Tuesday Open Thread
From Seattle Education blog, news of a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, September 17th at 7:30 pm about standardized testing. It's called To Test or Not to Test? It will be a panel discussion with:
The panelists will include our very own Wayne Au, PhD who is an Associate Professor at UW Bothell. Dr. Au’s research focuses on educational equity, high-stakes testing, curriculum theory, educational policy studies and social studies education.
The panel will also include Jason Mendenhall, of the Northwest Evaluation Association. The NWEA produced and sells the MAP test that will be a part of this discussion.
And, "a surprise panelist."
Per the event description posted on the Town Hall website, this super special guest will be “a representative from a local nonprofit whose mission is to improve public schools”. Hmmm. Who might that be? Someone from the alphabet soup of Gates backed and or created organizations such as SFC, Stand for Children, LEV, the League of Education Voters or A4E, the Alliance for Education?
FYI, a new report from the Washington-based Brown Center on Education Policy says that states' spending on standardized testing is about $1.7B annually. (This is for 44 states and D.C.)
First School Board campaign debate:
Suzanne Dale Estey and Sue Peters ( Seattle School Board race), has accepted the invitation to debate in Rainier Valley, Sunday Oct. 6th. These two qualified candidates will be one of three high profile debates along with Albert Shen, Councilman Mike O'Brien, Senator Ed Murray and Mayor Mike McGinn. RSVP ASAP and join the citizens of America's most diverse political powerhouse for a fun filled day of democracy in action. In partnership with Rainier Chamber and FirstThursday Seattle.
I cannot find any other info on where this event takes place (and I'd like to ask why just these races). I did leave a message and I'll let you know but put it on your calendar.
What's on your mind?
The panelists will include our very own Wayne Au, PhD who is an Associate Professor at UW Bothell. Dr. Au’s research focuses on educational equity, high-stakes testing, curriculum theory, educational policy studies and social studies education.
The panel will also include Jason Mendenhall, of the Northwest Evaluation Association. The NWEA produced and sells the MAP test that will be a part of this discussion.
And, "a surprise panelist."
Per the event description posted on the Town Hall website, this super special guest will be “a representative from a local nonprofit whose mission is to improve public schools”. Hmmm. Who might that be? Someone from the alphabet soup of Gates backed and or created organizations such as SFC, Stand for Children, LEV, the League of Education Voters or A4E, the Alliance for Education?
FYI, a new report from the Washington-based Brown Center on Education Policy says that states' spending on standardized testing is about $1.7B annually. (This is for 44 states and D.C.)
First School Board campaign debate:
Suzanne Dale Estey and Sue Peters ( Seattle School Board race), has accepted the invitation to debate in Rainier Valley, Sunday Oct. 6th. These two qualified candidates will be one of three high profile debates along with Albert Shen, Councilman Mike O'Brien, Senator Ed Murray and Mayor Mike McGinn. RSVP ASAP and join the citizens of America's most diverse political powerhouse for a fun filled day of democracy in action. In partnership with Rainier Chamber and FirstThursday Seattle.
I cannot find any other info on where this event takes place (and I'd like to ask why just these races). I did leave a message and I'll let you know but put it on your calendar.
What's on your mind?
Comments
-Still Waiting
I was shocked that the comments (most from high school friends (same general middle-class backgrounds and upbringing) quickly degenerated into a discussion about teachers' "performance." A note, the biggest detractor is an investment banker who has lived in Dallas for the past 30+ years. SIGH...
Solvay Girl
My child has been at #1 on a waitlist all summer and I haven't heard anything yet. My friend's child who was #8 on the Broadview Thompson waitlist got an email on Saturday telling her that her child got in.
Now I'm on the phone with enrollment (1 hour+ on hold already).
-Waiting in N. Seattle
curious
Ann D.
Planning will start this fall and the Seattle Schools Meany Middle School Project Manager is looking for members to participate in the School Design Advisory Team (SDAT). Meetings will start in October and the team will comprise members from the District Teaching & Learning Department, Students, Parents and at least two community representatives.
Interested parties, or those wishing to be kept apprised of Meany Middle School project progress can contact:
Vince Gonzales
vrgonzales (at) seattleschools.org
Project Manager
Capital Projects
Seattle Public Schools
Phone: 206.252.0151
Fax: 206.252.0573
BEX IV Meany Middle School Project Website
To learn more about the plans for Meany Middle School you can visit:
BEX IV Meany Middle School Project Site
School Planning Process Roadmap
This SPS BEX IV school planning roadmap document from Fall 2012 outlines the process of opening a new school in Seattle:
Download the School Planning Roadmap (PDF)
-Ann D.
argh
HP
HIMS has letters to all families of 6th graders on how to get on the new Source. I have not seen it, but since each letter was individually generated for each student, there might be a new way of login or new login codes. Have you talked to the school?
CCA
We often only hear complains about SPS
personnel, and very seldom praise, I just want to say I am grateful.
CCA
Do start times typically change over the summer months anyway? The old time was there until a few weeks ago.
Ann D.
waiting&wondering
CCA
Ann D.
If your child is competent in math, then skipping CMP and moving on to Algebra may be quite doable. If you want to know what concepts should be covered in 8th grade math, look to the state standards for 8th grade. Schools are transitioning to Common Core, but will still be tested on the WA State Standards this year:
WA State Math Standards
General topics for 8th grade are: 1) linear functions and equations (also covered in Algebra), 2) properties of geometric figures (angle relationships, coordinate plane, Pythagorean Theorem), 3) data analysis (mean, median, mode, range, box-and-whisker plots, Venn diagrams, probability), and 4) additional topics such as scientific notation and exponents.
More reviews of CMP here (keep in mind they are reviewing older editions of CMP):
Reviews of CMP
-a mathy parent
(whose kids hated CMP)