tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post3385643661583683907..comments2024-03-18T16:51:10.406-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34740789347419710272019-10-11T11:15:04.664-07:002019-10-11T11:15:04.664-07:00I'm going to take these PSAT comments and move...I'm going to take these PSAT comments and move them to that thread as the new Open Thread for Friday is up. I had turned off comments there because of one person's inability to be civil. But I think this an important discussion. <br /><br />My feeling is you should be able to ask your school counselor but maybe they don't know for certain either. <br /><br />Keep asking questions and I will try to call the company on Monday. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45620960112228342632019-10-11T10:50:46.739-07:002019-10-11T10:50:46.739-07:00@HS Parent- Thanks for the info. Regarding the mai...@HS Parent- Thanks for the info. Regarding the main points you listed for the PSAT and NMS, do full-time RS students qualify? I assume so, since they're still officially high school students, but since they're taking all their courses at a college, I wanted to clarify.<br /><br />Thanks, <br /><br />-Seattle parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23359232995280372012019-10-11T10:36:05.771-07:002019-10-11T10:36:05.771-07:00@HS Parent Thank you for your post. So that means ...@HS Parent Thank you for your post. So that means that current 10th graders are not considered, but 11th graders would be for the scholarship? Do they usually take the test both years or one year? To be clear, it also sounds like if you opt out of sharing the personal information listed in the PSAT/SAT/ACT thread, a student who opts out of sharing personal information would still be considered?<br /><br />ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89956144566340428872019-10-11T10:32:18.507-07:002019-10-11T10:32:18.507-07:00Sorry to have given that impression of a swipe at ...Sorry to have given that impression of a swipe at MW. I was not referencing you at all. I was responding to the assumption that I was a sped teacher. <br /><br />Another Reader makes assumptions:<br />“But you are probably typical of the SEA anti-sped ideologues out there. You may not want to do SDI”<br /><br />R. BlockAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-9986019252408867992019-10-11T09:29:46.020-07:002019-10-11T09:29:46.020-07:00Thank you HS Parent for that answer.
RBlock, you ...Thank you HS Parent for that answer.<br /><br />RBlock, you too this swipe at me because....<br />"Like what profession bloggers have..."<br /><br /><br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1352273303279030002019-10-11T08:37:39.094-07:002019-10-11T08:37:39.094-07:00https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nms...https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scholarships-and-recognition/recognition-programs<br /><br />You can also find a pdf of the NMSC PSAT guide online. The 3 most important questions to answer for NMSF are: 1) Are you enrolled as a high school student? 2) When will you complete or leave high school and enroll full time in college? and 3) How many total years will you spend in 9-12? <br /><br />For students taking the test this fall, they would need to plan on a 2021 graduation and 2021 college enrollment in order to qualify for NMSF (and get qualifying scores). If you find the personal info is incorrect on your student's test results page (should be handed out at school), you can call the NMSC and get it corrected. <br /><br />Students outside of the US will be asked, "Are you a Citizen of the United States?" *Note that starting with last year's test administration, they removed the citizenship question for students taking the test in the US (pretty significant change). <br /><br />HS parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17941531254256522272019-10-11T08:34:42.573-07:002019-10-11T08:34:42.573-07:00Another Reader, you have assumed much. Like what ...Another Reader, you have assumed much. Like what profession bloggers have, like how special educators are certified, like what special education really looks like in a classroom over the 13+ years students attend school. I assure you I am no “anti Sped ideologue”. Far from it. I know what I’m talking about and how special ed is delivered. There may be countless examples on the internet of pushin SDI to regular classrooms, but not in practice. Multiple instruction at once simply isn’t done, and would never be affordable, or effective. Modifications and accommodations, yes. Instruction, no. (When the district trots out the old “but a 1-1 IA is too restrictive in general ed.” The delivery model you suggest is what they mean. Somebody giving 1-1 in the corner. And they are right.). My kid has been in a number of co-taught classes. They are always mediocre, and ghettoized versions of normal programming. SPS has offered this at various times, always fizzling out eventually. The special ed teacher winds up being a subservient homework club advisor. Btw There’s still no SDI unless homework club is misconstrued as SDI. And think about what SDI really is. It’s curricula that people hashed out over a 1 hour meeting. It is never vetted with years of adoption or research. And then after the meeting, the iep is tossed out like all others.<br /><br />But you’re right about one thing. My opinion does not matter one iota. Neither does yours. Neither does “having the law on your side”. The law provides no remedies for special education, so it isn’t a particularly effective stick. The most common result of very few OSPI legal complaints is to conduct a new Iep. Since IEPs aren’t followed, creating a new one simply represents a paperwork burden but no remedy or result.