Candidate Forum Tonight at Garfield
Tonight is probably one of the last School Board candidate forums for this election.
Tuesday, September 29th from 7:00 - School Board Candidate Forum - Garfield
(doors open at 6:30 so I assume you could talk to the candidates before).
It's in the Garfield High Commons. Parking lot and building entrance are located at 400 23rd Avenue.
I can't attend (Open House at Roosevelt) so if you go, please tell us all about it.
Also, The Stranger's Slog, one of the funniest "here's the latest, folks" blogs around - they have every kind of story) reports a press release from Betty Patu's campaign:
"Longtime school advocate and Seattle School Board, District 7 candidate Betty Patu, who has successfully intervened in the lives of hundreds of teen-agers to prevent them from dropping out of school, has officially earned her master’s degree in Education Administration from Antioch University, Seattle."
I note from the Slog comments after this story that if you say one word perceived as being against Betty, her supporters come down on you like a ton of bricks.
Tuesday, September 29th from 7:00 - School Board Candidate Forum - Garfield
(doors open at 6:30 so I assume you could talk to the candidates before).
It's in the Garfield High Commons. Parking lot and building entrance are located at 400 23rd Avenue.
I can't attend (Open House at Roosevelt) so if you go, please tell us all about it.
Also, The Stranger's Slog, one of the funniest "here's the latest, folks" blogs around - they have every kind of story) reports a press release from Betty Patu's campaign:
"Longtime school advocate and Seattle School Board, District 7 candidate Betty Patu, who has successfully intervened in the lives of hundreds of teen-agers to prevent them from dropping out of school, has officially earned her master’s degree in Education Administration from Antioch University, Seattle."
I note from the Slog comments after this story that if you say one word perceived as being against Betty, her supporters come down on you like a ton of bricks.
Comments
What is her position on alignment and standardization?
Will she be able to hold Rainier Beach High School staff accountable for failing to meet the benchmarks of the Southeast Initiative?
Will she vote to increase capacity in the north-end?
Will she vote to move north-end elementary APP to the north-end?
What will she do to improve access to language immersion schools, advanced learning programs, and Montessori programs?
How would she have voted on the high school textbooks and how would she have voted on Denny/Sealth?
What's her position on sibling preference?
Will she hold the superintendent and staff accountable to keep their commitments to students and families? How and when would she have done it during the past year?
I see you're back to the incognito of animé. I am so unimpressed with either candidate that I'm planning on writing you in—even though I understand it's not allowed to write-in a candidate who lost in the primary. WIsh you were going to be the one to hold the other board members' feet to the fire.
Also, both Wilson and Betty mentioned that every child should have access to advanced learning without testing in... I guess they haven't heard of ALO?!?!
There was some concern that certain text books were not being given out out of fear of them not being returned at RBHS and I am not certain if Betty said that was a historical problem that was, would or should be fixed. Wilson said he would fix it.
Kay mentioned an idea I fully support which is coordinating the PTSA after classes across the district instead of burning out volunteers working to reinventing the wheel in how many schools. This would help extend the learning day with desirable course work and give just a tad bit more flexibility to working parents.
I thought Phylis did a good job... And they made it sound as if there might be a radio feed latter on this?
I know when I was on the PTA at Graham Hill our biggest obstacle to providing after-school classes for a broad range of students was transportation. Kids who need bus service often cannot participate if there are no funds to provide a bus later in the day.
But it does seem unfair to not give out books to everyone if it's just some kids who haven't returned them.
"ALOs serve two primary student groups: (a) district-identified students who are academically highly gifted/gifted, and (b) teacher-identified students who demonstrate skills and readiness for participation in an accelerated and rigorous curriculum that is based on Spectrum curricular guidelines."
I was quite surprised because I thought it was work that any student could voluntarily do because I thought that was the point of ALOs - not just to serve kids who tested into Spectrum or APP but didn't go to one of those schools but to provide challenge for any child who wanted it.
I do think it likely that a parent could go to the school/teacher and ask for it but it seems odd that it is test in or teacher rec.
I'd love to see the District do something similar...but is it realistic to believe it can considering the financial problems it already has just trying to deliver a quality education during regular school hours? If Kay can figure out a way to make it happen then I'm all for it.
