tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post6913631761561294554..comments2024-03-29T02:41:52.718-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Open Thread FridayMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43506263579305746942011-01-31T14:44:31.586-08:002011-01-31T14:44:31.586-08:00Thanks so much, JCThanks so much, JCRufus Xnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88633433871805099222011-01-31T13:55:05.615-08:002011-01-31T13:55:05.615-08:00Rufus -
The annual reports appear to have been re...Rufus -<br /><br />The annual reports appear to have been reformatted without discipline stats.<br /><br />It's not remotely easy to find, but after digging around a bit, I think I found the information you seek in this document:<br /><br />http://www.seattleschools.org/area/siso/disprof/2010/DP10indsch.pdfJohnny Calcagnohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12198948404356096884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7370382541754730922011-01-31T12:19:21.533-08:002011-01-31T12:19:21.533-08:00Sadly, it's not Friday, but I'm hoping som...Sadly, it's not Friday, but I'm hoping someone is still perusing the thread and may be able to help me out here. I can't seem to find 2009-2010 disciplinary action stats on the most recent school reports. Are these reports, being handed out at school tours, different from the "annual report", which had previously included the discliplinary action statistics?Rufus Xnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45360292674568669182011-01-31T08:53:22.336-08:002011-01-31T08:53:22.336-08:00Charlie -
Fairly thorough rundowns of Kay Smith...Charlie -<br /><br /><a href="http://centraldistrictnews.com/2011/01/30/budget-transportation-and-policy-effects-dominate-part-ii-of-kay-smith-blum-meeting" rel="nofollow"> Fairly thorough rundowns</a> of Kay Smith-Blum's meetings were done by a blogger at Central District News.Johnny Calcagnohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12198948404356096884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13178856883661267602011-01-30T19:38:28.328-08:002011-01-30T19:38:28.328-08:00OSPI has a FAQ page about the EOC exams. It states...OSPI has a FAQ page about the EOC exams. It states they start Spring 2011 and are for Algebra I, Integrated I, Geometry and Integrated II.<br /><br />http://www.k12.wa.us/mathematics/MayWebinar/math_FAQs_for_EOC_exams.pdf<br /><br />-Trying to keep upAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80232803098236937642011-01-30T16:38:11.894-08:002011-01-30T16:38:11.894-08:00Trying to keep up:
My understanding is that middl...Trying to keep up:<br /><br />My understanding is that middle school students taking Algebra will take both the EOC exam AND MSP. Here's a link to the OSPI page on the math end-of-course exams:<br /><br />http://www.k12.wa.us/Mathematics/End-of-CourseExams.aspx<br /><br />Just to clarify, did the math teacher at Roosevelt say that the Geometry end-of-course test would not be offered this year? Or was s/he just mentioning that the tests (both Algebra I and Geometry) would begin this year? Thanks.dshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04318049812274491254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-87669938347703060272011-01-30T14:33:40.466-08:002011-01-30T14:33:40.466-08:00At the Roosevelt tour this past week, the math tea...At the Roosevelt tour this past week, the math teacher mentioned end of course exams happening this year starting with Algebra 1. <br /><br />I'm assuming it's part of a State requirement, but I'm not positive. And I'm also assuming that middle school students will be taking the test if they are already taking Algebra 1.<br /><br />Does anyone have more info on this?<br /><br />-Trying to keep upAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67902125179655967792011-01-29T21:38:52.905-08:002011-01-29T21:38:52.905-08:00For the Dilbert lovers out there, here's MAP i...For the Dilbert lovers out there, here's MAP in a nutshell:<br /><br /><a href="http://transparentchristina.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/edreform-in-a-nutshell/" rel="nofollow">Data is god</a>MAPsuckshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043019493554551794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40858334160898993622011-01-29T21:33:50.089-08:002011-01-29T21:33:50.089-08:00Thanks for that, Helen. I had one kid get a score ...Thanks for that, Helen. I had one kid get a score I would not have thought possible, but he is my best (and laziest, dammit) student. <br /><br />In the "open thread" spirit, today AS1 had a work party at the school, because let's face it, the building is in awful shape. We took the bull by the horns and started doing some of the fixes ourselves, hoping to show prospective parents that this is a school with a caring community.<br /><br />It looks a lot nicer; surprising that only one day of hard work can make that much difference. Thanks to all the other volunteers! Let's keep it up!Josh Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242600011474990770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42229785578330565942011-01-29T17:26:22.096-08:002011-01-29T17:26:22.096-08:00I got an answer today from Tracy Libros. It's...I got an answer today from Tracy Libros. It's long so I won't post it, but am happy to fwd to anyone who is interested. <br /><br />Here are some highlights:<br /><br />- LI was started at JSIS as a way to fill the school. Similarly, montessori programs were started by the schools themselves as a way to increase enrollment at these schools. <br /><br />- NSAP is actually more equitable because there is no distance tie breaker. Leschi's montessori has space, and when the new LI schools come on board, there will probably be room for people outside the area until the programs take off. <br /><br />I'll copy the last sentence in full as I don't quite understand it:<br /><i>As we begin a longer-term look at capacity management to accommodate increasing enrollment in the district, I anticipate that considerations of program placement may certainly include discussion of access to various programs desired by our families.