Tuesday Open Thread
WA State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn has sent a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan asking that Washington be waived from the NCLB requirement that public schools send out letters about how they are all failing under NCLB (about 96% of schools would have to send out these letters).
Naturally, 96% of Washington schools are not failing; it's just the failure of Congress to act on this (dying) law.
Sending these letters would cause undue confusion to parents and be a cost to districts. (Over at Washington Policy Center, they bemoan that parents won't get their choice, under NCLB, to move their kids to another school and/or access tutoring if their child is at a failing school. What they fail to understand is that most parents, currently at "failing" schools neither access the movement of their child nor tutoring even when they are notified of this option.)
Speaking of Arne Duncan, apparently he made a speech at the recent national PTA convention in Texas. (PTA has received a lot of dough from Gates, part of it just for CC.) Diane Ravitch has one PTA mom's reaction to the speech.
“Even more alarming, the general meetings at the national PTA convention were sponsored by Discover Card, Microsoft, and Pearson. During the general meetings, attendees were forced to sit through 15 minute commercials about their corporations and hear about their “partnerships” with PTA.
A new survey finds that many school administrators do NOT feel prepared for the technology needs of Common Core assessments.
The Vision K-20 Survey is an annual online self-assessment hosted on SIIA’s Vision K-20 website for educators and educational leaders in K-12 classrooms, schools, and districts and postsecondary courses, departments, and campuses.
The 2014 Vision K-20 report analyzes the results of nearly 1,000 surveys completed by educators representing all levels of K-20 education.
In addition to the benchmarks, the 2014 version of the Vision K-20 survey asked questions about Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) implementation in schools, and institutional preparedness for online, summative assessments, to see how schools are adapting to new technology options.
Many (almost 60%) do not feel ‘highly prepared’ with adequate bandwidth or with adequate devices and hardware for their students – a definite concern as online testing related to Common Core inches closer to implementation.
What's on your mind?
Naturally, 96% of Washington schools are not failing; it's just the failure of Congress to act on this (dying) law.
Sending these letters would cause undue confusion to parents and be a cost to districts. (Over at Washington Policy Center, they bemoan that parents won't get their choice, under NCLB, to move their kids to another school and/or access tutoring if their child is at a failing school. What they fail to understand is that most parents, currently at "failing" schools neither access the movement of their child nor tutoring even when they are notified of this option.)
Speaking of Arne Duncan, apparently he made a speech at the recent national PTA convention in Texas. (PTA has received a lot of dough from Gates, part of it just for CC.) Diane Ravitch has one PTA mom's reaction to the speech.
“Even more alarming, the general meetings at the national PTA convention were sponsored by Discover Card, Microsoft, and Pearson. During the general meetings, attendees were forced to sit through 15 minute commercials about their corporations and hear about their “partnerships” with PTA.
A new survey finds that many school administrators do NOT feel prepared for the technology needs of Common Core assessments.
The Vision K-20 Survey is an annual online self-assessment hosted on SIIA’s Vision K-20 website for educators and educational leaders in K-12 classrooms, schools, and districts and postsecondary courses, departments, and campuses.
The 2014 Vision K-20 report analyzes the results of nearly 1,000 surveys completed by educators representing all levels of K-20 education.
In addition to the benchmarks, the 2014 version of the Vision K-20 survey asked questions about Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) implementation in schools, and institutional preparedness for online, summative assessments, to see how schools are adapting to new technology options.
Many (almost 60%) do not feel ‘highly prepared’ with adequate bandwidth or with adequate devices and hardware for their students – a definite concern as online testing related to Common Core inches closer to implementation.
What's on your mind?
Comments
Melissa, Thanks for keeping-up on these issues. Appreciate your work.
Some may wish to turn this into an indictment of CCSS or more standardized testing. They lose sight of how the culture of low expectations harms ours students, the vast majority of which have mild "specific learning disabilities" or are on the spectrum. The latter, like my daughter, can spend nearly their entire day in the general classroom, IF allowed and supported. Like my daughter they can get "A"s, but need help with social/emotional issues or with specific skills like reading or math.
Absolutely our students need not be held to arbitrary Common Core Standards, but neither should any student. Kids don't come "standard", "inferior" or "deluxe". They will learn despite all that garbage. But only if the is the high expectation that they CAN learn.
State Testing 2014
parent
Reader 42
Washingtonians who attend college
out of state: 37%
Hale students who will attend out of state colleges this year: 29%
Vermonters who attend college out
of state: 16% (lowest in country)
Arkansans who attend college out of state: 64% (highest in country)
*Statistics from Niche, a college
ranking and review site.
