tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post7125952404511581744..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Work Session Notes, Part OneMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36403611553251786302009-10-12T12:59:08.340-07:002009-10-12T12:59:08.340-07:00another way to get a link
<a href="http://...another way to get a link<br /><a href="http://example.com/page.html">text you want to show for your link</a> <br /><br />will come out like this<br /><br /><a href="http://example.com/page.html" rel="nofollow">text you want to show for your link</a><br /><br />You can just go to the page and copy the URL (the http://example.com part) from the address bar of your browser, and type the rest.TechyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04650916001250022778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-66068910227230091742009-10-10T13:25:41.145-07:002009-10-10T13:25:41.145-07:00For many students, teaching to a test meant that t...<i>For many students, teaching to a test meant that they were not able to reach their full potential which would have been far beyond the level of the tests.<br /><br />No one wins in this situation.<br /><br /></i><br /><br />This is kind of a hip, and pat response against standardized testing. But it isn't completley correct. In fact, WASL has forced teachers to reach out and teach to where the students are... and to try much harder with students they would ordinarily give up on. It may be on a limited scope, but it is better than before. MAP testing tests a huge range... so students ahead of the state standards can still be measured and expected to make at least a year's progress in a year's time. EG. If you're working at year ahead, next year you should still be a year or more ahead.<br /><br />The problem with WASL is the high stakes nature of it. Perhaps it can't be avoided ... because students who aren't required to take a test, may well not show up... or may not try hard if they do show up, which reduces validity.readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754095597231700863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-68638883297193282182009-10-10T09:46:17.811-07:002009-10-10T09:46:17.811-07:00A quick tech comment for emeraldkity--we're a ...A quick tech comment for emeraldkity--we're a mac family too and to get a left click on a trackpad, hold down the control key while you click and that will bring up the traditional dialog box that Windows users get.lendleeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12555109557702727406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19099608046132824222009-10-10T09:00:48.905-07:002009-10-10T09:00:48.905-07:00thanks for the help for the html link- but I am on...thanks for the help for the html link- but I am on a macbookpro with only a trackpad. and no left/right button<br /><br />and I think in the case of the DC schools- the money was being donated for teacher salaries- but that is like opening a can of worms because once you start getting donated funds- it isn't often no strings attachedJet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-3548085662977723912009-10-09T11:10:35.037-07:002009-10-09T11:10:35.037-07:00By the way, emeraldkity, to get a link to your com...By the way, emeraldkity, to get a link to your comment box, just left click on the link that shows up in your browser where your artice is, highlight it and then right click your mouse. Click the command that says "copy" and then go back to your comment box and hit the left button on your mouse to get the bar to flash that shows where your mouse is and then right click again and click "paste".<br /><br />It's just like when you want to cut and paste in a word document.<br /><br />Hope that helps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74437848143373078112009-10-09T10:09:26.174-07:002009-10-09T10:09:26.174-07:00Merit pay is an issue that is closely associated w...Merit pay is an issue that is closely associated with charter schools and is a reiteration of the No Child Left Behind Act.<br /><br />Basically, it requires that teachers pay be based on how well their students perform on standardized tests. For our students, it could be the WASL or a similar test such as the assessment test that is being created thanks to the donations of Bill Gates and the Broad Foundation. (See my comment above regarding that.) With the No Child Left Behind Act, teachers and staff were pressured to teach much of the class work to the standardized tests. With so much focus on the test, many other parts of knowledge building, creativity and understanding of subjects and their synthesis with other knowledge had to take a back seat. For many students, teaching to a test meant that they were not able to reach their full potential which would have been far beyond the level of the tests.<br /><br />No one wins in this situation.<br /><br />Part of the fallout also is that if a teacher's pay is based on how well their students test, many teachers will want to teach in a school where they know that the students will perform better. Those schools are, for the most part, not the minority schools.<br /><br />Some students do not perform well on standardized tests for many different reasons and yet a teacher's pay can be tied to that student's performance. High stakes testing also puts pressure and stress on the students who become burdened with the thought that they need to perform well on one test. The test becomes a focus with little opportunity to explore and have fun learning, creating and synthesizing new thoughts and ideas.<br /><br />If we are to have merit pay in Seattle, it needs to be based on many factors and not just what is indicated on one standardized test.<br /><br />Also, where would we get the money for these bonuses? We are cash strapped as it is.<br /><br />For an interesting article regarding the subject, see:<br /><br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gerald-bracey/obama-and-duncan-champion_b_245565.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15329157993580115452009-10-09T10:01:43.643-07:002009-10-09T10:01:43.643-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14998599855847560052009-10-09T09:48:02.243-07:002009-10-09T09:48:02.243-07:00regarding teacher pay- I thought this was an inter...regarding teacher pay- I thought this was an interesting way of handling it- <br />This is from the school Chancellor in D.C. ( however- I don't think the union has signed a contract yet)<br /><br /><i>Earlier this year, [Rhee] proposed a revolutionary new model to let teachers choose between two pay scales. They could make up to $130,000 in merit pay on the basis of their effectiveness--in exchange for giving up tenure for one year. Or they could keep tenure and accept a smaller raise.