tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3308493391712774930..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Open Thread FridayMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71094531418152065982011-05-30T16:09:16.783-07:002011-05-30T16:09:16.783-07:00This editorial in Monday's Seattle Times
Seatt...This editorial in Monday's Seattle Times<br /><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2015168263_edit31audit.html" rel="nofollow">Seattle schools: better accounting, more work to do</a>seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14668918442297648762011-05-29T20:00:07.686-07:002011-05-29T20:00:07.686-07:00Too old, too ugly:
I appreciate and understand yo...Too old, too ugly:<br /><br />I appreciate and understand your sentiments as well as agree with the valid point that you make.<br /><br />This blog does provide a great deal of information that is not being made available to the public through the mainstream media of our great city. Unfortunately, the trend in our society extends to this blog; some people approach disagreement with an US vs. THEM mentality. It does appear that when such an approach is taken, these individuals begin to submit personal attacks and spew baseless and random insults or questions of character.<br /><br />Those types on this thread appear to have returned to whence they came when confronted with facts and truth. I believe the good that this blog serves our community at this point outweighs the negative rhetoric and venting some post.Ed Docnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27349835081364201942011-05-29T18:19:36.320-07:002011-05-29T18:19:36.320-07:00not education related really, but:
Seattle People...not education related really, but:<br /><br />Seattle People: am looking for house-sitting/sharing/subletting gig over summer... July-Sept... NE Seattle or Lake Forest Park/Shoreline... Me, 8-year old son, 2 cats... possibly long term, depending on how other issues pan out.... references available....Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82515311249751870622011-05-29T16:24:22.590-07:002011-05-29T16:24:22.590-07:00Too Old, too ugly:
There is no escaping that a wi...Too Old, too ugly:<br /><br />There is no escaping that a wide range of people and personalities are found on this blog; it can be unfortunate due to the reactionary and at times paranoid postings of those that disagree.<br /><br />It certainly contributes to the difficulty in addressing/resolving issues in our community when individuals approach disagreements with an US versus THEM mentality. I would hope that in some way the wheat can be separated from the chafe; in my opinion, those that post comments that are inflammatory and only a step away from personal attacks show the limited value of their contributions. <br /><br />As ITK and others appear driven by spewing baseless accusations or aspersions, confronted by facts and reason drives them into retreat or silence. Discerning readers and concerned members of our community should be able to see the baseless rants of such individuals for what they truly are and give no credence to the venomous comments being submitted for consideration.<br /><br />Please know that I appreciate and understand your valid observation and/or criticism regarding the modus operandi of some of the people posting here. I share your sentiments regarding this and value the good that can be done on this blog with information that is kept from the public by what passes for mainstream media in our city.<br /><br />I try to keep in mind that we are all imperfect beings in an imperfect world; good people uniting to focus on correcting the significant problems in our community helps balance it all in the end.Ed Docnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10104091894864420612011-05-29T08:05:11.910-07:002011-05-29T08:05:11.910-07:00Yes, but Ed Doc, what about when people like YOU, ...Yes, but Ed Doc, what about when people like YOU, who try to offer information and get the standard SSS blog retort, "But who are you REALLY?" along with a hefty helping of innuendo directed right at you? <br /><br />This blog does manage its share of facts but it also seems to give voice to those who believe anyone with a thought contrary to the popular stance here is one of "them". Looks like you got to be "it" yesterday. That's the kind of thing I was talking about.Too old, too uglynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-69197165909345796792011-05-28T14:37:26.188-07:002011-05-28T14:37:26.188-07:00ah yes:
"Communication exists, and it can so...ah yes:<br /><br /><i><b>"Communication exists, and it can sometimes be clarifying."</b></i><br /><br />Point taken ... thanks.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-81580122755257694322011-05-28T13:55:45.922-07:002011-05-28T13:55:45.922-07:00Communication exists and is clarifying.