Hale graduation rate: 89.3%
Washington state graduation rate:
78.8%
National Graduation rate: 79%
HP
Response to reader Mark re. Olympic View/Wilson-Pacific boundaries:
The school assignment is *not* Olympic View. Not yet anyway. The Growth Boundaries approved last November are to be phased in over the next six years.
Currently for K-5 the neighborhood around Wilson-Pacific is assigned to Bagley south of 92nd, and Viewlands north of 92nd.
http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Maps/boundarymaps/pdfs/AA_ES_Bagley.pdf?sessionid=e63e429123a352b9e5a8251cd14a7f4a
FYI: The Growth Boundary map set can be viewed here.
http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Departmental%20Content/school%20board/13-14%20agendas/112013agenda/20131120_GrowthBoundaries_AttachmentA_Revised11_20.pdf
Clarification on student assignment at the K-5 and 6-8 schools on the Wilson-Pacific site, to be housed in facilities opening in 2017-18 as part of the BEX IV program:
Elementary/east campus building:
The elementary building will house Grades 1-5 APP students living in the McClure, Hamilton, Whitman, JAMS, Eckstein and (starting 2017-18) Wilson-Pacific service areas *only*.
The 6-8 portion of the west campus building will have both a neighborhood and an APP assignment. The neighborhood assignment: Sum of feeder elementary school boundaries for Northgate, Olympic View, Bagley, Greenwood; Broadview-Thomson K-8.
APP assignment: Students living in the Whitman and Wilson-Pacific service areas.
Thanks for the updates. I seem to recall that when the growth boundary changes were made, the plan at the time was that all north end middle school APP would move to W-P, with the "possibility" that a portion of APP would remain at HIMS if the numbers warranted. Is it now official that a portion of APP is staying at HIMS?
HIMSmom
If the elementary is only for APP students, the district should say that and own it.
It states:
All 11th graders regardless if they have passed HSPE and EOC will take the new ELA/Math SBAC April 6 thru May 29. Computer based test that could take up to 8 hours of students time.
10th graders will take the new ELA SBAC on May 19 and 20th.
Questions - Are 11th graders required to sit for this test to graduate or has the school worded it to make parents think they have to take this test?
10th graders - Does this mean no more HSPE or EOC and if your 10th grader has previously met all EOC requirements do they have to take this test?
And what is this test? Why would any school think that parents would know what ELA and SPAC mean?
I suspect the school's wording is to make it sound as if the test has to be taken. I'm pretty sure it doesn't because I don't recall the state graduation requirements (or district) changed to include this.
I'll ask about this. It would be helpful if you sent me the letter (at sss.westbrook@gmail.com).
However, in addition, in this case, I think a bit of the AL parent paranoia is in order. My read of the tea leaves is that the staff wants to leave as much wiggle room as possible on the final status of the building. There seems to be a deliberate lack of public statements and carefully couched messages. For example, Pegi McEnvoy saying things like "Well if there are 600 students in APP and this is the only bulding that fits them, you make the conclusion" in a public meeting.
So just for instance (and I don't speak with any special knowledge), if the district redefines the delivery model so self-contained services begins at 3rd grade rather than 1st then the building is potentially up for grabs.
Ben
The math and science EOCs will not be replaced by a Smarter Balanced math assessment. These will remain requirements for high school graduation. However, the versions of the math EOCs starting in 2014-15 will be aligned to the math CCSS, i.e., Washington's new math content standards.
If a student has previously passed the reading and writing HSPE and the math and science EOCs, they will not be required to retake these assessments.
The 11th grade Smarter Balanced (SBAC) ELA and math assessments will be administered for the first time in 2014-15. These are not required for high school graduation until the graduating class of 2019. Additionally, students are not required to take these assessments; however, under NCLB, schools and districts will be required to test at least 95% of students overall and 95% of students in certain demographic groups, regardless of whether or not students have previously taken and passed the HSPE and EOCs. The state's accountability assessment will change to the 11th grade SBAC ELA and math assessments in 2014-15.
Parents will have the ability to opt students out of the 11th grade assessments since they are not required for graduation (until the graduating class of 2019).
--- swk
As Ben intimated, there is not an official cut-and-dried plan. The BARs the Board approved last November 20th included two scenarios: One with North end middle school APP at two sites - JAMS and Wilson-Pacific - and one with APP at three sites (add Hamilton).
My reading of the tea leaves - again, take it FWIW given the lens I see things through - is that the three-school scenario will be the one that happens.
Thank you that makes sense.
I cannot for the life of me understand why on earth they would have a state mandated test in 11th grade - during the same timeframe that these kids are taking SATs and AP exams.
