tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8845879839956449593..comments2024-03-18T16:51:10.406-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-49647200818557874592015-05-07T16:07:12.043-07:002015-05-07T16:07:12.043-07:00Finally:
2015-16 School Year Calendar Approved
The...Finally:<br />2015-16 School Year Calendar Approved<br />The 2015-16 school year calendar was approved by the Seattle Public Schools School Board Executive Committee on May 6, 2015. <br /><br />Important dates include:<br /><br />Sept. 9: Start of school<br />Dec. 21-Jan 4: Winter break<br />Feb. 15-19: Mid-winter break<br />April 11-15: Spring break<br />June 23: Last day of school<br /><br /> - momAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30725094938388912232015-05-07T15:53:05.619-07:002015-05-07T15:53:05.619-07:00We were informed today that the district has decid...We were informed today that the district has decided that seniors will make up the strike day on Saturday, May 30. I am not kidding. <br /><br />There was much laughter today at my school about this. <br /><br />David EdelmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36303196264118944922015-05-06T21:19:54.227-07:002015-05-06T21:19:54.227-07:00That two schools are giving the same test six week...That two schools are giving the same test six weeks apart is all you need to know about the less-than-qualified people running SPS and the reliability of the testing.<br /><br />This next narrative kind of correlates to the discussion re: national organizations I think: Bill Maher produces an investigative show called VICE. A recent episode clarified why Haiti never seemed to receive the money after a disaster a few years ago. A huge amount was collected from the American people and yet Haiti saw very little of it because any money spent had to flow through US corporations and buy corporate help. In other words, the money couldn't go directly to the people or government as I recall, but had to filter through a US company. Well, you can imagine how many paychecks and profit margins all those donations funded. <br /><br />I know Jesse H. spent time in Haiti observing and providing help and he came back pretty informed about the situation. I heard him on KIRO (when I used to listen) talk about the lack of real help offered. It was disappointing to say the least and since then, I've given little money through charities and US supported organizations to help in international disaster areas. It pays GE, Monsanto, and Haliburton. Is that what we want? I'm careful about national organizations of any stripe both in terms of money and influence. I always donate local or towards something I know I can trust and those come few and far between. And my trust of these national organizations where the administrators rub shoulders with the rich and famous is equally low. The influence of power on otherwise good people is deadly to a cause.nnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-70460574754117349442015-05-06T16:55:22.381-07:002015-05-06T16:55:22.381-07:00Most students don't know what eviscerate means...Most students don't know what eviscerate means. <br />This is SPS country, please use plain English.<br /><br />McDonaldAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-64964543962161612972015-05-06T16:54:48.530-07:002015-05-06T16:54:48.530-07:00Thank you, Joker (I'm using that for the Frida...Thank you, Joker (I'm using that for the Friday funny). <br /><br />The rest of you - I'll get the separate thread up soon.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89123522112093474332015-05-06T16:36:29.189-07:002015-05-06T16:36:29.189-07:00Before I research the civil rights group document ...Before I research the civil rights group document I'll just point out that the Leadership Conference (who posted the press release) is a national coalition of civil rights groups banded together for, yes, political power and advocacy. There are over 200 groups in it (including Seattle's NAACP, which has come out against tests.) One might ask why only 12 out of 200 groups put their names on this document.<br /><br />One might also ask what, exactly, the $1,700,000 grant they got from the Gates Foundation last September was spent on. On the Gates website, the short synopsis says it was to educate their member groups about education issues.....<br />Hmmm......hmmmm.......hmmmm......*coughCCSS/SBAC/PARCCcough*<br />seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8702411073174791392015-05-06T16:30:35.070-07:002015-05-06T16:30:35.070-07:00Thanks for the link, Dan.