<br /><br />R. BlockAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85373593348676400202019-10-11T07:11:40.123-07:002019-10-11T07:11:40.123-07:00Also, this process of starving the budget via unde...Also, this process of starving the budget via under projections in Feb, so schools have to riff teachers at schools that clearly have higher projected enrollments in April has to end. I am very disappointed Juneau made that video with the budget person. It did not indicate they are sensitive to the impact on students and schools. It does not seem as though this process will change. <br /><br />Parent Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77322181007757501092019-10-11T07:05:36.268-07:002019-10-11T07:05:36.268-07:00I cannot comment on the PSAT/SAT/ACT thread so wil...I cannot comment on the PSAT/SAT/ACT thread so will ask my question here. I have a child who will be taking the PSAT. I have read they can be considered for national semi-finalist merit scholarships based upon their scores. If they "opt out" of the optional questions that share information, aren't they opting out of being considered for scholarships by various colleges as well? <br /><br />ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56594060688872784382019-10-10T18:47:01.745-07:002019-10-10T18:47:01.745-07:00Thinker
Yes we talked as a building about the num...Thinker<br /><br />Yes we talked as a building about the numbers. The district is going to give us more FTE, however it's kind of difficult to hire a .2 science teacher in October and then there are all the student schedules that would have to change if we were able to hire someone. The district does this every year and they always act like it's something they couldn't foresee. ALL SEA will support is paying the teacher a dollar or two per extra student per day. It's better than a "kick in the pants", but doesn't really make it easier to support students when all your classes are full. Oh well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37469077266970487312019-10-10T13:01:44.340-07:002019-10-10T13:01:44.340-07:00Come On, I'm not even understanding your comme...Come On, I'm not even understanding your comment. <br /><br />What is AAM? Do you mean "African-American Male?" <br /><br />I disagree with all "HCC and Gen Ed parents are biased against Sped." <br /><br />Lastly, the reader Missing Accountability linked HCC and Sped. I don't get it either.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87693645361801896452019-10-10T12:52:00.534-07:002019-10-10T12:52:00.534-07:00Who's marching for gold plated services? Why w...Who's marching for gold plated services? Why would people march over the cream on top.<br /><br />I want extra foam or I will march. Do you see the hypocrisy in that. I want special attention to AAM, do see the hypocrisy in that? Just because a person is an AAM doesn't mean they need help or are failing. These type of race based generalizations are dangerous. <br /><br />HCC or Ge-ed parents generally have a bias against special ed, we all know it and we also know if not for the ADA that a large group of special needs students only option would be <br />Fircrest. Please don't throw out your 2e straw-man. <br /><br />Comparing AL to SPED is shameful.<br /><br />--Come onAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67526230921017509322019-10-10T11:18:31.004-07:002019-10-10T11:18:31.004-07:00"No walk outs and no strikes over SPED. No ma..."No walk outs and no strikes over SPED. No marches and no posters over SPED."<br /><br />And when did this happen for AL? It's okay if you think AL gets more attention (I don't agree) but actual action? No.<br /><br />Geary RAN on her Sped background so yes, it should not be a surprise that many of us thought she would be a Sped champion.<br /><br />I'm deleting that last comment as it's not helping the discussion. Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24381253782927789732019-10-10T10:51:50.509-07:002019-10-10T10:51:50.509-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26717846707042692022019-10-10T10:36:43.278-07:002019-10-10T10:36:43.278-07:00OK lets see if I have this right
Liberal motives ...OK lets see if I have this right<br /><br />Liberal motives for marching and protesting:<br /><br />GUNS<br />WAGES<br />ABORTION<br />GLOBAL WARMING<br />2016 ELECTION <br />BLACK LIVES<br />UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS <br /><br />But it up to the SPED community and Geary when it comes to SPED.<br /><br />Have I summed it up correctly?<br /><br />-- Missing accountability Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72117970514330539352019-10-10T10:29:40.583-07:002019-10-10T10:29:40.583-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7294365590711392922019-10-10T10:24:51.090-07:002019-10-10T10:24:51.090-07:00Geary? You have to be kidding me. She has done not...Geary? You have to be kidding me. She has done nothing for anyone but herself. The sad thing is that she promoted herself as a SPED lawyer who could make changes, then once elected she did a 180 and said she was just a school board member. Worst is she inflated her SPED lawyer accomplishments during her campaign. <br /><br />The only way things will change is if someone steps up and sues and that cost money. I'm hopeful that something on the horizon.<br /><br />Maybe now that Mcminimee is taking on SPS there might be hope. She knows where the bodies are buried.<br /><br />-- Missing accountability <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61282587677095915162019-10-10T10:11:48.705-07:002019-10-10T10:11:48.705-07:00Wow, Round the Block, you truly do not know what y...Wow, Round the Block, you truly do not know what you are talking about. But you are probably typical of the SEA anti-sped ideologues out there. You may not want to do SDI and you clearly have no idea what it encompasses. Fortunately for the rest of us, it is the law and not your personal opinion that matters here and heaps of reputable graduate schools do invest heavily in teaching teachers how to build classrooms where it is other than one size fits all. <br /><br />Another reader Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53259179460168509952019-10-10T10:08:37.245-07:002019-10-10T10:08:37.245-07:00@--Missing accountability
