tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post1104206506306500870..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Times Skewed Reporting (Again)Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29506647708689626792019-10-23T15:12:06.513-07:002019-10-23T15:12:06.513-07:00ST
"Restraining students of color from AP pro...ST<br />"Restraining students of color from AP programs."<br /><br />Just not true. I might argue about some high school administrators and teachers but I have never heard of any of them not wanting/allowing student to take AP courses. <br /><br />As to the Cascadia building, the district has evenly distributed renovations throughout the city. At one time, there were far more buildings done in the southend than northend. But the district has a big backlog of buildings - the real crime is how so many middle schools are not good. <br /><br />"Advanced Learning is blamed for so many problems - equity, rigor, buildings, etc. and yet with all the problems it seems to cause, the district and the Board are both content to drag out this process of reform for a year through the AL Taskforce."<br /><br />This goes to the heart of my thesis - many Board and Superintendents could have done something and they didn't. And this particular administration seems to want to make HCC the main and sole source of systemic racism in the district. By the time the AL Taskforce gets done, they will have been at work nearly 18 months.<br /><br />Um, Wow! It appears that the commenter is saying that social/racial justice and highly capable programs are not compatible?? And you wonder why word on the street is that this blog is racist..."<br /><br />No, it's when zealots use race and equity to quiet/club any discussion. That's what the fear is.<br /><br />And the ole "word on the street?" No, that's not true but if you hang with the small group that thinks that, just don't come here. <br /><br />I think we will end the discussion here.<br /><br />I think we will end the discussion here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43701007816624288232019-10-23T15:09:23.961-07:002019-10-23T15:09:23.961-07:00I wonder what the PSED position is on HCC?
--LeeI wonder what the PSED position is on HCC?<br /><br />--LeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3605912357224247592019-10-23T15:05:09.402-07:002019-10-23T15:05:09.402-07:00With so many comments that are so strident I find ...With so many comments that are so strident I find I am using a lot of energy just trying to figure out what some commenters are saying. In particular the sarcasm is easy to misunderstand as meaning the opposite. So it would help me and maybe others if people could try to eliminate the sarcasm and just state simply and clearly what they mean.<br /><br />Irene<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37128037124060015072019-10-23T14:49:47.829-07:002019-10-23T14:49:47.829-07:00@KL it's hard to understand what your writing...@KL it's hard to understand what your writing.<br /><br />No, I think you are mistaken. All high school students have an equal shot at taking classes. There are no preferences allowed and if we find out that whites are getting preferences then it's say hello to my little friend time, the ACLU.<br /><br />KA BOOMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30505484946627443742019-10-23T14:10:13.510-07:002019-10-23T14:10:13.510-07:00@HCC buildings Those of us who have been following...@HCC buildings Those of us who have been following closely via budget allocation, high school classes are focusing on what is ACTUALLY happening. There have also been comments from current board members and those running, that align do with honors classes and/or AP/IB too white and is segregated. We have already seen multiple high schools eliminating honors classes to address "equity". It has meant in practice a general education class for all. <br /><br />So your comment "I want current board members and candidates to take a public position on IB and AP" would not mean much right now. <br /><br />Even for example if the district or a board member elect is stating to the public 'they want to increase and make AP & IB classes more available at more high schools" you must understand they are not talking about high schools with low FRL numbers. They don't want rich, white schools with lots of AP classes (due to demand) versus kids in low income schools with few or little enrollment in AP classes. It is tracking to these people. <br /><br />IF and it is a big IF the district does increase AP classes at low income schools, they have demonstrated already this year through the budget process & Juneau's now infamous enrollment video, they WILL NOT maintain let alone increase any classes at low FRL schools. <br /><br />I do expect many general education students will likely have less access to AP/IB classes, especially when the schools receive more HCC students back to their neighborhood school.<br /><br />It will highlight the economic and racial divide between wealthier whiter schools and lower FRL schools even further. <br /><br />KL <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11743717544970113202019-10-23T14:07:24.981-07:002019-10-23T14:07:24.981-07:00Data on student testing and kindergarten readiness...Data on student testing and kindergarten readiness is published by the state, by race.<br /><br />https://washingtonstatereportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/<br /><br />I understand that Castro Gill thinks math is racist and math testing is racist. In other words, the entire state is racist.<br /><br />The fight in SPS is not about HCC, it is about advanced learning in general. HCC is being used to attack all advanced learning. <br /><br /><br /><br />Another Parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37171916836440867722019-10-23T13:48:49.545-07:002019-10-23T13:48:49.545-07:00Oh boy it's getting worst, where is the mod?
