tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post7379158539238223481..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Only One WA State Charter School Open More Than a Couple of WeeksMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26553016714322061272017-08-27T09:19:48.348-07:002017-08-27T09:19:48.348-07:00Charter schools are only deemed public by their fu...Charter schools are only deemed public by their funding, but private in their legislation. Instead of a frustration, this should be a relief to tax payers. Less money spent towards paperwork, and more towards individualized education. The state's decision to fund charter schools is an effort to bring relief to public schools and options for parents with children who fall through the cracks. And we disagree with this... Because we don't want students in overcrowded districts with overrun teachers to have options? Because funding is the only issue that public schools face? Throwing more money into a failing system will only make the ship sink faster. Charter schools are an effort to modify the system, which I think we can all agree is needed. Ideally all schools will have smaller class sizes and individualized education. In the mean time, charter schools have open enrollment that allow access to an effort at high quality education regardless of neighborhood, race, income, and opinion. Because let's be honest, streamlining such a vast subject such as education to be the same for all does little for anyone diverse. As education stands now, the better neighborhoods give a better education. I for one am excited that my son, who is a very high functioning autistic, will have the opportunity to attend a school where he won't be overwhelmed by the sheer number of children that go to school in our low income neighborhood. Is the charter system perfect? No. But it's a step in the right direction.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12785797216166357710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18090289117363742002016-02-19T07:31:32.445-08:002016-02-19T07:31:32.445-08:00Well post and this article tell me how to enjoy sc...Well post and this article tell me how to enjoy school party with friends thanks for share it <a href="http://www.collegeapplicationprocess.net/" rel="nofollow">college application process checklist</a> .Allen jeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10312119051975318074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71412582031511778092016-02-19T07:27:53.158-08:002016-02-19T07:27:53.158-08:00niceniceAllen jeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10312119051975318074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3614749975867155842015-09-08T14:12:23.316-07:002015-09-08T14:12:23.316-07:00The option schools are great but are often maxed o...The option schools are great but are often maxed out with waiting lists and are difficult to access for many families now that they've done away with transportation unless you're already in their zones. Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88675122540917479992015-09-06T21:38:07.125-07:002015-09-06T21:38:07.125-07:00cmj, have you looked at the option schools in Seat...cmj, have you looked at the option schools in Seattle? There really is a lot of choice in the district at all grade levels. Parents have true public school choices if they choose to pursue them.<br /><br />http://seattleschools.org/cms/one.aspx?portalId=627&pageId=95956<br /><br />ChoicesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13452231976062370122015-09-06T18:19:44.605-07:002015-09-06T18:19:44.605-07:00More on School Vouchers in Colorado from EdWeek Se...More on School Vouchers in Colorado from EdWeek September 3:<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/charterschoice/2015/09/colorado_district_asks_us_supreme_court_to_weigh_in_on_school_voucher_program.html?cmp=soc-edit-tw" rel="nofollow"><b>Colorado District Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Weigh In on School Voucher Program</b></a><br /><br />I would be OK with revising the WA Constitution or the Charter School legislation to allow certain forms of Charter Schools after the State fully funds regular public schools. So where is the emphasis on that full funding?<br /><br /> Really "Charter School Advocates" call for a special session of the legislature to enable the funding of charter schools... Huhh? ... When the State is not yet fully funding regular public schools. <br /><br />What will Sundquist and Gates Foundation have to say "beyond we did not expect this".<br /><br />Inquiring MindAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37233654636145462862015-09-06T17:53:30.900-07:002015-09-06T17:53:30.900-07:00IM, yes, I do want to write about that Facebook de...IM, yes, I do want to write about that Facebook deal and blended learning.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14968220466441894142015-09-06T17:45:19.800-07:002015-09-06T17:45:19.800-07:00Melissa wrote:
"Seattle is one of the few ur...Melissa wrote:<br /><br /><i>"Seattle is one of the few urban districts that is growing in this country."</i><br /><br /><br />The Puget Sound area is experiencing great economic growth and population growth as it is the nation's current jobs hotspot.<br /><br />Inquiring MindAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51529931165030451922015-09-06T17:40:21.519-07:002015-09-06T17:40:21.519-07:00Two items on Charters:
#1.. Bad Summer for Char...Two items on Charters:<br /><br />#1.. Bad Summer for Charters and Vouchers .. June - <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/colorado-supreme-court-strikes-down-school-voucher-program/2015/06/29/a382768e-1e75-11e5-bf41-c23f5d3face1_story.html" rel="nofollow"> <b>Colorado court stops voucher funding </b></a>.<br /><br /><br />#2.. Facebook is moving toward developing tools for schools with a three year agreement with Summit schools.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/3/9252845/facebook-education-software-plp-summit" rel="nofollow"><b>Inside Facebook's plan to build a better school </b></a><br /><br />Not long after, Sego was touring Summit Denali, a public charter school in Sunnyvale, California. With him was Priscilla Chan, wife of the Facebook founder and his partner in philanthropy. <b>They had been drawn to Summit Public Schools because of their striking success in preparing students for college: 99 percent of its graduating students have been accepted into at least one four-year college. And 55 percent of graduates go on to complete college, compared to a national average of 28 percent.</b> The results are particularly compelling given the diverse makeup of the student population: only 20 percent of students are white, 48 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch, and 13 percent are English language learners.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/04/technology/facebook-education-initiative-aims-to-help-children-learn-at-their-own-pace.html?ref=education&_r=0" rel="nofollow"> <b>NY Times : Facebook Takes a Step Into Education Software </b></a><br /><br />Inquiring MindAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65912886141540841102015-09-06T17:20:05.055-07:002015-09-06T17:20:05.055-07:00Yes, there are not many options for those who cann...Yes, there are not many options for those who cannot afford to homeschool/private school but you don't get that kind of growth if people are unhappy. Seattle is one of the few urban districts that is growing in this country. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21635349872288135492015-09-06T16:55:07.559-07:002015-09-06T16:55:07.559-07:00Melissa wrote "You are absolutely wrong that ...Melissa wrote "You are absolutely wrong that most schools in the district stink - they do not. The hordes of parents packing them in is one real sign of that."<br /><br />I have to disagree with that. Other than the local public schools, parents have only three options: homeschooling, private schools, or moving to a neighborhood/district with better schools. Those are only options if you can afford them -- and most parents in SPS can't afford them. (Private schools also have admissions requirements, not many spaces available, and don't usually serve special education students.)<br /><br />There are plenty of parents in Seattle who love their child's school and wouldn't send them anywhere else. However, for many parents, the local public schools are the only option that they have.cmjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86797759544934044632015-09-06T14:52:49.261-07:002015-09-06T14:52:49.261-07:00Anonymous, you'd have to define "Social D...Anonymous, you'd have to define "Social Democrat" for me.<br /><br />This blog has detailed - for years - the issues at JSCEE. In fact, JSCEE IS the problem for Seattle Schools. BUT, it doesn't have to be that way and I hope, with new Board directors, that will finally change.<br /><br />You misread my thread - the charter initiative passed by only 2% statewide but was trounced in Seattle 60% against and 40% for. <br /><br />You are absolutely wrong that most schools in the district stink - they do not. The hordes of parents packing them in is one real sign of that. <br /><br />Again, the issue here today for us is NOT whether charter schools are effective or ineffective - it's whether they are constitutional in Washington State. They are not, according to the Washington State Supreme Court.<br /><br />Next time, please give yourself a name.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56798127821380839152015-09-06T14:19:11.491-07:002015-09-06T14:19:11.491-07:00
Seems relatively civil anon.
-What vitriol<br /><br />Seems relatively civil anon.<br /><br />-What vitriolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39556223412553334822015-09-06T14:08:24.610-07:002015-09-06T14:08:24.610-07:00reposting for anon who reads the blog but doesn...reposting for anon who reads the blog but doesn't know the rules:<br /><br />The vitriol on here is simply amazing. As an avowed Social Democrat, I can tell you that I've seen how Seattle Public Schools are run, from the inside. Seattle appears to have some of the least transparent, most crony-corrupt management. Reading this blog, all I can see is that SPS is not accountable to it's "customers" (students and their parents). Who they are accountable to is the bottom line, and making sure the "right" people get promoted, while the ones who are fighting for the kids are getting ousted, demoted, and demonized in the press.<br /><br />Just to be clear, if the vote was 60%-40% in any election, that would be considered a landslide.<br /><br />Sure, some of the Charter Schools are going to stink. Guess what - most of the public schools under SPS seem to stink.<br /><br />Or have I been misreading your blog all this time?<br /><br />repostnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74016322678424232312015-09-06T13:49:50.555-07:002015-09-06T13:49:50.555-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47037763190264333522015-09-06T13:37:27.078-07:002015-09-06T13:37:27.078-07:00Irene, the law is such that districts have to want...Irene, the law is such that districts have to want to be authorizers (and therefore overseers) - it cannot be forced on them.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27816268275763614592015-09-06T12:01:54.358-07:002015-09-06T12:01:54.358-07:00Lawyer Mom,
