Friday Open Thread
A Generation Z feminist poem, written by a third-grader, goes viral.To note, the weather is pretty good and the estimate of numbers of people coming to the DeVos protest is growing. The latest I hear is 5,000 with people coming from Olympia and Covington. If you are going or will be on Facebook or Twitter about the event, use these hastags #FlunkDeVos #DumpDeVos #PublicEducationMatters
DeVos is speaking right at 7 pm so I hope protesters will stay because she's going to probably be going out the door before 8 pm and may see the protests.
Speaking of DeVos, here's a link to the Secretary's Proposed Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs. Interesting reading about what the focus for that department will be.
One of this year's MacArthur Genius awards has gone to journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones of the New York Times who frequently writes about segregation especially around public education.
Running Start gets named a national leader for helping students finish college.
In this state, the study found, 58 percent of high-school students in Running Start ended up finishing a college degree or certificate, well above the U.S. average of 46 percent. A majority of those students received a bachelor’s degree.Aliki Elementary parents are worried about pedestrian safety at their school.
Meanwhile, Yoshiwara wants more minority students to enroll. Both agree that students should choose their courses strategically.
The Community College Research Center’s study notes that dual-enrollment programs have grown by leaps and bounds nationally, and Running Start is no exception. In a five-year period between 2011-12 and 2015-16, Running Start grew by 30 percent, to 24,217 students. During the same period, community-college enrollment shrank by 9 percent, which is one reason why Jenkins thinks Washington should be encouraging more high-school students to enroll in Running Start.+
The Community College Research Center’s study notes that dual-enrollment programs have grown by leaps and bounds nationally, and Running Start is no exception. In a five-year period between 2011-12 and 2015-16, Running Start grew by 30 percent, to 24,217 students. During the same period, community-college enrollment shrank by 9 percent, which is one reason why Jenkins thinks Washington should be encouraging more high-school students to enroll in Running Start.
Another fascinating Seattle school board candidate forum last night, this time at Madrona K-8. (And a big shout-out to all those Central Area PTAs for putting on a good event.) I'll have a write-up this weekend.
What's on your mind?
Comments
LakeCityMom
The numbers reported are for the 15-16 school year and SPS’s Running Start enrollment nearly doubled between 15-16 and 16-17. I suspect that there was another large increase in Running Start for 17-18.
This really represents a big shift in what high school looks like for many students.
fyi
fyi
See https://www.seattleschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=627&pageId=25965253"South
"Seattle College is expanding the number of Seattle Public Schools high schools able to participate in its college scholarship program.The 13th Year Promise Scholarship, which is open to all graduates from participating high school regardless of grades, income, or other factors, will expand to include West Seattle High School graduates beginning Spring 2018. The nine-year-old scholarship program, which is fully endowed by the South Seattle College Foundation, has paid for the first year of college for 500 students from Cleveland, Chief Sealth, and Rainier Beach high schools. "
-LR
I'll be honest; the number of times that I either reported something or a discussion here was big and loud and then (somehow) that ends up in the main media has always been of interest to me.
In all my time on the blog, I think the blog has only received credit for a breaking story twice.
-Pragmatic Xennial
2019 High School Boundary Update - To relieve pressure on Roosevelt and Ballard High schools, some RHS families will be moving to the new Lincoln HS opening in 2019, the Ingraham HS with a new addition also opening in 2019, or Nathan Hale HS. The High School Boundary Task Force voted to recommend Boundary Map H2 to the School Board at the November SPS Board Meeting.
SPS Community Engagement Meetings - The district will be hosting open house style meetings to share SAPupdates, recommended adjustments to Advanced Learning and gather feedback on 2019 High School Boundary scenarios. This is the last chance to have input before the November SPS Board Meeting. The closest meetings are:
Eckstein Middle School, Northeast Region
Oct. 23, 2017, 6:30-8 p.m.
Ballard High School, Northwest Region
Oct. 26, 2017, 6:30-8 p.m.
McCLure Middle School, Central Region
Oct. 30, 2017, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
I think a lot of people are going to be very surprised by these boundaries as well as the extent of multiple geo-splits. Meetings at the every end of October for a vote happening in early November. I have been paying a lot of attention to this and I completely missed this.
http://www.seattleschools.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_543/File/District/Departments/task_forces/high_school_boundary_task_force/September_28_2017/Lincoln_ScenarioH_v2.pdf
- roosevelt parent
http://westseattleblog.com/2017/10/video-59thadmiral-improvements-made-things-worse-alki-elementary-parents-say/
And a followup on Wednesday:
http://westseattleblog.com/2017/10/followup-sdot-says-it-will-accelerate-additional-changes-at-59thadmiral
-Tracy @ WSB
The Seattle Times posted a story about Seattle Public Schools board seeking a new superintendent. Stephan Blanford offers an interesting comment:
“It’s an uncomfortable position in the best circumstance,” Blanford said.
He also criticized his colleagues for not seeking public input before opening the search for Nyland’s replacement."
This is an interesting comment from Blanford because he voted NOT to extend the superintendent contract. As to public input, Blanford helped ram through Nyland's contract over a Thanksgiving weekend and did so without public input.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/seattle-school-board-opens-search-for-new-superintendent/
Phyllis Campano, president of Seattle’s teachers union, said she also thought it would be a good idea for Nyland to stay until a new contract is in place.
“His (Nyland’s) term ends right in the middle of bargaining,” she said. “And that’s just not good for the kids.”
I've heard that good for kids statement used to push all kinds of nonsense.
Congrats to the SEA Pres. for figuring out one more place to insert "Not good for kids".
-- Dan Dempsey
He is not quite a team player
Speaking of uncomfortable positions
it appears Mr. Blanford creates them.
-- Dan Dempsey
I cannot believe Blanford thinks he can blather on about public input on a superintendent when he himself voted to NOT have any on Nyland becoming the permanent super.
He has NEVER been a team player and his record on the Board shows it. Not going to miss him at all.
Yes, I found those quotes - those one-sided, Times' serving quotes - quite telling. I'm just amazed at how often the Times' reporting can find those.