Tuesday Open Thread
My colleagues in student data privacy are warning against anyone taking this so-called "most used word" Facebook quiz. Read this article and see if you agree; if so, warn your kids.
Ever wanted to know more about school emergency and safety programs. I found this great page at OSPI chock-full of good info.
The Times has a lot to say over a couple of days.
First, their editorial on funding charter schools (which we all knew was coming.) I did find this editorial a bit tepid which surprised me.
They keep on the meme that it's all about a "technical fix" (replacing the hilarious "glitch") when it's nothing of the sort. The charter initiative was poorly written and left the charter schools in a limbo about whether they were common schools or not.
They also wring their hands over the final decision from the Supremes coming on the day that charter schools bused supporters to Olympia. As if the Supreme Court would be checking who comes to Olympia on any given day. Again with that push that the Supreme Court is trying to be "mean."
The other editorial is - and wait for this one- they believe that the Superintendent's raise should actually be tied to outcomes. Where have they been for a decade or more? This should ALWAYS be the case but I guess better late than never.
They list the things that Nyland has done as told by President Sherry Carr including the initiative for African-American males. But they are not happy about the broken relationship with the Alliance for Education.
They have this odd pairing of words that I'm not sure I can decipher:
Being largest in the state doesn't mean Seattle is the best nor the best if could be. The district must aim higher.
Anyone?
But they end:
Nyland should use the next few years to prove the district is making a worthy investment in him.
Agreed.
What's on your mind?
Ever wanted to know more about school emergency and safety programs. I found this great page at OSPI chock-full of good info.
The Times has a lot to say over a couple of days.
First, their editorial on funding charter schools (which we all knew was coming.) I did find this editorial a bit tepid which surprised me.
They keep on the meme that it's all about a "technical fix" (replacing the hilarious "glitch") when it's nothing of the sort. The charter initiative was poorly written and left the charter schools in a limbo about whether they were common schools or not.
They also wring their hands over the final decision from the Supremes coming on the day that charter schools bused supporters to Olympia. As if the Supreme Court would be checking who comes to Olympia on any given day. Again with that push that the Supreme Court is trying to be "mean."
The other editorial is - and wait for this one- they believe that the Superintendent's raise should actually be tied to outcomes. Where have they been for a decade or more? This should ALWAYS be the case but I guess better late than never.
They list the things that Nyland has done as told by President Sherry Carr including the initiative for African-American males. But they are not happy about the broken relationship with the Alliance for Education.
They have this odd pairing of words that I'm not sure I can decipher:
Being largest in the state doesn't mean Seattle is the best nor the best if could be. The district must aim higher.
Anyone?
But they end:
Nyland should use the next few years to prove the district is making a worthy investment in him.
Agreed.
What's on your mind?
Comments
Larry
Charter schools use public funds to do this, then public schools million student march should be full speed ahead.
-NNNCr
Steven Webb, superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools, has been named 2016 Superintendent of the Year by the Washington Association of School Administrators.
The award recognizes “the outstanding leadership of active, front-line superintendents,” according to an association news release announcing the award.
Webb was selected for the award for leading the district’s improvements, including increasing the on-time graduation rate, increasing program choice and expanding school-community partnerships to meet needs of students living in poverty.
http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/nov/23/vancouver-superintendent-wins-statewide-award/
Here is what Chad Magendanz (R) has to say about funding McLeary
"Let me be clear: The biggest political obstacle to wrapping up McCleary right now is a charter school fix. If the Speaker won't allow a vote, McCleary doesn't have a chance. Is the teachers union willing to risk $3 billion per biennium just so that 1300 at-risk kids have fewer options?"
Magendanz is up for re-election in 2016.
we're not talking about kicking those million other students into even lower preforming schools. And keeping the doors open for our charter schools isn't costing anywhere near the $3 billion per biennium that McCleary will cost. You can't really compare the two.
Um yes, yes you are sir. Without adequate funding those million plus kids will have fewer and fewer resources. All for the sake of a very small percentage....the sheer arrogance of this stuff is stultifying.
reader47
Yes I agree........Someone re posted my post many times. I posted using my name as I always do under another heading and it has appeared over and over and under different topic headings with the name Anonymous. Repetitive is right.
Good grief.
Carol
--JvA
First, as an effective political message / tactic / whatever, it is totally brilliant.
He gets away with this threat and this kind of hostage taking because his well paid "opponents" could NOT be more incompetent with political messaging, tactics and strategy. His well paid "opponents" [ 'well paid' aren't us lowly unpaid or lowly paid working stiffs, BTW] will spend months tripping over their tongues appeasing this definition of reality, instead of figuring out how to completely and totally marginalize the bleatings of the shady characters who mislead all these charter students and their guardians.
What are effective messages and tactics to defeat the bleatings? I don't know, I have a day job, and it isn't messaging and tactics. How come the people who are making over $100,000 a year in the Washington Education Association etc etc can't come up with something, other than grovelling to Rodney Tom and his reality ...
ooops! that was a few years ago, when Rodney was pretty much running the state from the Senate, right through Majority "Leader" Ed Murray!!!
Let's stop chiding Magendenz for doing his job, working for his string pullers! Let's look at his opponents, and ask ... Why do they still have
AJob?