...Oh boy it's getting worst, where is the mod?<br /><br />True colorsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49732792614483516652019-10-23T13:46:00.805-07:002019-10-23T13:46:00.805-07:00Black and Hispanic students enter kindergarten sig...Black and Hispanic students enter kindergarten significantly behind white students. This is not because teachers and administrators are racist. And getting rid of advanced learning will do nothing to solve the problem. A<br /><br />a city, we need to pay for 2 years of preschool. As a city, we need to pay significantly more for after school enrichment for poor schools. As a city, we need to spend significantly more to reduce the class sizes in poor schools. <br /><br />It makes no sense to take a black student that is a year behind in kindergarten and put them a year ahead in Walk the math.<br /><br /><br /><br />Another Parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36653002605752265072019-10-23T13:38:25.176-07:002019-10-23T13:38:25.176-07:00So, with the district's 2017-18 numbers, Casca...So, with the district's 2017-18 numbers, Cascade Parent Partnership and Interagency Academy have 0% black students. They're illegal? The district should close them?<br /><br />Stephen Decatur Elementary, McDonald International Elementary, Cascadia Elementary, Salmon Bay K-8 School, John Stanford International School, and Bryant Elementary all have 1% black students. They're illegal? The district should close them?<br /><br />North Beach Elementary, Thornton Creek Elementary, Catharine Blaine K-8 School, Whittier Elementary, Genesee Hill Elementary, and Queen Anne Elementary all have about 2% or less black students. They're illegal? The district should close them?<br /><br />Ballard high school has less than 3% black students. Rainier Beach has 3% white students. Are they illegal? Both need to be closed?<br /><br />We're going to be closing a lot of schools.Confusednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32044172441851149932019-10-23T13:36:38.676-07:002019-10-23T13:36:38.676-07:00I'm not really sure what goes on in HCC buildi...I'm not really sure what goes on in HCC building that could not happen in any SPS building. Are people saying they don't want their HCC students mixing with non HCC students at recess or in the lunch rooms. Do teacher's force the smarter kids out of gen ed for HCC?<br /><br />Seems elitist to me, but what do I know, I was in a general education setting.<br /><br />AdamsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86767027413870192342019-10-23T13:27:18.326-07:002019-10-23T13:27:18.326-07:00I'm sorry to see Tracy Castro-Gill's criti...I'm sorry to see Tracy Castro-Gill's criticism of this blog be proven as true.<br /><br />Longtime Reader Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88036048913950195592019-10-23T13:17:26.310-07:002019-10-23T13:17:26.310-07:00Justice Activists are gleeful at breaking HCC. Th...Justice Activists are gleeful at breaking HCC. The district is starting with Washington Middle School. TAF is a 6-12 program. These same individuals might not be so gleeful when the district rolls-up to high school. Chew on that one!Gleeful Activistsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11691489938689664232019-10-23T13:13:45.881-07:002019-10-23T13:13:45.881-07:00For such a liberal city I’m shocked to read that S...For such a liberal city I’m shocked to read that Seattle public school teachers and administrators are so racist. Restraining students of color fromAP programs <br /><br />thank you Furfaro and Bazzaz for exposing the racism within our current teachers<br /><br />ST ReaderAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77466206889792419532019-10-23T13:12:23.895-07:002019-10-23T13:12:23.895-07:00John Stanford didn't want to co-house HCC. He ...John Stanford didn't want to co-house HCC. He was right. Maybe it is time to dismantle co-housing. Give HCC students their own schools.Co-Housingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21078787429652160312019-10-23T13:10:28.817-07:002019-10-23T13:10:28.817-07:00On the low end, 32% of Black / African Americans i...On the low end, 32% of Black / African Americans incoming kindergarteners demonstrated the cognitive abilities of a three year old or younger, 24% of Hispanics, and 9% for white students. In other words, more than 3 times as many blacks than whites enter Seattle kindergarten 1 or more years behind.<br /><br />On the high end, 26% of Black / African Americans incoming kindergarteners already demonstrated the cognitive abilities of kindergarten and up vs 37% for Hispanics 53% for whites. In other words, more than 2 times as many whites than blacks enter Seattle kindergarten at least a year ahead.