</i><br /><br />I don't know how to get the HTML link but updates are in the Washington PostJet City momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804841958585043967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-76177196690620250222009-10-08T23:51:34.280-07:002009-10-08T23:51:34.280-07:00It just occurred to me that these student assessme...It just occurred to me that these student assessments that the Broad and Bill Gates are paying for will not inevitably be about how a student is doing but how a teacher is performing which would later be the basis for determining merit pay.<br /><br />See:<br /><br />http://seattle-ed.blogspot.com/<br /><br />and scroll down to merit pay to see how it ties into charter schools, the Broad Foundation and Bill Gates.<br /><br />Also, check out who is on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Education. I don’t see too many educators on this board.<br /><br />http://www.alliance4ed.org/about/board.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27356199641751595022009-10-08T23:28:02.760-07:002009-10-08T23:28:02.760-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72900547465493859372009-10-08T23:17:34.930-07:002009-10-08T23:17:34.930-07:00Well, I found out about the Gates and Broad funds ...Well, I found out about the Gates and Broad funds and they are connected to the Alliance for Education. By the way, the Alliance for Education funded the last school board retreat. And what funds were used? Those provided by the Broad and Bill Gates.<br /><br />See:<br /><br />http://www.broadeducation.org/asset/0-alliance-sps%20release%20final%203-10.pdf<br /><br />My next question is, who decided that this money would be used for this purpose and did the school board have a say in this? We have schools at over-capacity and in disrepair, schools closed and teachers rif'd and the best thing they could do with the money is testing and evaluation of students? Isn't the WASL enough of a statistical evaluation of how a student is doing? A good teacher, and we have plenty of them in our school system, can evaluate where a student is at any point in time. I know that my daughter's teachers can and I can also as an educator.<br /><br />And, why do we need the Alliance for Education to handle such funds? Can't that be done within SPS and monitored by the school board who are in turn are monitored by us?<br /><br />It is interesting how these grants were provided to SPS just before the superintendent's evaluation and based on how well they thought that she was performing. Particularly considering that our superintendent is on the Board of Directors for the Broad Foundation. As my daughter would say, "Coincidence? I think not."<br /><br />There is a lot going on here that needs further study.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38444946062961085812009-10-08T14:03:56.127-07:002009-10-08T14:03:56.127-07:00It's also possible that there were out of dist...It's also possible that there were out of district kids from Renton at AAA. There are at Madrona and were at MLK.TechyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04650916001250022778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11534063424958453722009-10-08T13:35:38.440-07:002009-10-08T13:35:38.440-07:00Is it *that* unlikely that any kids from AAA would...Is it *that* unlikely that any kids from AAA would have gone private? Lack of resources isn't necessarily the issue. If you're poor enough to get a full scholarship (90% of AAA students were on FRL, so that's a reasonable assumption), it could actually be a little *easier* to go private than it is for people who make enough to have to pay part or all of the tuition. <br /><br />It still wouldn't be easy, full stop: there aren't a lot of private schools with openings for full-scholarship students, and it might be hard to get in. But it wouldn't be any harder because of being poor. Given that AAA was an alternative school, you wouldn't have too many parents incapable of planning ahead about their kids' education.<br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33225971385273489862009-10-08T13:07:02.751-07:002009-10-08T13:07:02.751-07:00Since we're talking about closure fallout, las...Since we're talking about closure fallout, last night we learned that the greatest "district attrition" rates (leaving SPS entirely) was seen in Summit and AAA communities. Does this alarm anyone? It's not like the latter population has the resources to go private!!! I really hope they have the resources to go to Renton, but it seems like a real possibility that SPS put some kids on the streets. ??? I can't believe no directors even asked anything.Chris S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17016898261120819596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-26381682974003252922009-10-08T12:14:06.476-07:002009-10-08T12:14:06.476-07:00I did a whistle in the wind test yesterday based o...I did a whistle in the wind test yesterday based on the SAP release and knowledge that the levy will be necessary to make it work as far as opening new facilities. <br /><br />25 Central District folks, about 70-30 percentage of district parents to non-. The levy went down. Hard. Reasons for thumbs down included economy, feeling and I quote "shafted" by SPS program policies in the CD (specific schools were mentioned in each case) and two votes of no confidence in District facilities. Two said they never vote on levy matters. Thumbs up reasons given were all along the line of "I always vote for public school levies."<br /><br />This is a small poll, but interesting to me. One note is that I'd consider all of these people to be relatively educated.Central Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05411595538958030193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18891334041525140682009-10-08T12:10:04.343-07:002009-10-08T12:10:04.343-07:00I would like a thread on the money that was given ...I would like a thread on the money that was given to SPS by the Broad Foundation and Bill Gates, $10M. I want to know where that money is now, what it is being used for and the relationship between those funds and the Alliance for Education. By the way, the last school board retreat was paid for by the Alliance for Education.