tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post4962002379476821043..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: The (Nearly Daily) STEM Update of 1/23/2010Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21188942411186946682010-01-27T21:35:31.386-08:002010-01-27T21:35:31.386-08:00So students have to cram world language into eithe...So students have to cram world language into either a before/after school period or wait until 11th grade to start the 2 years required? Right when they are taking more advanced math and science.<br />Yikes...ParentofThreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15853045587227159562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15838620082863035982010-01-27T11:58:04.939-08:002010-01-27T11:58:04.939-08:00There will be a Board Work Session on STEM this af...There will be a Board Work Session on STEM this afternoon.<br /><br />Here's a good question that I haven't heard anyone on the Board ask: What will success look like? By that I mean, how will we be able to measure success at STEM?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17763596211151902362010-01-26T08:45:50.304-08:002010-01-26T08:45:50.304-08:00I thought it had been stated, early on, that music...I thought it had been stated, early on, that music, the arts and athletics, would probably take a backseat at Cleveland. Charlie?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22318849739026238002010-01-26T08:45:15.600-08:002010-01-26T08:45:15.600-08:00SolvayGirl1972 asked:
"Will students have the...SolvayGirl1972 asked:<br />"<i>Will students have the time to take music classes under the STEM program schedule?</i>"<br /><br />There is no space in the mandated six-period STEM schedule for music or world language for students in the 9th or 10th grades. The folks at Cleveland said that they would find a way. They said that it would probably be a "zero period" class or a "seventh period" class. Students who are struggling in math or science, however, are required to attend extended math or science classes at those times.<br /><br />World language, music, or extended class times for struggling students could interfere with any extra-curricular activities as well. A student who is required to take extended math in the afternoon, for example, could not attend sports practice at the same time.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48741875977924006292010-01-25T20:51:19.451-08:002010-01-25T20:51:19.451-08:00Hey Michael Rice,
This is interesting about wheth...Hey Michael Rice,<br /><br />This is interesting about whether the use of particular textbooks is required. Charlie tells us that the SEA contract requires the curriculum to be covered but it is not necessary to use the Official Adopted texts.<br /><br />The following comes from the actual adoption action of May 6, 2009:<br /><br /><i> <br />Intended Rollout of Instructional Materials <br /><b>Algebra 1 and Advanced Algebra: All schools will use the new books for these courses for the 2009-2010 school year</b> (replacing Integrated Math 1, 1H, 3 and 3H). Courses will be renamed accordingly. Middle schools providing advanced courses will also use the new materials.<br /> <br /><b>Geometry: Schools will have the option of using the new books for the 2009-2010 school year</b> <br />(replacing Integrated Math 2 and 2H), <b>or of holding off one year to give students time to <br />transition out of Integrated Math.</b> <br /> <br /><b>PreCalculus, Calculus, Stats (including AP classes): All schools will use the new books for the 09-10 school year. </b><br /> <br />Key Curriculum Press, with input from Seattle Mathematics Department Chairs, has developed supplemental lessons (from the new materials), which teachers will be able to use in May-June of 2009, and as needed during the 2009-2010 school year, <b>to ensure that students make a strong transition, particularly at those schools currently using the IMP program.</b> </i><br />====================<br /><br />So does that last line mean that the IMP math program that MGJ was pushing for adoption in Spring 2008 is particularly defective when it comes to learning the new State Math standards?dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59701430331393558652010-01-25T18:23:23.912-08:002010-01-25T18:23:23.912-08:00Will students have the time to take music classes ...Will students have the time to take music classes under the STEM program schedule?SolvayGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12709893209963350066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38797049374904174372010-01-25T18:21:26.344-08:002010-01-25T18:21:26.344-08:00Music is such an important part of a student's...Music is such an important part of a student's education. I would like to state for the record that Cleveland offers Band, Orchestra, Choir, Drum Line, Piano and Guitar classes. The music program is growing quickly and both the Drum Line and the Orchestra performed at the STEM open house. The music teachers in the South end (and in the north end) work really hard to make sure that all of their students have a wonderful education. It would be really sad for a student to miss out on opportunities at Cleveland based on the misunderstanding that their instrument could gather dust.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17191500653932274741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70655691391564491612010-01-25T18:16:47.321-08:002010-01-25T18:16:47.321-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17191500653932274741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3095452761908291912010-01-25T14:43:38.422-08:002010-01-25T14:43:38.422-08:00Singaporemath.com
