tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post4316255268658966926..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Marni Campbell Appointed NW Executive DirectorMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47375364983660272612011-08-01T11:33:25.380-07:002011-08-01T11:33:25.380-07:00Hattie Fan said some interesting stuff.
The teach...<b>Hattie Fan said some interesting stuff.<br /><br /><i>The teaching of students needs to focus on the needs of particular students.</i> In current SPS the choice is to focus on the SYSTEM and attempt to change things in a top down fashion. ... Students are losing big time under this approach. </b><br /><br />The Board recently changed the promotion / non-promotion policies ...... indicating no interest in Board governance of much of anything. The Board ignored the policy requirement for providing effective interventions to students ..... and so .... the Board took negligence an additional step and made their perpetual failure to act into the new policy.<br /><br /><b><i>Ms. Campbell is committed to building on the foundation that has been established by former Northwest Region Director Brianna Dusseault</i></b> ... thanks Dr. Enfield for that thought. .... please show us the data that Ms. Dusseault's commitment to a failing ideology provided a foundation for building anything of value.<br /><br />Clearly an efficient decentralized model that focuses on student achievement and provides services to students to make academic gains (and other needs) needs to replace the current expensive system that focuses on "Blah, Blah, Blah" and higher salaries for central office administrators so they do not leave during the largest recessionary period since the great Depression. ((Who would be hiring them?)<br /><br />Why is it that Dr. Enfield raised all those salaries? Where is that study? Who produces these studies? Far too much of what comes out of the JSCEE is NOT believable. ... The Board is simply out of touch with reality and certainly out of touch economically, if any director is worried about central office administrators leaving and a negative impact occurring from failure to raise JSCEE salaries......<b><i> It is way way past time for the Board to start getting concerned about the district's ongoing failure to deliver services to students.</i></b><br /><br />The folks at "centralized" SPS central can't even get the lunch program to function in an adequate way .... What are the chances for any planned program to bring about increased student academic performance under this crew?dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87587282802175869252011-07-31T16:30:41.955-07:002011-07-31T16:30:41.955-07:00Another SPS Teacher/Parent
Wow, yes. Parents wan...Another SPS Teacher/Parent<br /><br />Wow, yes. Parents want everything. Especially those greedy special ed parents. And, wow yes. Becky should just get to say no anytime she wants or when parents are getting a bit too uppity. Don't they know their place? Is that how you see it? I hope you aren't a sped teacher. I'm sure you aren't. Let's hope not. One other thing. That attitude only works for under-privileged families who don't know how the system works, or can't afford to persist through inflexible administators throwing up roadblocks. Are those your students? The special ed director or their representative isn't some sort of gatekeeper to services, and she isn't supposed to "just say no" like Betty Ford. And by the way, look at her own resume in the link above. She taught 1 year in a middle school EBD classroom and 3 years in a resource room. Awesome. 4 whole years teaching. Mostly in a resource room. That isn't any secondary experience to speak of. It isn't any high school experience. Really? You don't know more than that yourself? It isn't very much experience at all.<br /><br />Lots of IEP team members, and even teachers, complain about "lack of special education funding". I get that. But why do we have funds for multiple special education directors? Why do we have funds, nearly unlimited, for useless special education supervisors who are unable to even answer the phone? (HS teacher, why don't you try calling one, and see how long it takes for a response. I have. It's months.) Why do we have 25 administrators and more every year, just for special ed? Look at the experience of all those supervisors. Pretty darn weak! There must be plenty of money if we can afford all that.<br /><br />And, I get it that you think we're all too expensive. Are they actually cutting costs? Not that I can see. They are just making every resource room more expensive in elementary schools. But, they are simply throwing kids in resource rooms without any real support. Who exactly benefits? The resource rooms are more expensive. And, the kids are getting less service. How good is that? But hey, not much has changed for high school. So good for you. Right?<br /><br /><br />-Parent #5Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30735934940517557162011-07-31T14:44:13.512-07:002011-07-31T14:44:13.512-07:00Let's see, why haven't they lost more case...Let's see, why haven't they lost more cases...? Maybe because they're cheap (on our dime) compared to struggling families' private attorneys. Maybe because for them, there's no hurry, while families will not sacrifice their child in an endless wait against a do-nothing district.<br /><br />Win all their cases? I've seen five or six recent negative findings by the Office of Civil Rights of the district's failings in basic elements of timelines and participation in IEP meetings, communication and documentation, prior written notice, implementation of IEP, etc. If they can't get those right, what the hell do they do with their time? Maybe a single family may not win their individual case, but OCR finds plenty of fault with the district's entire operational schema. And more OCR complaints are filed every day. For example, the next one will be when SPS hires college grads with maybe 20 hrs teaching experience as special education "teachers of record." All in name of their latest paen to almighty Gates.SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33040279970781257972011-07-31T14:02:55.615-07:002011-07-31T14:02:55.615-07:00Seattle SpEd,
