tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post2036419267936439696..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Director Blanford's Community Meeting TomorrowMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66308036971365991232014-05-09T21:39:12.011-07:002014-05-09T21:39:12.011-07:00To the Anonymous discussing the limitations of the...To the Anonymous discussing the limitations of the CogAT:<br />Where is this information? I would be interested in seeing another perspective since I don't see how it could have bias as it seemed mostly abstract to me, from my recollections of taking it six times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-961473026634243562014-05-06T13:26:45.563-07:002014-05-06T13:26:45.563-07:00@reader
Your post is difficult to follow. Do you...@reader<br /><br />Your post is difficult to follow. Do you think the other comments hear about Dr. Blanford are because of his attitude/performance, or because of something else? Do you think critical posts about Direct DeBell were because of his attitude/performance, or something else? If it is something else, what is that something else? Do that something apply equally to all Board members all of the time, or just the ones who you like but are being questioned or criticized? <br /><br />I ask because you mention 'race card' but there is no context. Are you suggestion someone is playing it? Not playing? Is that even relevant to the discussion? <br /><br />Arrogance vs. humility were the character traits being discussed, not sure how your card factors into any conversation about character traits.<br /><br />-wonderingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15615067702102376442014-05-06T09:47:01.741-07:002014-05-06T09:47:01.741-07:00Not one peep from the squeeky wheels when the boar...Not one peep from the squeeky wheels when the board took away transport for out of neighborhood kids.Parents with more resources will get their kids to their school regardless.<br /><br />The district lost a lot of state funding for transport next year because of the decision to sunset this transport. There will be no real savings until the portable are paid off.<br /><br />The district will be paying for portables for about a decade in order to shift kids to their neighborhood school.The board voted against sunsetting this transport last time ( I believe it was Oct. or Nov.of the 12/13 school).<br />for this very reason.<br /><br />But fear not!<br />The loss of the NCLB waiver means those kids will get their transport back eventually. <br /><br />The thing I do fear is that failing schools will be turned into charters.<br /><br />Separate/Equal?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45889368079534747262014-05-06T09:10:13.995-07:002014-05-06T09:10:13.995-07:00People may have hairpin trigger, but many don'...People may have hairpin trigger, but many don't choose to pull it. For some of us, we can't afford to because the consequences are quite deadly. That has been my life's experience and my kids. Like the lesson when we get told NOT to pull out the race card. As for race discussion, it's an exercise where in 35 years of my adult life have been retread of the same. If anything, things have gone backward and I'm too tired and prefer to save the energy to keep my kids and their friends on a positive trajectory. As they grow older, they are learning hard lessons for themselves and to watch that is soul braking and eats me up. <br /><br />By the way, where in the thread did people call you a "racist", discrimination? <br /><br />It's scary reading through these posts. People are making big leaps here. I don't even know this man or know enough to like him or not, but I don't like what is being done to him. Maybe I'm being foolish for speaking up here, but I like fair play. And just as people speak about checking their biases, why not apply it here. As for Ms. Patu, she has my personal respect. We don't always see eye to eye, but she gets the problems of South Seattle. Any real representation here means a lot!<br /><br />reader<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63886838968132687342014-05-05T20:35:23.181-07:002014-05-05T20:35:23.181-07:00I don't know Mr. Blanford, but have watched Be...I don't know Mr. Blanford, but have watched Betty Patu over the years of her service on the board. I am very afraid that scared and scarred has it right. It is one thing to have a lot of distance to cover. It is something else entirely to have a lot of distance to cover and to insist that you are already there.<br /><br />JanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19300977824030434142014-05-05T17:52:33.642-07:002014-05-05T17:52:33.642-07:00Blanford's jab at the North-end parents shows ...Blanford's jab at the North-end parents shows that he knows nothing of how just 5 years ago APP families from all over the city lobbied desperately to stay at Lowell and Washington, yes, even from Magnolia and North Ballard. Where was he then?