tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post6414811910753122367..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This WeekMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3910331716315716442014-10-14T19:41:22.685-07:002014-10-14T19:41:22.685-07:00Khan is useful especially for brushing up on skill...Khan is useful especially for brushing up on skills. I looked at a few lessons. I thought the lesson on logarithm was good. I think it does a good job of teaching procedures, but does lack explanations for conceptual understanding. <br /><br />My favorite textbooks for middle school is Saxon Course 1 (6th), Course 2 (7th) and Saxon Algebra I. The 7th grade Course 2 book is so good in teaching negative integers, ratios, proportions, scale factors, exponents, unit conversions, strategies for problem solving, scientific notation, and (introduction) linear function. <br /><br />I find I can skip most kids out of 8th grade math and go directly to algebra using Saxon. I have many students that make double digit gains as much as over 20 RIT points in one year. Typical growth is 6-8 points.<br /><br />Kuta Software is a personal favorite for worksheets. Many high school teachers use it for skills building. I hear some of the Whitman teachers have started using them in the class in place of CMP. This is good news. It is an easy push from parents since it's easy to use and it's free.Linh-Conoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85193696311665203572014-10-14T18:05:40.868-07:002014-10-14T18:05:40.868-07:00Linh-Co what is your assessment of the Khan academ...Linh-Co what is your assessment of the Khan academy online math?<br /><br /> I found the site very clear and useful, but since I've been exposed to and used most of the algebraic equations in collage I can't speak to how well the coarse addresses the needs of novice students.<br /><br />I did struggle with Radical Equations since I have never needed to use them since school, but after watching the video tutorial and working out 20 problems, I passed the section.<br /><br />It also does what I think is called spiral review when I would finish a couple of problems the site would then post a review problem like solving by elimination or solving multiple unknowns or Polynomial. I think most 7 graders could master Polynomial equations 2x and maybe 3x in a week with the site. <br /><br />What I liked about the coarse is the instant feedback, it stops you from going down the wrong solution path and provides a breakdown of each and every solution step by step. I can't tell you how many times I've seen kids complete and entire worksheet incorrectly to only be completely frustrated at grading time. Check it out and let me know what you think.<br /><br />Pete Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48769662323764849522014-10-14T16:48:35.291-07:002014-10-14T16:48:35.291-07:00Passing the EOC1 does not guarantee algebra ready....Passing the EOC1 does not guarantee algebra ready. First of all, the cut score for passing is quite low. Secondly, a lot of middle schools that put all 8th graders in algebra are teaching to the test. I have had many students who supposedly had algebra but can't work with polynomials, factoring, exponents, scientific notation, can barely solve for x, and have never worked with complex fractions. A lot of these middle school teachers use 8th grade CMP, and Discovering. Both books are inadequate in the fundamentals of algebra. The majority of the focus is linear function.<br /><br />I think part of the problem is not offering a lower math class than algebra in high school. I graduated from Seattle Public School in 1986 and back then general math was offered to students who were not ready for algebra. In fact, most honor students were put in algebra in 9th grade. It was not seen as being behind. Both my husband (an engineer) and me (B.A. in Mathematics) started in algebra in the 9th grade at Ballard High School. We both completed calculus in our senior year. Back then, Algebra I was an authentic algebra class. <br /><br />These days with algebra being the lowest denominator, parents in the know are all jockeying for their 9th graders to be in Geometry are higher. I've talked to many high school teachers, and the reality is many do not want to teach Algebra I. Most of the students placed in this class are ill-prepared and many do not have a firm grasp on basic arithmetic. These classes are a management nightmare. <br /><br />I think the system has created this mess. Math class is now a race instead of teaching for mastery. Algebra for some 8th graders and even fewer 7th graders is a good idea, but pretending that every 8th grader is ready for algebra is a joke.Linh-Conoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72914965011728386802014-10-14T16:47:54.214-07:002014-10-14T16:47:54.214-07:00Open mind, could you refresh my memory about what ...Open mind, could you refresh my memory about what I said? Because if not, I have no idea what you are talking about. <br /><br />If I have time, I'll read any new studies. I have a lot on my plate right now.<br /><br />But having experienced polio in my own family, I doubt I will change my mind.