tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post6762535181055384259..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State Waiting for Washington, D.C. on WaiverMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77084776660933092592014-04-10T20:26:44.736-07:002014-04-10T20:26:44.736-07:00Enough on who is who.
Don't make me say it ag...Enough on who is who.<br /><br />Don't make me say it again, pleaseMelissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7493761559010338542014-04-10T19:46:52.472-07:002014-04-10T19:46:52.472-07:00"enough already, you're apparently assumi..."enough already, you're apparently assuming that I'm not part of the authority."<br /><br />Do tell, swk.Miss Waterloonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60243908524796364732014-04-10T17:34:48.311-07:002014-04-10T17:34:48.311-07:00Okay, let's get past the snark and have a real...Okay, let's get past the snark and have a real discussion. I'm not considering calling someone like Cartman "name-calling" but I'm not sure it helps the discussion.<br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18315700161372103902014-04-10T14:24:39.176-07:002014-04-10T14:24:39.176-07:00Um no, enough already, my war history tells me civ...Um no, enough already, my war history tells me civilians are more fodder and refugee material than armchair general (at least in my personal experience). My read is that you and swk are not that far apart in this and on other postings, hence your southpark brawl.<br /><br />civ<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16916116972163513742014-04-10T13:07:47.801-07:002014-04-10T13:07:47.801-07:00enough already, I would ask that you ease up on th...enough already, I would ask that you ease up on the sarcasm and insults directed at me. I don't attack you --- just your arguments --- but you somehow feel justified in insulting me and I ask that you refrain from doing so in the future. <br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26718683617024356302014-04-10T12:58:52.650-07:002014-04-10T12:58:52.650-07:00Now you sound like Cartman from South Park.
As lo...Now you sound like Cartman from South Park.<br /><br />As long as you gotta serve somebody, i.e. have to get up and work in the morning, you ain't the "authoritie".<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11556746974825078422014-04-10T12:57:22.762-07:002014-04-10T12:57:22.762-07:00Now you sound like Cartman from South Park.
--eno...Now you sound like Cartman from South Park.<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20907805845670986922014-04-10T12:51:49.552-07:002014-04-10T12:51:49.552-07:00enough already, you're apparently assuming tha...enough already, you're apparently assuming that I'm not part of the authority.<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78850397342632093152014-04-10T12:43:28.738-07:002014-04-10T12:43:28.738-07:00swk,
If you were a student in my class, I'd a...swk,<br /><br />If you were a student in my class, I'd adore you. I mean that.<br /><br />But that blind submission to authority in an adult scares me.<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7412985512412031322014-04-10T12:30:59.797-07:002014-04-10T12:30:59.797-07:00It's not a war, but it is an equity issue. Bi...It's not a war, but it is an equity issue. Bill Gates and President Obama are forcing everyone else to do what their children don't have to do.<br /><br />It's always a privilege to be on the sidelines, civilian. I envy you, really. Except when you sound like an armchair general.<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55594031327354201402014-04-10T12:30:06.499-07:002014-04-10T12:30:06.499-07:00Melissa, while neither of us can prove it, I would...Melissa, while neither of us can prove it, I would bet a pretty sum that this would not occur. To place a released item (i.e., those that have appeared in the public domain on practice tests, etc.) on an operational test would (1) be a violation of the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing and (2) invalidate the results of student performance on that item if it were discovered that a released item appeared on an operational test.<br /><br />Therefore, it is simply not done.<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-71949102439382761572014-04-10T12:18:34.976-07:002014-04-10T12:18:34.976-07:00swk,that's true. You are just too darn matter...swk,that's true. You are just too darn matter of fact about it. It's a war don't you know. I'm not sure who's the enemy at the end of the class day, but time to roar and charge and yell and stomp and get weally, weally upset. The munition makers win at the end of the day whatever side they are on.<br /><br />civilianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83816189370282431202014-04-10T11:51:36.539-07:002014-04-10T11:51:36.539-07:00"practice tests have been released for the Sm... "practice tests have been released for the Smarter Balanced assessments and other test items will be released on practice tests. However, NONE of these test items will be used the operational tests in the future."<br /><br />You know this how? I'd be willing to bet money some items will appear but, of course, neither of us can prove that.<br /><br />Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39728853248132586492014-04-10T11:02:16.481-07:002014-04-10T11:02:16.481-07:00Oh Please, who's arguing about whether or not ...Oh Please, who's arguing about whether or not WA will use SBA next year? Didn't I say they would? I did. So we are in agreement.<br /><br />My point above is that Washington state is under no federal obligation to use SBA or PARCC.<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31119481458591268642014-04-10T10:59:44.699-07:002014-04-10T10:59:44.699-07:00Oh Please, what are you talking about? When did I...Oh Please, what are you talking about? When did I minimize ONE MILLION Washington students? I said there were one million TOTAL students in Washington and about 20% of them field tested the SBA --- so it was about 200,000. And why are you bringing up 3.5 million students in CA and other states now? You referred only to WASHINGTON STATE students previously. Let's not change the goal posts now.<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10752193417973633072014-04-10T10:55:52.248-07:002014-04-10T10:55:52.248-07:00swk states: " The state doesn't have to ...swk states: " The state doesn't have to use SBA or PARCC"<br /><br />We'll see about that. I'm placing my bets that Wa. State students WILL take SBA next year.<br />Oh Pleasenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72635644231121913452014-04-10T10:55:33.135-07:002014-04-10T10:55:33.135-07:00Oh Please, yes, practice tests have been released ...Oh Please, yes, practice tests have been released for the Smarter Balanced assessments and other test items will be released on practice tests. However, NONE of these test items will be used the operational tests in the future<br /><br />Of course teachers can share practice test items all they want --- they're already in the public domain. On the other hand, teachers are not allowed to share operational test items with students or anyone else. As a matter of fact, teachers shouldn't be looking at operational tests at all.<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19978495845283335972014-04-10T10:52:24.205-07:002014-04-10T10:52:24.205-07:00swk,