<br /><br />open earsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78441197441090770352014-05-05T15:29:52.993-07:002014-05-05T15:29:52.993-07:00Lynn, yes, adequate funding is at the core of maki...Lynn, yes, adequate funding is at the core of making "bad" schools into "good" schools. South shore is grant funded such that kids get small classes etc. And they should! It shouldn't have to come from grant funds though. All schools should be funded amply. And PTA's and grant funding shouldn't need to be making up for the shortfalls.<br /><br />Eden Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10045870301412916412014-05-05T15:01:44.810-07:002014-05-05T15:01:44.810-07:00Can I circle back to whomever reported that Blandf...Can I circle back to whomever reported that Blandford shrugged off the closures as "one time" event. I can hardly address that comment. Can you please provide some more detail. If that is true, there is some serious disconnect and the Central area who has really taken in with closures is going to need to work to educate Blanford on this. <br /><br />The closures was a mindset the colored every decision for years. <br /><br />There was <br />03-04 round of pre-closure meetings<br />04-05 round of closures that closed MLK<br />05-06 round of closures that closed another 5 school and caused Superintendant Manhas to resign. <br />06-07 where there we no closures because the board had to go hire a new Superintendant that would get the closure job DONE and brought in MGJ with a mandate to close schools. <br /><br />The the 07-08 closure round that closed more schools WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY OPENING schools in North Seattle because of capacity issues. <br /><br />Quickly followed by the 09 BTA that reopened all 5 of the closed elementary schools, except the one that was sold. <br /><br />The Irony here is that the Kindergarten cohort size was actually growing from 2002 onwards but it took years to see that the projections were wrong and schools needed to be opened and then we moved into the we have to open schools and we have to build schools. <br /><br />So a system that has at least a full decade of not projecting growth accurately, was a "one-time" thing. <br /><br />Please tell me I mis-read this comment. <br /><br />kelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01322661098626555834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-12104055210796627072014-05-05T14:25:43.932-07:002014-05-05T14:25:43.932-07:00This conversation is repeated all over the country...This conversation is repeated all over the country in urban school districts. Most children in wealthier neighborhoods come to school well rested and well fed. Their parents read books to them from infancy and they attended developmentally appropriate preschool programs. Their parents are highly educated and are more likely to have flexible jobs that allow them to volunteer in the classroom and to be able to support extra enrichment programs in their schools. <br /><br />Teaching these kids is relatively easy. Some of them show up knowing everything you were supposed to teach them this year. They're likely to pass required state tests.<br /><br />When we talk about improving the quality of schools in every neighborhood - I think we're ignoring these things. Most of the schools that we think of as quality schools are just schools where the kids don't have many problems.<br /><br />Of course the NSAP created "good schools" and "bad schools." Our neighborhoods are economically segregated. You can improve schools by spreading out the kids who have lots of problems so no school is overwhelmed. You can improve schools by pouring resources into them to supplement the things those students aren't getting at home. (Isn't that what South Shore is doing?) Is there another option?Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57289942188656323382014-05-05T14:05:43.127-07:002014-05-05T14:05:43.127-07:00I wouldn't compare Director Patu, who has a hu...I wouldn't compare Director Patu, who has a huge heart, lots of humility, and listens, to Director Blanford, who has not shown heart, has demonstrated arrogance, and has shown he doesn't wants to listen to those with considerable institutional memory. Dr. Blanford could learn a lot from Ms. Patu. Ms. Patu still doesn't know a lot of technical detail, but she is never afraid to admit that upfront, and then talk about what she knows is good for kids, all kids.<br /><br />-scared and scarred<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72887061189027982782014-05-05T13:26:00.774-07:002014-05-05T13:26:00.774-07:00Hoping, true Patu did not know the district well b...Hoping, true Patu did not know the district well but I think she knew it better coming in the Blanford. I think Patu is more direct in her thinking. <br /><br />Discrimination, you didn't ramble on and had good things to say. You pointed out something that I often ask, which is, "How come these groups don't step up to help in real ways like transportation to good programs"? It's a mystery. <br /><br />I have also tried to talk here at the blog about racism but not much traction. Everyone has a hairpin trigger and, as you say, EVERYONE has a story and background. No one should be dismissed as not being able to understand. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38005917855220126512014-05-05T12:06:15.162-07:002014-05-05T12:06:15.162-07:00Thanks Melissa,