Who thinks up this stuff?
Will opt mine out as long as I can!
If they don't offer again until the spring how on earth will they get these tests assessed in time to tell the student they passed and can graduate?
Not following the logic of having 11th grader pass a state test.
As far as Washington goes, state law requires that students receive 5 opportunities to take the high school graduation tests. Students would likely have opportunities in the fall and spring of their 12th grade year to pass the test if they haven't previously. If they don't graduate by the end of their 12th grade year, they can remain in school until they graduate or turn 21.
Also, according to state law, OSPI must return the scores of 12th grade students by June 10 of that school year. The testing vendor scores these students tests first thing.
--- swk
How do you solve it:
As I said before, all 1,100 projected APP children can be housed at TM, WP and Lowell (QA, Magnolia and Cap Hill).
In addition, I would house the MS APP at the new program at Meany instead of at Hamilton in 2017 to hope to get a better fit with MS versus the immersion model at Hamilton and build two more great programs through APP support.
-Rover
How do you solve it:
As I said before, all 1,100 projected APP children can be housed at TM, WP and Lowell (QA, Magnolia and Cap Hill).
In addition, I would house the MS APP at the new program at Meany instead of at Hamilton in 2017 to hope to get a better fit with MS versus the immersion model at Hamilton and build two more great programs through APP support.
-Rover
Am I allowed to say THAT SUCKS here?
I really hope that was a joke - no other group of kids is used as a building block. These are KIDS, not widgets and not drywall.
Does everyone who read that comment understand why APP parents get bitter and paranoid?
Signed: Bitter and Paranoid
-Rover
Wiggle room? That's not good policy. What are parents who are trying to make plans to think? I could care less what staff wants to do; they need to do the right thing and be clear. If it needs to change, they know they can go to the "things change" well.
Rover, that issue of a self-contained school has always been a thorny issue and I thought it might never come to pass but we'll see. I think, because of capacity issues, the district does not want to spread those students out as you suggest.
As well, why have APP at both Central area middle schools? I hadn't really thought about it but yes, they would both be central (for an all-city draw program). Hmm.
I wonder though, if the district begins to offer services to every highly capable student - no matter where they are enrolled - how many will choose Meany over WMS.
If we end up with excess middle school seats in the Central Region, I wish the district would come up with some other program to attract students from the North End. APP shouldn't be the only capacity management tool in their box.
It should also be noted that the legislature may provide funding for smaller class sizes and SPS would need an additional 350 classrooms.
Regarding capacity- SPS is expecting another 6000 K-12 students.
While I support Universal Pre-K..SPS does not have the space, and we don't have any guarantee that the city will provide adequate funding for this initiative.
Vote NO
"I cannot for the life of me understand why on earth they would have a state mandated test in 11th grade - during the same timeframe that these kids are taking SATs and AP exams."
I totally agree. This is the problem with our educational system being a multi-tiered bureaucracy. Then, we have LEV, Stand and the rest of the business community throwing cr** at our kids.
Gates etc. al are experimenting on our children. Let them experiment on their own kids.
I recently received, what I call propaganda, from LEv. Something about 24 hours of credit to go to college. LEV was concerned because there was the ability for some students to work around the 24 credit hour initiative. Is this another initiative that would squeeze electives out of our children's schedule? Is this another initiative that would put some kids in absolutlely punishing classes?
Such an odd goal and so tone deaf - students are so sick of being tested. MAPS boycott is a great example, made national headlines.
And yet here we are again, with a new test. And still have a shortage of textbooks and materials in most classrooms.
"New technology to engage students holds some promise, but Gates says it tends to only benefit those who are motivated. And the one thing we have a lot of in the United States is unmotivated students," Gates said."
http://tinyurl.com/nrefgpq
This comment made me sick to the point of tears.
How can anybody say this about kids they have never met, in schools they have never attended.
BLEH
I won't have my student take the 11th grade test, but the uninformed will have their children used.
In the end, I believe SBA will be gone in 5 years.
"Making room at Meany for both HIMS and Meany APP students would require reassigning at least two elementary schools to WMS. The two furthest from Meany are John Muir (68% FRL) and Leschi (60% FRL). That would leave WMS with a more disproportionately poor general ed population and an APP population that is predominantly bused in from other regions."
Not sure that fits the math but I do know the APP folks that will be assigned to HIMS or Meany in 2017 will predominantly be bused any how and for gen ed /spectrum that your FRL numbers will be dramatically different with NSA plan drawing from Leschi and Mtn Baker. And why aren't those schools headed to WMS aren't they in the walk zone for that bldg?
