tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post569298334573788265..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Does Anyone at OSPI Care about Appearances?Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-21197806172832107362016-02-20T20:12:23.710-08:002016-02-20T20:12:23.710-08:00Magendanz - refused a tour I offered him RE innova...Magendanz - refused a tour I offered him RE innovative public schools in the area. When I spoke with him - he had NOT A CLUE about a single alternative or innovative programs anywhere in the state. He also has had some pretty scary beliefs about what would help ADD & ADHD kids. He was a long time MSFT employee, so his blind allegiance to the Gate and Balmer surprises me not one bit.Catherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23658009726000224452016-02-19T08:41:36.821-08:002016-02-19T08:41:36.821-08:00Chad Magendanz's drivel:
Magendanz claims pub...<br />Chad Magendanz's drivel:<br /><br />Magendanz claims public schools tend not to experiment. Finally, we're seeing an admission that charter schools no longer have 1300 students. Lastly, Magendanz claims "a lot of donors have done considerable work.." Perhaps Magendanz does not understand that Bill Gates was the major contributor and Steve and Connie Ballmer threw $250K into a PAC.<br /><br />Magendanz claims the Lottery Dollars are untainted. When, in fact, general dollars will flow into the Opportunity Pathway account.<br /><br />https://soundcloud.com/wahousegop/magendanz-capitol-conversation-charter-schools-021816NO 1240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7212761556230691522016-02-19T08:20:10.599-08:002016-02-19T08:20:10.599-08:00Can you imagine the actions of a different OSPI - ...Can you imagine the actions of a different OSPI - one that was actually concerned about doing its duty to enforce the RCW and WAC?<br /><br />In that parallel universe, an effective OSPI would have been assuring compliance with the law by taking the lead on helping MWSD comply with the law. And it would be all of the law - ALE law, truancy law, Special Education law. They would have demanded quicker action and they would have been the ones to deliver the guidance, training, and instruction to MWSD instead of leaving it to the Washington State Charter Schools Association.<br /><br />Instead, we have an OSPI that hangs back, issues waivers, turns a blind eye to violations, and passively watches while events unfold.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58454873658854275402016-02-19T08:11:00.070-08:002016-02-19T08:11:00.070-08:00Lynn, an interesting point. Of course the requirem...Lynn, an interesting point. Of course the requirement of an identical or similar experience only extends to those activities identified on an alternative learning experience written student learning plan. MWSD can easily comply with this requirement by keeping all references to orchestra, dance classes, and inquiry classes out of the written student learning plans. Since they have yet to produce any such written plans, they haven't crossed this line yet.<br /><br />I have to wonder, also, who would enforce this regulation and what consequences, if any, would befall those who violate it? My guesses - and they are only guesses - are that OSPI has the duty of enforcing this, they they will utterly refuse to do so, and that there will be no consequences whatsoever. You know, just like every other regulation that OSPI has the duty to enforce.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72409328879728012282016-02-18T21:37:45.883-08:002016-02-18T21:37:45.883-08:00One of the rules for providing an Alternative Lear...One of the rules for providing an Alternative Learning Experience is:<br /><br /><i>k) "Substantially similar experiences and services" means that for each purchased or contracted instructional or cocurricular course, lesson, trip, or other experience, service, or activity identified on an alternative learning experience written student learning plan, there is an identical or similar experience, service, or activity made available to students enrolled in the district's regular instructional program:<br />(i) At a similar grade level;<br /><br />(ii) At a similar level of frequency, intensity, and duration including, but not limited to, consideration of individual versus group instruction;<br /><br />(iii) At a similar level of cost to the student with regard to any related club, group, or association memberships; admission, enrollment, registration, rental or other participation fees; or any other expense associated with the experience or service;<br /><br />(iv) In accordance with district adopted content standards or state defined grade level standards; and<br /><br />(v) That is supervised, monitored, assessed, evaluated, and documented by a certificated teacher.</i><br /><br />Excel Charter School offers a String Orchestra and every student receives daily strings education.<br /><br />SOAR Academy students (grades K and first this year) take a daily dance class. <br /><br />Rainier Prep students take <i>inquiry classes</i> in which they can learn to <i>make a movie, write a blog, design a website, program a robot, or build a rocket, among other high-interest challenges.</i><br /><br />Is Mary Walker providing these opportunities to the students enrolled in their regular instructional program? If not, they cannot pay for them in their ALEs.Lynnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39015955500179551302016-02-18T18:58:43.790-08:002016-02-18T18:58:43.790-08:00Just as a point of clarification, Cathy Fromme was...Just as a point of clarification, Cathy Fromme was a staff member of the Charter Commission.<br /><br />--Fed UpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26809471963544222852016-02-18T16:55:31.686-08:002016-02-18T16:55:31.686-08:00Clearly, the Washington State Charter Association ...Clearly, the Washington State Charter Association is concerned about the appearance of THEM orchestrating this deal.NO 1240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73628854673480501602016-02-18T16:52:43.990-08:002016-02-18T16:52:43.990-08:00"One OSPI e-mail on December 21, 2015, shows ..."One OSPI e-mail on December 21, 2015, shows that OSPI gave former charter schools until Feb. 1st. "<br /><br />It appears possible that students in existing charter schools may be truant. No worries, though. I'm confident Dorn will straighten things out. Dorn needs to be removed from office.<br /><br />Kevin Jacka was a former Charter Commissioner and he took the unprecedented step of receiving millions of dollars via his small school district of 500 students to fund unconstitutional schools. <br /><br />Cathy Fromme is another former Charter Commissioner. It is possible that she is doing consulting work to move students into MWSD ALE.<br /><br />This, is the start of charter schools in Washington State. If allowed...it is only going to get worse.NO 1240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34394719769497119452016-02-18T16:39:50.392-08:002016-02-18T16:39:50.392-08:00Echoing the above. Plus WA OSPI screwed a whole lo...Echoing the above. Plus WA OSPI screwed a whole lot of public school teachers over with their highly qualified teacher debacle and how they are coded in CEDARS. But the charter school/ALE TFAers will get a free pass? Nice. <br /><br />CTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16070221096977943752016-02-18T16:32:46.000-08:002016-02-18T16:32:46.000-08:00"This batch reveals more concerns from other ..."This batch reveals more concerns from other people. Among them was the overarching role of Washington State Charter Schools Association."<br /><br />NO kidding! Bill Kiolbasa of the Washington State Charter Association was working in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, OSPI and a national charter school organization. Whether any of this is legal is anyone's guess, but I'm strongly leaning towards illegal.<br /><br />I 1240 was declared unconstitutional and Kiolbasa kept the deal moving with an enormous amount of support from the "Gates Machine":<br /><br />https://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2016/02/07/emails-reveal-the-gates-machine-in-action-after-the-washington-state-supreme-courts-decision-that-charter-schools-are-unconstitutional/<br /><br />Gates provided the MWSD with $150K to cover legal expenses and they hired Strategies 360 to handle the PR.<br /><br />Considering the fast and loose maneuvers that were being used, I was not surprised to see that Kiolbasa has a history of dealing with audit issues:<br /><br />http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2014/01/john_mcdonogh_high_school_offi.html<br />NO 1240noreply@blogger.com