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-34042195950665067592014-10-14T15:35:53.623-07:002014-10-14T15:35:53.623-07:00Melissa, I think your understanding of modern viro...Melissa, I think your understanding of modern virology could be incomplete and suggest you are simply projecting your unsubstantiated beliefs about vaccines. Months back I believe you in other words stated that?<br /><br />There several new progressive studies that strongly support the limited effectiveness of many vaccines. One in particular speaks to how vaccinated host become mutation labs for the viruses. So if you believe these studies or the scientist then it's the vaccinated who if fact are the more dangerous to public health.<br /><br />I would suggest you go and find these studies, read them and see what you think. It's possible you could have a change of mind. <br /><br />Open mind Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31250332360986454232014-10-14T14:04:41.392-07:002014-10-14T14:04:41.392-07:00From my experience with people who do not vaccinat...From my experience with people who do not vaccinate or selectively vaccinate or delay vaccination. I am sure there are those out there who do not vaccinate because they are lazy or do not care about health in general but I don't have any experience with those. At the Waldorf School and in discussions with others who practice Natural Parenting, there is a lot of conscious thought given to what is best for the health of the child. It usually includes breastfeeding until 1 or older, organic whole foods, limited to no sugar, natural fabrics, no chemicals or limited chemicals in the house and yard, lots of time spent outdoors appropriately dressed, limited medications when sick ie letting low fevers do what they are supposed to do, and so on.<br /><br />This area of the country is considered very 'crunchy'. If you think Seattle has high rates of incomplete vaccination, check out Vashon Island, Whidbey Island and the Peninsula.<br /><br />HPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-50406409755708145852014-10-14T13:45:59.287-07:002014-10-14T13:45:59.287-07:00HP, you said "in fact" and named some Se...HP, you said "in fact" and named some Seattle schools. If you are not clear on these kinds of things, it leads to confusion.<br /><br />"In general also, people who selectively vaccinate are very health conscious about eating healthy foods and building strong immune systems."<br /><br />Again, you know this how? Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36719360164850105492014-10-14T12:41:28.116-07:002014-10-14T12:41:28.116-07:00middleschool parent, just to be clear, there is no...middleschool parent, just to be clear, there is no 8th grade Algebra I EOC. There is only one Algebra I EOC and students take that exam when they complete Algebra I, whether that's 7th, 8th, 9th, etc.<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26042500679565987682014-10-14T12:39:43.406-07:002014-10-14T12:39:43.406-07:00At my daughters school, it's the 7th grade tea...At my daughters school, it's the 7th grade teacher who suggest what math the student should take in 8th grade. The 7th grade math teacher left the school this year (along with many other staff members)so we could not question why she did not recommend the algebra class, it's strange because it the exact same book, work sheets and test. <br /><br />The 8th grade teacher picks who starts out in algebra based on the 7th grade teachers recommendation.<br />We hired a very good tutor in 7th grade which bent the teacher the wrong way. It's a mess to figure out what's going on. Our son was in the class last year and we had to deal with the same BS, he was in 8th grade math in the end. We forced the school to allow him to take the EOC and he almost aced it. The same for the EOC geometry test, but when we had him take the Kahn academy assessment we found large holes in his knowledge of both subjects.<br /><br />The missing mastery would cause struggles down the road if not corrected before moving forward.<br />The high school teacher did not even attempt to teach the missing knowledge..WTF <br /><br />We reviewed the work materials for both classes and found that the teachers knew the sweet spot for the EOC tests and taught to the test. Maybe the MSP is better for measuring true skills in math? <br /><br />I would recommend trying the Kahn academy, it's really slick and easy for parents to follow and learn along with you student.<br /><br />I will be trying chemistry next.<br /><br />Pete <br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-82065585039132023192014-10-14T12:24:30.367-07:002014-10-14T12:24:30.367-07:00Melissa I can't speak for Pathfinder but I kno...Melissa I can't speak for Pathfinder but I know this to be the case at Seattle Waldorf, at least while we were there. Children were kept home if sick and until a fever had been gone for 24 hours. In general also, people who selectively vaccinate are very health conscious about eating healthy foods and building strong immune systems.<br /><br />HP<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70674054899201084822014-10-14T11:18:45.744-07:002014-10-14T11:18:45.744-07:00Isn't there a set process for middle school ma...Isn't there a set process for middle school math placement. Surely it isn't up to a teacher to decide unilaterally.