tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post5990054734065431283..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29038640103256549302012-02-16T12:46:43.115-08:002012-02-16T12:46:43.115-08:00On the topic of reform, might this be worth a full...On the topic of reform, might this be worth a full post, Melissa and Charlie? Nicholas Kristof has a column in the New York Times today about "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/16/opinion/kristof-the-new-haven-experiment.html" rel="nofollow">The New Haven Experiment</a>" and says:<br /><br /><i>A couple of years ago, the school district reached a revolutionary contract with teachers. Pay and benefits would rise, but teachers would embrace reform — including sacrificing job security. With a stronger evaluation system, tenure no longer mattered and weak teachers could be pushed out.<br /><br />Teachers were protected by a transparent process, and by accountability for principals. But if outside evaluators agreed with administrators that a teacher was failing, the teacher would be out at the end of the school year.<br /><br />Last year, the school district pushed out 34 teachers, about 2 percent of the total in the district. The union not only didn’t object, but acknowledged that many of them didn’t really belong in the classroom.<br /><br />So far this year, administrators have warned about 50 more teachers that their jobs are in jeopardy because of weak teaching. That’s out of 1,800 teachers in the district.</i>Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-664604389259007972012-02-15T20:42:13.880-08:002012-02-15T20:42:13.880-08:00I've received some grateful responses back fro...I've received some grateful responses back from our democratic elected officials. Looks like that Hanauer rant was the best thing to help us non-charter, non high-stakes testing folk. I urge more of you to follow suit.<br /><br />Mr EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14681925469232249162012-02-15T16:20:21.984-08:002012-02-15T16:20:21.984-08:00another parent said: "We WELCOME charter sch...another parent said: "We WELCOME charter schools. They coudn't be worse than what SPS is now. Bring 'em on!"<br /><br />Well, yes, they COULD be worse. And as the parent of a SPED kid who went to SPS schools for high school -- I am not part of your "we." Frankly, I think we need to sue -- but I have no clue how to organize it (and my kid has graduated, so maybe I don't even have standing). But if you think a bunch of for-profit folks who want to take as much taxpayer money (and assets) as they can get their hands on -- which means devising systems to weed out any kids who require any extra time or attention -- are going to be your white knight for providing better educational opportunities for SPED kids, well -- I disagree. I know of NO statistical evidence to back up your hope -- and some evidence that specifically indicates that charters do worse at serving special ed kids than regular public schools. <br /><br />Two more points -- first, those creating "chaos" in hopes that people will throw up their hands and accept ANY change in hopes that it will be better are hoping that people will decide as you have done.<br /><br />Second, I actually DO think that you could devise a charter system that would create schools that would work BETTER than many current public schools for special ed kids. My child attended such a school (no more expensive than public, very small, probably 40 percent SPED, 60 percent regular/gifted). But it is not any charter legislation that the current proponents would EVER promote -- because it actually funnels money and resources to the kids, and requires a very lean, non-profit management/staff structure at the top. NOT what KIPP, TfA, etc. have in mind. At. All!Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34564494132528085512012-02-15T16:08:26.901-08:002012-02-15T16:08:26.901-08:00Interesting developments at WS Blog re: Boren STEM...Interesting developments at WS Blog re: Boren STEM new principal<br /><br /><a href="http://westseattleblog.com/2012/02/followup-conversation-with-k-5-stem-at-boren-principal-to-be/comment-page-1#comment-846102" rel="nofollow">McKinney interview</a>mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52607822093031854462012-02-15T14:29:34.012-08:002012-02-15T14:29:34.012-08:00Concerning the teacher evaluation contract clause ...Concerning the teacher evaluation contract clause referencing the use of test scores, McClure teachers have a free "get out of jail" card. <br /><br />Chaos rules the administration of the MAP testing process. Students are pulled nearly at random from class to be tested. Students wander in and out of the testing room almost at will.<br /><br />Students are allowed to take part <br />of the test and then take more of the test even weeks later. Students talk to their friends about the test and share info and answers, etc. <br /><br />The test is given during different times of day (squirmy students before lunch and sleepy after) and different times of the year (before or after certain topics are covered in class). <br /><br />Distractions are the norm with <br />talking among the students and noise from other parts of the school. <br /><br />The lack of scientific rigor or even minimal testing security is <br />breath-taking. Gathering honest or valid data under these conditions is impossible. <br /><br />So kudos to Sarah Pritchett for letting all McClure teachers off the hook, rendering the onerous testing/evaluation contract clause completely invalid. <br /><br />And now our wonderful teachers can now let their shoulders drop six inches and get back to teaching academics, not "testing". <br /><br />McClure watcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38923513081884221322012-02-15T13:16:17.784-08:002012-02-15T13:16:17.784-08:00I did. And Sen. Frockt and Sen. Hunt have already...I did. And Sen. Frockt and Sen. Hunt have already replied in a nice, friendly fashion.