We tested our student and enrolled in a Spectrum program in another school.
And Reader, advanced learning is available to everyone without a TEST which is exactly what I said and you refuted. Proof: See the district website or visit Lowell. (Also, I think you may be mistaken about your schools requiring testing; If it does you should ask why it isn't stated that way on the SPS website or why ALO is being delivered without testing at Lowell).
As an aside, this is usually a civil discussion with seldom aspersions... But it seems those rules don't apply to any student going to a bldg assigned to APP even the non-APP families; Which we are proudly one! In fact, they are doing a bang up job in what I thought would be nearly an insurmountable task. Wholly cow! I didn't think I would ever say those words!
Apparently, someone has been floating a similar idea around recently. I'm told that they spoke to a group of school principals about creating a universal, standardized afterschool activities program throughout the district. I don't know the specifics being proposed, but some concerns spring to mind.
On one hand, it might be nice to ensure providers make programs available to more schools and have some standards around fees and contracts. (It does seem like every school does things differently) On the other hand, it could give up a lot control to the district and limit the ability of a school to arrange programs that meet its specific needs. Also, a lot of these programs are run by individual parents - they certainly won't be contracting to provide their classes throughout the district.
It also seems like a way to create more paid bureaucratic, administrative positions at the same time we are laying off teachers.
(note that I did not mention APP)
And you said "Robert, ALO has testing in." Which is true... But not necessary. You can claim the program has a diminished efficacy all you want but I stand by my statement and I hope Wilson and Betty learn that there are these programs (and not grandstand for them as they already exist) as one of them will surly be helping guide them in the future.
The problem is that not all schools have ALO and among those that do, there is wide variability in what that means ranging from extra homework to break out groups for more advanced reading, writing, and math instruction.
And it depends a lot on the community. Last year I volunteered to lead a (kindergarten) ALO reading group. This year, I'm doing (1st grade) ALO math.
Based on your experience; how likely is that to happen?
I just know it sounds good to me and would like someone on the board attempting to make such positive changes.
If there is a school that is not allowing students to self-select participation in the ALO, then that school is violating the idea behind the offering.
If the District allows schools to deny students access to the ALO then the District is violating the idea behind the offering.
This should be fixed, and fixed without delay.
This is also EXACTLY the sort of mistake that occurs when the District has not set a Vision for advanced learning, has not clearly communicated that Vision, and has not made any effort to supervise the programs in the schools to confirm their compliance with the Vision, let alone their quality or efficacy.
As for the ALOs at Thurgood Marshall and Lowell, that was a recommendation of the APP Audit.
From the Audit:
Locating APP program as self-contained classrooms within general education schools...
"Would require extensive professional development for APP teachers as well as general education teachers in the building in order to maximize the benefits of this model. It is advised to situate this program in ALO settings where talent development of all learners has been identified as a priority among educators in the building; it is ill-advised to situate this in a low-performing or other divisive school setting as this only stands to further the divide between the APP students and parents and general education students and families.
In order to maximize the benefits of this model, it may be wise to hire a gifted liaison to negotiate between the two groups of teachers. This individual would be charged with co-planning with teacher teams (comprising both APP and general educators at the grade level) who can facilitate the genuine sharing of resources and expertise between the general education and APP faculties."
Note how few of these recommendations has been followed.
There's clearly inequity across schools, and that is a problem. But I don't understand wanting all kids to have "access" within a school. Don't all kids within a school have equal access? Kids can 'self-select' by demonstrating their skill (and need for ALO). Kids who are challenged by (or struggling with) the grade level curriculum do not need ALO.
And yeah I agree that we want every SPS child to meet their educational horizon with no needless barriers nor bias towards the privileged.
My kids want to participate in ALO -- seriously, they ask for it. I am looking at getting them tested in this upcoming testing cycle. But it looks like we are SOL for this year.
An off-the-charts smart kid would probably be teacher identified, unless of course they were so bored that behavioral problems masked this. A good teacher would see through this. So teacher variability will certainly lead to variability in access (and, as mentioned earlier, parents must provide permission to test).
The bigger problem is the wide variability in how ALO is implemented across schools, the amount of parent volunteers across schools (just as important as money), and whether volunteering is welcomed or discouraged.
