tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post6336396869514929875..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Curiouser and CuriouserMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-41805158562277407952013-03-10T11:39:41.909-07:002013-03-10T11:39:41.909-07:00Well, can you blame them? They've got so man...Well, can you blame them? They've got so many procedures and policies, it's impossible to follow them. So, they must just use them as a sort of "intent", and then do whatever they think is best. That's the problem with regulations - they take on a life of their own, when really it is common sense that is needed. We don't know the facts about the Center School thing, nor how far up it went, just that there was a problem. My guess is that it must have gone up quite a ways - because, anybody who has ever had an issue with the school knows - practically nothing ever gets done, and classes and/or reprimands are NOT something we see often (or ever).<br /><br />-parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15549431958372431182013-03-09T10:51:30.147-08:002013-03-09T10:51:30.147-08:00This crazy district is chock full of policies and ...<i>This crazy district is chock full of policies and committees to cover just about everything</i> - funny, my spouse and I were just talking about this the other day - how there are endless meetings and yet nothing ever gets done, no decisions ever get made and no one really knows what the other side of the hallway is doing. <br /><br />Hardly surpising that they can't even follow what should be a rather clear cut procedure, as outlined by Charlie - sometimes I think the whole organism needs to be shut down and rebuilt from the bottom up - with actual real life - "do this and you lose your job" consequences - ah pipe dreams ;)Someonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46130334774987700492013-03-09T07:54:55.921-08:002013-03-09T07:54:55.921-08:00Irony can be so ironic.
Just this week, we find o...Irony can be so ironic.<br /><br />Just this week, we find out that the feds are investigating SPS for disproportionate discipline outcomes based on race.<br /><br />Then we find out that a teacher who, by all accounts (without knowing the details of the student who felt "threatened",)is trying to foster an understanding of root causes and perpetuation of racial unfairness in the good ole USA, and "liberal" (yeah, right!) Seattle in particular, and gets basically muzzled by the SPS legal department.<br /><br />Wait until the feds uncover the rest of the injustice in this district (including the sacred cow called APP). By the time it's over, Greenberg may have a new job as a trainer of teachers and staffs on how to implement and teach the type of course he had the courage to try to implement in this faux-progressive city.<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8223520898940111252013-03-09T07:10:17.017-08:002013-03-09T07:10:17.017-08:00Jan, that would only happen if a member of the Boa...Jan, that would only happen if a member of the Board asked for it.<br /><br />While you or I might say that the Board should be asking for exactly this sort of thing because it is their duty to oversee adherence to policy, they regard that duty as significantly less important than maintaining a positive relationship with the superintendent.<br /><br />They all talk about accountability, but they don't value it as much as "go along to get along" which is the very antithesis of accountability.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50168945507953229602013-03-08T20:24:06.201-08:002013-03-08T20:24:06.201-08:00Thanks, Charlie, for the post -- it would be so gr...Thanks, Charlie, for the post -- it would be so great (probably wont happen, but it WOULD be great) if we could get someone at the District to respond, point by point, you the items you raise. It would enlighten me -- and it sure sounds like it would enlighten them. I won't be holding my breath for it to happen.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16921878135432704162013-03-08T19:01:50.754-08:002013-03-08T19:01:50.754-08:00Nice. 4:45 on a Friday.