"Believe me, it doesn't ta...Seattle SpEd,<br /><br />"Believe me, it doesn't take much to say no and 'tough, see you in court.' Shoot, that was the McMinnimee/Faye Chess Prentice playbook."<br /><br />I'm not surprised that that is how the district's lawyers were instructed to handle threats of lawsuits. As far as I can tell from looking at the OSPI website, SPS hasn't outright lost a special ed case (there are some split decisions in there) since the Brenda Little era. If the district is failing to meet the legal standard for FAPE most of the time like you write, how come that isn't reflected in the decisions? <br /><br />I have been through the Ferguson/McMinimee/O'Neill/Chess-Prentice eras. Two of the four knew thier stuff. One of those two responded to every email or call quickly. I can't see that one or two smart lawyers who were on top of thier game is why the district hasn't lost more cases, but maybe I am wrong.<br /><br />Another SPS Teacher/ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25926054719782524102011-07-31T11:54:52.561-07:002011-07-31T11:54:52.561-07:00Another SPS Teacher/Parent, don't make it out ...Another SPS Teacher/Parent, don't make it out like we asking for the heavens and the earth for our child. Most of us want at least the minimum required by law for everyone's child; A free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Yeah, Clifford makes the "tough calls", not even. That might involve actually answering her phone, or returning a call, or responding to email. Believe me, it doesn't take much to say no and "tough, see you in court." Shoot, that was the McMinnimee/Faye Chess Prentice playbook. And that's how the SPED "leadership" at JSCEE see their job.SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-92042906770255747852011-07-31T11:30:44.895-07:002011-07-31T11:30:44.895-07:00Try this link - may need to cut and paste
http://...Try this link - may need to cut and paste<br /><br />http://depts.washington.edu/k12admin/<br />danforth/students/dan_17.html<br /><br />still moving onAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47504610016272791972011-07-31T11:26:38.364-07:002011-07-31T11:26:38.364-07:00F.Y.I., In the following link, biographical inf...F.Y.I., In the following link, biographical information about Ms. Clifford can be found:<br />http://depts.washington.edu/k12admin/danforth/students/dan_17.html <br /><br />This may inform, but does not necessarily define her leadership qualities. <br /><br /><br />moving onAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40378556151731187812011-07-31T08:35:13.219-07:002011-07-31T08:35:13.219-07:00Parent #5,
I suggest you ask Ms. Clifford if she ...Parent #5,<br /><br />I suggest you ask Ms. Clifford if she has taught at the high school level so you can confirm it for yourself.<br /><br />I get that parents want everything possible to be provided to ensure the maximization of thier child's skills. But that isn't what the law requires and it certainly isn't what ths state and federal governement provide funds for. Ms. Clifford has the unpleasant task of telling parents no because of that. In my experience, she works hard, knows what she is talking about, and gives valuable feedback. <br /><br />If you don't understand what she is saying, ask for clarification. I am sure she will do that for you, she's done it for me.<br /><br />Another SPS Teacher/ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16872116249417258472011-07-31T07:34:31.711-07:002011-07-31T07:34:31.711-07:00Right Seattle-Sped,
We had nobody for nearly a ye...Right Seattle-Sped,<br /><br />We had nobody for nearly a year before we got Fred Rowe. Then we had him for a year, while he dismantled kindergarten sped programs and "started" ICS. Then for 2 years, we get Marni chopping inclusion programs. I think having nobody was a lot better! We definitely don't want Becky. She can talk for 1/2 hour, and nobody knows what she said. That's because, she doesn't have much to say and she doesn't know how to say it, and she doesn't convince anybody of anything. Those are all qualities needed in a leader.<br /><br />I don't know what you're talking about HS teacher. Becky wasn't an EBD high school teacher. Are you a sped teacher? I guess I'm glad to hear she actually does something in some classes somewhere. <br /><br />parent #5Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61083441048836267482011-07-30T14:55:29.418-07:002011-07-30T14:55:29.418-07:00SPS High School Teacher,
I guess she never lied t...SPS High School Teacher,<br /><br />I guess she never lied to you, or failed to follow through time and time again, or provided evasive answers to serious questions. Many sped parents have gotten the Clifford treatment, both individually or as a group. And we have made our displeasure known. <br /><br />I'm still laughing at the assertion that someone must be in charge during this period. Leadership and vision has been absent for years.SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56556194028093673762011-07-30T14:17:24.818-07:002011-07-30T14:17:24.818-07:00@DF18,
I know that Ms. Clifford was a high school...@DF18,<br /><br />I know that Ms. Clifford was a high school EBD teacher and I have personally observed her handling issues related to high school students very well. She has my confidence.<br /><br />An SPS High School Teacher.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48126624868766557972011-07-30T06:50:37.058-07:002011-07-30T06:50:37.058-07:00@Adult on the Spectrum:
Stick to drunk-dialing. ...@Adult on the Spectrum:<br /><br />Stick to drunk-dialing. It's safer than drunk-posting.ArchStantonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10746480698492983438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33642178891614532352011-07-30T06:05:09.492-07:002011-07-30T06:05:09.492-07:00I, too, delete anonymous and un-signed comments, b...I, too, delete anonymous and un-signed comments, but I don't see any on this thread which have not been deleted.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7649902136896301252011-07-29T23:54:55.432-07:002011-07-29T23:54:55.432-07:00Anonymous "Adult on the spectrum." You o...Anonymous "Adult on the spectrum." You obviously never learned how to control your %$#* outbursts. People like you give those with actual ASD a bad name. Grow up.<br /><br />SPED parents #4Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13969433017112654792011-07-29T23:19:26.018-07:002011-07-29T23:19:26.018-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46365031634400469492011-07-29T23:14:38.343-07:002011-07-29T23:14:38.343-07:00@DF17
Becky is competent as far as elementary sped...@DF17<br />Becky is competent as far as elementary sped goes, but she is hardly capable of directing a pre-K-12 program in a district as large as Seattle's. She will work hard in the trenches, but I would not count on her offering broader direction, including much needed change.<br /><br />As for Marni's promotion--it is fabulous that she is leaving sped, as long as I will never have to work in the NW Sector. She simply refuses to engage in any meaningful or critical conversation because she insists on being right about everything, even when she knows nothing of what she speaks. She'll obviously go very far.<br /><br />DF18Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3469499194351446052011-07-29T21:53:04.953-07:002011-07-29T21:53:04.953-07:00I spent a lot of time in the classroom alongside B...I spent a lot of time in the classroom alongside Becky Clifford, and I'm here to tell you the woman knows her S#!%. <br /><br />Forgive her for not looking the part of a shining superstar before now, but the first rule of survival down at the John Stanford Center for Educational EXCESS is "never outshine the boss".<br /><br />Give her a chance to either keep the department moving while they search for a replacement or outright earn the job for herself. That's what "interim" tags are for. (Something our "interim" Superintendent acts like she doesn't understand.)DF17noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52694151861178880882011-07-29T21:45:56.157-07:002011-07-29T21:45:56.157-07:00The #1 thing a school can do to effect achievement...<i>The #1 thing a school can do to effect achievement is to provide acceleration in gifted curriculum which the district provides with spectrum and app.</i><br /><br />What Spectrum and APP provide is acceleration of the standard curriculum, not necessarily gifted curriculum. There's a difference. <br /><br />-wishing for actual gifted curriculumAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21812566523854938582011-07-29T20:40:11.400-07:002011-07-29T20:40:11.400-07:00Dan, I too have read Hattie's book and the thi...Dan, I too have read Hattie's book and the things that students and teachers do everyday in the classroom is WAY more influential than what the district does. According to Hattie, "0-20% of student achievement can be attributed to school-level variables whereas 16-60% can be attributed to differences between teachers or classes"(72). The #1 indicator effecting achievement is student self-report grading @1.44 which can take place in both an inquiry setting or a direct instruction setting. The #1 thing that teachers can do to effect achievement is to provide formative evaluations @0.90 - again, this can be done is both a inquiry or direct instruction model. The #1 thing a school can do to effect achievement is to provide acceleration in gifted curriculum which the district provides with spectrum and app. <br /><br />A final quote from Hattie, "the pressure and support for change needs to be directed at particular teachers within schools, not simply at entire schools" (72). <br /><br />So Charlie, the actions/ performance of individual teachers is the most manipulative means that schools have to effect the achievement of students and I ABSOLUTELY believe they should be held accountable for implementing best practices. In order for this to happen, however, the district needs to stop mandating that teachers follow ineffective materials or methods of instruction. <br /><br />PS the 3rd most effective thing teachers can do to improve student achievement is to provide comprehensive interventions for learning disabled students @.77Hattie fannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51581915361509960202011-07-29T19:04:48.793-07:002011-07-29T19:04:48.793-07:00I have found Ms. Clifford to be very compentent. ...I have found Ms. Clifford to be very compentent. She knows the content area (which Ms. Campbell did not) and is refreshingly to the point. She has done a nice job in every meeting I have ever been at with her.WSWSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76480071290498497232011-07-29T18:17:25.315-07:002011-07-29T18:17:25.315-07:00I have particular difficulty with the following: &...I have particular difficulty with the following: <i>"Her background as an instructional leader is critical: <b> We rely on our Executive Directors of Schools to be in every school in the region to support our principals, who in turn support our teachers."</b></i><br /><br />I do not for a moment believe that teachers are being supported.<br /><br />A system is in place that increasingly ignores teachers as decision-makers. The current system that Dr. Enfield is continuing to push upon the teachers requires them to follow the leader. This system is based on ideological beliefs that have produced "ZERO" in the way of improvement.<br /><br />Michael DeBell asked quite some time ago as to whether the top down coaching model is working .... clearly it is NOT working. Dr. Enfield has yet to realize this fact.<br /><br />-- Dan DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72916766509287277622011-07-29T17:53:55.247-07:002011-07-29T17:53:55.247-07:00If only fairytales could come true.