Communica...<i>Communication exists and is clarifying.</i><br /><br />Communication exists, and it <i>can sometimes</i> be clarifying. But we are a diversified community with differing opinions.<br /><br />In this case of Ms. Francois, there are some very, very different opinions being stated here. I don't know the woman and have no clue who to believe, but what I take from this conversation is that she is likely a polarizing personality. That's something we really don't need any more of right now, <i>especially</i> at Lowell, so my fingers are crossed tightly right now. The building has been in enough turmoil this year, and next year looks to be another rough year.affectednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48437917242315120622011-05-28T12:53:56.087-07:002011-05-28T12:53:56.087-07:00Right on Ed Doc .... with this:
" as opposed...Right on Ed Doc .... with this:<br /><br /><i>" as opposed to what passes for journalism (e.g. Times) in our great city."</i><br /><br />At the Times articles are written that contain numerous inaccuracies and baloney opinions. There is plenty of opportunity for the authors to respond in the comments ... but it never happens. The author then moves on to composing the next set of half-truths for publication.<br /><br />Ed Doc has it right ... on this blog there is discussion that includes the authors of what was originally written. Communication exists and is clarifying.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48094515353738945352011-05-28T09:34:23.440-07:002011-05-28T09:34:23.440-07:00Too old, too ugly:
A good thing about this blog i...Too old, too ugly:<br /><br />A good thing about this blog is that rumors and innuendo can be addressed by knowledgeable people and the record can be corrected, as opposed to what passes for journalism (e.g. Times) in our great city.Ed Docnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27303741494734672952011-05-28T09:12:16.662-07:002011-05-28T09:12:16.662-07:00Rumor and innuendo-the hallmark of modern "jo...Rumor and innuendo-the hallmark of modern "journalism", played out so well on this blog and this thread...Too old, too uglynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75699165243346865272011-05-28T07:50:32.064-07:002011-05-28T07:50:32.064-07:00wsnorth - I had also heard a few weeks ago that en...wsnorth - I had also heard a few weeks ago that enrollment could drag out until mid June. But I more recently heard that the numbers went live at midnight last night and the letters are done. <br /><br />So we should all know soon. I hope they post all the info somewhere, where it can be found on that new website. <br /><br />- another readerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85599907244796107982011-05-28T01:55:09.450-07:002011-05-28T01:55:09.450-07:00ITK,
Would you care to specify what suspicions yo...ITK,<br /><br />Would you care to specify what suspicions you have regarding my identity and the motivation for my comments? It appears from your comments and self proclaimed current insider status there may be valid questions regarding what is behind your comments. <br /><br />Ms. Francois was not assigned as principal at night school for any damage control regarding her ability or performance. The night school program has been eliminated by the decision making process of headquarters in the infinite wisdom so clearly demonstrated; parent displeasure with the principal had nothing to do with it. During the course of her career there has never been any citations regarding performance issues. Your reference to an alleged reputation is juvenile and without basis.<br /><br />It is inexplicable for the assistant principal to state the obvious regarding supervision of administrators in a school. All school administrators are supervised by the regional director assigned to the school, including the assistant principal that brilliantly wrote this communication. <br /><br />Although I had written these comments previously and it was saved on this blog, it disappeared after the posting of my comment to Laura. Hopefully, this comment will remain posted.Ed Docnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54690855082680660732011-05-28T01:40:33.627-07:002011-05-28T01:40:33.627-07:00Laura,
The statement that you provided, written b...Laura,<br /><br />The statement that you provided, written by the assistant principal, appears to reveal the author as likely one of the young whiz administrators favored by the cronies at headquarters. As stated in my previous comment, it is inexplicable for an assistant principal would make reference to the person supervising the principal. Curious that the principal, Gregory, did not write the announcement; all three of these administrators will be supervised by Lowell's regional director. I wonder which of the three administrators at Lowell is most devoted to carrying the water for the headquarters bureaucrats that pose as educational leaders.Ed Docnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84520994428512728362011-05-28T01:31:11.759-07:002011-05-28T01:31:11.759-07:00ITK,