One and a quarter years t...Nice. 4:45 on a Friday.<br /><br />One and a quarter years to go.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32262878995010939442013-03-08T16:45:48.066-08:002013-03-08T16:45:48.066-08:00Jose Banda'e explanation to all via email toda...Jose Banda'e explanation to all via email today:<br /><br />Dear students, staff, families and community,<br /> <br />At Seattle Public Schools, we teach more than just our core academic subjects. We expect our students to graduate with a well-rounded education that prepares them for the real world of college, careers and life.<br /> <br />Teaching social justice issues is an important part of academics for our students. These can often be difficult conversations, but they help prepare our students to become global citizens. I cannot stress enough how much I value curriculum on race and social justice. However, these are subjects that must be taught in ways that are age appropriate and non-threatening.<br /> <br />This week we heard about the Center School’s Citizenship and Social Justice: Advanced Placement Language and Compositions and Social Studies course. I want to thank the many students who attended and spoke at Wednesday’s School Board meeting. This unique high school has a strong focus on social justice, and I know those discussions will continue to thrive in the school community. <br /> <br />As background, on Dec. 21, 2012, we received a complaint from a family at Center School alleging that the instructional activities used in this class created an intimidating and discriminating classroom environment. An investigation of this complaint found that the way in which the race unit at the Center School was taught did indeed create an intimidating educational environment for a student. I asked our team to help come up with a solution that will allow us to keep these important conversations, but will also make sure the curriculum is taught in a way that does not harm any student. <br /> <br />In addition, I requested the Teaching and Learning Department to review this particular course, convening an ad hoc committee to examine the curriculum.<br /> <br />The committee made the following recommendations, which I am implementing.<br /> <br />The race and gender units of the course are to be reinstated, with the following actions occurring as soon as possible:<br /> <br />· The race unit curriculum should be age appropriate and taught in a non-threatening manner. The class should not use the “Courageous Conversations” activities, which were intended as training for adults. The District has used this as professional development and it was not intended for use with students.<br /><br />· When classroom activities could potentially cause a high degree of emotion for students or potential distress, families should be notified ahead of time and communication to families should include an option to complete alternative assignments.<br /><br />· There are concerns the current course does not meet the criteria of the College Board for Advanced Placement. In order to make sure the course meets AP standards, the course syllabus and objectives must be aligned with the stated course objectives for AP Language and Composition and American Government and Economics. The final syllabus must be resubmitted to the College Board, including all units and textual materials for approval.<br /><br />· The manner in which the course is taught must not violate School Board Policies 3207 and 3210, which require that we teach units in a manner that treats all students with respect, does not intimidate or harass students, and does not discriminate against students because of their race or gender.<br /><br />I want to thank the members of the ad hoc committee for their review of the curriculum and situation. And I look forward to ongoing and healthy discussions about social justice, race and gender issues in our classrooms.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br /><br />José Banda<br />Superintendent<br />Seattle Public Schools<br /><br />~ Sped Staffer<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45335777741568653212013-03-08T16:06:17.491-08:002013-03-08T16:06:17.491-08:00It seems that policies and procedures are mearly ...It seems that policies and procedures are mearly weak "aspirational goals" with little connection to reality.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15174458084408307802013-03-08T15:38:37.995-08:002013-03-08T15:38:37.995-08:00Who are the district's employees that should h...Who are the district's employees that should have handled this mess? <br /><br />Was the original formal complaint about course content?<br /><br />-- Dan Dempseydan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26537446579987465052013-03-08T13:57:08.309-08:002013-03-08T13:57:08.309-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20248268473418290052013-03-08T13:06:00.680-08:002013-03-08T13:06:00.680-08:00The superintendent said that the review of the cla...The superintendent said that the review of the class was in response to the complaint, but the complaint was not about the class.<br /><br />Curious.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91781840880072829072013-03-08T12:28:37.468-08:002013-03-08T12:28:37.468-08:00Charlie, you can outline all the procedures in pla...Charlie, you can outline all the procedures in place and have it carved in stone outside JSCEE and every schools and it won't make much difference. If people would follow the policies in place, we wouldn't see so many "capricious and arbitrary" decision makings that go on in this distrcit. And that's everywhere from the classroom, to the building, to the school board, and the whole district.<br /><br />This crazy district is chock full of policies and committees to cover just about everything, but its conduct show that it's more like an ungovernable, lawless Wild West where the biggest gun and pocketbook rule (wherever that may be: a classroom, a school, a board retreat or a district office). It's entrenched and very demoralizing. And more investigation by itself, the feds, by the state, outside auditor, by muckrakers or by the media isn't going to change much of this culture. <br /><br />TGIFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52165065432746311712013-03-08T12:24:29.239-08:002013-03-08T12:24:29.239-08:00My apologies, Salamander. I didn't see your n...My apologies, Salamander. I didn't see your name until the last second.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60127264086665416652013-03-08T12:21:26.955-08:002013-03-08T12:21:26.955-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51823526460990693582013-03-08T12:16:32.281-08:002013-03-08T12:16:32.281-08:00Ye olde "lapses of due process" doth not...Ye olde "lapses of due process" doth not make the judiciary look very just.<br /><br />I found out what a witch cake was. They could try baking a bully/intimidation cake, if they are stumped and looking for ideas.<br /><br />-nonamenocreditAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com