SPS Continues Its Long History of Rushed Surveys; Is OSPI Getting the Real Story?

 Seattle Schools, like all school districts in Washington State, are required to submit a reopening plan to OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction). 

In the Board agenda for the May 19th, we see SPS’ plan. 

There is a survey attached for parents; I have no idea how many parents know about it and are weighing in but considering the district gave it about a week, I feel confident in saying they are not particularly interested in parental input.  You have until Tuesday noon to give input. I can say it’s quite the word salad and it’s complete bullshit to submit it to OSPI and say “yes, we asked for input.” 

SPS Academic and Student Well-Being Recovery Plan

Wednesday, May 26, 2021 4:30 PM-6:00 PM

Meeting to be held remotely

By SPSTV Broadcast and YouTube Streaming (See details below) By Teleconference: 206-800-4125 (Conference ID: 279 213 332#)

What does this Reopening Plan say?

- It’s a “model of Listen, Act, Deliver.” Sure.

- It’s “a comprehensive plan for the well-being of students” in a “Culture of Care.” 

- The district has “an internal workgroup to supporting ongoing two-way engagement with students, families and communities” regarding the summer and fall plans.”

- All K-3 teachers will be taking a “Science of Reading” course.

- An annual assessment calendar will be approved by SEA/SPS by August 15 2021.

- There will be a “monitoring of CSIPs quarterly.” That’s lovely but what does that mean if schools are not following/enacting their CSIPs? I guess Superintendent Jones is going to be all growl, no bite.

- In a very odd statement, the reopening plan includes “weekly reopening school townhalls held by former Superintendent Juneau.” Huh? I did ask the Board office for clarification with no answer. So the district is having a former superintendent who was forced out by the Board president hold townhalls? Sure. As a reminder, Juneau is receiving her final year’s salary but this particular work will likely be paid out separately. 

- The document says the Race and Equity Tool will be “reformatted” but to what and why this is happening is unclear. 

- SPS is “attesting” that the school Board is approving this plan “after public comment.” Sure they are.

- SPS is still sticking with the invasive middle school mental health questionnaire called SBIRT. I have written on this here and here. I am still saying it is gathering too much information without fully disclosing where it will be used.

- It mentions that, in surveying high school students, that their number one issue is “excessive workload.” Ditto for middle schoolers. Both would like more “peer-to-peer learning.” There is currently a May 2021 survey being taken. 

From their current findings:

- Across student groups, we have seen very different decisions regarding the return to in-person learning. White, Multiracial, and Hispanic families have been most interested in returning in- person. Overall, through online surveys, phone calls from schools, and community outreach we have been able to contact 93% of our students regarding their preference for remote or in- person learning. See page 49.

- SPS’ findings mirror national results which are that more white families want to have in-person instruction versus families of color. What is the priority for all families who want in-person? Their student keeping their current teacher.

To be quite honest, all this is par for SPS and it’s certainly not impressive in its timely notification to parents.