And now you have it. Not...@--Missing accountability<br /><i>And now you have it. Nothing has really improved for SPED, but the sky is falling for HCC and AAM students. You really have to scratch your head and wonder why people don't care? No walk outs and no strikes over SPED. No marches and no posters over SPED.</i><br /><br />Isn't that a question for the SPED community? Why aren't SPED parents doing those things? I'd bet liberals would be supportive. Wasn't Director Geary a champion for SPED? Have you talked to her?<br /><br />Fellow parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3643773902248781022019-10-10T10:02:03.931-07:002019-10-10T10:02:03.931-07:00It’s really just plain old common sense. Are you ...It’s really just plain old common sense. Are you really going to have two (or more) teachers in a classroom delivering different instruction? Teaching different materials, possibly conflicting, interfering and disrupting each other. And why would anyone want it? It’s stigmatizing and not inclusive, not to mention expensive. No thanks. When the district trots out their favorite line...”but a 1-1 in a regular classroom is too restrictive”, that is the delivery model they are talking about. An IA in the corner delivering “SDI” that is totally separate from the class. And they are right. It’s dumb and restrictive. Actually there are a million examples of differentiated instruction given with plenty of accommodations and modifications. That works. I second dittos comment.<br /><br />Roundthe Block<br /><br />PS. And how much “evidence based SDI” do those special educators actually ever do? Evidence by Pinterest, at best. Consider that a great many special educators are hired via the IA-to-cert route and have next to zero special education knowledge. Best to steer clear of SDI if possible. You won’t squeeze much out of that turnip.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73172168425190451782019-10-10T09:42:26.464-07:002019-10-10T09:42:26.464-07:00And now you have it. Nothing has really improved f...And now you have it. Nothing has really improved for SPED, but the sky is falling for HCC and AAM students. You really have to scratch your head and wonder why people don't care?<br /><br />No walk outs and no strikes over SPED. No marches and no posters over SPED.<br /><br />That really says a lot about liberals don't you think?<br /><br />-- Missing accountability Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78657908427623386782019-10-10T09:20:35.006-07:002019-10-10T09:20:35.006-07:00RoundtheBlock,
Wherever are you getting that inf...RoundtheBlock, <br /><br />Wherever are you getting that information! There are a million examples of push in SDI. Just google and you will find that it is actually a topic that is taught, based on evidence, in teacher training programs all over the USA. The notion that it cannot be effective in a general education classroom is absolute nonsense. <br /><br />AliceinwonderlandAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44769184501499967642019-10-10T09:06:09.575-07:002019-10-10T09:06:09.575-07:00Sped parent, “SDI” which is actual special instru...Sped parent, “SDI” which is actual special instruction is highly overrated. If you’re sure to want it, it won’t be in a general education classroom. That makes no sense and never works out. Inclusion, however, is completely reasonable. That is, modification, supports, and accommodations in the general education class. Like everyone else, the student learns what he/she can and will. Luckily SPS does have resource room and Access programs which provide those modifications and accommodations inclusively. If the sped staff doesn’t bother, then indeed, it falls to the general education teacher.<br /><br />Roundthe BlockAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51600213209211436992019-10-10T08:41:41.072-07:002019-10-10T08:41:41.072-07:00Science Teacher, we hear you on the 157 students. ...Science Teacher, we hear you on the 157 students. Have you discussed with your administrator and with SEA how to improve this situation, you know, to support "students furthers from educational justice". Sometimes kids with IEPs fall in to that category although our dear Superintendent seems to think that that is just a coincidence. <br /><br />ThinkerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54774526654893305132019-10-09T22:05:22.420-07:002019-10-09T22:05:22.420-07:00SPED parent As someone who has taught for 24 yea...SPED parent As someone who has taught for 24 years and always with IEP students in my classroom, I think I have a very clear understanding of how the services work. However, as a general education teacher, who is responsible for 157 students this year, there is only so much time in the day to give to any one student. THAT is what I mean by the districts lack of support in some classes. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com