Parents should be very...Thanks for the link, Dan. <br /><br />Parents should be very concerned about the student time and school resources these particular tests (PARCC an SBAC) are consuming. <br /><br />SBAC testing is taking anywhere from 1-3 weeks worth of class time, depending on how the school administers the test. That doesn't include the 3 rounds of Amplify testing administered in preparation for the SBAC. <br /><br />In California, some school districts are part of a class-action lawsuit to get the state to pay for the costs of administering the SBAC tests. Paper and pencil tests were much cheaper for districts to administer. Likewise, when WA State was sold on the supposed lower per student cost of the SBAC test, I don't think they included the technology costs to districts. <br /><br />-opted outAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52393352682966429162015-05-06T16:00:44.430-07:002015-05-06T16:00:44.430-07:00Let's be clear: Many minority groups do not k... Let's be clear: Many minority groups do not know that Common Core tests are being used to eviscerate public schools and unions. Bring in the young and inexperienced teachers for all (rah- rah-)"Free" Preknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8458655218507916712015-05-06T15:57:54.531-07:002015-05-06T15:57:54.531-07:00"I'm sure many of these same groups suppo...<br />"I'm sure many of these same groups supported the pre K proposal "<br /><br />Exactly. Many of these individuals were told about "quality" preschools. How many of these individuals were informed that the City of Seattle's prek is a research project?!<br /><br />No worries- these low income students will be given "free" (rah- rah) pre-K.<br /><br />Let's be absolutely clear. Campaigns message and the entire truth is not known to the citizens receiving messages. "Free" Preknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-11414023114611067562015-05-06T14:35:15.689-07:002015-05-06T14:35:15.689-07:00From a New Jersey School Superintendent comes this...From a New Jersey School Superintendent comes this:<br /><a href="http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/15/05/05/op-ed-opting-out-of-parcc-tests-is-a-serious-decision-not-a-serious-mistake/" rel="nofollow"><br /><b>"Opting out is a serious decision, not a serious mistake"</b></a><br /><br />dan dempseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536720661510933983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-20595443011504643492015-05-06T14:27:13.509-07:002015-05-06T14:27:13.509-07:00swk, I'm a guy. : )
Yes, I commented on what ...swk, I'm a guy. : )<br />Yes, I commented on what I see are some motivations - power and programs and money. Do you disagree?<br />But how did I identify "their failings"? To point out that they might be doing things for power, money, or programs?<br />Yes, I might have been more nuanced, but hey, it's a discussion - You didn't respond to any of my points; you merely did what you accuse me (and Chris S) of doing, questioning motivation and character (in addition to lumping some of us commenters together, basically saying "people of THAT ilk!")<br /><br />If you disagree with my points, feel free to address them. I, in turn, will try to address the points made in the....press release (*cough* Strategies360 ad campaign*cough*.... :) )seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-42923793261703442362015-05-06T13:51:20.061-07:002015-05-06T13:51:20.061-07:00http://cloakinginequity.com/2015/05/06/whos-the-wi...http://cloakinginequity.com/2015/05/06/whos-the-william-wallace-of-testing-jessedhagopian-or-liz-king/<br />Chris S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17016898261120819596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2561275765060078752015-05-06T13:43:32.261-07:002015-05-06T13:43:32.261-07:00Sorry, Chris, there was no discussion of the civil...Sorry, Chris, there was no discussion of the civil rights groups' points or a debate of their ideas. seattle citizen chose only to identify their motivations and their failings as individuals and as a group. She chose to identify their struggle for power and status.<br /><br />She claimed to not be disparaging them but that's exactly what she did. I chose to call her out on it.<br /><br />Jesse Hagopian and NPE, on the other hand, chose to provide a point-by-point refutation of substance of their letter, while avoiding the character assassination so prevalent among the frequent commenters of this blog.