><i>SPS politics rule #3.</i><br />Hire people even more poorly qualified and poorly prepared than you. Thus they are unlikely to leap-frog over you on the SPS Admin ladder.<br /><br /><i>SPS politics rule #4</i><br /> <b>Do not allow anyone with the knowledge of what needs to be done and the courage to do so ... into Admin. Such a person would make most all others look bad.</b><br /><br />It should now be clear why Susan Enfield was the immediate pick for Superintendent by the Board.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10341623354917426502011-06-12T13:13:37.645-07:002011-06-12T13:13:37.645-07:00Moving to....
Better Results through Better Schoo...Moving to....<br /><br /><b>Better Results through Better School Management</b> (not to be confused with the current SPS Board's no management no oversight plan ... championed by Board President Steve Sundquist.)<br /><br />The SPS's huge emphasis on testing as opposed to any emphasis on management:<br />--------------------<br />Consider the following from comment #2 which appeared below <a href="http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2011/06/california_takes_sides_in_asse.html" rel="nofollow">this Ed Week article</a>.<br /><br /><br />1) What system of high-stakes testing would best serve the needs of California's children:<br />a) STAR/CST<br />b) PARCC<br />c) SBAC<br />d) None of the Above<br /><br />I am glad that you dumped PARCC, with it's "through-course" tests <i><b>which would have locked the state into a national test-driven pacing guide</b></i>.<br /><br />But I still think that SBAC is the lesser of two evils. Computer-adaptive testing requires much larger pool of higher-quality and better-calibrated items, and we have consistently failed to get good quality tests from our contractors.<br /><br />The better solution would be to throw NCLB/RTTT (as well as "Steering by Results") into the trash and <b><i>select the "None of the Above" option</i></b>.<br /><br />What California needs is an approach to "<b><i>Quality Management</i></b>" (rather than "<i>accountability" which is such a top-down term</i>) which is not based on tests alone (or even in large part on tests) and which reflects the richness and diversity of individual school and classroom contexts.<br /><br />----------<br />It seems over the last four years Sundquist has been a great believer in NO Management .... It would be a big leap and a huge change in direction to go from No Management to Quality Management.<br /><br />Hopefully newly elected school directors might give Quality Management, in place of no management, some consideration.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59156448362936370762011-06-11T20:28:50.781-07:002011-06-11T20:28:50.781-07:00I think that in the last 2 years, the NSAP has inc...I think that in the last 2 years, the NSAP has increased APP enrollment.<br />Overcrowding in desireable schools, assignment to an undesirable school (fairly deemed so or not), or a maybe/maybe not assignment to a more local Spectrum - possibly w/o transportation, or guaranteed assignment to a crowded program that is still functioning decently, even if it's not for every kid?<br />I think the NSAP and its stupid rules and variables has helped boost APP enrollment. The district may eventually kill the program, but watered down or not, I bet for lots of families it represents the best chance they have for their kid to get served<br /><br />- another two centerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8967421158950106922011-06-11T20:00:06.139-07:002011-06-11T20:00:06.139-07:00Over the years I have known many fine and experien...Over the years I have known many fine and experienced teachers who have earned principal certification. These folks never seem to be hired into principal positions. Many of these people continue to teach and have given up on ever being principal.<br /><br />Instead we have all these "instructional leaders" that need to be coached to do their jobs as they know nothing and have no experience. <br /><br />The fish smell in Denmark just continues to get stinkier.Salanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139709577516284114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79360507352645263792011-06-11T17:30:14.407-07:002011-06-11T17:30:14.407-07:00I found this great story on the Broad Academy at E...I found this great story on the Broad Academy at Education week. I think its interesting they didn't mention MGJ getting a no-confidence vote:<br /><br />http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/06/08/33broad_ep.h30.html?tkn=MXRFGdwi4p8r6S9q%2FrN752vzxLjtj%2BWzWrEU&cmp=clp-edweekPurpleWhitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61150658276941923002011-06-11T14:57:26.675-07:002011-06-11T14:57:26.675-07:00@gavroche: Tate Loftin thread.