I like the way you think. I am a Speci...Lawyer Mom,<br />I like the way you think. I am a Special Education Paraeducator in a SPS Developmental Preschool. The District proposal is to remove Para's from the classroom setting, put them into a "pool" and place them as deemed necessary. Hahah! Really?<br /><br />We have 12 children with IEP's (individualized education plans) in each session (a.m. and p.m.). We have the option to also have 2 children, as peer models in each session as well. The District wants to remove the option of peers, add 2 more students with IEP's, and remove the Paras? Last year in one session alone, we had a child with a walker that needs assistance getting on and off the bus, help getting in and out of the walker, assistance in the bathroom, and needs to be guarded when playing on the floor, as other students aren't especially careful of this child who is 4, but crawling. We had a child in a wheelchair who was non ambulatory, had a feeding tube, and was in diapers. Someone needs to be close to this student at all times to watch for seizures, and to protect the feeding tube from other students who may pull it out. There were 2 students with major behavioral issues, who were aggressive, explosive and unpredictable. We had 2 non verbal students with Down's Syndrome, who often times became targets of the aggressive students. The good majority of the 12 students also have Autism. Many of our students were in our classroom for social, behavioral, speech or motor skills help. We had students who needed one on one supervision at all times, though the district would not provide additional help.<br />Place assistants in Preschool classrooms "as necessary"? How can ONE teacher take care (take care being the operative words;teaching should be the priority) of all of these students AND find a TEACHABLE MOMENT?! Not to mention, lesson planning, snack time, bathroom breaks and or diaper changes (who will then supervise the others?), potty training, recess, facilitate social interaction AND get some educational learning in there somewhere too, while putting out "fires" all over the classroom, making sure no child "escapes", chasing around 2 students in particular, who may, at any time, explode into a tyrant, possibly injuring another student (again!)? Oh, and then there is all the time teachers spend writing and implementing IEP's, and holding the meetings, on their own time, during lunch breaks or after school hours. <br /><br />The District told us we were "Asking for a lot of money. We don't know where that is going to come from". Where is the 40 million the district was given for Special Education? Why does Administration get hefty raises, and make the decisions for the classrooms, when they have never even stepped foot in one? Teachers work hard, and care about their students. We cry every year, when one of our Preschoolers moves on to Kindergarten. We have many of these students for 3 years.<br /><br />I just wish the public would see and realize, THEIR CHILDREN are under the supervision and in the care of their teachers, during the school year, for more hours a day than they spend at home, and that those teachers are shaping the children of the future. Teachers are there to teach.....not babysit. If you take the Paraeducators out of the Preschool classroom.....that is exactly what it will become....an UNSAFE, non learning, daycare environment! Can the district say "lawsuit"? Because I can guarantee, there will be injuries. Not to mention the fact, even in a daycare, the ratio of children to adults is 6/1, and they want to add 2 more students to the Special Education, Developmental Preschool classroom, making it 14 with IEP's. Good thinking SPS. I used to say I was proud to work for you. I voted to strike. I can't afford to not work, but I will find a way to survive. Teachers deserve a raise. Six years without even a COLA? Students deserve recess. Testing needs to be less, and the results, need not to be the way to base a teachers evaluation! I could go on and on.<br />FrustratedInSeattle<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90506439283978488262015-09-06T11:10:25.935-07:002015-09-06T11:10:25.935-07:00The fix seems obvious to me. Students are enrolle...The fix seems obvious to me. Students are enrolled at these schools but the state cannot give the schools money because the schools are not supervised by an elected school board authorized by the state. So assign the schools to operate in the geographically appropriate school districts. Give the money to the districts. Let the elected school boards decide what to do with the money: keep the schools open, close them and assign the students to other schools in the district, whatever the elected school board decides is most in keeping with responsible supervision of public education within the district. Let the legislature spend its time dealing with McCleary etc. Let all of these elected people try to do their jobs, and come election time the voters can let them know what we think of the results.<br /><br />IreneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1372682416252799152015-09-06T10:40:15.772-07:002015-09-06T10:40:15.772-07:00@Watching:
Any such mandate should have, and coul...@Watching:<br /><br />Any such mandate should have, and could have, come from the Charter Commission, which, as Melissa has documented, exercised more oversight and due diligence than a lot of us expected it to.<br /><br />But no. No warnings, no admonitions, no disclaimers were forthcoming from the Commission, except as an afterthought. Charter providers were allowed to make their sales pitches to unwary parents as if the Supreme Court, not to mention the state Constitution, didn't even exist.<br /><br />And why would that be? Because the language in 1240 stipulated that to be selected for the Charter Commission in the first place, its members had to be advocates for the charter school model. Think about that one for a second. Advocates for the charter school model, rather than public officials with a fiduciary duty to safeguard the public purse -- meaning your tax dollars and mine.<br /><br />The charter backers gambled and lost. I feel for those 1200 students and their parents, but the Commission is to blame, and I cut none of them even the slightest slack. They knew this might be coming.