Lottery AFTER GEOZONE is the key....Thanks Melissa,<br /><br />Lottery AFTER GEOZONE is the key. The GEOZONES are drawn large enough that it doesn't leave many lottery seats. <br /><br />Shrink those geozones down to a small area around the school, and create more lottery seats. Then subsidize transportation for FRL kids so that they can actually make it to school. <br /><br />You could pay for the transportation subsidy with the $$ coming from the various sources that say their goal is to close the achievement gap like the Families and Education levy or the Wallace foundation fund or Gates. You could also actively recruit for highly gifted kids with those funds and give them the opportunity to be challenged and supported through advanced learning opportunities. <br /><br />Real access to "good" schools and teachers in funded programs will help close the achievement gap faster than $$ and $$ on testing.<br /><br />Yes, an increase in transportation costs, but a HUGE increase in real equity for the kids in Seattle, not just the kids of parents who can afford to live in 700k single family homes in Wallingford and Queen Anne and Ravenna and Ballard for example.<br /><br />Some kids have access to quality education and others don't. It isn't right. Increase the quality in all neighborhood schools (arts, music, PE, libraries, books and good teachers) and when you have programs that are "exceptional" like language immersion or ESTEM they should be available to ALL kids, not just the ones that can afford to live in that neighborhood. <br /><br />Side note...Just heard on NPR this morning that there are fewer and fewer black teachers. Why? IMHO Black students are still not getting the opportunity to access quality education and find a love of learning and become any number of professions that require an education. We aren't doing enough to empower disadvantaged kids through education. So fewer and fewer black students are becoming teachers and the cycle continues.<br /><br />More black kids need to be invited into the Montessori programs, for example. I recently heard that the racial divide in Leschi is as stark as at Thurgood Marshall.<br /><br />I'm rambling on and on because I take GREAT offence at the implication that I am a racist because I've got a gifted kid. I've got more far more diversity in my family and my close community than most people, but just looking at me you might think "little white girl whose been handed everything." Simply not the case and judging a person by the color of thier skin is racism, plan and simple.<br /><br />If people are going to point fingers at where there is systemic inequity and racism in the system, the first place to look is the return to a neighborhood school system, and and "Option" school system that excludes the vast majority of disadvantaged kids in the district.<br /><br />Racism from anyone is toxic. <br /><br />I kindly ask that Director Blanford check his own biases and think about which policies he should promote that will actually help close the achievement gap, instead of simply discriminating against another group. Gifted kids of all colors and backgrounds deserve an appropriate education.<br /><br />-discrimination bugs meAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3063292596911128602014-05-05T11:51:11.526-07:002014-05-05T11:51:11.526-07:00Patu didn't know squat about the district beyo...Patu didn't know squat about the district beyond her own Rainier Beach experience. She was PAINFUL to watch during meetings and sometimes still is. But, she's done a good job for the district she represents. Cuts through a whole lot of administrative stupidity and white privilege thinking.<br /><br />So maybe Blanford is another Patu?<br /><br />'Hoping'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38274480707823112242014-05-05T11:40:57.969-07:002014-05-05T11:40:57.969-07:00Central parent,
That would be your first bullet ...Central parent, <br /><br />That would be your first bullet point. Precious time is wasted at work sessions because he has some very basic questions that anyone with a pulse would know the answer to. mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61747598802899475572014-05-05T11:33:50.353-07:002014-05-05T11:33:50.353-07:00Viola!
Theory_of_fundamental_causes
Chris SViola!<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_fundamental_causes" rel="nofollow">Theory_of_fundamental_causes</a><br /><br />Chris SAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74172036151639797422014-05-05T11:30:50.830-07:002014-05-05T11:30:50.830-07:00Ditto on hearing from Central area parents.