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27835111911055192242014-10-14T11:07:40.713-07:002014-10-14T11:07:40.713-07:00As a parent trying to supplement in a desperate at...As a parent trying to supplement in a desperate attempt to salvage what is shaping up to be a lost year at school, I'd love to hear what other parents are using at home in middle school. For those that can't just hire a tutor, what resources have you found useful (besides Khan Academy)?<br /><br />I'm finding writing is not as easy to supplement as something more sequential like math. For math skills practice, Kuta Software has free worksheets online. For history, we've purchased inexpensive used texts to read at home, one for world history and one for US history. Our child's school doesn't seem to believe in HW, so an extra 20 min. or so of history reading hasn't been a big deal. <br /><br />Is it somehow getting worse with each passing year? Or maybe I'm just more concerned with high school on the horizon? Hard to say. <br /><br />I get what @middleschoolparent is saying about the math, though I disagree that the EOC is a flawed test. The EOC is testing for basic mastery, and I actually think it's a fair test, which is very well aligned to the standards. I am more wary of the new CCSS assessments on the horizon. That said, the EOC is only testing basic skills, kind of the "A" level of problems in a text vs the "C" level of problems in a text. So a child can pass with a 4, yet still have only rudimentary algebra skills. The <i>Discovering Algebra</i> text is partly to blame for weak algebra skills.<br /><br />-tired parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17906583817540423832014-10-14T10:29:09.599-07:002014-10-14T10:29:09.599-07:00The C&I committee will vet a grant from the Ga...The C&I committee will vet a grant from the Gates Foundation for prek at Bailey Gatzert.<br /><br />The Family and Education Levy is withholding $60M for prek efforts.<br /><br />It is possible for Bailey Gatzert can have prek funding, without the BMGF grant. The city can easily provide Bailey Gatzert with funds.<br /><br />Any effort to say Bailey Gatzert can NOT have prek because the BMGF doesn't move forward is false. Any effort to say Bailey Gatzert can not have prek is built upon a tactic of fear and intimidation.<br /><br />The city has already provided Bailey with Family and Education Levy funding and they should continue to do the same.<br /><br />http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/OFE/AboutUs/Summer_ElementaryRFI_PressRel_Feb2514.pdfStrawManArgumentnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35930531059794752602014-10-14T10:06:16.605-07:002014-10-14T10:06:16.605-07:00@middle schoolparent,
Can't parents log into ...@middle schoolparent,<br /><br />Can't parents log into The Source and see whether their kids are in Alg 1 or 8th grade math? Or are you saying that the teacher doesn't really distinguish between the two, and that some kids officially in 8th grade math will take the Alg 1 EOC and some kids in Alg I won't be allowed to?<br /><br />The issue of how well middle school math prepares kids for high school math is a larger one, not unique to your school. It's also probably largely a curriculum issue. We need a new middle school math adoption, and pronto. <br /><br />Unfortunately, I have to agree with you re: the need for supplementation. SPS schools are weak in many core academic areas, and parents who see what's missing and have the resources to fill in are doing so--math tutors, writing tutors, online history courses, summer programs, etc. When I was a kid this type of extra work was done to help a kid catch up to where he/she should be, but now it's often an attempt to get the curriculum to catch up to where parent think it should be.<br /><br />HIMSmomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73139844120728944852014-10-14T09:37:19.484-07:002014-10-14T09:37:19.484-07:00"In fact, parents there were much more likely... "In fact, parents there were much more likely to keep their kids home if they were sick with a fever and wouldn't let them go back to school until said fever was over for 24 hours."<br /><br />You know this how? You know that all the parents in Pathfinder kept their kids home with a fever? That "in fact" makes me wonder.<br /><br />You think that a building being "maintained in a green manner" is protecting kids from germs and disease? I would think it would, as you say, limit them to chemical exposure, so how does that relation to disease and vaccinations?Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15270668094128646672014-10-14T09:35:26.148-07:002014-10-14T09:35:26.148-07:00When the ebola vaccine becomes available, I'm ...When the ebola vaccine becomes available, I'm sure these absentees will suddenly get on board.<br /><br />Vaccinations are used as a method of group health. Some people don't seem to get that concept.<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27362070242953302902014-10-14T09:08:50.279-07:002014-10-14T09:08:50.279-07:00My kids attended one of the private schools that I...My kids attended one of the private schools that I am sure has a lower rate of vaccination than Thorton Creek, Salmon Bay or Pathfinder. Disease was not rampant there and when kids had whooping cough they stayed home. In fact, parents there were much more likely to keep their kids home if they were sick with a fever and wouldn't let them go back to school until said fever was over for 24 hours. Kids ate healthier there, got lots of outdoor exercise and the building was maintained in a green manner to limit chemical exposure to the kids.<br /><br />HP Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16904512587738387762014-10-14T08:57:30.297-07:002014-10-14T08:57:30.297-07:00No what I'm saying is,