get the text books and the work...<a href="http://www.singaporemath.com/Mathematics_s/1.htm" rel="nofollow">Singaporemath.com<br /></a><br />get the text books and the workbooks that accompany the textbooks. The SPS has neither of these.<br /><br />Also the Challenging Word Problems were fantastic but are out of print and are being revised I believe.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48898774335906710972010-01-25T12:47:24.983-08:002010-01-25T12:47:24.983-08:00I see, thanks.I see, thanks.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25082836474909206002010-01-25T12:45:55.286-08:002010-01-25T12:45:55.286-08:00SPS mom - thank you for the practical advice. My s...SPS mom - thank you for the practical advice. My sons teacher had provided a copy of each of the books she recieved to look over, but I was thinking of just getting the basic Singapore materials and working through as you suggested. You have confirmed that that is a good tactic.yumpearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13743377713821805012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64489570963434344542010-01-25T11:48:10.979-08:002010-01-25T11:48:10.979-08:00Patrick - the Singapore alignment document was (or...Patrick - the Singapore alignment document was (or is?) posted on the SPS math page.<br /><br />The problem with it is that it's aligned with EDM, not to the state standards. So more challenging problems with multi-digit multiplication or long division are skipped over (because these aren't covered much in EDM). The alignment is also with the "extra practice" books, rather than the Singapore workbooks, so the Singapore (or traditional computation) methods are not shown.<br /><br />Speaking from experience, you would be better off simply working through the Singapore texts as they are written, rather than skipping around to try to match the illogical EDM sequence.SPS momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07868844486562389924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-37787483353618515772010-01-25T10:55:21.080-08:002010-01-25T10:55:21.080-08:00Dorothy -- "The only thing the district was s...Dorothy -- "The only thing the district was supposed to do was to create a document linking the particular pages in the Singapore books to the EM pacing guide, to give teachers some guidance in where to look for appropriate worksheets."<br /><br />Did the District make such a document and is it available? I supplement a bit with Singapore and it might be helpful.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16260807460417787614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68756156612286809882010-01-25T10:52:20.251-08:002010-01-25T10:52:20.251-08:00Here's a hotlink to the Seattle Times article....Here's a hotlink to <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010882968_stem25m.html" rel="nofollow">the Seattle Times article</a>.<br /><br />The story is mostly focused on the cost of STEM, not any other issues surrounding the program.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10355621906365064522010-01-25T09:55:24.719-08:002010-01-25T09:55:24.719-08:00Thanks Charlie. That's good news.Thanks Charlie. That's good news.Chris S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17016898261120819596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2236295172509288002010-01-25T07:58:18.565-08:002010-01-25T07:58:18.565-08:00I'm sure some folks saw the Seattle Times arti...I'm sure some folks saw the Seattle Times article on STEM this AM:<br /><br />http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010882968_stem25m.htmldjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01720927162286657378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85630278360099731942010-01-24T21:45:05.924-08:002010-01-24T21:45:05.924-08:00Don't miss the Cliff Mass Weather Blog posting...Don't miss the Cliff Mass Weather <a href="http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2010/01/lawsuit-against-seattle-public-schools.html" rel="nofollow">Blog posting on Seattle Math.</a>dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5428735482880928662010-01-24T21:42:57.961-08:002010-01-24T21:42:57.961-08:00W. Edwards Deming:
To improve a system requires t...W. Edwards Deming:<br /><i><b><br />To improve a system requires the intelligent application of relevant data.</b></i>dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49103329693157905562010-01-24T21:41:18.686-08:002010-01-24T21:41:18.686-08:00Math in NTN Schools.....
WOW!!! you must be kiddi...Math in NTN Schools.....<br /><br />WOW!!! you must be kidding if you think there is any plan for success happening.<br /><br />I already posted several of the California schools results on the California End of Year test.<br /><br />Now remember Dr. Enfield is the one that said all 41 schools are successful and that is why NTN was selected for the $800,000 contract.<br /><br />Here comes Biz Tech in Portland:<br />Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards <br />Grade 10<br />Reading<br /> 43% (2009)<br /> 52% (2008)<br /> 41% (2007)<br />The state average for Reading was 66% in 2009. <br /><br />Science<br /> 40% (2009)<br /> 33% (2008)<br />The state average for Science was 58% in 2009. <br /><br />Writing<br /> 46% (2009)<br /> 52% (2008)<br /> 32% (2007)<br />The state average for Writing was 55% in 2009. <br /><br /><b>Math</b><br /> <b>32% (2009)</b><br /> 33% (2008)<br /> 35% (2007)<b><br />The state average for Math was 54% in 2009. </b><br />==================<br /><br />CSAP Results for Welby New Tech (just outside Denver SD) grades 9 and grades 10<br /> <br />Scale: % at or above proficient <br /><b>Grade 9</b><br />Reading<br /> 36% (2009)<br /> 30% (2008)<br /> 31% (2007)<br /> 32% (2006)<br />The state average for Reading was 67% in 2009. <br /><br />Writing<br /> 14% (2009)<br /> 16% (2008)<br /> 19% (2007)<br /> 13% (2006)<br />The state average for Writing was 51% in 2009. <br /><br /><b>Math<br /> 11% (2009)</b><br /> 10% (2008)<br /> 10% (2007)<br /> 7% (2006)<b><br />The state average for Math was 35% in 2009. </b><br /> <br />Source: CO Dept. of Education, 2008-2009 <br /><b>Grade 10</b><br />Reading<br /> 39% (2009)<br /> 41% (2008)<br /> 43% (2007)<br /> 15% (2006)<br />The state average for Reading was 69% in 2009. <br /><br />Science<br /> 18% (2009)<br /> 31% (2008)<br />The state average for Science was 50% in 2009. <br /><br />Writing<br /> 20% (2009)<br /> 20% (2008)<br /> 19% (2007)<br /> 9% (2006)<br />The state average for Writing was 49% in 2009. <br /><br /><b>Math<br /> 4% (2009)</b><br /> 7% (2008)<br /> 1% (2007)<br /> 8% (2006)<br /><b>The state average for grade 10 Math was 30% in 2009.