I h...Ditto on hearing from Central area parents. <br /><br />I have my own opinions and I try to explain them. That said, any reader can like/support anyone they want. But as someone who has been around a long time, his basic lack of knowledge of the district is astonishing.<br /><br />And again, clarification is needed and I will attempt to find it.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1914461518365262932014-05-05T11:30:13.155-07:002014-05-05T11:30:13.155-07:00Oh, hey, I remembered the source of the "reso...Oh, hey, I remembered the source of the "resource navigation" idea - nothing to do with education at all. It was a lecture by Bruce Link at the Biobehavioral Cancer Prevention & Control Training Program Annual Symposium called "Social Conditions as Fundamental Causes of Mortality Disparities."<br /><br />It was really good. I'll try to find something he has written online.<br /><br />Chris S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35785904918414886912014-05-05T11:23:17.695-07:002014-05-05T11:23:17.695-07:00discrimination bugs,
I am remembering talking to ...discrimination bugs,<br /><br />I am remembering talking to Blanford's predecessor's predecessor, Mary Bass. She had discovered that the re-segregation attempts were benefitting white students. This should not be surprising once you realize that better-resourced families are better able to navigate a system. Any system.<br /><br />I read a clear explanation of this recently, and I can't remember where. Might have been here. Might have been Charlie. Anyone remember?<br /><br />Anyway, I remember when there were city-wide option schools and transportation, and I don't think option schools were much more diverse. It is difficult to create diversity even when you want it, and can afford it. <br /><br />My main point is: there is no simple fix. But Mr. Blanford could certainly learn some less inflammatory ways remind us about majority/ financial privilege.<br /><br />Chris S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28378885989509024722014-05-05T11:05:56.297-07:002014-05-05T11:05:56.297-07:00The former director of Blanford's district, Ka...The former director of Blanford's district, Kay Smith-Blum publicly supported Blanford and said he was 'going to be great'.<br /><br />This blog generally seemed to support Smith-Blum's viewpoints. So is the negativity toward Blanford now <br /><br />>>>>>that he appears he may not be on a path to being great because he isn't very smart about how the district works<br /><br />>>>> or is it that his priorities are not the same as writers on this blog nor the priorities of Kay Smith-Blum - who could have seemingly run for a second term and won easily, but chose not to<br /><br />>>>>>> or is it that he isn't giving access to Melissa as she alluded to in her comment above, and so the blog commenters are in turn unlikely to support him<br /><br />>>>>>>or is it that he is discriminatory in some factually demonstrable way?<br /><br />He hasn't been on the board very long nor has he apparently done much in that time, so hard to tell what we're working with. So far, I'm not actively critical of him, but don't find much reason for support either. Since he handles the Central district, I'm interested in what people think.<br /><br />Central parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32255309879008458712014-05-05T11:04:15.030-07:002014-05-05T11:04:15.030-07:00Gosh guys. I was snarky when writing "Bland&...Gosh guys. I was snarky when writing "Bland"ford. I didn't think you would copy me by accident....mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44295904441032044992014-05-05T10:58:50.224-07:002014-05-05T10:58:50.224-07:00Director Blandford seems unwilling to listen (he c...Director Blandford seems unwilling to listen (he cut Mel off?) and not interested in learning (I know all that). And he brags about winning an election with 90% of vote? If he really said the thing he is quoted as saying at TM -- he is inappropriate to serve on a Board of a diverse district because of his prejudice AND he is inappropriate to serve as an elected official because he doesn't think he needs to engage, listen to, or learn from the citizen stakeholders whom he serves. <br /><br />Please, Meg, Kellie, Mel -- run for the Board? Please? We can't keep going through these cycles of destruction.<br /><br />-thoughtful leadershipAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88568502254139036182014-05-05T10:56:53.399-07:002014-05-05T10:56:53.399-07:00My apology for misspelling Stephan Blanford's ...My apology for misspelling Stephan Blanford's name. I wasn't at the TM meeting and am cautious about what was reportedly said. He is a voting member so it's worth the time to meet the man and speak with him directly.<br /><br />I'll leave it at that.<br /><br />readerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16731830108077742602014-05-05T10:09:42.219-07:002014-05-05T10:09:42.219-07:00Blanford is showing himself to be somewhat willing...Blanford is showing himself to be somewhat willing to go very slowly on his learning about the district. It's quite troubling especially when it decides to take that education during meetings were business is to be done. <br /><br />I have never done a count of how many Option seats exist in any given region. I suspect Charlie is right that there are more in some areas than others. <br /><br />That said, there is a lottery (after GeoZone) to get into Option Schools. I know someone way out of neighborhood who got into JSIS (and sent out an e-mail "my kid got into Stanford!") <br /><br />But our transportation costs are way high and adding on more is not going to help. You could try advocating this to the Board but I'll bet they will say they need to cut costs, not add them.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31724893449920148072014-05-05T09:25:40.289-07:002014-05-05T09:25:40.289-07:00Reader--