<br /><br />Many school board retreats around the country are financed by the Broad Foundation which is a proponent of charter schools. Was our board's retreat funded in a circuitous fashion by them as well?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2609426007984664602009-10-08T12:03:35.608-07:002009-10-08T12:03:35.608-07:00Roy, it is my understanding that the rainy day fun...Roy, it is my understanding that the rainy day fund was not touched even though it was argued during the school closure debacle and the rif's that those funds be used rather than take a hatchet to our school system.<br /><br />The funds are there and can be used. With the international and national financial picture beginning to become brighter, there would be opportunity in the near future to refill that fund.<br /><br />Oh yeah, and what about the money that Gates and the Broad gave SPS of $10M total. Why couldn't we use those funds so that the levy money can still go into making our schools safer?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38354618527697131832009-10-08T11:43:17.284-07:002009-10-08T11:43:17.284-07:00Will somebody start a thread about the meeting las...Will somebody start a thread about the meeting last night? Meg's testimony about the increase in central administration costs and the obfuscation around it, and DeBell's response...A few heads rolling would cut some costs.<br /><br />It is true that if no heads roll the voters may feel more like making them roll..Chris S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17016898261120819596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44553919149362298442009-10-08T10:51:12.324-07:002009-10-08T10:51:12.324-07:00It probably won't be much of a dent, but it wo...It probably won't be much of a dent, but it would go a long way in making peace with the taxpayers.<br />Every other city entity is taking a big cut to their operating budget, why not the District?SolvayGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12709893209963350066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23845801299877807952009-10-08T10:50:43.520-07:002009-10-08T10:50:43.520-07:00It is also unfair to expect to take money out of t...<i><b>It is also unfair to expect to take money out of the upcoming Levy monies to pay for these mistakes.</b></i><br /><br />The mistakes have been made and now correcting them needs to be paid for. So where should the money come from?Roy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07677294298900083208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52226628839262475302009-10-08T10:49:52.457-07:002009-10-08T10:49:52.457-07:00I agree with Dora...
Perhaps we should pressure SP...I agree with Dora...<br />Perhaps we should pressure SPS to cut some of the consultants, etc. to pay for reopening schools.SolvayGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12709893209963350066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-28094345046204540312009-10-08T10:44:36.390-07:002009-10-08T10:44:36.390-07:00The most recent census bureau report stated that t...The most recent census bureau report stated that there would be a 50%-100% growth of schools aged children in the Central/Capitol Hill areas between 2005 and 2012. Also, DeBell was well aware of the over-capacity issues in the north end area which he represents.<br /><br />SPS had the census information because DeBell told me that is what they established their decision on to close schools.<br /><br />One parent, Meg Diaz, did an exemplary accounting of the demographics for the school board but their minds had already been made up by the superintendent. See:<br /><br />http://andrehelmstetter.com/Capacity_managementfinal_analysis/Capacity_managementfinal_analysis.htm<br /><br />It has been a complete waste of time, money and resources to close schools, uproot children, rif teachers and move equipment, furniture and supplies around just to now say that we are over capacity and need to re-open seven buildings.<br /><br />It reflects a complete lack of competency on the part of the superintendent and her chosen staff.<br /><br />It is also unfair to expect to take money out of the upcoming Levy monies to pay for these mistakes. That money is to go to schools who desperately need funds to upgrade school buildings and address other items that were on the table before this came up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72268689890729213252009-10-08T09:49:41.683-07:002009-10-08T09:49:41.683-07:00The levy may certainly be difficult this year. Wh...The levy may certainly be difficult this year. What is the capacity plan if it fails?Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12875541753709754758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-73853662740675618872009-10-08T09:17:22.887-07:002009-10-08T09:17:22.887-07:00The North End has exploded and needs the classroom...The North End has exploded and needs the classrooms. This trend will continue, regardless of market forces. The City is growing, and families are starting in the city after decades of moving up and out to greener pastures. This is a long term trend that shouldn't surprise anyone. Seattle recently eclipsed its highest population ever which was, I believe, in 1968 or 1969. We're now bigger than we've ever been, and keep growing. <br /><br />As the North End fills up with density, the South End will follow, and is following, right behind. We can't outrun population growth. <br /><br />Given all this, the Board needs to just open all the damn schools they need in the North End, including, and especially, Lincoln High School. Five years down the road, RB and Cleveland will be much larger than now if the district would just stick with properly resourcing the schools, holding staff accountable, and embracing, instead of alienating the South End communities. <br /><br />Why the cowards on the board pussy-foot around with cultural and racial politics is absolutely beyond me. Give families what they need.wseadawghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08750439461734046035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-16602679959298869102009-10-08T09:17:08.739-07:002009-10-08T09:17:08.739-07:00Another Mom, I'm writing a thread on your ques...Another Mom, I'm writing a thread on your question. Much is dependent on the levy and it is not good. They are worried and they should be worried. The sell to the public will be difficult.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.com