Students pass the EOC ...No what I'm saying is,<br /><br />Students pass the EOC algebra test in 8th grade are not ready for Algebra II even with a score of 4. High school math teachers are telling parents the 8 grade EOC test if flawed. 8 grade Algebra teachers teach to the EOC test and not to insure students are ready for high school algebra. <br /><br />There is a failure of grade schools to prepare students for middle school then a repeat of the problem going into high school.<br /><br />It's getting to the point where students need supplemental support in every class except recess. Some classes are pointless a complete waste of time and money. Students that CAN read, should stay home read the book and take an online assessment. They can arrive at 2nd period well rested and ready for the chicken feed general education style SPS has embraced.<br /><br />There is zero corrective action with any issues in SPS. I hate to generalize, but there's no one in charge of anything that really matters. There's now a class system in many schools which is some sort of advanced learning and every body else and god forbid your child has a disability.<br /><br />middle schoolparent Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77867414966808747742014-10-14T08:20:54.467-07:002014-10-14T08:20:54.467-07:00It looks to me that the Operations Committee of th...It looks to me that the Operations Committee of the Whole will be looking at the intro item to authorize the Supt to, among other things, borrow 48M for a downtown school.mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36865582731287972092014-10-14T06:40:31.344-07:002014-10-14T06:40:31.344-07:00Charlie is correct. Students are automatically en...Charlie is correct. Students are automatically enrolled if they failed the MSP test. It is not by choice. They also lose an elective.Linh-Conoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76116386485050356832014-10-14T06:04:59.968-07:002014-10-14T06:04:59.968-07:00I believe the current trend for 9th grade students...I believe the current trend for 9th grade students who aren't quite ready for Algebra is to enroll them in an Algebra class and to also require them to take an Algebra support class (for no credit) in which they get instruction that supports their Algebra classwork.<br />This strategy was very successful in the schools that started it (like Cleveland STEM) and I believe it has been adopted by a number of others. It has also spread to some middle schools.<br />That may be the "pre-Algebra" found in course catalogs. It is taken concurrently with Algebra, not before it.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4868581227044657452014-10-13T22:44:19.849-07:002014-10-13T22:44:19.849-07:00Many HS offer classes for students who are not rea...Many HS offer classes for students who are not ready for algebra (or geometry). They are called by different names. These classes help students to beef up on knowledge and skill sets so they can tackle algebra successfully. These pathways are common and you see them in many, many school districts.<br /><br />another parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20261254329806100332014-10-13T21:40:16.316-07:002014-10-13T21:40:16.316-07:00another parent, I think we were talking about two ...another parent, I think we were talking about two different things. I had interpreted the earlier poster's comments to refer to situations in which different teachers, even within a school, teach the same subject/level class using very curricula. For example, say you have a middle school in which one teacher uses the district approved curriculum for Alg 1, while the other uses their own homegrown curriculum. <br /><br />Yes, I'm very aware there are kids taking different levels of each subject in high school. Middle school, too. I didn't get the sense that the original poster objected to that, and I certainly don't as well. The issue is consistency of curricula for individual classes, not grade levels. <br /><br />HalfFullAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45383703189108023562014-10-13T21:07:26.857-07:002014-10-13T21:07:26.857-07:00An eye-opening report on vaccination rates in Seat...An eye-opening report on vaccination rates in Seattle area schools, from KUOW:<br /><br />http://kuow.org/post/exposing-herd-seattle-schools-lowest-vaccination-rates<br /><br />-wowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76888182463309281622014-10-13T20:06:57.139-07:002014-10-13T20:06:57.139-07:00I don't think any high school in Seattle offer...I don't think any high school in Seattle offers pre-algebra. Linh-Conoreply@blogger.com