Seattle Schools This Week
Monday, March 10th
Curriculum&Instruction Policy Meeting, 4:30-6:30 pm, Agenda
Of interest:
- an ask for a waiver for one school day for Lawton
- update on Creative Approach schools
- Math Adoption Progress report
This week has two of the five Community Meetings for the Strategic Plan for each region. I would take this opportunity to ask ANY question you want because the Strategic Plan covers it all.
Community Meeting; Southeast - 5-Year Strategic Plan
South Shore K-8 from 6:30-8:30 pm
Wednesday, March 12th
Executive Committee Meeting, 8:30-10:00 am, Agenda
Oversight Work Session: Human Resources, 4:00-5:30 pm, no presentation yet available
Work Session: Data Access & Sharing, 5:30-7:00 pm, Presentation
This is basically a lot of what was said at the committee meeting that they presented it at last year. It is not good and I'm a little surprised at what got left out.
First, they did NOT fully explain FERPA. Like the HUGE change in 2011 that is now allowing OSPI to say the Seattle Times has a "legitimate educational interest" and so the Times can access SPS student data.
Second, parents and eligible students can review SPS records but guess what? That info that goes out to the Times? You probably could not ask the Times to review it under FERPA. That needs to be changed.
Third, page 17 says there are new templates for Data Sharing Agreements and MOUs - where are they?
Fourth, if the agreement is violated "access will be terminated." That's it? Your kid's info is compromised and all SPS will do is cut off the access?
I have now attended a Board meeting where a vendor explained, in a lot of personal detail, about a student they are serving. That probably violated (or was very close to a violation) of FERPA.
There is a pending issue with violation of FERPA for multiple students in SPS. I cannot say the details now (but I'll let the Board know). This district IS not being the best stewards of student data.
Thursday, March 13th
Audit&Finance Committee Meeting 4:30-6:30 pm, agenda not yet available.
Community Meeting:Northeast - 5-Year Strategic Plan
Nathan Hale High School from 6:30-8:30 pm
Friday, March 14th
BEX Oversight Committee Meeting from 8:30am-10:30 am, JSCEE, room 2750
Saturday, March 15th
Community Meeting with Director Martin-Morris from 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Montlake Branch Library
I will note here that Director Blanford does not have a single Community meeting scheduled for March or April. I do not know why.
Curriculum&Instruction Policy Meeting, 4:30-6:30 pm, Agenda
Of interest:
- an ask for a waiver for one school day for Lawton
- update on Creative Approach schools
- Math Adoption Progress report
This week has two of the five Community Meetings for the Strategic Plan for each region. I would take this opportunity to ask ANY question you want because the Strategic Plan covers it all.
Community Meeting; Southeast - 5-Year Strategic Plan
South Shore K-8 from 6:30-8:30 pm
Wednesday, March 12th
Executive Committee Meeting, 8:30-10:00 am, Agenda
Oversight Work Session: Human Resources, 4:00-5:30 pm, no presentation yet available
Work Session: Data Access & Sharing, 5:30-7:00 pm, Presentation
This is basically a lot of what was said at the committee meeting that they presented it at last year. It is not good and I'm a little surprised at what got left out.
First, they did NOT fully explain FERPA. Like the HUGE change in 2011 that is now allowing OSPI to say the Seattle Times has a "legitimate educational interest" and so the Times can access SPS student data.
Second, parents and eligible students can review SPS records but guess what? That info that goes out to the Times? You probably could not ask the Times to review it under FERPA. That needs to be changed.
Third, page 17 says there are new templates for Data Sharing Agreements and MOUs - where are they?
Fourth, if the agreement is violated "access will be terminated." That's it? Your kid's info is compromised and all SPS will do is cut off the access?
I have now attended a Board meeting where a vendor explained, in a lot of personal detail, about a student they are serving. That probably violated (or was very close to a violation) of FERPA.
There is a pending issue with violation of FERPA for multiple students in SPS. I cannot say the details now (but I'll let the Board know). This district IS not being the best stewards of student data.
Thursday, March 13th
Audit&Finance Committee Meeting 4:30-6:30 pm, agenda not yet available.
Community Meeting:Northeast - 5-Year Strategic Plan
Nathan Hale High School from 6:30-8:30 pm
Friday, March 14th
BEX Oversight Committee Meeting from 8:30am-10:30 am, JSCEE, room 2750
Saturday, March 15th
Community Meeting with Director Martin-Morris from 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Montlake Branch Library
I will note here that Director Blanford does not have a single Community meeting scheduled for March or April. I do not know why.
Comments
I'm not saying they are perfect, and I know Seattle is probably too deep in to start here, but it helps to see how it can be done. Starting with some basic 10 year planning. Also, they have a real strategic plan for the district, with actual measurable goals, instead of vague "serving every student!" language. I probably won't be popular here, but wow, I really miss Enfield right about now. (And before you shellack me, I didn't like her personally either when she was here).
-South Neighbor
-South Neighbor
"If you haven't received your scores yet, I'd recommend sending AL an email. I did and received a prompt reply -- apparently, our letter was mailed on February 15th but never reached us. A bit more disconcerting is that they included a PDF with our son's scores, but this document also included names, IDs,addresses, and test scores for 60 other SPS students. (A clear FERPA and Privacy law violation). If you also received this PDF, I'd love to know -- hoping we were a one-time mistake."
HIMSmom
http://www.pinehurstseattle.org/2014/02/14/pinehurst-school-variance-meeting/