Seattle Schools Community Forum

You wouldn't know it from the math adoption web page (last updated on October 23, 2008), but there has been some movement on the high school math materials adoption front. The choices have been narrowed to three: The Discovering Series from Key Curriculum Press. Discovering Algebra Discovering Geometry Discovering Advanced Algebra from College Preparatory Math Algebra Connections, Geometry Connections, Algebra 2 from Prentice Hall Algebra Geometry Advanced Algebra Community members are invited review and comment on the selected materials from February 9, 2009, to February 27, 2009, at the JSCEE library. You will note that the textbooks from all three series are titled Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra. This does not mean that the classes will be in the traditional style instead of the "Integrated Math" style. Ms delaFuente has assured the public and the Board that the curriculum is independent of the textbooks and that either a traditional or reform-style curriculum an...

The Office of Communications at the district sent me a press release about their announcement of a new hire for the capital building program. "We wanted to make you aware of the recent appointment of Mr. Bill Martin as Senior Manager of Capital Projects for Seattle Public Schools. Please see the attached press release for more information. Seattle Public Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Bill Martin as Senior Manager, Capital Projects. Mr. Martin will join Seattle Public Schools (SPS) on March 2 and be responsible for overseeing a nearly $230 million annual capital budget. His duties include oversight of program development and budgets, engineering, architectural design and construction. Current Seattle Public Schools’ capital programs include the six-year, $490 million Building Excellence (BEX III) bond, approved by voters in 2007; and the six-year, $178 million Buildings, Technology and Academics II levy (BTA II) approved in 2004. Reporting to Fred Stephens, ...

It's a Sisyphean task, trying to find and read SPS documents that help expand understanding and explaining this district. Yesterday, I spend the day as part of the accreditation team for Roosevelt (every high school has to do this every 6 years to be listed on the NW Association of Accredited Schools. (I learned that the Association started in 1917 and Roosevelt, started in 1922, has been on the list ever since.) The school had to put together an accreditation report as well as gather community members to conduct walk-thrus of the building. I did learn a lot because the report gathered some stats about SPS high schools that I hadn't seen gathered in one place (I'm sure Charlie has all this at his fingertips). There were charts with the following: enrollment ethnic background of students Free/reduced lunch Not living with both parents limited English Special Ed percentage of returning students assignment information certificated versus classified staff WASL breakdowns S...

Two articles were in the PI this week about the WASL. The first one reported a news release from OSPI that the 9th grade WASL will not be given. The second one reported that chairwoman of the state Senate education committee said that she is watching how the WASL is affecting students. The 9th grade WASL story states that OSPI is trying to find ways to save money. It's true; it's not absolutely necessary to give the WASL at the 9th grade. It certainly is an final early warning about how students might do on the WASL as sophomores and it does allow 9th graders who pass to get it out of the way. But can it be cut? Yes. Sadly, more than double the number of 9th graders than last year had registered to take it (so it seems they perceived a value to it). This from the second story about state senator, Rosemary McAuliffe, "Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe promised a hearing room full of teachers, students, parents and education group representatives Wednesday that her committee ...

Some of us were expecting the new principals following the Capacity Management Plan to be named today, but they will not be named until early next week, hopefully on Monday.

I noticed this at the district's website - it's a survey on the website. Haven't taken it yet but I will (that is not an intuitive website).

So far, my experience has been mixed. I wrote a letter to all of the board members, the Superintendent, and the School Improvement Supervisor, reminding them that AS#1 has been asked to increase its enrollment as part of the Closure Recommendation approved on January 29th. I described all the work that the AS#1 community is doing to increase awareness of our program: New Website FAQ sheet New Brochure Outreach to Preschools Open House Extended tour dates   And asked for a commitment from the district to: Have Enrollment Staff visit the school or at a minimum read the pamphlet and website information so they can speak knowledgeably about the school . Discuss AS#1's restructuring at a future board meeting so that prospective families can hear from the district that they support the program and what work is being done through the restructuring. So far, I have heard back from Sherry Carr and had multiple communications with Scott Whitbeck, the School Improvement Supervisor. He was gr...