Would you care to specify what your suspicio...ITK,<br /><br />Would you care to specify what your suspicions are about who I am and what motivates my comments? Your comment and proclaimed current district insider status appears to indicate much about you and your motives.<br /><br />Ms. Francois was not placed in the position of running the night school in order for parents to drive her out; the program was eliminated by the district through the infinite wisdom of headquarters administrators and had nothing to do with parent displeasure with the performance of the principal. Your reference to an alleged reputation given to her is not only juvenile but without basis of any documentation or evidence; interesting to learn if you could provide any substance to your insidious remarks.<br /><br />Is it that you are aligned with the Lowell assistant principal that inexplicably states the obvious about supervision of administrators in the communication given to the school community? All school administrators are supervised by the area director assigned to their school, the assistant principal that brilliantly shared such information included. Ms. Francois has never been cited for performance issues in her career and any and all aspersions to that affect are unfounded and warrantless. <br /><br />The opportunistic educators that plague our public schools are quick to engage in distraction and distortion in attempts to cover for their inept and unprofessional management of the district. We continue to see the millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars lost through abuse, fraud, theft and waste as well as decisions that are disruptive to the learning environment in schools due to the dysfunctional culture and mismanagement of the district.<br /><br />My motives have been consistently open and displayed in my comments on this blog as well as in the comment threads of articles in the Times. I am an advocate and promoter of learners and learning as well as teachers and teaching; I do not care for those climbing career ladders as they pass through our city and do nothing positive for our schools and students. Our city has maintained horribly low expectations for our public schools for too long and we continue to see the results provided by the do nothing and know nothing bureaucrats feeding at the public trough at headquarters.Ed Docnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86312974049949331122011-05-27T23:28:22.118-07:002011-05-27T23:28:22.118-07:00I just heard school assignments won't be known...I just heard school assignments won't be known until mid JUNE! Can this be true? Did the VAX finally die and they need to calculate this on an abacus? How could anything be so slow?wsnorthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03795943009142572757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70972041872928267612011-05-27T22:03:49.191-07:002011-05-27T22:03:49.191-07:00I know that I never learned those terms until coll...<em>I know that I never learned those terms until college, which is part of what was so surprising to me.</em><br /><br />Well, I didn't know until today that those terms were used for specific types of logical fallacies. I'm assuming that knowing their ordinary metaphorical use would be enough to get you through the question without having to have had that exact curriculum. <br /><br />I just asked my daughter, and she got those terms in a Nova class that covered logic, but doesn't think it's part of standard curriculum.<br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54119140729391177062011-05-27T20:11:17.427-07:002011-05-27T20:11:17.427-07:00I have my suspicions about who Ed Doc is and the m...I have my suspicions about who Ed Doc is and the motives behind the postings, but from a current SPS insider, Ms. Francios' reputation is that she is bat-sh*t crazy. She was at night school as damage control, and they had to find some place for her where parents would finally push her to leave. You know, like with the equally incompetent DeWanda Cook-Weaver. Good luck to you.ITKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7224892708286050082011-05-27T19:47:04.779-07:002011-05-27T19:47:04.779-07:00Forgotten Algebra =>
Son #3 graduated from HS ...<b><i>Forgotten Algebra </i></b>=><br /><br />Son #3 graduated from HS around 1997 ... having taken Advanced Algebra as a senior. He had zero interest in college. Several years later (7 is my guess) he broke his pelvis in three places. (US Forest Service Hot Shot hit by massive boulder). Decided to go back to school while mending. Spent a week or so working through forgotten Algebra .. took the math placement test at South Sound Community College.... and missed placing into a Math for College credit by one point.<br /><br />When he took math 99, he said the placement was spot on.<br /><br />I highly recommend "Forgotten Algebra". Son #3 is no math super star... this is a great book for test prep purposes.<br /><br />He went on to continue to work for the Forest Service (eventually <a href="http://mccallsmokejumpers.org/home.html" rel="nofollow"> Smoke-Jumping out of McCall</a>, ID) but continued college online and through classes in the off season. 1.5 years ago he stopped working for the USFS and went to school full time.<br /><br />He graduates with a Masters in Education next month and plans on teaching elementary school.<br /><br />Note: He had Saxon Math in grades 7 and 8.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36536763393520942392011-05-27T19:23:17.498-07:002011-05-27T19:23:17.498-07:00I am all for a teacher run school; I know that in ...I am all for a teacher run school; I know that in countries like Germany, the principal was also a teacher. I would love to see an international comparison on administrative spending. I suspect that the US is on the very high admin side, and I have read that countries like New Zealand spend much less, but I have no real data. <br />The Algebra EOC test goes I have a number of students in a similar position; my only prep for them has been to simply give them California, Texas and a few other states old problems. The major issue I have found is simply in the wording of the problem; if you are looking for a great and free Algebra 2 text, Lakeside gives there’s away.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09730529853034723771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-792349535714250692011-05-27T19:22:22.237-07:002011-05-27T19:22:22.237-07:00The BOOK for Algebra prep....