<br /><br />And that's exactly what you are attempting to do to me --- question my motivation and my character. You said, "I know SC is in there every day trying to make the world a better place, and I'm not so sure about you." You infer that I'm only in it for self-interest and am not striving to make the world a better place. Interesting that you make such a backhanded inference given that you don't know me.<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-19682177476130329382015-05-06T13:15:23.353-07:002015-05-06T13:15:23.353-07:00SWK, you say you want to have a discussion then yo...SWK, you say you want to have a discussion then you get all over seattle citizen for discussing. I know SC is in there every day trying to make the world a better place, and I'm not so sure about you. So can you just cool it a little?Chris S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17016898261120819596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55004318817411853002015-05-06T12:03:41.942-07:002015-05-06T12:03:41.942-07:00Techy mom, so far as I know McGilvra is over its I...Techy mom, so far as I know McGilvra is over its ICS bubble, so kids with fewer needs are there now (in theory). That would explain the changes in staffing. Though if the original teacher is the one who gets to keep the full time position, it will be a staffing change for the worse. <br /><br />Reader Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-45508597114317961952015-05-06T11:56:34.751-07:002015-05-06T11:56:34.751-07:00lighter note
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisen...lighter note<br /><br />http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/33-teachers-who-got-the-last-laugh#.yrg4GWZo1o<br /><br />JokerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89890405223657562122015-05-06T09:43:42.432-07:002015-05-06T09:43:42.432-07:00Techy mom, have the special education service type...Techy mom, have the special education service types being offered at McGilvra changed for next year? Are the number of students needing special education services going down for next year? These are two reasons that staffing might have been adjusted downward. There are non legit reasons too. You'll need more info from your administration to know what applies.<br /><br />Sped MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88794180450337806482015-05-06T09:25:28.881-07:002015-05-06T09:25:28.881-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1321621612118032572015-05-06T08:55:47.903-07:002015-05-06T08:55:47.903-07:00swk,
I'm sure many of these same groups suppo...swk,<br /><br />I'm sure many of these same groups supported the pre K proposal in Seattle since they are national supporters of extended pre K. It's part of the Democratic party agenda.<br /><br />Did you bring out the civil rights groups' endorsements for pre K when you were adamantly against the pre K proposal (and kept bringing up the fact that your wife has a wonderful home daycare that might be impacted)?<br /><br />No, you didn't. However, you now reprint their entire letter in this case because it bolsters your position (and I do mean job, as you've also made clear). The tide is turning against your industry, and your advocacy for your own vested interests have been more than obvious for some time.<br /><br />--enough alreadyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-39411740712807250262015-05-06T08:45:22.255-07:002015-05-06T08:45:22.255-07:00swk - their motives are to get ahead, to get power...swk - their motives are to get ahead, to get power and funding and participation in the upper levels of society. That they make deals with the devil is understandable. As you say, we are all sinners.<br />I don't think it's greed.<br /><br />Duped? Yes, just like many other people who believe the hype about these absurd tests.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89304090894138204042015-05-06T08:39:55.138-07:002015-05-06T08:39:55.138-07:00Just got this email from our school. Is this happ...Just got this email from our school. Is this happening at other schools?<br /><br />Seattle Public Schools has proposed significant cuts to McGilvra Elementary’s Special Education Program. They are proposing cutting the existing program in half - from 2 full time Special Ed teachers and 2 Instructional Assistants to 1.2 Special Ed Teachers and 1 Instructional Assistant. <br />TechyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04650916001250022778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-14437357481620756612015-05-06T08:27:07.255-07:002015-05-06T08:27:07.255-07:00Yes, seattle citizen, we're all sinners.
