tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post4748739152155019591..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71136366863555360142012-10-25T13:25:55.073-07:002012-10-25T13:25:55.073-07:00Thanks, Lori. Looks like I stand corrected. I ha...Thanks, Lori. Looks like I stand corrected. I had thought this could have (reasonably) been predicted. To Lori's point, based on what she relates I guess what is now "predictable" is the circumstance that she describes in her last paragraph -- where ANY downward variance from max numbers puts the school in the crosshairs. If it had been a WSS issue, I thought the L@L principal should have been more proactive. I agree with Lori that no principal (at least this year) should be criticized for not seeing this coming. <br /><br />Any chance this is just a "one year" budget thing -- caused by the state's decision to reduce district funding AFTER all the labor contracts, etc. had been signed?Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24495523561846819202012-10-25T10:45:52.946-07:002012-10-25T10:45:52.946-07:00Responding to Jan from 10/23 about the APP@Lincoln...Responding to Jan from 10/23 about the APP@Lincoln staff situation because it's important that all of us understand the new budget realities.<br /><br />This situation could *not* have been predicted by any principal because it is not related to the Weighted Staffing Standards. I have links to all the documents for whoever wants them, but here's how the story unfolds.<br /><br />Early last spring, Lincoln was projected to have 550 kids and WSS allocated 22 classroom teachers. <br /><br />An adjustment was made in April to reduce our allocation to 21 classroom teachers based on updated projections that had our enrollment at 521 students. <br /><br />Our October enrollment was 524 students. Based on WSS, that's 21 teachers. So we are actually OVER our projected enrollment but losing a classroom teacher.<br /><br />This is the new reality for all of our schools, and this could happen to any school next year. Basically, district staff looked school-by-school for opportunities to "collapse" grade levels and move students into other classrooms to cut staff. Their goal was to maximize the number of students in each class, right up to (but ideally not exceeding) the teacher contract limits of 26/class for K-3 and 28/class for 4-5. <br /><br />We have six 3rd grades and four 2nd grades right now, but each is 2-3 students below the contractual maximum. By the district's new math, they decided that we could cut a 3rd grade class, create a 2/3 split and only have to pay a few teachers the overload fees. To the district, this is an acceptable way to save money. I personally have nothing against split classes, but I don't think it's appropriate to create one in November, particularly when it means that some kids will be "demoted" and separated from the rest of their age peers for the entire school day. <br /><br />Bottom line: if you are a relatively large elementary school with multiple classes per grade, you could be in this situation next year, even though you are staffed according to the WSS. If your classes have 23 or 24 kids instead of 26, you too may lose a teacher next fall depending how the math works out.Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777580098975083499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75595970560838071592012-10-25T07:54:21.160-07:002012-10-25T07:54:21.160-07:00Standards-based grading - what is it? From a rando...Standards-based grading - what is it? From a random search, the 1-4 scores were defined as follows:<br /><br /><i>4: The student is working consistently beyond the expected grade level for that standard. The student knows the "why" and "how" behind what he or she does and can transfer learning into new situations.<br /><br />3: The student works consistently on grade level expectations and can explain the how and why behind it. The student can take that knowledge and apply it in different settings.<br /><br />2: The student is inconsistent in their performance of grade level expectations. The student can achieve grade level material in rote fashion but struggles using it in new situations.<br /><br />1: The student needs help in order to complete grade level expectations.</i><br /><br />If the standards are about the "why" and "how," yet the teacher grades more on presentation rather than substance, are these grades even more meaningless? What if they are in a class that is already working above grade level? <br /><br />If a middle school is teaching high school level classes for which some students will request HS credit, do they still need to report letter grades for GPA calculations?<br /><br />SPS parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51056238157852736622012-10-24T15:31:31.388-07:002012-10-24T15:31:31.388-07:00Maureen, I didn't see any announcement in any ...Maureen, I didn't see any announcement in any newsletter about a meeting at TOPS. In any case, a meeting at TOPS is not the appropriate location for John to engage the TC community on a proposal for TC to apply.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35546940920056515282012-10-24T14:41:11.303-07:002012-10-24T14:41:11.303-07:00I thought the AL office didn't mail letters un...I thought the AL office didn't mail letters until Nov?<br /><br />Can everyone see fall MAP scores? My student's scores aren't up.<br /><br />, Also wonderingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55843785354787695462012-10-24T14:21:45.840-07:002012-10-24T14:21:45.840-07:00Maureen,