<br /><br />Perhaps I should send one to the Republican legislators and ask them if they agree with Hanauer. If so, they don't belong in a deliberative body.<br /><br />Mr. EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89447764779371014212012-02-15T12:49:37.463-08:002012-02-15T12:49:37.463-08:00Dear Mr. Ed: Excellent. I do hope you added your o...Dear Mr. Ed: Excellent. I do hope you added your opinion of Mr. Hanauer's rant to your letter.<br /><br />-critical-Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72874541338387226032012-02-15T10:02:58.591-08:002012-02-15T10:02:58.591-08:00I just sent a few tidbits from Hanuar's rant t...I just sent a few tidbits from Hanuar's rant to every democratic legislator in Olympia.<br /><br />Mr. EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29896405554361720792012-02-15T07:01:06.665-08:002012-02-15T07:01:06.665-08:00I sure as hell don't want or expect charters t...I sure as hell don't want or expect charters to be better for our kids. I say we continue to work to improve SPS. But they can't even search for an Exec Dir of SpEd right!SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68784093351562213372012-02-15T06:42:44.256-08:002012-02-15T06:42:44.256-08:00"Lots of kids aren't even in ANY public s..."Lots of kids aren't even in ANY public school because they can't be."<br /><br />I would like to see proof of that statement. You can't make a broad statement without data.<br /><br />As for charters, be careful what you wish for.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-54093773882821833702012-02-14T21:38:00.872-08:002012-02-14T21:38:00.872-08:00No Melissa - readers have made you aware that spec...No Melissa - readers have made you aware that special ed absolutely sucks in Seattle Public Schools. Lots of kids aren't even in ANY public school because they can't be. Students right now are being railroaded into all sorts of placements. We WELCOME charter schools. They coudn't be worse than what SPS is now. Bring 'em on!<br /><br />another parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68548643607955885532012-02-14T21:34:15.579-08:002012-02-14T21:34:15.579-08:00proposing to effectively eliminate inclusion progr...<i> proposing to effectively eliminate inclusion programs in middle schools. </i><br /><br />Proposing? Where have you been? Inclusion programs - you mean programs that enable students with disabilities to go to college? Cheaply, efficiently, and to the satisfaction of parents? Those are GONE. The district has already spent 2 million on ICS, has served not 1 student more in general ed than it ever did before, has served all students WORSE, and has left students hanging out to dry everyhwere?<br /><br />That's what happens when you have hit and run special ed.<br /><br />Let's spend $2,000,000... and then let me get a new job. Who cares what happens? Oh yeah. That Obama ed funding won't be coming around next year to continue the mess I made. I'll be on my next job so it won't matter.<br /><br />-sped parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90664539250530306662012-02-14T20:37:45.958-08:002012-02-14T20:37:45.958-08:00There is a multi-part description of the bullying ...There is a multi-part description of the bullying at Lowell on another thread:<br /><br />http://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2012/02/lowell-sadly-plot-thickens.html<br /><br />interested readerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58122126748574626252012-02-14T20:21:07.695-08:002012-02-14T20:21:07.695-08:00I would second time's comment. In fact, our d...I would second time's comment. In fact, our district is taking yet another step into the stone age, proposing to effectively eliminate inclusion programs in middle schools. SPS systematically underfunds general education to serve the needs of disabled kids who (legally and morally) should be with their peers in GenEd. So you are either in self-contained, or in GenEd with inadequate supports or funding. SPS, blazing new trails in noncompliance and denial of civil rights...SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20548452669289068102012-02-14T20:12:18.271-08:002012-02-14T20:12:18.271-08:00Time, readers here have made us well aware that Sp...Time, readers here have made us well aware that Special Education students aren't well-served anywhere. The point is that charter systemically counsel kids out so they don't have to serve them at all.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44301478619819047102012-02-14T19:58:07.430-08:002012-02-14T19:58:07.430-08:00helloooooo
