Tuesday Open Thread
I was so busy yesterday that I thought it was Tuesday and had (briefly) put up the Tuesday Open Thread. Here it is in its proper place.
What's on your mind?
What's on your mind?
Tuesday Open Thread
The speaker list is up for the Board meeting tomorrow; not as packed as I thought with just four people on the waitlist. The majority of the speakers are speaking on high school boundaries (with several wanting to talk about Ballard High). There are only three of us speaking about the Green Dot resolution asking the City to not grant the zoning departures that Green Dot has requested. It's me, long-time watchdog, Chris Jackins, and the head of the Washington State Charter Schools Association, Patrick D'Amelio. (I knew Mr. D'Amelio when he headed the Alliance for Education and Big Brothers and Big Sisters; he's a stand-up guy.)
Comments
I am running a high school level program THIS Saturday, July 25, from 9-4, also at 9656 Waters Ave. S., in Seattle. The two guest speakers will be a young man who works at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and a young lady who succeeded overcoming many obstacles as a younger student and is now headed to England to study civil engineering. There will also be several guest teachers offering an exciting and challenging curriculum. If you have a high school student, please consider coming out on Saturday! All are welcome.
http://ballotpedia.org/Seattle_Public_Schools_elections_%282015%29#tab=District_6
SPS Parent
Given that these same billionaires seem to have shifted some of their focus to Murray and friends at City Hall, pay close heed to whom you select for City Council. I suggest Lisa Herbold in West Seattle.
Leslie Hanauer Nick And Leslie Hanauer Foundation Seattle, WA $700.00 11/20/2014 ‑ $700.00
Nicolas J. Hanauer Second Avenue Partners Seattle, WA $700.00 11/20/2014 ‑ $700.00
Next
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/shifting-alliances-in-race-to-fill-2-seats-on-seattle-school-board/
-- Dan Dempsey
Let’s Build a Strong Future by Supporting Great Public Schools
As a parent of two children who went through the public school system and as a former school board member, I know that we have outstanding teachers and an engaged, passionate parent community. I also know that the cornerstone of our economic development and ability to attract families is a strong educational system. It is time to move beyond conflict and turf wars toward a set of mutually held goals on how to build an excellent urban school district.
I believe we should expand access to affordable, universal Pre-K for Seattle children to ensure better outcomes for students in the earliest stages of their learning careers. As a city leader, I will also work with our state policymakers to ensure we are adequately funding our K-12 and Higher Ed programs.
-- Dan Dempsey
SPS Parent
Tacoma Mother explains her Charter School choice
Ms. Williams voted for the charter school initiative in 2012 because she wanted to have a charter school choice for her children.
As the Tacoma News Tribune reports, Ms. Williams is not the only parent in Tacoma who feels this way. All three charter schools in Tacoma have waiting lists: SOAR Academy, Destiny Charter Middle School, and Summit Olympus High School.
It is “game time” for charter schools in Washington state. Eight new charter schools will soon open their doors to students in Seattle, Spokane, Kent, Highline and Tacoma.
link to Tacoma News Tribune Video on Youtube =>
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/education/article27642208.html
which I could not get to load.
-- Dan Dempsey
I think Halei will keep her nose out of SPS business.
HP
Roquisia Williams says:
1. I did not research charters
2. I was unhappy with the public school education my children were receiving.
3. I wanted an alternative, so on the ballot I voted for charters
4. I enrolled my students in a charter school
==============================
I hope there is more to this. Every alternative is not better.
Will this be better for her kids?
Who knows?
I hope she did a lot more research than what is indicated in this short video.
((Is this quality journalism?))
-- Dan Dempsey
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/panel-backs-later-start-times-for-seattle-secondary-schools/
HP
reader47
I was looking at the NESinc proficiency test for Math teachers. This is used by several states.
https://www.aepa.nesinc.com
Pearson had announced that the NESinc website would be down for maintenance a few days ago with:
The registration, user account, and score reporting services on this website will be temporarily unavailable on Wednesday, July 22, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. eastern time, for system maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Then just before 1:00 PM eastern -- came between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Then just before 3:PM -- came between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Then just before 4:PM -- came between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
=== Pretty amazing how much Ed Testing business is dominated by Pearson. They have the (GED) General Education Diploma business as well.
