Seattle Schools Community Forum

Got this question from a blog reader: "I was wondering if you knew anything about ESEA ("No Child Left Behind" Act) and how it impacts school assignment in Seattle. Our friends have a kid at Madrona K-8, and they recently received a letter from their principal informing them that, due to Madrona's poor performance under ESEA, they have the opportunity to transfer their child immediately to either Leschi or Stephens. Now, Leschi I can understand, since it's under-enrolled. But Stevens? Isn't it full?" Anyone know whether students getting reassigned from "failing" schools according to ESEA get preference for student assignment? I've sent this post to Tracy Libros, Enrollment Services Manager as well. If I get a response, I'll post it in the comments here.

I added a link last week (at the right) to make it easy for anyone to send e-mail to Feedback@seattleschools.org . According to remarks Holly Ferguson made last week, she and the principal in charge of the school closure/consolidation transition (Hajera?) read all the messages that come into that e-mail address. So if you have some spare time on your hands, send an e-mail to Feedback . Let Feedback know how you feel about the Phase II closure and consolidation recommendations, the implementation of Phase I closure and consolidation recommendations, the upcoming BEX III Levy plan, changes to transportation and student assignment, or anything else that is on your mind.

Peter Daniels tried to undo the mess Raj created last week with his impromptu "clarifying" remarks on the Cooper/Pathfinder recommendation. (see Cooper/Pathfinder Confusion ) The result would be funny if it wasn't such a serious issue affecting many teachers, staff and families. The PI article, West Seattle schools 'merger' letters set , gives us these words of wisdom: "No formal merger is planned" "the two schools would have to work together to find common ground between the two programs and integrate them" "see it [Pathfinder] adapt and blend elements from Cooper's traditional K-5 program" "the resulting school at the Cooper site would still be an alternative K-8 school" So, it sounds like we have an informal merger, which is really more of an integration with blending. Clear? The district is promising letters home to parents next week to "clarify" this further. I assume this is the same letter that was promi...

Interesting discussion today at Board Work Session on changing the school assignment and transportation plan. Here's what I took away from this meeting: The School Board members seem to have reached some level of consensus that the systems need to be overhauled and that, probably, will include limiting choice and transportation. This was an opening conversation, and not a presentation of concrete options or suggestions. Changes to the systems for 2007/08 will be small -- only what is necessary to support closures and consolidations. Major systemic changes will be implemented for 2008/09. Spent a fair amount of time talking about the purpose of each plan, who is currently being well-served, who isn't, and what some of the issues are for both the transportation and assignment systems. Surprisingly, when discussion got very focused on dollars and cents, many Board members returned the focus to academics , and what is best for children and families. I was encouraged by comments fr...

Guest post by Charlie Mas: Quick story from Aesop: A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too." The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?" Replies the scorpion: "I'm a scorpion. It's what I do. It's my nature." =-=-=-=-=-=-= District staff will present a preliminary proposal on APP reconfiguration during the week of October 16. The APP Advisory Committee has been actively providing the District with information and advice on APP reconfiguration for six months. For years before this current crisis - during other, similar crises -the APP community has provided the District with information ...

Some interesting comments on the Cooper/Pathfinder Confusion post made me reflect on the issue of public/private partnerships with Seattle Schools. I am concerned about the district being beholden to funders, with special deals worked out for individual schools depending on who is funding the school. Yet, public schools desperately need the money. And, honestly, it's not like Seattle Public Schools are so well-run that I don't want anyone interfering with them. I believe the New School Foundation has excellent intentions, with the best interests of children always in mind. But that is my opinon since the school's approach and curriculum (low teacher-student ratio, focus on social justice, focus on the "whole" child) fits well with my beliefs. What happens when/if a foundation starts a school and I don't approve of the mission/vision being funded? Do we trust the district and the school board enough to make good choices about who they partner with and how far ...

Don't forgot about the Wednesday, 5 pm to 7 pm Board Work Session on school choice and transportation at the John Stanford Center. Read today's PI article, You may not get to choose a school , for an idea of the issues involved.