It is just mo...If only fairytales could come true.<br /><br />It is just more BS.... a different executive director will make NO difference. The system in place is extrodinarily inefficient and expensive. It has produced poor results for the last four years..... <br /><br /><b>Nothing of substance has changed since MGJ's departure. Dr. Enfield still believes <i>that top down is the route the district should follow.</i></b><br /><br />Check the Career Goals of these folks.... at the UW<br /><a href="http://depts.washington.edu/k12admin/l4l/students/coh_4/index.html" rel="nofollow"> http://depts.washington.edu/k12admin/l4l/students/coh_4/index.html</a><br /><br />Hattie's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Visible-Learning-Synthesis-Meta-Analyses-Achievement/dp/0415476186/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311986996&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">Visible Learning</a> reports make it clear that the effect sizes for "Mastery Learning" and "Direct Instruction" (think Madeline Hunter's ITIP Instructional Theory Into Practice) have effect sizes around 0.60 ... but neither the SPS nor the UW are connected to reality.<br /><br />The following comes to you from the <a href="http://depts.washington.edu/k12admin/l4l/program/assumptions.html" rel="nofollow">Working Assumptions</a> of the UW's <b>Leadership for Learning </b>.....<br /><br /><b><i>Inquiry and Reflective Practice -</i></b> Educational Leaders must be committed to the importance and use of knowledge. Effective leaders must have the ability to reflect critically on practices in their schools and <i><b>promote the importance of inquiry as a professional responsibility of all educators</b></i>.<br /><br />What complete BS.... little wonder the results are pathetic from this crew...<br /><br />Seattle's current math direction is centered on:<br />a. Inquiry based teaching (0.31)<br />b. Problem based learning (0.15)<br />c. Differentiated Instruction (no empirical evidence)<br /><br />Consider the effective practices Seattle chooses not to use:<br />a. Project Follow Through's recommendation for Direct Instruction (0.59).<br />b. Problem Solving teaching (0.61),<br />c. Mastery Learning (0.58), and<br />d. Worked Examples (0.57). <br /><br />-----------<br />The current incumbents are still buying the baloney .... Dr. Enfield needs to demonstrate a commitment to improving instructional practice ... instead of continuing the double talk.<br /><br />-- Dan DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82564546282930890572011-07-29T17:51:14.347-07:002011-07-29T17:51:14.347-07:00Anonymous! Oof! Can't say that I think that ...Anonymous! Oof! Can't say that I think that comment is particularly worth saving (especially since YOU posted anonymously too). But whether for good or for ill --- you have failed to follow the one comment requirement for the blog -- that you choose a name or sign with a pseudonym, so that your post does not get deleted.<br /><br />I don't know Ms. Clifford (unless she has been one of the parade of silent "district watchers" who has shown up at one IEP or another -- and I think not), so I can't speak to the content of Sped parent's remarks. But there is PLENTY of dysfunction going on in SPED at the District. <br /><br />If you have something POSITIVE to contribute about Ms. Clifford, why don't you do that, instead of slamming Sped parent (assuming you are correct in guessing his/her identity)?<br /><br />Another Sped parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67427797595091859042011-07-29T17:30:02.486-07:002011-07-29T17:30:02.486-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40709132407800053392011-07-29T16:55:14.014-07:002011-07-29T16:55:14.014-07:00"We know quality teaching is the number-one f...<b><i>"We know quality teaching is the number-one factor for student success. Our Executive Directors of Schools are key to ensuring there is high-quality teaching in every single classroom."</i></b><br /><br />Enfield is digging her own grave with sloganeering. If her Sped department (yes even as CAO) thought this were true, why were they so intent on placing our kids with resource room generalists, who are fine with reading and math, but don't know squat about emotional/behavioral disorders, developmental delays, or other special needs that, with appropriate supports and expertise, respond well to approaches that allow any child to learn. Would Enfield say "We know quality resource rooms are the number one factor for ensuring high quality special education"? If she would then we got a bigger problem here.SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.com