</i><br /><br />Open to discussion in the future, perhaps?GreyWatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15177134279070087546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-57667874201065804522011-01-29T17:03:21.276-08:002011-01-29T17:03:21.276-08:00I also have taken a look at the MAP math scores fo...<em>I also have taken a look at the MAP math scores for my students, and the correlation between MAP-based growth and growth from my own observations is almost exactly zero. </em><br /><br />Josh, for your high-performing eighth-graders that would probably be true anyway, even if the MAP were a better test in general. The MAP doesn't have enough ceiling for these kids in my opinion (though you may remember the thread where the poster "frustrated" politely disagreed with me over that issue -- I respect his/her opinion but remain unconvinced). <br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64376890499805398282011-01-29T13:02:14.781-08:002011-01-29T13:02:14.781-08:00Advanced Learning letters were mailed and we recei...Advanced Learning letters were mailed and we received our today (Saturday). Luckily our daughter is eligible for APP even with her low winter MAP scores. Now, of course I have a bunch of questions about Lowell. My daughter will be going into 2nd grade next year - if you have someone around the same age, I love to ask a few questions. Please email me at jas2000 at comcast dot net.<br /><br />Thanks!<br />SusanneFremont Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16969167145258990632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-79904177764352176202011-01-29T10:21:36.088-08:002011-01-29T10:21:36.088-08:00Grey Watch,
Your suspicions are correct, I'm ...Grey Watch,<br /><br />Your suspicions are correct, I'm sure. Email me at mapsucks@gmail.com and I'll send you some boiler plate and other tips. And, if you don't get what you ask for, join me in suing the district under the Public Records Act. They think it doesn't apply to them.MAPsuckshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043019493554551794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91194516456114764142011-01-29T09:28:35.402-08:002011-01-29T09:28:35.402-08:00This is interesting. Take a close look at newly-r...This is interesting. Take a close look at newly-revised <a href="http://district.seattleschools.org/modules/cms/pages.phtml?sessionid=80df26ad555169cf2fb023ca35bbe39b&pageid=213615&sessionid=e29adbfacca9ff7c1041eeec220838eb" rel="nofollow">Superintendent Staff Procedures</a> for Procurement. Take a close look at G45.06. The district has chosen to rewrite state statutes and broaden the definition of textbooks to include curriculum and "the teaching process". This opens the door to wholesale contracting out of schools and methods. And of course this wouldn't be to the most qualified or anything, just cronies and best buds (like Joey Wise).<br /><br />Or how about number 8:<br /><b>Interim Contracts</b><br />From time to time, the District elects to engage a consulting or construction firm under an interim contract. This is typically done <b>when project deadlines make it imperative to start work before School Board approval of the primary contract can be obtained.</b> The contract is for a small amount for services over a short period of time. Under no circumstances shall the interim contract commit the District to use the contractor for the primary contract without the requisite Board or senior management approval.<br />Two issues, transparency and accountability, must be addressed for such actions:<br />(a) assuring that the ultimate approving authority is aware of the fact that the services were already started (transparency), and<br />(b) assuring that the interim contract is approved at a senior management level (accountability).<br /><br />There's so much wrong on so many levels here. How will these "interim" contractors or consultants be selected. How does the district's poor planning make this so-called scheduling "emergency" ok? Was the Board aware of this new procedure? Doesn't it affect them, since they'll (likely) be asked to rubberstamp a contract already underway. I can go on and on.MAPsuckshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043019493554551794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26415247809716172392011-01-29T09:27:52.802-08:002011-01-29T09:27:52.802-08:00Stop TFA, thanks for that; I need to write a whole...Stop TFA, thanks for that; I need to write a whole thread on some of what was said.<br /><br />Lisa, I'll try to put up a separate thread on your question as my kids were in music long ago. Your question is a present day situation. My recollection, though, is that music always got put whereever there is room.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55455565121187631612011-01-29T09:26:03.769-08:002011-01-29T09:26:03.769-08:00I'm looking for help in crafting a public disc...I'm looking for help in crafting a public disclosure request. Anyone out there with tips? <br /><br />I'm trying to find out what the district's policy and/or rationale is for for immersion and montessori programs operating as neighborhood schools instead of option programs. I had some other cost related questions, and a few about IB access as well. <br /><br />I'm not sure they'll have anything to give me as I honestly think they are making this stuff up as they go. That said, I would appreciate any advice on how I can be specific enough in my request to get whatever information they might have.GreyWatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15177134279070087546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-47057743801484322732011-01-29T09:09:38.541-08:002011-01-29T09:09:38.541-08:00Call me dumb but I hadn't noticed these before...Call me dumb but I hadn't noticed <a href="http://www.seattleschools.org/area/board/10-11agendas/010811agenda/010811minutes.pdf" rel="nofollow">these</a> before. Board retreat minutes. Wow, what a concept! An open meeting with a written record. Now, how hard was that, to comply with the Open Meetings Act? I see they want to bump up Phase 3 hiring to May/June to take advantage of "high quality" candidates. Might that coincide with graduation of the "wunderkinds" from Hahvarhd and Yale? But they haven't gone thru their measly training yet. Are the Executive Directors turning the screws on principals of "high poverty" schools to hire some fresh meat?StopTFAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08605108615707039386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53342811923589480302011-01-29T07:19:07.359-08:002011-01-29T07:19:07.359-08:00Anyone go to the Board Director community meetings...Anyone go to the Board Director community meetings?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-85267057790539102532011-01-28T23:26:38.702-08:002011-01-28T23:26:38.702-08:00MAPSucks writes:
What, if anything, do these MAP ...MAPSucks writes:<br /><br /><i>What, if anything, do these MAP scores tell you, or any parent for that matter, about your child? It's a crappy test that does NOT measure "growth"....</i><br /><br />I have some actual observations on which to judge this -- I took over teaching a collection of ten pretty-high-performing eighth graders math last fall, after they had already taken the MAP. I've been grading homework, given out a couple of tests (of my own construction), and I have a very good idea of who's progressing how fast.<br /><br />I also have taken a look at the MAP math scores for my students, and the correlation between MAP-based growth and growth from my own observations is almost exactly zero. YMMV, but yeah, MAP really doesn't seem to reflect individual progress in any useful way.Josh Hayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242600011474990770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61444464515269381012011-01-28T19:35:18.173-08:002011-01-28T19:35:18.173-08:00My Friday open thread question: what sort of suppo...My Friday open thread question: what sort of support exists at elementaries for the instrumental music program? At our school the new enrollement numbers have resulted in every room being turned into a classroom. We do still have a dedicated art room and gym, but they are in use all day long. Band/orchestra has been moved to the cafeteria. But MAP testing and kindergarten tours need the cafeteria, too. Except no one involved in the rescheduling of the rooms remembered that band existed, no one told the band instructor of the change. Luckily a parent figured out that this would take some juggling and got the custodian involved so the kids would have chairs and music stands out in the afterschool program's portable which was the only remaining option (I don't count the bathrooms or playground). We only have the band/orchestra instructor for about 2 hours once a week. That time is precious, yet it always seems to be an afterthought for the school. Is this the usual run of things at other schools?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16142207134584074322011-01-28T19:24:42.854-08:002011-01-28T19:24:42.854-08:00Advice for SPE: get your story into neighborhood w...Advice for SPE: get your story into neighborhood websites, even those not quite in the Sand Point area but nearby, such as the Wedgewood blog. You might be able to attract a few families who want a smaller, more personal school, which SPE will be for several more years at least, and who don't much care whether they get transportation. I know if I were at one of the very crowded NE schools I'd jump on the chance to get into Sandpoint with so few kids in the whole school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-22844511754656709632011-01-28T18:41:08.337-08:002011-01-28T18:41:08.337-08:00Fremont Mama,
What, if anything, do these MAP sco...Fremont Mama,<br /><br />What, if anything, do these MAP scores tell you, or any parent for that matter, about your child? It's a crappy test that does NOT measure "growth" and should NOT be used as a gate-keeper to advanced learning opportunities. If you went to a school not a part of SPS, you wouldn't need a MAP score to apply for Spectrum or APP. It is an artificial barrier constructed by REA and Bob Vaughn. There is no research that says kids with a certain RIT score are at XYZ level in the CogAT. NWEA and REA (with MGJ greasing the skids) sold a bill of goods. I know, I'm preaching to the choir.MAPsuckshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043019493554551794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-51379987998583883822011-01-28T18:16:09.760-08:002011-01-28T18:16:09.760-08:00Re: MAP
I just checked my daughter's score. ...Re: MAP<br /><br />I just checked my daughter's score. She is in first grade and has always scored above 95% for reading and math. This time she scored 83% in reading and 90% in math. Her winter MAP test was given 3 days after she came back from winter break and at 2pm in the afternoon...not the ideal testing conditions. We are waiting to see if she tested in Lowell (should find out next week), luckily they used the fall MAP scores and not these.Fremont Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16969167145258990632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28806501333748075152011-01-28T17:46:24.049-08:002011-01-28T17:46:24.049-08:00SPE Parent,
I wonder if there is a way to reach ou...SPE Parent,<br />I wonder if there is a way to reach out to UW departments to make sure they tell incoming grad students with families how to register for school early, so you don't have to wait until September to have those kids counted. Maybe someone from <a href="http://www.grad.washington.edu/about/leadership.shtml" rel="nofollow">Graduate Student Affairs</a> or Housing could help? <br /><br />Also, I have heard (this may be a complete rumor) that SPS is busing some kids to SPE to comply with the No Child Left Behind requirements around AYP. IF that is true, maybe you could get them to commit to include an estimate of those kids as well, even though they wouldn't be assigned until September.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63981069152924010232011-01-28T16:31:38.773-08:002011-01-28T16:31:38.773-08:00PS: I wanted to clarify that I'm not in the ma...PS: I wanted to clarify that I'm not in the market for any school (not that I'm just not considering SPE).zbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13205346985598789513noreply@blogger.com