http://saveseattle...@gavroche: Tate Loftin thread. <br />http://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2011/05/case-of-missing-principal-no-not-martin.html<br /><br />Without knowing more, I'm guessing this is a case where Loftin's privacy wins over our curiosity. I heard about health concerns so I hope she's OK. The thread comments from the many "involved" parents were intimidating to me and I'm only reading them, so I have no idea what the school climate was like for her. Haven't met her, but her experience looks good.WenDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07754473793580185814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41954235839023147572011-06-11T14:53:58.106-07:002011-06-11T14:53:58.106-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.WenDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07754473793580185814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5887835020923653942011-06-11T13:44:11.638-07:002011-06-11T13:44:11.638-07:00Charlie-
I think looking at next year's APP e...Charlie-<br /><br />I think looking at next year's APP elementary numbers would be quite illuminating - and back up your point. The APP population at Lowell is going to be almost 2x what it is at TM.<br /><br />The district has done a terrific job of getting more APP south involvement by splitting the program.<br /><br />parent 2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11655600515983989912011-06-11T12:34:50.037-07:002011-06-11T12:34:50.037-07:00Salander, our school had a long term principal (10...<b>Salander,</b> our school had a long term principal (10 years) with no teaching experience (was a HS counselor), so I don't think that any teaching requirement was enforced in the past either.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6747615369881913832011-06-11T10:25:10.676-07:002011-06-11T10:25:10.676-07:00Salander,
"Does anyone know what the minimum...Salander,<br /><br />"Does anyone know what the minimum qualifications are for the job of principal?"<br /><br />This doesn't seem to matter. Even the NW Ed Director doesn't meet the minimum job qualifications to be a principal.<br /><br />Ingraham ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8700171832290117672011-06-11T09:23:56.873-07:002011-06-11T09:23:56.873-07:00I might as well be the one to say this out loud si...I might as well be the one to say this out loud since the conclusion is clear.<br /><br />If the target for the outreach letter has been extended from minority students to all students, that would work to make Spectrum and APP even whiter.<br /><br />If students in the overcrowded Northeast are getting additional encouragement to participate, that would also make the programs whiter.<br /><br />After years of trying to increase the minority and low-income representation in the programs, that is apparently no longer a goal.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34817884523194630012011-06-11T09:16:31.535-07:002011-06-11T09:16:31.535-07:00The district has always kept the actual cut off of...The district has always kept the actual cut off of scores for APP close to its chest. My son's letter from 2000 said something along the lines of "the average CogAt was 98%." <br /><br />Since then, the district went through a phase of using WASL for achievement, and that is a grade level criterion based assessment, definitely not comparable to Woodcock Johnson. Also they started giving all three subtests of the CogAt, the Math, Verbal and Non-Verbal, and considering kids with high scores in any two out of three categories. Previously, only ELL students were considered using the nonverbal portion. <br /><br />Helen Schinske is probably the best person to answer this question with the most accuracy; she's followed the changes and researched the assessments. <br /><br />An interesting little tidbit is that APP enrollment counts for a bit under 3% of elementary enrollment, about 3.4% of high school enrollment and 5% of middle school enrollment. My suspicion is that non-app kids leave for private middle schools at a higher rate than APP kids.Dorothy Nevillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17108759281089768738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79269151940532276002011-06-11T09:13:19.321-07:002011-06-11T09:13:19.321-07:00Charlie,
