tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post7620839375284924661..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Rainier Beach High SchoolMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19421740698914828752011-06-24T15:28:19.777-07:002011-06-24T15:28:19.777-07:00Boy, that Dr. Enfield sure knows how to build the ...Boy, that Dr. Enfield sure knows how to build the suspense, doesn't she?<br /><br />There's about one more hour left for her to announce the new principal at Rainier Beach.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-38395171616168633692011-06-24T12:25:23.985-07:002011-06-24T12:25:23.985-07:00Nu?
It's Friday. Where's the announcement...Nu?<br /><br />It's Friday. Where's the announcement of the new principal?Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10899958546705111182011-06-23T23:10:38.092-07:002011-06-23T23:10:38.092-07:00Great. Let's them both go down in flames toge...Great. Let's them both go down in flames together. Is this another one of the many things she does so frickin' well that she's the Exec Dir of Elementaries AND RBHS AND principal hiring. Is HR that f*cked up?StopTFAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08605108615707039386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42916696388899149972011-06-23T20:40:08.716-07:002011-06-23T20:40:08.716-07:00Word on the street is that Bree Dusseault is in ch...Word on the street is that Bree Dusseault is in charge of hiring the RB principal. <br /><br />APP ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-620907553456197222011-06-23T18:57:31.243-07:002011-06-23T18:57:31.243-07:00Given our interim Supr. is the former Chief Academ...Given our interim Supr. is the former Chief Academic Officer and thinking about Mr. Tolley led me to question the SPS administrative direction over the last few years at its effect on RBHS student performance in math.... RBHS had UW College of Ed Math Education Project help .... <br /><br />So what about results and accountability?<br /><br />High School Math Annual testing via OSPI... in 2010 Spring 2010 the HSPE results for RBHS ...<br /><br />Number of students passing = 11<br /><br />Number of students tested = 78<br /><br />Number of males passing = 9 and females = 2<br /><br />Number of Black students passing = 2<br /><br />Number of Asian/Pacific Islanders passing = 6<br /><br />Black students enrolled 54<br />White students enrolled 4<br />Asian/Pacific Islanders enrolled 15<br /><br />.............. Well Math Program Director Anna-Maria is out ... and CAO Enfield is Superintendent ... <br />accountability? ... <br />Accountability may come as four school board members seek reelection.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36325963398947130172011-06-23T15:23:46.354-07:002011-06-23T15:23:46.354-07:00People mystify me. Really. You would think that be...People mystify me. Really. You would think that being a person would give me some insight into their behavior and motivations, but it's not much help. I can't tell you how many times each day that I wish I could just stop everything and ask someone why they did something.<br /><br />Why did that driver change lanes?<br />Why did that person choose those clothes?<br />Why did that person say that rude thing?<br /><br />Even if I could ask the question, I'm not sure I would get an answer. I often couldn't explain my motivations and actions, let alone explain the motivations of others.<br /><br />I have spoken with folks about the rudeness and disruptive behavior described by fed up... Sometimes the student is totally at fault. Yes, students need to learn and to respect the cultural norms of the school. No doubt about that. But there are also a surprising number of cases in which the student is responding to an (unintentional) insult by a teacher or other staff member. Not all of the time, but a lot more often than you would imagine. That's where cultural competence would come in handy - on both sides of the experience.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31237115388261619032011-06-23T15:02:38.545-07:002011-06-23T15:02:38.545-07:00Understanding Rita,
I hear you. What else could ...Understanding Rita,<br /><br />I hear you. What else could account for the SE phenomenon? The water? gremlins? There IS a lack of understanding that permeates SPS and to some extent families. Those who say "I don't want those special education kids in my son's class! What a waste!" Or a principal who bars the door to children with special needs. There must be a holistic approach to educating the child and improving a school, and it's NOT TFA, it's NOT ed reform, it is genuine cooperation and respect.SeattleSpedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705544363458155912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2255149199091326282011-06-23T14:13:18.535-07:002011-06-23T14:13:18.535-07:00Personally I think teachers should be sensitive to...Personally I think teachers should be sensitive to a child's home culture, but ultimately it is up to the student to be culturally competent in the school culture. However that culture manifests itself. I don't care how you dress it up or what you call it. A student who curses at a teacher, is disruptive or any host of other bad behaviors is out of line and should be removed. Exactly which culture says that is ok? And how are teachers supposed to be sensitive to it?