My mama taught me to be careful about po...Reader--<br /><br />My mama taught me to be careful about pointing a finger at someone because there is always 3 more pointing back at you (plus the thumb)<br /><br />My point is that EVERYONE has biases and is discriminatory in some way shape or form even though they don't think they are. Racist people don't think they are racist. People in general are very unaware of their own biases and that is my point. <br /><br />It is SOOOO easy to point to another person and tell them how wrong they are for something, then turn around and do that same thing to someone else.<br /><br />Blanford pointing the finger at APP families as racist (never mind that it is actually pretty diverse with many different cultures and colors represented) if he supports the exclusion of kids from Option schools based on address and ability to pay for transportation is HYPOCRITICAL.<br /><br />Diversity is not simply skin color, though that word gets thrown out in the city all the time when what it really means is black vs. white. People on all sides of the discussion don't see their own biases and discriminatory thoughts and ideas and that all works it's way into policies that harm our kids and create MAJOR inequity.<br /><br />Public education is meant for everyone. The NSAP reversed efforts to de-segregate our schools. It made disadvantage groups that have been discriminated against and excluded for centuries even further discriminated against. AND instead of trying to find ways to INCREASE equity through making the accessibility of "good" schools more open, it frankly allows all of the wealthy neighborhoods to exclude people from poorer neighborhoods (which still correlates highly with race/color).<br /><br />The question that needs to be asked is what problem is a given policy or program trying to solve? <br /><br />If the problem is that not enough poor people or people of color are going to APP, then the solution is to find policies that get more of these kids into APP. It isn't to demolish APP, because the smart kids (aka the geeks and nerds) need and deserve an appropriate education just like everyone else.<br /><br />If the problem is that our schools are segregated (which they ARE!) then what policies will impact that? Opening up seats in Option schools to more than the neighborhood kids and providing busing will allow for more diversity in those schools. <br /><br />All this "becomes a case about discrimination against APP kids" because APP is where the finger is being pointed as the reason that our schools are segregated. IT IS THE SCAPEGOAT. The myth that it's families are "not interested in diversity" is perpetuated when that is simply not the case. We want ALL kids who are highly gifted to have access to APP.<br /><br />But instead of REALLY looking at policies that would pull more kids into APP (like testing ALL kids instead of only those that get nominated which is what was suggested to Blanford in that meeting) Blanford thinks that "Some APP (i.e. North) don't want diversity.<br /><br />He is being both hypocritical and discriminatory with both his statement and his policies.<br /><br />Want to work for equity and diversity in SPS? A GREAT place to start would be to INCREASE ACCESS to EVERY KID in the district to Option schools by increasing the number of kids that get in on lottery assignment and subsidizing transportation.<br /><br />And STOP using the geeks and nerds (i.e. APP) as punching bags and chess pieces in the capacity mismanagement nightmare. <br /><br />--discrimination bugs me<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49286475412318542992014-05-05T08:18:48.457-07:002014-05-05T08:18:48.457-07:00I'm confused as to who or what you are accused...I'm confused as to who or what you are accused of practicing discrimination? Is it Mr. Blandford? Is it language immersion school? Is it not enough busing? Options school? How does all that becomes a case of discrimination against advanced learners? <br /><br />Look if you want to discuss about NSAP and increasing segregation, let's do. Newspaper articles have been written about it. Not enough language immersion programs distribute across the district, is that discrimination? Open to discuss. The way the district handle capacity is a form of discrimination? Fine, let's discuss. But if you are going to throw these things out, please be serious about it and do so with context, history, and how these pieces relate to all other moving pieces such as budget, churn, and the needs of 50,000 students. <br /><br />Finally, if your proposal is to end discrimination by bringing busing for option schools and increasing lottery seats to promote diversity, why not do so with APP as well? And why stop with option schools? Why not bring back the 10-20%set aside seats for comprehensive schools? This will mean some students will not get into their choice school even if it's their neighborhood school. And accompanied busing? In some neighborhoods, parents have set up private bus service. Can we ask parents to pay to make it happen? How genuine are people about ending segregation? To do so, budget and capacity planning will need complete overhaul? Where do you want to begin? <br /><br />readerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com