Think if the school to testing pipeline ended.
-- Dan Dempsey
I'm going with Jill Geary for School Board. Did I read something on this blog about Bradburd?
Pollett's endoresements
Halei Watkins, Seattle City Council District 5
Michael Maddux, Seattle City Council District 4
Jon Grant, Seattle Citywide Position 8
Billl Bradburd, Seattle Citywide Position 9
Lisa Herbold, Seattle City Council District 1
Lauren McGuire, Seattle School Board District 3
Fred Felleman, Port of Seattle Commission District 5 (County wide)
NE Mom
Flying Monkey
Subject: On the NewsHour tonght
Friends and others,
Tonight on the NewsHour: we go to graduation at Montclair State University in New Jersey, one of the state's leading providers of teachers. Nearly all of the new graduates I interviewed had not been able to find teaching positions, and yet other places are having trouble finding teachers.
Richard Ingersoll of UPenn, perhaps the nation's most knowledgeable researcher on teaching issues, helps us understand the state of teaching today.
John Morrow
-- Dan Dempsey
on at 6:20 PM Wednesday
-- Dan Dempsey
Just FYI, your mileage may vary, lather rinse repeat, etc.
Chad Magendaz offers a solution to fund education. The burden falls on Seattle and Bellevue. He fails to recognize the scale of the impact of the large state property tax increase he's proposing for the Puget Sound region. The end result for Seattle Public Schools: MINUS $97M
https://www.facebook.com/magendanz/videos/vob.690633419/10153419305013420/?type=2&theater
The state put funding into education, but I've not seen the numbers reflected in the district's budget. Did I miss something?
DATE: Friday July 24, 2015
TIME: 6:30 - 9:00
LOCATION Southwest Athletic Complex (by Chief Sealth HS)
2600 SW Thistle St
Seattle, WA 98126
All-City Band will once again be hosting its annual Band Jam. This non-competitive event, is intended to celebrate the best part of any parade – the marching bands – by giving the community and opportunity to hear from some of the bands that will be participating in Saturday’s Torchlight festivities. We will also be highlighting some “non-traditional” adult groups as a means of emphasizing that music can be a lifelong source of enjoyment and socializing. Family and friends are encouraged to join us. Please invite people to come. We would love to see the stands full as we celebrate music and marching band.
Southwest Athletic Complex
2600 SW Thistle St
Seattle, WA 98126
I have just confirmed that the Minority Education Incentive Program workshop on Saturday will have a special guest speaker who has a background in the college application process. Not all high schools have college counselors, so this will be a great opportunity to get some personal input on your own college search. Please remember that ALL students are welcome. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and speak individually with all of the speakers and teachers during the day. Don't miss it! The workshop runs 9 - 4 at 9656 Waters Ave. S., in Seattle.
Thank you.
Thanks!
Mom of 4
mom of 4
http://www.npr.org/2015/07/23/425608745/from-upspeak-to-vocal-fry-are-we-policing-young-womens-voices
HP
Mom of 4, the boundaries for high school for that area are going to get increasing tricky as both U District and Roosevelt district and Northgate district are getting light rail stations. That timetable for Lincoln opening also lines up with changes that may be coming over the HALA report.
Meaning, there could be many, many more students that live near those stations which will skew who goes where. As I told the City Council, if they want to know what the screams are coming from Laurelhurst or View Ridge, it's parents there getting notice that their high school boundaries have changed.
Actually, either by coincidence or because she saw this query the webmanager wrote back to me yesterday. We're not done yet; she didn't actually fix the primary problem, but, I have hope.
If a paid employee of SPS knows they are going to be out of the office for months, it seems like an auto reply would be in order.