MAP Update
Below is a thoughtful letter one teacher at one high school sent home with 9th grade students to try to give parents an idea of what is going on with MAP testing. It is informative and seeks to allow a conversation should parents want to have one.
Have you received such a letter? Has your PTA weighed in at all?
I note that some in the media (see the Times) try to make this all about Garfield and while they started it and are the most visible, it is quite clear this is very widespread. If Families & Ed dollars were not tied to middle school activities, I'd bet some of the middle schools would have joined as well.
Letter
Dear Families of 9th graders,
Sometime in February, your 9th grader will have the opportunity to take the MAP tests in Reading and Math. You
Have you received such a letter? Has your PTA weighed in at all?
I note that some in the media (see the Times) try to make this all about Garfield and while they started it and are the most visible, it is quite clear this is very widespread. If Families & Ed dollars were not tied to middle school activities, I'd bet some of the middle schools would have joined as well.
Letter
Dear Families of 9th graders,
Sometime in February, your 9th grader will have the opportunity to take the MAP tests in Reading and Math. You
Central Region Elementary Schools
I had a question today about the probable fate of the southern end of the Stevens attendance area when the District re-draws the attendance areas in a couple years. It made me realize that there are going to be some changes coming for elementary schools in the Washington Middle School service area when the District re-zones. Let's look into our crystal ball and consider what they might be.
First, the District is re-opening Meany as a middle school. That means that students from Montlake, McGilvra, Lowell, and Stevens will get a default assignment to Meany rather than Washington. Madrona may be in the Meany Attendance Area as well, but 5th graders from Madrona will get default assignment to the sixth grade at Madrona.
One of those schools will have to be the designated Spectrum school for the service area. I would guess Lowell. Why? Because despite any policies or claims to the contrary, the primary determinant in program placement is
First, the District is re-opening Meany as a middle school. That means that students from Montlake, McGilvra, Lowell, and Stevens will get a default assignment to Meany rather than Washington. Madrona may be in the Meany Attendance Area as well, but 5th graders from Madrona will get default assignment to the sixth grade at Madrona.
One of those schools will have to be the designated Spectrum school for the service area. I would guess Lowell. Why? Because despite any policies or claims to the contrary, the primary determinant in program placement is
Friday Open Thread
Director Carr has a Community meeting tomorrow from 8:30-10:00 am at Bethany Community Church (enter by playground).
Director Martin-Morris has a Community meeting tomorrow from 9:30-11:30 am at Diva Espresso at 80th and Lake City Way.
Congrats to Roosevelt, Eckstein and Hamilton for their showings at the Clark College Jazz Festival.
Roosevelt was awarded the top honor, the Sweepstakes Trophy. They also placed first in the AAA and AAAA divisions. Hamilton was second and Eckstein third in the middle school jazz ensemble category. There were also individual awards to all three schools plus Garfield.
Director Martin-Morris has a Community meeting tomorrow from 9:30-11:30 am at Diva Espresso at 80th and Lake City Way.
Congrats to Roosevelt, Eckstein and Hamilton for their showings at the Clark College Jazz Festival.
Roosevelt was awarded the top honor, the Sweepstakes Trophy. They also placed first in the AAA and AAAA divisions. Hamilton was second and Eckstein third in the middle school jazz ensemble category. There were also individual awards to all three schools plus Garfield.
Does the Times Want BEX to Fail?
Sure looks like it.
I was first aware of this with their tepid endorsement of the levies over "leadership." It was an interesting reason because if that had been the issue, then they should have been troubled over many other levies.
Then, last Friday, on the news roundup on KUOW, I noted that they had a quick discussion of the levies (and naturally, got a lot wrong but those pundits aren't always very up-to-date on school district facts). Eli Sanders from The Stranger came out and very stronger stated that The Stranger had endorsed them. Joni Balter of the Times? Not so much. Odd, given that the Times had indeed endorsed them.
And now we have the long-awaited report from Brian Rosenthal of the Times who, even though he has been on the political beat for months, wrote this piece about BEX.
He doesn't say anything that I didn't already know, have said repeatedly but no one would listen during past BEX
I was first aware of this with their tepid endorsement of the levies over "leadership." It was an interesting reason because if that had been the issue, then they should have been troubled over many other levies.
Then, last Friday, on the news roundup on KUOW, I noted that they had a quick discussion of the levies (and naturally, got a lot wrong but those pundits aren't always very up-to-date on school district facts). Eli Sanders from The Stranger came out and very stronger stated that The Stranger had endorsed them. Joni Balter of the Times? Not so much. Odd, given that the Times had indeed endorsed them.
And now we have the long-awaited report from Brian Rosenthal of the Times who, even though he has been on the political beat for months, wrote this piece about BEX.
He doesn't say anything that I didn't already know, have said repeatedly but no one would listen during past BEX