Seattle Schools Community Forum

From Scrap the Map: Standardized testing discussion at University of Washington Physics & Astronomy Bldg Room A102 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. this Thursday, the 28th. Seattle teachers at Garfield HS, Ballard HS, Chief Sealth HS, the Center School and Orca K-8 voted to stop administering the widely used and highly unfair standardized Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test. The are now facing the threat of "consequences" for refusing the give the test. Students and parents are joining the struggle in defense of their teachers and their right to a quality education. The outcome of this grassroots movement will have an enormous impact on the future of resistance to high sta kes testing around the country! Featuring: Diane Ravitch Educational policy analyst, NYU professor*, former US Assistant Secretary of State Wayne Au UW-Bothell Assistant Professor, Member of Rethinking Schools editorial board Jesse Hagopian Garfield HS teacher, founding member of Social Eq...

Sorry for the late notice but I had been trying to find the location for today's Assessment Taskforce meeting. The meeting is today, Feb. 21st from 4-6 p.m. at JSCEE in room #2278.   The public can come and view the meeting but "the limitation is the size of the room."  If you go and are turned away for space, let me know and we can work on that. Here's a list of members and meeting minutes (there has been one meeting so far).   The group includes several Garfield reps including the testing coordinator at Garfield, a student and the principal.  There are four parents in the group (although some of the schools' staff may also be parents).  The facilitator comes from a Kirkland company, Performance Dimensions Group, "the art and science of human performance."  I am waiting for information on how this cost is being paid. Agenda for today's meeting.   Looks good especially since they have Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond from Stanford coming to pres...

Wear Red to Support Ed this Wednesday, Feb. 6th. Scrap the Map! list of actions that day.   In Seattle actions will take place at participating schools, including Garfield, Orca, Chief Sealth, and Center School.  Scrap the Map Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/events/366568146775772/ How to opt your child out (from our friends at the Seattle Education blog).   Flyer on other actions. Some of the prominent organizations and individuals that have expressed their support for the Seattle MAP test boycott:   National Education Association (NEA) President Dennis Van Roekel, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), San Diego Education Association, UTLA Board of Directors, Parents Across America, Des Moines, Iowa Education Association, Diane Ravitch, Garfield High School PTSA, Garfield HS Associated Student Body,  Dr. Wayne Au, Dexter Tang, President of Seattle Student Senate,  Matt Damon & his mother Dr. Nancy Carlsson-Paige,...