<br />sign me, fed up with bad behavior that masquerades as cultural norm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42904179035849598302011-06-23T12:50:35.220-07:002011-06-23T12:50:35.220-07:00I think the back and forth on this thread is a met...I think the back and forth on this thread is a metaphor for what is wrong at RBHS. <br /><br />I taught in this area for many years and was loved by parents because their children achieved.<br /><br />Rita, put your energy into getting parents involved in the school. Kids need to know that parents and teachers are on the same team. Kids know the game--they know how to play it--when parents and staff have animosity. <br /><br />Deal with individual teacher wrongs when they happen (and they certainly do happen)--blanket criticism is destructive.<br /><br />By the way, trashing the teachers in one breath and then saying RBHS is a great place doesn't jibe.<br /><br />-Been there, done thatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-43143430540762645362011-06-23T11:40:03.424-07:002011-06-23T11:40:03.424-07:00Charlie thanks for spelling out cultural competenc...Charlie thanks for spelling out cultural competency as many people do not understand the full details.<br /><br />Melissa, I am not saying I support TFA. In fact I agree with a comment Charlie posted some time ago "TFA threatens the professionalism of Teachers."<br /><br />But... What I do know is I do not want a teacher that walks into the building before school starts and states, "I hope this student and that student does not show up at school today."<br /><br />Nor do I want a teacher that states "It is not their job to have a relationship with their students."<br /><br />What I do want, are teachers who believe in and inspire students students to do their very best every day.<br /><br />By building positive relationships education flourishes.<br />Teachers are essential in shaping students lives. <br />Do you remember your favorite teacher? <br />How did they impact your life?<br />I have two favorite teachers. (Mr. Nagy, my 6th grade Math teacher and Mr. Dowling my 9th grade Math teacher) Because of them I grew to love Math.<br /><br />Yes, students have to share in the accountability and it is our job as adults to teach them how to be accountable in a positive manner. Teachers should not prejudge or antagonize students as this sets them up for failure.Rita Green RBHS PTSA VPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56115232642437229942011-06-23T08:27:10.898-07:002011-06-23T08:27:10.898-07:00I would like to know why Anonymous at 8:06's p...I would like to know why Anonymous at 8:06's post is being allowed to remain even though this blog's ONLY posting rule is that you cannot post anonymously?? It's an offensive post and far less inflamatory ones have been pulled far quicker on other threads. Be consistant, people!WV Says Ignatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15891172195435023922011-06-23T08:24:11.110-07:002011-06-23T08:24:11.110-07:00Charlie Said: It is not, however, a one-way stree...Charlie Said: <i>It is not, however, a one-way street. The students also need to learn cultural competency so they don't unnecessarily take offense at actions by other students or teachers who are behaving within the norms of their cultures.</i><br /><br />I couldn't say it better Charlie. <br /><br />I can also attest, without trying to malign anyone, that the rate of parental participation at conferences and school events correlates directly with students' performance. At our school, the participation rate of parents in their kids educations, such as at conferences, is sharply divided between the high performing and low performing groups. <br /><br />Some families just don't value and treat education like other families, and that's not a cultural competency problem with teachers. <br /><br />I lament the lost opportunities to build cultural competency when parents don't get involved. If you want a teacher to understand your kid better, then for heaven's sake, go to the parent teacher conferences, call or e-mail your teachers, or schedule a face-to-face meeting. This can best be achieved one kid, one parent, and one teacher at a time. <br /><br />Instead we'll get classes & conferences for teachers to attend, where they'll learn about how to reach a broader swath of kids as diversity grows, but how, specifically does that help Mr. Teacher get along with Johnny if Mr. Teacher never sees & builds a relationship with Johnny's parents. <br /><br />Again, I don't wish to malign. But I've seen the incredibly disparate parent-participation rates at our schools, and to me, it's the easiest, most direct, low-hanging-fruit solution there is. I know some parents work nights, and such, but a teacher can do so much more with a kid when they know and understand his family dynamic, and was his non-school environment is like. If all we harp on is cultural competency, without harping on parental involvement at the same time, we're whizzing in the wind. It takes both sides. WSEADAWGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7051155808724964312011-06-23T08:14:18.985-07:002011-06-23T08:14:18.985-07:00Understanding Rita,