I po...Yes, seattle citizen, we're all sinners.<br /><br />I posted the letter from the civil rights groups to spur discussion. The usual suspects used this letter to disparage the them. You, like Ivan, et al, chose to question their motives AND their integrity.<br /><br />Your response essentially boils down to this --- these people are either too stupid to realize they're being duped or too greedy to not take the handout (i.e., Gates money) or both.<br /><br />And yes, I didn't imagine you were a "white reformista." Would "white savior" be more apt?<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88064323121041089972015-05-06T08:10:42.001-07:002015-05-06T08:10:42.001-07:00I'm honestly trying not to disparage them. We ...I'm honestly trying not to disparage them. We all (many of us) have good intentions. I get that oppressed peoples do everything they can to rise up out of oppression, mainly for their community but also, as is human nature, to take care of themselves sometimes.<br />I do believe many civil rights groups make deals with the devil in order to get power. Many people make deals with the devil generally - I'm not singling them out.<br /><br />I might be white, but I'm no reformista. Except where I go along with reform stuff because it's the lesser of two evils, or because I have a mortgage to pay....seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-23251733745336608932015-05-06T08:05:15.550-07:002015-05-06T08:05:15.550-07:00seattle citizen, while you claim to not disparage ...seattle citizen, while you claim to not disparage them, that's exactly what you did. What a patronizing response.<br /><br />If LEV et al are "white reformistas," what does that make you?<br /><br />--- swkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61842389958560326002015-05-06T07:44:40.734-07:002015-05-06T07:44:40.734-07:00Civil rights groups, bless them, are looking for a...Civil rights groups, bless them, are looking for any port in a storm, and with that they are looking for political and economic power.<br />It's quite obvious that while there are excellent motivations and good hearts in civil rights groups (I know: I have been a member of many, and currently do quite a bit around race and class in education), there is also jockeying for cash and power from the power elites.<br />I like the example from Tom Wolfe's Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers: The scene is a fancy apartment on 5th Avenue in NYC. Wealthy liberals gather for a soiree. It's all the rage to invite someone "exotic", so a Black Panther is invited. He arrives and tells the wealthy, connected guests: "MY community is ready to explode. MY people need services, they need programs, they need infusions of money, they need jobs. I, me personally, can keep a lid on these angry people if you, out of you indebtedness, give ME programs and cash to administer to MY people.<br />The checkbooks open. Money flows to the poor, and certain leaders get money and power for being the gatekeepers, the leaders.<br />Good hearts all, and also comfortable jobs being middle women and men, funneling programs, money and jobs to the poor.<br /><br />This is not to disparage either the civil rights groups or their leaders - money and programs are secured, some of the debt is paid...<br /><br />But it is way too easy for organizations seeking redress for societal ills to make deals with the devil. Who can forget the long list of names of local civil rights groups on the Our Schools Coalition. They ALL joined to get power, there is no other rationale - OSC was a Gates Foundation astro-turf set up to influence contract negotiations in 2013. Spun off of Alliance for Education and LEV, run by Strategies 360, a PR firm that connected to Gates, its sole purpose was to appear as if a lot of civil rights groups supported the goals of Gates/A4E/LEV in getting test scores into teacher evals and other reform stuff.<br /><br />Why would civil rights groups sign on? Political and economic power, AND the conviction, impressed on them by white reformistas that these things would bring equity to public education.<br /><br />Lastly, I have heard many people in the oppressed communities say that standardized tests bring to them, finally, what they perceive to be a level playing field - the one place where their kids can compete with everyone else on a level field, and demonstrate ability etc. That the tests are notoriously crappy, and lead to a whole host of ills, such as charter schools, teaching to the test, teacher deprofessionalization, and other things that actually HURT minorities and the poor, isn't, evidently, considered. Perhaps because things are so bad in the many parts of the country that any promise, not matter if it is made by edu-crats manipulating data, is that port in the storm. Anything to bring something different, a change. Since poverty and ghettoes and the REAL reasons behind the trouble haven't been addressed, aren't being addressed, and likely won't be addressed, maybe test scores, charters (for those among the poor engaged in their kids education) and teacher eval based on test scores seem like something positive.<br /><br />It's obvious that state tests aren't helping the poor - twenty years in and there is no demonstrable progress based on them. Rather, they cause all kinds of problems. The claim that they illuminate problem areas is ludicrous - anyone with eyes can see the problems. Adding another, a huge, systemic problem in the form of these state tests is simply bizarre and offensive.seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.com