"Our Advanced Learning Opportunity ( ALO) program is new to Lowell this year. General education students are encouraged to excel in the classroom in all subjects. If there is an area of particular interest and skill, the student may “walk to” math, reading or science in a higher grade ALO classroom. We have 2 kindergarten classes, a first grade class, a second grade class, a 3rd/4th split class and a 4th/5th split class."
Lots to hear, and of course we all have our own pet issues...two things that caught my attention:
I was shocked to hear (at 35:15) how ready Chin seemed to be to dismantle APP--he seemed to think that kids shouldn't have to test in to Advanced Learning at all(he sees testing as a 'barrier'). I felt Patu was very focused on HS in all of her answers including regarding Advanced Learning.
It sounds to me (at about 41 minutes in) like Mary Bass has submitted a proposal for Madrona to become an alternative school and she wants TOPS to become a neighborhood school for Eastlake and North Capitol Hill.
Neither Chin nor Patu seemed to have any depth or bredth in their understanding of the District. I really wish Charlie had placed in the primary!
I agreed with many of Smith Blum's goals, but I kept thinking but where would the MONEY come from?!
I haven't listened all to way to the end yet.
It sounds to me (at about 41 minutes in) like Mary Bass has submitted a proposal for Madrona to become an alternative school and she wants TOPS to become a neighborhood school for Eastlake and North Capitol Hill.
Yes, and in that clip she says she is actively lobbying other school board members, particularly Harium, to put that into effect.
The rationale is that the Eastlake/North Capitol Hill neighborhood hasn't had a neighborhood school for some time. Of course that ignores the fact that there is currently a neighborhood set-aside for TOPS, and that set-aside would continue under the new assignment plan and probably expand.
My understanding is that many neighborhood kids don't choose to go to Madrona, and now that TT Minor and MLK are closed, there aren't too many nearby options. If families in Madrona want a neighborhood-ish school, which one will they choose?
Changing Madrona to an Option program just doesn't make sense. Who is going to choose it? It is already significantly underenrolled. (Functional Capacity - 538; Enrollment - 411).
If we are going to create new Option schools, they should be physically located in buildings with small walk zones (like TOPS) or in neighborhoods that have an excess capacity. Neither of these apply to Madrona.
Back to the original post... I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. Did you get a sense as to what Betty ended up saying about the text books?
I realize that TOPS' published two square block area is probably somewhat smaller then could be possible (especially if we had crossing guards or if the city installed some more cross walks or lights, ha). But, just look at a map, no matter how you slice it, the walk zone around TOPS is small. Eastlake and Roanoake may be crossable but I-5, Lake Union and the ship canal are real barriers. There are rules about where kids can walk and the blocks around TOPS violate them.
A couple of us were standing around after Ultimate Frisbee practice the other day, brainstorming about what we could do if Madrona becomes the WMS attendance area Option school. We figured that QA/Mag would need an Option school--our kids could all learn to sail and or kayak in kindergarten and come to school via Lake Union! No one could ever say TOPS isn't an alternative school after that!
According to maps and data on the SPS web site, in 2008-09, there were 328 elementary age children living near Madrona K-8 who were attending public school. (This number does not include the children in the neighborhood who attend private school.) Only 61 -- about 18.5% -- attended the elementary grades at Madrona K-8.
If the goal is to have neighborhood schools, why shouldn't Madrona K-8 be a neighborhood school? It can't be because the current program (whatever it is, I don't really know) is enormously successful, because at least enrollment-wise, it is not. Please, someone enlighten me.
Since Madrona is under-subscribed, anyone who requests it, gets it. Consequently we can positively conclude that there is no demand for the school that isn't being met already. If it were an Option School it would be even more underenrolled than it already is.
There is no data to support the idea of making Madrona an Option School. It would be horribly under-enrolled. Even if you expected Madrona to get all of the enrollment that used to go to the AAA, it would still be horribly underenrolled.
Instead, Madrona will have to become a neighborhood school that serves the needs of the local students. I can't say how willingly the school's leadership and staff will make that change. If they do not make the change, then we will see if the District will back the community or the school. So far, they have backed the school against the community by choosing not to intervene at all.