You think just charter schools underse...helloooooo<br /><br />You think just charter schools underserve disabled students?! The district has a long history of confining special ed students/programs to failing schools to leave more room for the "regular" kids in the popular/high performing schools. Just check out the current discussion in the Special Ed PTSA board on Yahoo groups.<br /><br />-timetoraiseyourawarenessofwhat'shappeningAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67731749224980700152012-02-14T19:51:30.171-08:002012-02-14T19:51:30.171-08:00That's great news for Lafayette! Can she leave...That's great news for Lafayette! Can she leave now? It could save the community a lot of grief.suep.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17281578510716234624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73927196972389823242012-02-14T17:37:54.139-08:002012-02-14T17:37:54.139-08:00I interviewed the K-5 STEM at Boren principal by p...I interviewed the K-5 STEM at Boren principal by phone this afternoon. Hoped to have followup by now but the afternoon has gotten away, so it'll be later tonight. Also new in West Seattle, we just got word of another principal change - Jo Lute-Ervin is not returning to Lafayette for a second year. The letter forwarded to us by a parent does not say why. We've published it.Tracy @ WSBhttp://westseattleblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46209933957678554632012-02-14T16:44:22.258-08:002012-02-14T16:44:22.258-08:00Sahila's post on charters and special educatio...Sahila's post on charters and special education deserves a look AND its own thread. It only backs up what my research, Sue Peters' research and the real researchers out there.<br /><br />Charters do not serve Special Ed students appropriately or the same numbers as traditional schools.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2357769541804466682012-02-14T16:43:34.200-08:002012-02-14T16:43:34.200-08:00I'm at the Exec Comm. Mtg of the Whole. The B...I'm at the Exec Comm. Mtg of the Whole. The Board will invite 25 people to meet the three Supt finalists. They will be from "recognized groups". Sharon suggested that the 25 should be a broadly representative of the district. She also mentioned that some from the blogger community should be included as well. DeBell said he views bloggers as "media". Gee, I'm not no media.<br /><br />The HYA rep says she's getting LOTS of people who are interested or who are putting a name forward.<br /><br />HYA says they've done 800 searches. First question comes to mind - "how many are two-peats or three-peats?" This could be the same 80 people moving from district to district.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10538461467229882882012-02-14T16:19:45.641-08:002012-02-14T16:19:45.641-08:00I at this point have no preference for next GUV .....I at this point have no preference for next GUV .... BUT ....<br /><br />This is an example of a cheap shot:<br />-----<br />a Republican candidate who supports the corporate takeover of public schools and <b><i>who tried to make (and lost) the argument that schools were well funded in the recent Supreme Court decision</i></b> <br />------<br />The State Appealed the decision ... CHRIS is the GUV and chief administrator responsible for the decision to appeal.<br /><br />McKenna as AG has the duty to make the appeal after the GUV makes the decision.<br /><br />As near as I can tell .. McKenna has regularly supported fully funding education since he declared to run in the race to be the next GUV.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-25684743312062962672012-02-14T16:09:44.141-08:002012-02-14T16:09:44.141-08:00In the wake of “National School Choice Week,” COPA...In the wake of “National School Choice Week,” COPAA is pleased to release the brief Charter Schools and Students with Disabilities: Preliminary Analysis of the Legal Issues and Concerns written by the Center for Law and Education under contract with COPAA. The stated purpose of National School Choice Week is to “shine a spotlight on effective education options for every child.” Charter schools have long been touted as one of the most promising educational choice options, yet the research remains limited, inconsistent, and for the most part, inconclusive as to whether charter school students are actually more effectively learning and performing than students of similar backgrounds enrolled in traditional public schools. Disturbingly, data shows that students with disabilities (especially low incidence, more significant disabilities) are denied meaningful access to and a free appropriate public education within charter schools.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.copaa.org/general/charter-schools-and-students-with-disabilities-preliminary-analysis-of-the-legal-issues-and-concerns/" rel="nofollow">CHARTER SCHOOLS FAIL TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO DISABLED STUDENTS</a>Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20928958929044999102012-02-14T16:00:13.623-08:002012-02-14T16:00:13.623-08:00Sending out love and respect for all the people - ...Sending out love and respect for all the people - known and unknown - who are passionate about, and active in, creating a better world for all ...Sahilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610179287237833742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85150053678266052052012-02-14T15:37:40.053-08:002012-02-14T15:37:40.053-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-84403450433179302812012-02-14T15:36:57.801-08:002012-02-14T15:36:57.801-08:00@SPS Mom,
The issues are two-fold. First, trends ...@SPS Mom,<br /><br />The issues are two-fold. First, trends from test scores have never been discounted here. Second, hypocrisy and double standards need to be called out. <br /><br />When a superintendent defines principals as "instructional leaders" and uses test scores as a major component of evaluation (as in Martin Floe and subsequent commentary by Enfield), the hiring of an individual with apparently contrary attributes puts the credibility of the superintendent in a tailspin.<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com