I hear much of what you're...Understanding Rita,<br />I hear much of what you're saying. I'm not sure I understand or agree on the idea that it's not racist to treat people in ways based on assumptions of their culture.<br />I appreciate Charlie's points, too, but similarly, I wonder what "culture" it is that teachers are to be sure to be aware of, and how is it not racist to ascribe those culture's characteristics to a child based on...How they look? How they act?<br />Say we have a boy in class who LOOKS "black." His skin is darker, his hair nappier...Does a teacher ASK that boy what his "culture is? Wait for the boy to evidence some behavior that is supposedly related to a particular culture? What culture? "African American"? What IS that culture? People I know who are "African American" come from all sorts of generational backgrounds, exhibit all sorts of actions and words...Is a teacher to assume that a child is "a certain way" because they look a certain way?<br /><br />I see the point about celebrating a variety of cultures (posters on walls, etc) but even this has its pitfalls: Do these posters celebrate the blackness of the heroes thereon? Or their common humanity?<br /><br />How many "cultures" should be represented on the posters? How many "cultures" are there that should (indeed) be respected?<br /><br />I'm not trying to be argumentative, but after years of trying to understand the race issue in society and in schools, I keep banging my head against this:<br /><br />To "fix" racism we seem to be required to continue it. How do we get to the place where each individual is honored and respected as a unique, diverse, individual if we continue to call them out or recognize them in little boxes: "Black," "White," "Native American"...<br />Yes, we should recognize and celebrate the huge variety of ways of living, but are we to expect teachers to somehow know or assume things about a kid because they look this way or that?<br /><br />Me, I'd get rid of the "categories" on school registration forms completely. What purpose do they serve, other than to classify children by race, something that we should NOT be doing.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11112231733052726072011-06-23T00:54:55.423-07:002011-06-23T00:54:55.423-07:00Disrespectful and rude students cross all cultures...Disrespectful and rude students cross all cultures and permeate the district; particularily at the middle and high school level<br /><br />These are disruptive and interfere with learning. <br /><br />Frankly, I"m sick of it.Disgusted Saidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46647672055074400552011-06-22T23:17:11.598-07:002011-06-22T23:17:11.598-07:00The vast majority of the community speaks with the...The vast majority of the community speaks with their feet. They have spoken by sending their students everywhere else. <br /><br />Looking for teachers who are competent in the current school dysfunction seems ridiculous and harmful to students. Teachers that enjoybeing cussed out, marginalized, ignored, and constantly treated disrespectfully creates an environment that breeds those traits. So you want to choose exactly the opposite when looking for traits in teachers.<br /><br /> <br />Maybe the district should conduct paid confidential exit interviews with the staff to get detailing information to work off of?<br /><br />- CuriousAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44744496985053980412011-06-22T22:52:47.162-07:002011-06-22T22:52:47.162-07:00What'd the big deal. Let TFA permeate RBHS an...What'd the big deal. Let TFA permeate RBHS and let's see what those seeds sow. If it's a change in the achievement gap, Great. If if ain't, back to the drawing board. We are currently in our third major wave of reform since the early '70s when the first laws forced schools to desegregate. First it was how teachers deliver a lesson, then it had to do with school infrastructure (small learning communities, etc...), and now we are headlong into curriculum battles. IB at RBHS; AP at RHS; APP at WAMS and HMS... yabba yabba. Part of conforming to curriculum will be insure teachers are 100% submissive to admin directives. Well, with TFA, we buy submissive teachers. They are untrained, untainted, and unsustainable -- the perfect ingredients for submissive. Gone will be the teachers whose entrenched notions and ideology present roadblocks for ambitious (but sadly untalented) administrators.Godspeed!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30003984819241756452011-06-22T22:33:31.120-07:002011-06-22T22:33:31.120-07:00"Melissa, everything I have read about TFA sa..."Melissa, everything I have read about TFA says a main goal is to address the achievement gap."<br /><br />Yes and no. They WANT to help but that is not really their goal. <br /><br />TFA has not closed the achievement gap in any school or any district. Anywhere. They do well compared to other conditionally certificated teachers and occasionally, in math, do better than a regular teacher. But it is very hit or miss.<br /><br />They are not, in any significant way, creating more teachers. It's a drop in the overall bucket.<br /><br />What they ARE doing is creating an army of alum to go out and pitch a vision of public education. Read their website. <br /><br />Now, is it better to have an eager teacher in the classroom with TFA's patented "relentless" focus? In the life of a child for a year, maybe. But see, the constant churn that IS TFA with a revolving door at these schools leaves kids with no consistency. Is that teacher leaving in one year? two years? Replaced by more who also leave? You do not create a solid teaching corps at a school with that kind of movement.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-60565083091913765912011-06-22T22:00:32.862-07:002011-06-22T22:00:32.862-07:00Thanks, Charlie. That was a great explanation - I...Thanks, Charlie. That was a great explanation - I didn't really know what cultural competence meant either.