<br /><br />A 2-year difference in cognitive ability for a five-year-old is a huge difference. Across all grades, 38% of blacks vs 83% of whites meet ELA standards, and 27% of blacks vs 75% of whites meet math standards.<br /><br />Advanced Learning means students are working ahead. Based on the numbers for kindergarten readiness and for testing across all grades, it would be reasonable to expect 3 to 4 times as many white students as black students in Advanced Learning. This means for example, 3 to 4 times as many whites as blacks in Walk to Math. Or 3 to 4 times as many whites as blacks taking an AP Class in high school.<br /><br />It's not very practical for the district to put more black students in a math class than is 1 or 2 years ahead simply because they are black, because they are not going to succeed. <br /> <br />What can we do as a society to help blacks? For one, the city can provide free preschool, which it does, and blacks are overrepresented as compared to whites by a factor of 4. The per student spending at Madrona Elementary (38% black) is $16,749 vs Viewridge Elementary (2% black) $13,933, or almost $3000 more per student per year. Realistically, the spending at Madrona probably needs to $20K or 25K per year per student, and I would fully support that if asked as a taxpayer, just like I support free preschool.<br /><br />The approach the district appears to have decided to take instead, based on claims of institutional racism and segregation, is to simply eliminate walk-to-math, honors classes, AP classes, and all other forms of Advanced Learning. I don’t believe the district’s plan is going to do anything to help blacks, I don’t believe the district’s plan is supported by the data, I believe Juneau is causing great harm to the district by causing large numbers of teachers to be fired and by stoking racial animosity, and I believe she should be fired.<br />Another Parentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2709363209837176822019-10-23T12:59:39.866-07:002019-10-23T12:59:39.866-07:00I don't know that it's sunk in yet: SPS is...I don't know that it's sunk in yet: SPS is trying to destroy *all* forms of differentiated learning, including AP, IB, and the option schools. They are leading with HCC because the cohort is harder to defend (not saying the cohort is bad, but let's face it, defending it is harder to do). If they succeed in destroying HCC they will continue to and successfully complete their attacks on option schools and AP and IB.<br /><br />What comes after all that? SPS becomes a charter schools authorizer, and replaces most teachers with "facilitators" who monitor kids who mostly learn from standardized online curriculum.<br /><br />This has been coming for years and Rankin/Hampson/Mitchell are running to help SCPTSA and SEA achieve the above goals, as those two organizations are 100% on board with what folks at the JSCEE are attempting to do.<br /><br />OwletAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89886795956965870462019-10-23T12:53:47.530-07:002019-10-23T12:53:47.530-07:00Advanced Learning is blamed for so many problems -... Advanced Learning is blamed for so many problems - equity, rigor, buildings, etc. and yet with all the problems it seems to cause, the district and the Board are both content to drag out this process of reform for a year through the AL Taskforce.<br /><br />The district doesn't mind these oddities of enrollment that, of course, are even more onerous for someone who doesn't read/speak English or doesn't have the time to go thru it all<br /><br />HCC yesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25100290059799660982019-10-23T12:50:11.537-07:002019-10-23T12:50:11.537-07:00In terms of carbon emissions, for years, north end...In terms of carbon emissions, for years, north end students bussed to Garfield. Glad they are closer to home.HCC Buildingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19546528968815479032019-10-23T12:48:46.401-07:002019-10-23T12:48:46.401-07:00I'm glad HCC students got moved into a new bui...I'm glad HCC students got moved into a new building. For years, they were used to manage capacity. These students were moved multiple times throughout their education. A new building serving their needs will provide them with stability (I hope.)