Forgotten Algebra
...<b>The BOOK for Algebra prep....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Algebra-Self-Teaching-Refresher-Course/dp/0812019423" rel="nofollow">Forgotten Algebra</a></b><br /><br />Highly recommended by my third son and a friend of mine that does lots of tutoring.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49402470226944984602011-05-27T18:35:24.672-07:002011-05-27T18:35:24.672-07:00Charlie,
I agree that some at Marshall "made...Charlie,<br /><br />I agree that some at Marshall "made a lot of angry noise about the suggestion that the school could be used for APP."<br /><br />But context is everything: At the time, Marshall was being subjected to all sorts of ridiculous "review" and slander in the papers. Near the beginning of the closure "process" (ha), one of the APP supporters was quoted as saying something like "when Marshall is gone we can get APP in there" (and that is a very loose paraphrase, admittedly.)<br /><br />Yes, some at Marshall seized on that as "evidence" that Marshall was going to be closed and then reopened as APP. Yes, some at Marshall seized on it for rhetorical effect.<br /><br />No, it wasn't right. Things were said that just weren't right. But it was, if I recall, a paranoid, besieged time for Marshall staff (including, I'd guess, Ms Francois, who might have felt that night school was under the gun. Turns out, four years later, that it was...<br /><br />I don't know what Francois said that was so anti-APP, but I do agree with Ed Doc that from what I've heard about Francois, she was quite capable of demanding much from her night school students and getting it.<br /><br />This leads back around to the ol' debate about what is it that students, generally, need: We see here in this thread that there are a range of students, a range of abilities. My fear is that sometimes staff (and parent/guardians) get on the defensive about their particular "kind" of student: Below level students not getting services? Those that serve them, or their parents, might complain about that neglect and might, unfairly perhaps, bemoan "those high end students" for getting all the attention. Those on the other end might do the same: "All the attention is on the low-level students! What about OURS?!"<br /><br />Me, personally, I try lately to see the range, but it's hard. Maybe it's part of the divide and conquer strategy, "teach to the middle," underfund high and low, let those outliers blame each other...<br /><br />If Francois was guilty of this, well, she was guilty of it. In her her defense (tho' again, not knowing the ant-APP comments you attribute to her) she was, by all accounts, doing a good job trying to push students who hadn't excelled in regular programs through.<br /><br />The anti-APP rhetoric at Marshall was not appropriate. But it was founded in a natural paranoia and in comments made that seemed to point to an APP move to get the building. Now, of course, we see that APP has had little power, just as the night school and the other Marshall programs had little power, and all were/are merely pawns of the powers-that-be.<br /><br />THAT'S the shame of it.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34929330265806862892011-05-27T17:54:52.713-07:002011-05-27T17:54:52.713-07:00Word from other education activists around the cou...Word from other education activists around the country is that Goodloe Johnson has applied to be Florida's Education Commissioner.Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27143325531400330212011-05-27T17:46:38.356-07:002011-05-27T17:46:38.356-07:00Interesting, Helen. I know that I never learned th...Interesting, Helen. I know that I never learned those terms until college, which is part of what was so surprising to me. Maybe my earlier education was just deficient though!Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777580098975083499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51089963526368921472011-05-27T17:15:11.524-07:002011-05-27T17:15:11.524-07:00I don't know about the Washington state standa...I don't know about the Washington state standards, but I did run across those terms in the 8th grade standards for Delaware. It doesn't seem too out of the way for the high end of a 2-5 test. I think I knew those terms by fifth grade, though I hadn't specifically been taught them as types of logical fallacy.<br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40966255629887227242011-05-27T17:10:20.083-07:002011-05-27T17:10:20.083-07:00I must state that Ms. Francois has been one of the...I must state that Ms. Francois has been one of the most consistent advocates and promoters of learners and learning in the Seattle Public Schools. Although she has not played the game to be popular, she has successfully challenged and pushed back against much of the nonsense that has come from district headquarters over the years. Throughout the time I have known Ms. Francois, her actions and decisions have been based upon what is best for all of the students she served.<br /><br />The fact that her tenure at Meany was short is truly the result of district headquarters dysfunction and insanity. Does anyone recall Arlene Ackerman? An individual that Stanford was happy to be rid of during his time as superintendent. I realize that I will be going against the tide here, but the firsthand knowledge I possess and my understanding of district operations for the past twenty plus years leads me to submit this for clarification.<br /><br />The Lowell community has no reason to be concerned about the appointment of Ms. Francois as co-principal; energy, focus and time should be devoted to the opportunistic educators at headquarters and how they create havoc and chaos for the schools. The quote from the assistant principal at Lowell submitted by Laura raises concerns for me though.Ed Docnoreply@blogger.com