</b> <br /> <br /><br />At Welby …Note that cohort math scores actually decline from grade 9 to grade 10:<br />9th at 7% in 2006 -> 1% 10th 2007<br />9th at 10% in 2007 -> 7% 10th 2008<br />9th at 10% in 2008 -> 4% 10th 2009<br /><b><br />Wow from really bad to even worse as time passes.<br /><br />Yet Dr. Enfield tells us that all 41 NTN Schools are successful.<br /><br />Well Cleveland should have no problem meeting her definition of success.</b>dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6635151456503264632010-01-24T20:50:00.186-08:002010-01-24T20:50:00.186-08:00Charlie, if I were considering STEM for my child I...Charlie, if I were considering STEM for my child I think I'd have a chat with Princess Shareef about her vision for math at the school. She may have a different vision than Susan Enfield and Michael Tolley do. She may like the idea of an aligned curriculum, one text book, and pacing guides? Maybe not, maybe she is thankful to chuck Discovering. But I'd check before I'd commit to the school, if it were important to me.seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01231800476411684686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13939719379328702152010-01-24T18:07:26.752-08:002010-01-24T18:07:26.752-08:00Chris asked:
"'They have been told that s...Chris asked:<br />"'<i>They have been told that so long as they cover the knowledge and skills required by the District-adopted curriculum, there won't be any conflict between STEM's project based learning and the District's curriculum alignment effort.'<br /><br />Do you know WHO told WHO? any way you can find out?</i>"<br /><br />I got this straight from Susan Enfield herself during the Q & A at the STEM Open House on the 23rd. It was in direct response to my question about whether Project Based Learning would conflict with the District's Curriculum Alignment effort.<br /><br />That question and answer was followed by a number of questions specifically about math. That's when Ms Enfield and Mr. Tolley both said that the books were just a resource for the teacher and that they did not dictate how the class operated nor did they have to be the only (or even the primary) material used.<br /><br />In project-based learning the students rely on materials primarily as a resource. Since the books from the Key Curriculum Press are not particularly effective as a resource, it is unlikely that the students will make much use of them.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74688840352342873992010-01-24T15:20:40.943-08:002010-01-24T15:20:40.943-08:00Yes, I just checked out a schedule from NE Seattle...Yes, I just checked out a schedule from NE Seattle. Looks like a 50 minute ride with one bus transfer downtown in the tunnel (to the 106). Not so bad at all....seattlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01231800476411684686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78755798963479956872010-01-24T14:56:04.516-08:002010-01-24T14:56:04.516-08:00Just a quick note to say that the 106 comes close ...Just a quick note to say that the 106 comes close to Cleveland as well, definitely within walking distance. The 106 connects to many south Seattle neighborhoods: Rainier Beach, Skyway, Othello Station, etc.<br /><br />It's probably a 5 minute walk from the 106 to Cleveland. Maybe 7 if you walk slowly.Goudahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14692559149156597653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5587786243458151472010-01-24T14:15:25.510-08:002010-01-24T14:15:25.510-08:00"Here's the insane part: the better your ..."Here's the insane part: the better your outcomes, the more autonomy you get. So, where the system works, people may deviate from it. But, where the system doesn't work, the more closely people must follow it. The failure is always presumed to be in the execution and never in the system. This is an unwarranted assumption.<br /><br />I could never figure this out, either, Charlie - in a system that wants good results, if a plan was getting good results it would be continued, even replicated. But if a system is "results driven," and a particular plan does well (say, common curriculum) then why would it then be discarded for some new and untried plan?<br />The problem I have with "earned autonomy" is where there already is a "plan" that works, say, NOVA, and it is asked to give that up, do what everybody else is doing, then if it does well in the new plan (again, say common curriculum) then it will be free to go back to what it was doing before...<br />hmmm...seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47362593115467795552010-01-24T13:58:40.736-08:002010-01-24T13:58:40.736-08:00Charlie, re:
"They have been told that so lon...Charlie, re:<br />"They have been told that so long as they cover the knowledge and skills required by the District-adopted curriculum, there won't be any conflict between STEM's project based learning and the District's curriculum alignment effort."<br /><br />Do you know WHO told WHO? any way you can find out?Chris S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17016898261120819596noreply@blogger.com