_rover
SPS wants to be the planning and training guru for Burgess' UPfA. That means more staff downtown, more strain on HR, and yet another ball to juggle.
Also voting no.
maureen
Regardless of the details of his trip - what came out of his mouth was pretty awful.
Did he ever for one moment think that there are students who may be hungry, homeless, dealing with family addiction, loss or some other horrible reality and not actually unmotivated?
Such sweeping statements are unfair to kids who would love nothing more than the opportunity to learn just like his kids.
Isn't she the principal at WMS?
Lincoln parent
Honestly, please give this up.
"Oh if the district just offered 'services,' we wouldn't need self-contained."
Sure, and we all get a pony, too.
I'm being sarcastic because it is - not - going - to - happen. Why? One, the district has not given much to AL and now you think they'll make it so every school will be able to deliver services to these kids? I cannot see it. It's not in their DNA.
Second, if they do/had wanted it to be done - because of transportation costs, making neighborhood schools even stronger, etc. - why haven't they done it? If this was the best way, why not have done it?
Heck, they couldn't even get viable ALOs throughout the district.
Vote NO on pre=K, more on this to come but know this parents - time and resources - valuable time and resources - are being thrown at this effort. This while our K=12 schools are crowded and underfunded. I am appalled this is happening and that SPS wants to do this.
Enough, more on LEV soon as well.
And Gates? When kids don't learn, it's the teachers. When education technology doesn't move the needle, it's unmotivated kids. He is one piece of work, that guy.
http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2014/06/seattle-school-district-gets-mostly-clean-audit/
-Rover
I am happy the district continues to (slowly) get on track with its operations.
That doesn't change that there are too many initiative either not related to K-12 or that do not directly impact the classroom.
Didn't the district provide the city with funding estimates for pre-K work. And the city deny that level of funding for pre K?
Thanks for keeping up with these issues. We can't rely on LEV or anyother media outlet.
LEV loves their pom poms, but fails to realize the manner in which they damange our public educational system.
I hadn't actually looked at the OSPI bulletin about the highly capable student changes required by the state.
http://k12.wa.us/BulletinsMemos/Bulletins2013/B016-13.pdf
But now that I have, I don't really see anything in it that requires services at all sites re: the earlier discussion. The requirement to serve k-12 is fairly clear, as is the requirements for identification.
But in my read as far as locations all that is specified is:
"Districts must make a variety of appropriate program services available to students who participate in
the district’s HCP. Districts must provide a continuum of services to the students from K–12.
Districts must review services for each student to ensure that the services are appropriate. Districts
are no longer required to have educational program plans for each identified highly capable student
or plans for a group of students with similar academic abilities (WAC 392-170-078)."
At least in my reading that doesn't in anyway restrict the district to determining in which buildings to provide such services as long as they are available.
Ben
Let's hope the district does more than they currently do for teacher gifted ed PD (which is essentially nothing?). I also don't know what current policy is for exiting students - is it based on teacher or school suggestion, and then only with parental approval?
curious
HIMSmom
Currently there are no services for k and 9-12 (unless you are IBx). GHS gets app kids funneled in to take roughly 10-15 AP classes. Both K and GHS seem out of compliance with the WACs. And yeah zero PD hard to believe that will change and hopefully that will include for administrators of all bldg including any where that APP is at.
Gates' daughter is going to Stanford next year. She just graduated from Lakeside.
I think Banda left because he was tired of being the target of competing interests. No matter what he did, he displeased some constituency. Seattle is terrible in that respect. With a city hall owned by Gates.
-Go Cal
I think AP classes count as services under the HCP grant, so they have in fact been available in grades 9-12. And although Garfield recently decided to disallow 9th graders from taking AP World History, I believe the more basic "honors" history class they'll have to take instead still counts as an HCP service.
Lynn, re: "variety of services", just check out the matrix of services/delivery methods by grade in the HCP grant application. Lots of checkmarks, so looks like nice variety on paper. That's probably all the district really needs to show. I don't know that all the checkmarks are valid--and plan to look into that a bit more prior to the final submission--but like I said before, there really aren't a lot of requirements as to how diverse and how many options need to be available to the same kid in any year.
Overall, I don't expect big changes and suspect SPS will do the minimum they think they can--which primarily means addressing the ID issue in K and 12th grades, and some level of services in K--regardless of what the task for recommends. How often are task force recs really implemented anyway?
HIMSmom
-Rover
Blame the situation M. if it makes you and your sources feel better but the man did nothing for the million dollars we invested in him. I personally blame the system that causes for these three and gone Execs. That has to be changed for certain.