As I already mentioned, there was no eff...Maureen,<br /><br />As I already mentioned, there was no effort whatsoever to make any announcement to the community about this CA application.<br /><br />So it is not correct that I missed multiple announcements inviting me and others to participate. <br /><br />Charlie's point is well-taken.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76253220418639838822012-10-24T13:56:34.321-07:002012-10-24T13:56:34.321-07:00"broad community input" has not been def..."broad community input" has not been defined. We are told it will vary from school to school.<br /><br />This is from a District which has classified talking to principals as community engagement.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76792554730982611942012-10-24T12:25:54.028-07:002012-10-24T12:25:54.028-07:00TC Parent, I feel like you are overplaying the lac...<b>TC Parent</b>, I feel like you are overplaying the lack of community input thing. I was a parent at a different Alt school that couldn't get its act together to file to be a CA school. I knew all about TC's application. I even attended a meeting at TOPS where John Miner and the Nova principal answered tons of questions about the process (there were several TC parents there as well). I have had lots of experience at trying to get families to listen to school announcements so I can see how you might have missed all of the opportunities to participate, but that doesn't mean they didn't happen. I hope you are taking this up with your Site Council and not just talking about it here.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71092054270750913652012-10-24T12:11:51.362-07:002012-10-24T12:11:51.362-07:00What does "increased accountability" mea...What does "increased accountability" mean?<br /><br />This phrase is part of the classical definition of charter schools.<br /><br />It means that charter schools (and now Creative Approach Schools) live and die by their test scores.<br /><br />Will this not likely cause in our CA schools the same problems this policy causes in charter schools?<br /><br />1. CA schools requiring parents and students to enter into non-binding agreements with the school. SPS/SEA call these "compacts." This discourages kids without strong support at home from applying for the lottery. This contributes to the "skimming" problem of charter schools.<br /><br />2. Counselling out underperforming kids and special ed kids.<br /><br />3. With waivers from District discipline policies, CA schools will be able to expel underperforming kids and special ed kids for minor discipline issues. These ousters will occur after Oct. 1, so that the schools retain the funding (unless district adopts rules to address this).<br /><br />2. CA schools will orient instruction around tests, since they need to make AYP on a consistent basis to stay open.<br /><br />TC Parent<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33409105541270157852012-10-24T12:00:21.449-07:002012-10-24T12:00:21.449-07:00sueP It seems probable that at TC if a poll were ...sueP It seems probable that at TC if a poll were taken we would find that there is majority support for TC to convert to a so-called Creative Approaches School.<br /><br />The problem is that the standards for broad community input into the plan have not been met.<br /><br />“The process for applying to be a creative approach school involves: …2.) Completing the application with broad community input.”<br /><br />Source: Feb. 14, 2012 School Board Action Report, attachment to Minutes of the Oct 3. 2012 school board legislative meeting.<br /><br />“On September 8 [2012] the Executive Committee met and discussed taking steps to assure that several issues are addressed as Creative Schools move forward. The following issues have been identified: …Assuring that there is substantial community involvement in establishing the school. This includes assuring that at least a majority of families are actively engaged in and support the creative approach. “<br /><br />Source: Sept 28, 2012 School Action Report, Attached to Minutes of the Oct. 3, 2012 Legislative Session of the School Board.<br /><br />If TC parents understood the following issues, they would be less supportive of the proposal.<br /><br />1. the meaning of the term "increased accountability" (this is in the MOU)<br /><br />2. There will be expectations on John and his successors to <br /><br />(a) seek waivers of collective bargaining agreements, and <br /><br />(b) channel public dollars to private vendors<br /><br />Site Council minutes indicate that John has NOT aprised parent/teachers of any of these issues.<br /><br />Enforcement of C54 would obviate the need for CA schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10359441994288386442012-10-24T10:12:53.199-07:002012-10-24T10:12:53.199-07:00For the Lincoln APP parents, here's the distri...For the Lincoln APP parents, here's the district FY13 staff/funding adjustment data:<br /><br />http://www.seattleschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/1583136/File/Departmental%20Content/enrollment%20planning/2012-13%20School%20Staffing%20Adjustments.pdf?sessionid=596aebf10932376fa74c56d9080fb8c7<br /><br />PS momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65211437199958201782012-10-24T09:03:30.718-07:002012-10-24T09:03:30.718-07:00Wondering,
