tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post2062521485760775984..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: More WASL NewsMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11387963693475297102008-04-16T17:36:00.000-07:002008-04-16T17:36:00.000-07:00Why can't 9th graders take the 10th Grade Science ...Why can't 9th graders take the 10th Grade Science WASL but can take everything else? WHy? please reply ASAP! <BR/>thnks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61323788785720178902007-12-20T22:32:00.000-08:002007-12-20T22:32:00.000-08:00I retired from Microsoft a few years ago and hired...I retired from Microsoft a few years ago and hired plenty of people for them. I worked in software development and shipped countless products. I know what they need. WASLage isn't it. Passing the WASL (or anything like it from anywhere) was NEVER an issue for anybody at Microsoft and never came up in any interview.(Thank you very much.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75428157444701945832007-12-20T09:31:00.000-08:002007-12-20T09:31:00.000-08:00The WASL'S sole purpose being to disenfranchise ce...The WASL'S sole purpose being to disenfranchise certain students? You've been staying up too late watching KGB thrillers. <BR/><BR/>You say you've hired lots of people, but did your hires need to understand high levels of math, technology and fiscal solutions.<BR/><BR/>There is a reason why MIcrosoft and the business community has gotten behind standardsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48893794897254662632007-12-19T23:05:00.000-08:002007-12-19T23:05:00.000-08:00I would think particularly at the school where you...<I>I would think particularly at the school where you teach, where kids of color will face a tight job market coupled with discrimination that you'd want them to be as sharp and marketable as possible.</I><BR/><BR/>And why do we think WASL makes somebody more prepared, sharp or marketable? I've hired many people, and WASL status would never figure into it. It simply is another meaningless obstacle. WASL doesn't make a high school grad more marketable, but it does exclude plenty from graduating. Maybe that's really its purpose, an easy way to keep the same people disenfranchised.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61147593110132544512007-12-19T21:25:00.000-08:002007-12-19T21:25:00.000-08:00In that case, how will that impact school capacity...In that case, how will that impact school capacity and the new assignment plan?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77568763055223836592007-12-19T16:41:00.000-08:002007-12-19T16:41:00.000-08:00Charlie,Yes, I do believe a good many, definitely ...Charlie,<BR/><BR/>Yes, I do believe a good many, definitely not all, but more than half, will return as 5th year seniors. Why? Because they, like your children, want opportunity, they just have greater challenges to get there. <BR/>Their parents will return them to school, their own self-interest will. Struggling students don't want to be handed anything, they want to earn it. Yes, some will get discouraged and drop out but I have faith in the majority.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58051330741887375922007-12-19T15:42:00.000-08:002007-12-19T15:42:00.000-08:00Does anyone - Michael, anonymous at 10:28, or anyo...Does anyone - Michael, anonymous at 10:28, or anyone else - really think these students will stay in school as fifth year seniors. Will they remain, continuing to take classes and working towards passing the WASL so they can graduate?<BR/><BR/>Will they have to enroll again? If not, will the schools be expecting them? If they are there, will the schools be able to accept the usual number of freshmen? <BR/>For example, if 50 "seniors" at Garfield who don't graduate are back in the school next year, how will that impact the crowding in the building? How will it impact the scheduling? Is the Enrollment Department ready to enroll fifth year seniors? Are the schools ready to teach them?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64197618964011999272007-12-19T14:33:00.000-08:002007-12-19T14:33:00.000-08:00I firmly believe that students should get all of t...I firmly believe that students should get all of the extra help that they need, so they are as well prepared as possible for whatever they choose to do next in life. My point was that OSPI, SPS, and all other education agencies have no plan for this. We are going to have incredibly large numbers of "5th Year Seniors" walking around this state and no one knows what to do with them, so they can graduate.Michael Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18231362823419529183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83283542585812014542007-12-19T10:28:00.000-08:002007-12-19T10:28:00.000-08:00Michael,Which is more important, that large numbe...Michael,<BR/><BR/>Which is more important, that large number of students not on track to graduate this year, suddenly be allowed to graduate on time OR that they spend more time, an extra yr or more, getting the skills needed for graduation.<BR/>I would think particularly at the school where you teach, where kids of color will face a tight job market coupled with discrimination that you'd want them to be as sharp and marketable as possible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39652656625994114082007-12-19T09:35:00.000-08:002007-12-19T09:35:00.000-08:00As Melissa points out, the alternatives to passing...As Melissa points out, the alternatives to passing the math WASL are designed for students who are close (390 - 399) to meeting the standard. If you ask people what is being done for students who are not close, you get a shrug of the shoulders. In other words, OSPI has no strategy for helping students who are not close to meeting the standard. This means that large number of students will not graduate this year. I will be very curious to see what the demographic breakdown of the students who don't meet standards in math will be.Michael Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18231362823419529183noreply@blogger.com