<br /><br />I want current board members and candidates to take a public position on IB and AP.HCC Buildingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71525973409663151752019-10-23T12:47:38.518-07:002019-10-23T12:47:38.518-07:00HCC north end students are already at Garfield in ...HCC north end students are already at Garfield in large numbers. Some will probably be assigned elsewhere, but some may end up continuing to be routed to Garfirld as their pathway. It sounds like you're saying they aren't welcome because they're too "northend" or too white? That the ship canal is a hard boundary for us vs them type arguments, in which capacity shouldn't be a factor? That's hardly any way to run an integrated school district.<br /><br />WTF4Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82054785796071700422019-10-23T12:45:09.059-07:002019-10-23T12:45:09.059-07:00A school without black students isn’t diverse, it’...A school without black students isn’t diverse, it’s segregated.<br /><br />Called itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46299008380518388992019-10-23T12:42:23.180-07:002019-10-23T12:42:23.180-07:00Geary and DeWolf are working with the district to ...Geary and DeWolf are working with the district to create a One Size Fits All model of education. She should not be pushing south-end students into another school district. It is the job of Seattle School Board to create programs and opportunities in existing buildings.<br /><br />--OneSizeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58883958663108353172019-10-23T12:41:12.832-07:002019-10-23T12:41:12.832-07:00Director Geary suggested that students in south an...Director Geary suggested that students in south and southeast Seattle could go to high school in the Highline School District if they want advanced learning? That's disappointingHighline Northnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89360577595396396972019-10-23T12:36:53.632-07:002019-10-23T12:36:53.632-07:00The comment above says “We might be looking at SJW...The comment above says “We might be looking at SJW majority board in 2020 and that will be explosive for numerous reasons....all the HCC people better pack it up for 4 more years.”<br /><br />Um, Wow! It appears that the commenter is saying that social/racial justice and highly capable programs are not compatible?? And you wonder why word on the street is that this blog is racist...<br /><br />—Mary-Pat Soukup Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19022700212761242962019-10-23T12:34:00.012-07:002019-10-23T12:34:00.012-07:00Spike, JS & BLUE SKY
It is already happening....Spike, JS & BLUE SKY<br /><br />It is already happening. I know general education students who registered for AP classes and did the work over the summer, only to not be able to take the class in Fall because classes were cut. <br /><br />The same folks complaining about HCC as too white, are also complaining about AP/IB classes being too white as well. Remember AP/IB classes are "open to all" but at Garfield & Ingraham because the kids taking those classes are white there are called of racism. When it is Roosevelt versus Rainier Beach, you bet there will still be those accusations. <br /><br />Staff was cut and money pulled this year from high schools so that those schools could not accommodate all their enrolled students. Many high schools were affected, but Garfield, Roosevelt and schools with MORE middle class students had many more staff cut (10 plus) and less reinstated (ex 2.5 FTE) in Oct and budget allocated. <br /><br />Enrollment related demand does not matter as much as it did in the past in this new funding model we saw this past year. The district starved high schools projecting higher enrollment so they could distribute more money behind the scenes to EITHER pet projects or perhaps other schools in some not very transparent way. <br /><br />I predict the positive will be that the district will move forward with AL at all schools, and all high schools will have equal number of AP classes and sections, so that high FRL schools with be have more AP/IB classes even with very small numbers of students. <br /><br />The negative however will be that (as is currently happening) lower FRL schools with much higher AP/IB demand will be given less to fund more staff at other schools. So those schools will not be able to run as many AP class sections as they need even if they have lots of students, forget it if they have low numbers of students. <br /><br />This is equity apparently. <br /><br />Another scenario is that HCC students will be returning in drives to their middle class low FRL neighborhood schools. The stark contrast between many many more middle class <br />kids who happen to also be white/asian kids taking multiple AP classes versus kids at lower FRL high schools will be seen as inequitable and "tracking". It won't look equitable to many of the same folks. <br /><br />KL <br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com