The Saturday math classes through the ...Wondering, <br />The Saturday math classes through the UW Robinson Center are quite good. They aren't acceleration, but rather deep dives into particular topics. They have no any admission requirements, and start every quarter.<br /><br />Still waiting,<br />Me too. We haven't gotten a letter yet.TechyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04650916001250022778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48579985597837453512012-10-24T07:52:32.100-07:002012-10-24T07:52:32.100-07:00For those that have applied for Advanced Learning ...For those that have applied for Advanced Learning testing this year, have you received a letter with test dates?<br /><br />-still waitingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39074146606378795472012-10-24T07:34:12.588-07:002012-10-24T07:34:12.588-07:00To Wondering:
You could also hire a private tutor,...To Wondering:<br />You could also hire a private tutor, there are many math college and UW students who are looking for evening / weekend job.<br />But also, don't think that an online math course is really boring and there are many advantages also taking one: you don't have to drive anywhere, nobody comes to your house, your student can do the program when she/he feels like it with no waiting time for the other students, you can see her/his progress clearly, there are white board sessions when your student could communicate with the other students and the teacher, and it can be rightly challenging without the countless and boring repetitions in a regular class, etc.<br />Math momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60399196227708222312012-10-24T00:38:16.536-07:002012-10-24T00:38:16.536-07:00@ TC parent, this unsettling story of a (rogue?) p...@ TC parent, this unsettling story of a (rogue?) principal pushing ahead to change a school without community input or majority support is exactly what is frightening about the "trigger" mechanism in I-1240, which allows a school to convert to a charter with only 51 percent of teachers or parents' approval. Too bad for the other 49 percent, apparently. I'm sorry to hear the CA Schools option being used this way. <br /><br />@ Jan who said... <i>"(...)What surprises me is that your principal was not all over this issue from the day that the first nose count came back below 530. She should have been working to see whether it was possible to get a waiver, be considered a rounding error -- whatever. If the answers were coming back "bad," she should have started the planning process for this change weeks ago -- pulled the teachers in to collaborate, maybe even changed the classrooms early to her new preferred configuration (the split class could have had two teachers for the interim). AT a minimum, kids (and families) could have been warned this might be coming, selections could have been made regarding who would work best in the split class (both as teacher and as students) and they could have gotten a heads up.<br /><br /> This is not ideal for L@L -- but it could have been predicted and handled in a manner less disruptive than what you describe."</i><br /><br />Sigh. Yes indeed. It could have and should have been handled differently, like so many other things at the school.<br /><br />Meanwhile Lincoln families recently learned that the school's admin and some of the teachers have "volunteered" to make our kids guinea pigs in a pilot for some kind of mysterious new test connected to Common Core, which even our school board hasn't been informed about.<br /><br />While over at the south end APP school, Thurgood Marshall, they are 'piloting' better math.suep.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17281578510716234624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74908429224100636192012-10-23T22:28:21.476-07:002012-10-23T22:28:21.476-07:00wondering, have a look around Math and Stuff in Ma...wondering, have a look around Math and Stuff in Maple Leaf.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87748905768792100402012-10-23T22:16:43.161-07:002012-10-23T22:16:43.161-07:00What about a kid that has zero interest in doing c...What about a kid that has zero interest in doing computer based math lessons, but wants more accelerated math? <br /><br />Any suggestions?<br /><br />-wonderingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63188640288720673082012-10-23T21:42:46.962-07:002012-10-23T21:42:46.962-07:00Hamilton mom, you might also look into Stanford Un...Hamilton mom, you might also look into Stanford University's Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY). It's similar, but a little less expensive. We have done EPGY for several years now, and it has worked well for my son (also at Hamilton). I'm not up on the pros/cons of the two different programs, but I do recall seing somewhere that CTY uses EPGY software for math, at least for middle school ages and up. <br /><br />Another Hamilton momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-24432635424024027052012-10-23T21:40:10.188-07:002012-10-23T21:40:10.188-07:00Hamilton Mom, re: John Hopkins Center for talented...Hamilton Mom, re: John Hopkins Center for talented youth, How much does the program cost?NESeattleMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14685367298254415469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61840504879278532702012-10-23T20:56:43.071-07:002012-10-23T20:56:43.071-07:00Hamilton mom, do it. It's worth it and your c...Hamilton mom, do it. It's worth it and your child will likely get a lot out of it. Take advantage of these opportunities as they come (if you look into it and believe it will be good for your child).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01485101844712536985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18869191636743237572012-10-23T20:38:56.320-07:002012-10-23T20:38:56.320-07:00Hamilton mom, they have some programs to supplemen...Hamilton mom, they have some programs to supplement school year academics as well as summer programs - what your child is eligible for is dependent on SAT scores.