<br /><br />Sounds like a challenge - but a worthwhile one for everyone.klhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10896882443894592502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6366215852623019712011-06-22T21:43:08.848-07:002011-06-22T21:43:08.848-07:00It's more than that. It's also knowing tha...It's more than that. It's also knowing that some cultures expect a lot of parental involvement in schools and some cultures don't.<br /><br />It's knowing that students from some cultures will not speak up in class or will not speak up in without invitation because that would be outside their cultural norms.<br /><br />There's more, but cultural competency is more than just not being racist. It's even more than just not being ethno-centric. It's about being specifically knowledgeable about other cultures and their behavioral norms and how those norms might cause friction or create barriers in school.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42542654368893373572011-06-22T21:34:58.589-07:002011-06-22T21:34:58.589-07:00Since I have often pooh-pooh'ed the benefits o...Since I have often pooh-pooh'ed the benefits of cultural competence as a means to student academic achievement (what school could possibly have been more culturally competent than the AAA, and how was the academic achievement there?), I absolutely value it as necessary to teacher/student relationships.<br /><br />There are a wide variety of cultural norms. What is perfectly acceptable and polite in one culture can be intensely insulting in another. When people from these cultures cross paths, there are people giving offense and taking offense all the time when no offense is meant.<br /><br />Cultural norms vary in conversation styles, non-verbal communication styles, personal space, expectations for dress, the respect given to elders, to teachers, to parents, the way that respect is expressed, and more. Pretty much every single thing that everyone says or does in relation to every other person is shaped by a cultural norm.<br /><br />Imagine a situation in which a student behaves in a manner offensive in the context of the teacher's culture. It is possible, however, that the behavior is not offensive within the student's culture and no offense was intended. A culturally competent teacher would know enough about that student's culture to recognize that no offense was meant and be able to take no offense.<br /><br />It is not, however, a one-way street. The students also need to learn cultural competency so they don't unnecessarily take offense at actions by other students or teachers who are behaving within the norms of their cultures.Charlie Mashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173903762962067277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17668453411035243732011-06-22T21:31:55.871-07:002011-06-22T21:31:55.871-07:00Come to the school and check it out before posting...<i>Come to the school and check it out before posting incomplete information.</i><br /><br />Gee. I thought Michael Rice was AT the school and in a position to have <i>great,</i> and complete information. Probably for many more years than Rita. Or, does Rita even know that? What gives? So. OK. Drive him off. Blame the victim. If you want TFA, you got it baby! And great job with that GPA. We know that means everything!<br /><br />--ParentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90962088480133122722011-06-22T21:27:23.560-07:002011-06-22T21:27:23.560-07:00SC-parents HAVE been bringing teachers' racism...SC-parents HAVE been bringing teachers' racism to administrators and district officials' attention for YEARS, YEARS! When GRANDPARENTS are standing up and saying that they were telling simmilar stories DECADES ago, how much plainer does it need to be that it's still going on?<br /><br />And it's a white thing to say that it's racism to treat people as if they're from a specific culture. What's racism is when it's made to be less than, NOT that it just IS.<br /><br />Cultural competency includes not assuming active black boys have ADD, that every black kid is a future gang-banger, not assuming (as seen in some of the "teen reads" thread recently) that "classic" or "good reads" are primarily by whire authors. It means not taking down the posters of notable blacks once February is over, if they're even put up at all. There are so many examples.<br /><br />Melissa, everything I have read about TFA says a main goal is to address the achievement gap. If you're signing up to do that, one would HOPE that you're not coming in assuming you have future gangbanger 7 year olds. <br /><br />If anyone wants to delve into "Stuff White People Do" and how that can play so heavily in education, I direct you here: http://stuffwhitepeopledo.blogspot.com/2008/06/think-that-black-people-are-wasting.html<br /><br />But any of the posts are worth a read. <br /><br />Oh, and Anonymous at 8:06-you're a prime example of the above.Understanding Ritanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-4602899305703005252011-06-22T20:24:15.700-07:002011-06-22T20:24:15.700-07:00I sometimes see the cultural competence piece as b...I sometimes see the cultural competence piece as being put in a position of central importance to the exclusion of other important components for a successful school.<br /><br />The math materials and pedagogy pushed by the district remain an absolute farce.<br /><br />Check out the following film<br /><a href="http://www.zigsite.com/trainingvideos/zig_math_video.html" rel="nofollow">Kindergarteners showing off their math skills</a><br /><br />It is a 28 minute video.