So, you seem to be minimizing the use of ONE...swk,<br /><br />So, you seem to be minimizing the use of ONE MILLION Washington State children. Do you not count the 3.5M children used to test SBA in California and what about other states? Interesting.<br /><br />Signing-off.Oh Pleasenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57653416308859727162014-04-10T10:48:05.720-07:002014-04-10T10:48:05.720-07:00swk,
Regarding#2 There are many practice exams fo...swk,<br /><br />Regarding#2 There are many practice exams for standardized tests. Tests that are given, throughout the years, are relinquished as practice tests. So, I'm not sure what you are talking about.Oh Pleasenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-78032825961800759452014-04-10T10:44:11.093-07:002014-04-10T10:44:11.093-07:00Oh Please, there are about a million students tota...Oh Please, there are about a million students total in Washington, so to say that "Washington State used millions of children to pilot Smarter Balanced Assessments this year" is a pretty big exaggeration given only about 20% of students field tested. But I guess that's neither here nor there.<br /><br />Washington state will be using the SBA starting next year but I'm still unclear as to the federal dollars that will be determined by SBA.<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36202827047745542872014-04-10T10:27:23.202-07:002014-04-10T10:27:23.202-07:00swk,
Regarding #3- Washington State used millions...swk,<br /><br />Regarding #3- Washington State used millions of children to pilot Smarter Balanced Asseessments this year. Are you saying Washington State won't be using SBA?? The Feds also had their hand in Common Core and Wa. State. Oh Pleasenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-48288946838481440052014-04-10T10:08:23.083-07:002014-04-10T10:08:23.083-07:00Fund Education, I'm assuming by SBA you mean t...Fund Education, I'm assuming by SBA you mean the Smarter Balanced assessments.<br /><br />(1) NCLB Flexibility (or waivers) is contingent upon the use of STATE test scores in teacher evaluation (and the SBA will be the state test next year). Our state has said that we will not require state test scores in teacher evaluation and, therefore, we will not require SBA scores in teacher evaluation. It is for this reason that we may have our NCLB waiver revoked.<br /><br />(2) What gag order? There is no gag order against speaking out against the test. Teachers spoke out against the WASL all the time as they do about the MSP, HSPE, and EOCs and as they will about the SBA. If by gag order, you mean teachers may not share test questions with their students, peers, and the public, that is correct. But it's not a gag order. It's good policy.<br /><br />(3) On your statement regarding "the test that would determine usage of federal dollars," I must admit that I don't know what you are talking about. What federal dollars? The state doesn't have to use SBA or PARCC. So, I'm unclear as to your point.<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31398366615452418572014-04-10T09:59:54.718-07:002014-04-10T09:59:54.718-07:00Fund Education, Leonard, and Oh Please, what RTTT ...Fund Education, Leonard, and Oh Please, what RTTT funds are you talking about? Let me repeat: Washington DID NOT receive a RTTT grant (at least the one that demanded a charter school expansion) and, therefore, has no obligation to expand charter schools in this state. No federal obligation whatsoever.<br /><br />Yes, Seattle and other South King County districts received a district RTTT grant but (and I repeat) it is has no affect on the state at large and certainly no affect on statewide charter school caps. And yes, Washington did receive an early learning RTTT grant, but it has nothing to do with charters.<br /><br />And if you're asking my opinion regarding the "next RTTT dollars," I will give my opinion: There will not be a next round of RTTT dollars. The RTTT dollars came from Congressional stimulus funds provided to the USDE as well as other federal agencies --- that was one-time money. The chances of Congress (particularly House Republicans) giving the President and Secretary Duncan another dime of discretionary funds is somewhere between slim and none.<br /><br />So, do I think the USDE wants to control education policy? I absolutely do. But the leverage that the USDE has is slowly dwindling. They can't leverage RTTT dollars that we don't have and, if they revoke our NCLB waiver, that's just one less piece of leverage. And I repeat, there won't be any more RTTT dollars. That's gone. And this is why I'm with Melissa on the waiver --- Duncan's not going to bring the hammer down on Washington over the waiver because it would take away his last piece of leverage to force us to his will.<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-32532452418833050412014-04-10T09:31:31.086-07:002014-04-10T09:31:31.086-07:00swk,
Do you doubt that Duncan won't use RTT d...swk,<br /><br />Do you doubt that Duncan won't use RTT dollars to control education policy?Oh Pleasenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87696526970286597562014-04-10T09:17:07.407-07:002014-04-10T09:17:07.407-07:00To be clear, Wa. State will be using SBA. Flexibil...To be clear, Wa. State will be using SBA. Flexibility regarding fed. dollars were contingent upon linking test scores to teacher evaluations. <br /><br />Will there be a gag order placed on teachers that prevent them from speaking about SBA? The same test that would be linked to teacher evaluation? The same test that would determine usage of federal dollars?Fund Educationnoreply@blogger.com