The change in outreach is sending out l...Charlie, <br /><br />The change in outreach is sending out letters to all students with high map schools, not just minority students. That is the big change. I know five families (not minorities) in the NE that had no plans to test for AL as they are very happy at their neighborhood schools.<br /><br />Capacity is another big change. These families were then strongly encouraged to go to Lowell rather than stay at their overcrowded school. That is a huge change in the NE.<br /><br />I have been around long enough to remember a huge meeting that Linda Robinson had at Bryant in 04. 1/3 of the K class at Bryant had tested into AL - either Spectrum or APP. Linda held a huge meeting explaining that they did not need to leave to get advanced learning and she laid out the plan so that the families could stay at Bryant. <br /><br />IIRC, only one family left. Not this year, families that test in to AL are encouraged to "try it out." <br /><br />- ne parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37636453896792519712011-06-11T08:44:32.830-07:002011-06-11T08:44:32.830-07:00I'm wondering if there is also a change in the...I'm wondering if there is also a change in the achievement tests that they use. We tested my 2nd grader in the fall, thinking that he would qualify only for spectrum because he is not reading at a 4th grade level. The district used the ITBS for achievement testing and he scored in the 98th or 99th percentile.<br /><br />--Part of the fat tailAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41959082994185265842011-06-11T07:52:16.403-07:002011-06-11T07:52:16.403-07:00Ed Doc
Just what did Stanford "accomplish&qu...Ed Doc<br /><br />Just what did Stanford "accomplish" besides getting his picture on every wall in "World Headquarters" and creating the smoke screen of PR people to double speak us into the end of MGJ's regime.<br /><br />Really?<br /><br />You "had to be here" Ed, not just read the press releases on google.Doc Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56206716657987442432011-06-11T07:26:22.185-07:002011-06-11T07:26:22.185-07:00The primary reasons for the growth of APP are nati...The primary reasons for the growth of APP are national demographic trends. First, there is a well-documented trend towards high-achieving, highly-educated people seeking out partners with similar characteristics, maximizing all the relevant advantages (genetic, economic, social capital) in particular households and fattening the tale substantially. Second, there is a well-documented migration of those same people to urban areas, particularly a dozen or so urban areas with the "right" mix of job opportunities and amenities, Seattle being one of those cities. Any model you might develop to predict the number of students in a particular locale who score in the top 2% of national tests would tell you that the number in Seattle should be well over 2% of the population and steadily increasing.<br /><br />--amsiegelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83431182624560997472011-06-11T06:41:51.570-07:002011-06-11T06:41:51.570-07:00Does anyone know what the minimum qualifications a...Does anyone know what the minimum qualifications are for the job of principal? I recall reading somewhere that a principal must have five years of successful teaching experience.<br /><br />Just curious as the principal at my school has never had any teaching experience.Salanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139709577516284114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91437562716285075842011-06-11T06:36:58.496-07:002011-06-11T06:36:58.496-07:00There are three additional factors named for the r...There are three additional factors named for the recent growth of APP.<br /><br />The change in eligibility requirements definitely has played a role. Although it was done years ago, it is just now reaching its full impact.<br /><br />Private testing has not played a role. The people who conduct the private tests have integrity and scores cannot be bought. The benefit of the private test comes largely from taking the test one-on-one instead of in a big disruptive group.<br /><br />The outreach effort by Advanced Learning is nothing new. They have always sent letters inviting high scoring minority students to apply.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14307905197422993922011-06-10T22:24:26.327-07:002011-06-10T22:24:26.327-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86434320901742053662011-06-10T22:02:44.851-07:002011-06-10T22:02:44.851-07:00Melissa, please read the email I sent. Thanks.Melissa, please read the email I sent. Thanks.New To SPSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83096367894464425192011-06-10T21:41:18.864-07:002011-06-10T21:41:18.864-07:00New to SPS, send them to me at
sss.westbrook@gmai...New to SPS, send them to me at<br /><br />sss.westbrook@gmail.com<br /><br />and I'll start a new thread.<br /><br />Thanks!Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8139798936980705812011-06-10T20:04:20.081-07:002011-06-10T20:04:20.081-07:00I have almost finished typing up notes from the We...I have almost finished typing up notes from the Wedgwood Spectrum meeting. I expect they will generate comments, since a lot of philosophical issues about Spectrum were touched upon. Should I add them to the old WW Spectrum thread (already at 159 comments), or would it be better to have a new thread? Just let me know where to best post them. Thanks.New To SPSnoreply@blogger.com