<br /><br />-- Ivan Weiss Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90432032980899225452015-09-06T09:45:17.295-07:002015-09-06T09:45:17.295-07:00I feel for the families of 1200 students that were...I feel for the families of 1200 students that were admitted into charter schools. I"ve not seen any reason to believe that there was a mandate to inform parents of impending Supreme Court decision and the implications it would have on their children's lives. Shameful.<br /><br />Some claimed and pushed charter school openings based on the premise that I 1240 would pass Constitutional muster. They gambled with student's lives and lost. Now, they attempt to shift blame to the Supreme Court.Watchingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22052293327787905452015-09-06T09:08:08.720-07:002015-09-06T09:08:08.720-07:00Also, the dissent is a dissent. It's really i...Also, the dissent is a dissent. It's really inaccurate for the Times to say that the court "disagreed." The court held, by a 6-3 majority, that the statute violates the state constitution. End of story. The superior court will now figure out the mechanics of implementing the ruling. But the supreme court's decision is short, clear, and easy to understand. I can't imagine any "quick fix" the legislature could come up with. The decision is now law, and it rejects the whole premise behind the funding of charter schools with public funds. And although I sympathize with the 1200 students, I sympathize more with the kids across the state who are marching off to high school classrooms of 30+ kids. It's laughable that the legislature would go into special session to deal with this, whole ignoring both the class size initiative and McCleary.<br /><br />Lawyer MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-443117578368793382015-09-06T08:30:11.841-07:002015-09-06T08:30:11.841-07:00We all have our own individual thresholds, but spe...We all have our own individual thresholds, but speaking for myself, I don't allow any discussion to continue, in person or online, in which anyone uses the term "public charter schools." I'm always like "Stop right there. Charter schools are NOT public, and if you say they are, you're repeating a lie." If the response is "Says who?" I can now say, with unimpeachable authority: "The Washington State Constitution and the Supreme Court of Washington."<br /><br />The next response is usually: "But what about other states?" Not my concern. I live here, not there. Next comes: "But what about the dissent?" I have had this discussion with a Republican legislator already. Even the dissent stipulated that 1240 had not met the "common schools" test, and therefore, even if the dissent had its own internal logic regarding the funding, the funding was moot because even the dissent stipulated that charter schools are not public.<br /><br />Don't let them say charters are public. Stop them dead in their tracks. They're liars, and we are not obliged to enable their falsehoods. They are guaranteed to bring this up in the Legislature, and that is where this battle needs to be fought. Until our PUBLIC schools are fully funded, and even afterward, not a nickel for these corporate grifters or their lackeys.<br /><br />-- Ivan WeissAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-92020713802776120842015-09-06T08:25:53.892-07:002015-09-06T08:25:53.892-07:00Melissa, how can we now help SPS teachers so they ...Melissa, how can we now help SPS teachers so they get what they've been asking for? How can we ensure that where these "charter children"going is well-run, transparent, and not corrupt district? Especially those SPED children who will be added to an already bulging caseloads to sped, psychologist, etc.<br /><br />Yes, charters are big news but the struggle of SPS' teachers are, if not a bigger, news. How are things going? For families, when will they know if they need to change their plans. <br /><br />Advocate<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58181755090745775202015-09-06T08:24:36.401-07:002015-09-06T08:24:36.401-07:00The Seattle Times article has some sob stories of ...The Seattle Times article has some sob stories of parents worried that their kid won't get to have the glorious charter school experience.<br /><br />How do they know it'll be glorious? Because some charter school salesman told them it would be awesome!<br /><br />In reality, these schools aren't so great. Just listen to people with some actual experience there: http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Summit-Academy-Charter-School-Reviews-E446696.htm or here: https://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/the-inherent-racism-of-summit-sierra-charter-school/<br /><br />These well-meaning parents are buying into hype. As other states have shown us, charter schools routinely disappoint. There's no need to rush to save these fraudulent schools. We're all better off if they go away.Greenwoodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80015723644249496522015-09-06T06:24:45.856-07:002015-09-06T06:24:45.856-07:00I think approved charter schools should have been ...I think approved charter schools should have been directed by the Charter Commission that they HAD to tell parents - in writing - about this lawsuit and the possible outcomes. The charter operators knew this could happen as they were opening these schools. They knew the decision was coming. <br /><br />And yet, no one felt obliged to make sure parents knew about this issue and therefore, they would weigh the options. Not the Charter Commission, not the WA State Charter Schools Association nor the charter operators.<br /><br />Again, this was the gamble that they took. And, they lost. No whining then about children and where they will go to school.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.com