<br />It really depends on your child's interest what to take advantage of, but while our kids decided against the summer programs, many kids love it.Jet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27098833251971211002012-10-23T19:36:58.757-07:002012-10-23T19:36:58.757-07:00We just received a letter saying our 7th grader ma...We just received a letter saying our 7th grader may be eligible for the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. We'll probably to to the info session but I'd love to hear from anyone who knows about the program or has first hand experience with it. Thanks.<br /><br />Hamilton momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59712752132283528622012-10-23T19:26:04.953-07:002012-10-23T19:26:04.953-07:00I just read through all the Thorton Creek Site Co...I just read through all the Thorton Creek Site Council minutes that are currently available on thorntoncreek.org They Run from Aug 2011 thru May 2012<br /><br />There are many mentions of Creative Approach schools by John Miner in his principal's reports. Never once was any vote taken on the matter.<br /><br />John Miner asked for input at only one meeting among the published minutes. He submitted a Declaration of Intent and an application without getting approval from Site Council not direction from Site Council to take these actions. The minutes show that he merely informed SC that he had taken action or was planning to take action.<br /><br />John Minor reported that he and "a couple other principals" were part of the team that crafted the original MOU, and that the effort took six months, so of course he has a stake in having TC apply for CA status.<br /><br />TC ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14282266753281969722012-10-23T18:57:58.572-07:002012-10-23T18:57:58.572-07:00Dear Old Fashioned: I tend to concur with "a...Dear Old Fashioned: I tend to concur with "a parent." It is probably "below standard." But -- there are a number of brilliant educators who think that MOST text books are flabby, poorly written (often by committees of not terribly bright folks -- and then reviewed by other committees of even less bright folks). Often, they contain numerous errors where they are flat wrong. Even when they are "correct, rarely are they inspiring. Most are blah, insipid lumps of pulp, which NO one would read for pleasure, and few would read for knowledge -- if not forced. Just read the questions at the ends of chapters, and the suggestions for activities. <br /><br />My child's Glencoe Geometry book (we don't do Discovery math at my house, and I will not be gainsaid on this issue) was full of drivelly boxes extolling examples of "geometry in the community." My kid and I would read them and laugh at how pathetic they were. <br /><br />With intelligent, inspired teachers driving the selection of other materials, you may well come out way ahead by using a number of sources, instead of the twaddle that you get with many texts. The downside -- to me -- is that dispersed materials makes it hard to pull all the information you have studied together, when you want to review for an exam -- or just go back and revisit a concept. If there are enough parents to help, you might propose to the teachers a group of parents to pull together and print out (or at least keep track of the links) for ALL the material. That way, a child who has missed something, or needs to refer back but no longer has the "handout" with the URL, etc. etc. has access to the resources. You can set up websites or blog groups, or you can do hardbound copies for class reference, or both. But without that "stitched binding," it can become hard to keep all the material organized, particularly for kids with organizational deficits or ADD, or who live in chaotic households. Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37950418577669297002012-10-23T18:44:37.659-07:002012-10-23T18:44:37.659-07:00Dear "How Low" -- I think it has always ...Dear "How Low" -- I think it has always been thus. They "start" the year, give enrollment a period of time to settle down and stabilize, and then make adjustments. <br /><br />What surprises me is that your principal was not all over this issue from the day that the first nose count came back below 530. She should have been working to see whether it was possible to get a waiver, be considered a rounding error -- whatever. If the answers were coming back "bad," she should have started the planning process for this change weeks ago -- pulled the teachers in to collaborate, maybe even changed the classrooms early to her new preferred configuration (the split class could have had two teachers for the interim). AT a minimum, kids (and families) could have been warned this might be coming, selections could have been made regarding who would work best in the split class (both as teacher and as students) and they could have gotten a heads up. <br /><br />This is not ideal for L@L -- but it could have been predicted and handled in a manner less disruptive than what you describe. And -- as the school with the "extra" teacher -- you actually had the resources to start the shift early. Teachers in the schools with 35 or 36 to a class, who will GET an extra teacher and have to reconfigure their classes to accommodate the new class don't have this luxury (they couldn't very well reconfigure the classes to form a new one, and leave that "new" class with no teacher). <br /><br />If this happens next year, don't wait for your hand to be forced. These adjustments can be a minor pain in the neck, or a big hassle. Your building administration needs to work to deliver the former. Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.com