<br /><br />Developing methods and curriculum for culturally disadvantaged children ... was the original task. This film is simply a demonstration by children of what they know and how they operate.<br /><br />Are they interested? Are they serious? Do Seattle's kindergarteners look like these? This is an experimental program with many of the advantages of experimental programs ... but would Everyday Math produce results like this by even grade 4 and these are Kindergarten students.<br /><br />Division is happening at minute 15<br /><br />Factoring 10 out of a polynomial at minute 22.<br /><br />More Algebra at minute 24<br /><br />Engelmann is still at it today. You can see some of his thinking in 2008 2009 and 2010 in interviews at videos <a href="http://www.zigsite.com/" rel="nofollow">here</a>.<br /><br />Again <i>Project Follow Through</i> research <a href="http://www.mathematicallycorrect.com/honestft.htm" rel="nofollow">clearly showed what to do</a> for educationally disadvantaged learners in grades pk-3 and the SPS Flat Out refuses to do it.<br /><br />=================<br />State Law: <i>"Any student who creates a disruption of the educational process in violation of the building disciplinary standards while under a teacher's immediate supervision may be excluded by the teacher from his or her individual classroom and instructional or activity area for all or any portion of the balance of the school day, or up to the following two days, or until the principal or designee and teacher have conferred, whichever occurs first. "</i><br /><br /><br /><b>Has the SPS done the following:</b><i><br /><br />In order to preserve a beneficial learning environment for all students and to maintain good order and discipline in each classroom, every school district board of directors shall provide that written procedures are developed for administering discipline at each school within the district. Such procedures shall be developed with the participation of parents and the community, and shall provide that the teacher, principal or designee, and other authorities designated by the board of directors, make every reasonable attempt to involve the parent or guardian and the student in the resolution of student discipline problems.</i><br /><br />=============<br />The SPS has been pushing Crappy instructional materials and practices for years and avoided providing the Effective Interventions prescribed in District policy .... This coupled with the complete failure to follow state law RCW 28A 600.020 is the legacy of South East Education or lack thereof in the Seattle Schools.<br /><br />When a large percentage of students come from educationally disadvantaged situations ... the district's failure to <i><b>"preserve a beneficial learning environment for all students"</b></i> is inexcusable. The creation of that environment is a k-12 responsibility. One of my sons just completed student teaching at a high poverty elementary school in Tacoma ... like many high poverty urban schools the term "Beneficial learning environment" is an unlikely to be realized school goal. .... to begin a plan for creating a "Beneficial Learning Environment" in high school is too late. ... But this district seems to believe that Algebra Skills can be taught to students without arithmetic skills .. so bizarre thinking is pervasive in many areas .. and accountability non-existent for administration.dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-15934485200989135372011-06-22T20:23:49.778-07:002011-06-22T20:23:49.778-07:00Understanding Rita,
I hear you accusing some educ...Understanding Rita,<br /><br />I hear you accusing some educators and admins of racism, but nothing about what cultural competence IS. Is it just treating each kid as an individual, recognizing their successes and needs, their boredom and therir struggle, recommending APP or developmental classes, or gen ed, based purely on the individual student's needs? That's what I hear you saying (putting aside the racism you suggest is going on.) If that is true, there's nothing about culture in that: Each kid SHOULD be recognized as an individual; if a teacher supposes some sort of cultural attribution to a student, isn't THAT racist?<br />So what is cultural competence?<br /><br />If educators are being racist, this should be brought to admins and dealt with...immediately. Racism IS treating students as if they are merely part of one particular culture, rather than as unique and diverse individuals...or am I missing something?<br /><br />I think you are saying that cultural competency is treating people of different cultures with respect, but how is a teacher to know what different cultures are contained within an individual student? Yes, relationship is key with every student, but that relationship shouldn't be based on a cultural attribution by the teacher, should it?<br /><br />I'm still not clear. Racism is racism, but what is cultural competency?seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20468425573846717712011-06-22T20:20:31.835-07:002011-06-22T20:20:31.835-07:00Mike, thank you for sharing. At the end of the da...Mike, thank you for sharing. At the end of the day, though teaching and supporting students is our passion, we must look out for our personal well being. SPS is a hard place to be a teacher in these days. It's sad considering the progressive city Seattle is supposed to be. What is hopeful is that a number of us continue to fight for kids.<br /><br />Love him or hate him Michael Jackson once said,<br />"There's nothing that cant be done if we raise our voices as one."In the trenches with younoreply@blogger.com