Race and Equity; Targeted Universalism (Part Two)

In part two of this thread, I want to analyze the theory around which the MTSS-B initiative seems to be based – targeted universalism.

I hadn’t heard of this theory before now and it’s always good to hear about what ideas are out there for better public education. I did some research and lots of reading and found several good articles including ones about the Oakland School District’s program.

In my reading, I found it fascinating that this idea of targeted universalism is NOT just a topic for public education. What I found is that it mostly covers the issue of poverty, around the world, on whether targeting efforts for certain groups truly work. 

Let’s start from the premise that if you see a problem that affects the population broadly, then you attempt to create a solution that will negate or end that problem. That premise, of course, supposes that all people are affected in the same way by both the problem and your solution.

Universalism – across all sectors, not just education – is discussed in a paper by Thandika Mkandawire called Targeting and Universalism in Poverty Reduction.

Tuesday Open Thread

The Human Face of Big Data is an important documentary film about the masses of data being collected, analyzed and used throughout the world.  The point needs to made - and is in the trailer - that just as much as the good it can generate, there is equal ability for bad things to happen.  There's a preview tomorrow night at SIFF while the film airs on KCTS on Feb. 24th at 10 pm.

SPS and its bell change decision in the news via Huffington Post.

Schools that have experimented with later start times have found the move has paid off. Three years ago, the town of Columbia, Missouri, decided to move back its high schools' start times from 7:45 a.m. to 8:55-9:10 a.m. “Our kids seem to be more awake and more eager to learn,” one Columbia principal, Kim Presko, told education news outlet The 74.

In 2008, the Massachusetts boarding school Deerfield Academy pushed its start time from 7:55 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and the positive effects were noted in a 2014 Deerfield viewbook: Students "earned higher grades; ate more breakfasts, visited the health center far less frequently; and performed better in athletics."

 A 41-year (!) veteran education reporter weighs in on what he thinks about public education.

Q) If you had a favorite bumper sticker about schools, what would it be?
A) We need a system that asks each child, “How are you intelligent?” not “How intelligent are you?”

As we start going into testing season, an op-ed from a mom in the Baltimore Sun on the strains on the body thru computer use. The article points out that the National Educational Technology Plan encourages computer use in the classroom without mentioning any health risks:

even though the U.S. Surgeon General's Office has safety guidelines that limit screen time, as does the American Academy of Pediatrics.

She also notes her own state's technology plan also favors more computer use in schools without mentioning the downsides to children.  Among the issues for kids: blurry vision/dry eyes, neck/shoulder pain, sleep issues and, over the course of the day into night, a lack of physical activity from sitting in front of a screen.

Great NBC story from snowy Minnesota - brothers who have been creating giant snow sculptures in their front yard.  At first it was for fun but they also raise money for charity.  My favorite line comes right at the end.  Show the kids.

You don't make life memories playing video games; you make them by doing stuff like this.

What's on your mind?

Work Session Thursday on Race and Equity Initiative

This week the Board will hold a Work Session on SMART Goal #2 – MTSS-B.  (The district has now created an MTSS-A and MTSS-B.  “A” is about “success in academics” and “B” is for “attitudes, beliefs and belonging.” They wait until pages 13-14 to define MTSS overall.)

This is such a large issue that I’ll write two parts to this thread.  One, what this Work Session going to be discussing and two, the theory behind these ideas.

The work session is three hours long for two topics (the other is the Board self-evaluation.)  But it would appear the bulk of the Work Session is for the first topic. The Powerpoint is quite long and, sadly, is so chockfull of ed jargon on race and equity that you can’t quite make out what will truly be happening.  And that’s a pity because this is work that is needed. 

Missing – and shockingly so – is what lessons this district has learned from past efforts.  One is the African-American Academy which was created for African-American children in the district, with planning and direction by mostly African-American educators and leaders.  I know there is a whole story in there why this school failed with many reasons.  But the district did try and, in the end, failed.  Is there nothing they can learn from that painful and lengthy experiment that they might bring to bear here?  Not a mention.

Also, missing from this large and overarching initiative?  Costs.  Not a word about what it will all cost or where the money will come from.

Here’s the goal for all of this:

To transform the Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behavior of every adult and educator in order to recognize the brilliance and genius of every single child in Seattle Public Schools.

Protecting Your Student's Data (and Your Privacy)

The Department of Education is seeking comment on a new student database.  From Student Privacy Matters:

The U.S. Department of Education intends to create a new student database to house the personally identifiable information of 12,000 students, 500 teachers and 104 principals from 104 unidentified schools in 12 school districts across the country.

Missing Crown Hill Teen - Have You Seen Stone?

From KING 5 (the only other info I have is that he may be an Ingraham student):

Update:
A reader says that Stone has been
found and is with his family.






Seattle Police are searching for a 16-year-old boy who was reported missing.

Stone Fennell disappeared from his home on Crown Hill. He was last seen at about 10:30 p.m. Friday.

Police say family is concerned. They say the disappearance is out of character.

Fennell is 5-foot-10, 215 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

On This Presidents' Day - #ArresttheLegislature

Press Release (bold mine):

#ArrestTheLegislature Press Conference
on School Funding and Black Lives Matter

Who: All City Black Student Union (BSU) and Black Law Student Association, Garfield High School BSU members, University of Washington BSU members, Chief Sealth High School BSU members, Rainier Beach High School BSU members, Seattle University Black Law Students Association Members, BlackOut Washington, and Black Lives Matter organizers

Charter Bill to Get Hearing on Friday

The Washington Policy Center had a whole article about how swell charter schools are doing, both in enrollment and outcomes. Over and over, charter supporters say there is "evidence" that students in former charter schools are doing better but they have given NO definitive, verifiable evidence. There are no baseline scores to say where the kids were before they came into the former charters and no explanation of what kinds of assessments were done (what? two months into school?) to show progress.

What I DID find was the following about charter schools in Washington State.

Let's Get Serious (Everyone but the Legislature Is)

We previously published opinions from several editorial boards from around the state, all chiding the legislature for their lack of progress on fulfilling McCleary to fully funding public education in Washington state.

The Seattle Times has finally weighed and they agree.  Choice quotes:

Team Olympia can't even punt without squabbling over details.

That's a sad, sad commentary that work is of such weak quality and yet it still gets argued over.

Want An Example of a District Making Progress? Meet Tukwila

From Our Kids, Our Future, a great story about the success Tukwila is having with a diverse student population.  (bold mine)

Friday Open Thread

Something fun for the kids to do - vote in Google's doodle competition winners for students K-12.  Some of the pieces are truly inventive.

Also, The Color of Money - McCleary Crime Scene Coloring Contest will be announcing its winners next Saturday, the 20th.

We will be announcing the winners of our coloring contest, one kid and one adult, chosen by our Celebrity Artist Guest Judge Derek Erdman, at our Color In at Zeitgeist Coffee Saturday 2/20, from 4-6. Please turn in your coloring sheets by 2/18 at midnight to enter. (Need not be present to win-but we would love to see you!)

For your own vote, here's one for parents on assessments from the American Educational Research Association (AERA).