Seattle Schools Community Forum

Just saw this at the Soup for Teachers Facebook page. The Superintendent has program placement in his arena but I would expect that the Board would receive early notification of ANY change in programming. This is a long-term program that has been highly successful and any dismantling of it should raise an alarm.  I see this as coming from Deputy Superintendent Michael Tolley's area of control. Friends, I'm asking for your help... My colleagues at the Haring Center for Research and Training in Inclusive Education just learned that Seattle Public School s has made the very poor, very short-sighted decision to pull all funding for the Experimental Education Unit's inclusive kindergarten program. This is a blow to our community, and a blow to everyone who values inclusion and believes that all kids have the right to full, equal access to their neighborhood schools. Video about this program.

Reprinting from another thread because I believe this important information.  The writer is Mary Griffin, Sped parent and president of the Sped PTA. She says: NOTE: The following does NOT constitute any kind of official response from SpEd PTSA or SEAAC. It's just me. I have been fielding a lot of questions regarding SpEd and PTSA. Here is my standard email response to questions regarding special education and the "New Model." It is likely SEAAC and SpEd PTSA will have more of a consensus once the interim plan is out there. "We have had lots of questions about these kinds of issues the last few days. The first thing that people need to be aware of is that the current model is only a draft and will be revised by next Friday, October 18, when a new draft will be presented to the board. When the next draft is ready, SpEd PTSA and SEAAC will be primed to review it (as will many other PTA’s.) Final presentation and voting at the school board level will be o...

Today sees both the Work Session on Capacity Management and the regular Board meeting . The Capacity Management Work Session starts at 4 p.m.  These are the supporting documents. Presentation Timeline - with dates about BEX IV starting in October of this year Model Changes Sample Metrics - look! a matrix of metrics (say that fast three times) Look at the Presentation because there's a definition of Functional Capacity (collect 'em all) AND why it fluctuates.  According to the 2011 Capacity and Enrollment numbers, the district is at 97% capacity utilized with K-5 at 104%. The Board meeting starts at 6 p.m. The Board meeting looks like it could be shorter than usual with a lighter-than-usual agenda.   The public testimony list is full.  The Teaching and Learning update will be presented by Cathy Thompson on ICS and Inclusion.  I note that 6 of the speakers on the public testimony list will be speaking on the ICS program.  As previously...

Ann Dornfeld, a reporter for radio station KUOW, is seeking families to interview about the way services are being delivered under the ICS model. If you wish to contact her, you can reach her at 206-816-5434 or adornfeld@kuow.org.