Special Education News
From SPS:
Do you have a child with special needs headed for kindergarten, 1st, 6th or 9th grade in Seattle Public Schools in the next academic year (2013-14)?
Do you have a child with special needs in other grades within SPS, but have questions about his/her building or program placement?
Wednesday, Feb. 20th, Seattle Public School representatives, in conjunction with Seattle SPED-PTSA and SEAAC, will offer the chance to ask questions about the "riser" process in general and how it relates to your own student. Please join us Wed evening at JSCEE (downtown SPS administrative building at 4th and Lander), room 2700, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Do you have a child with special needs in other grades within SPS, but have questions about his/her building or program placement?
Wednesday, Feb. 20th, Seattle Public School representatives, in conjunction with Seattle SPED-PTSA and SEAAC, will offer the chance to ask questions about the "riser" process in general and how it relates to your own student. Please join us Wed evening at JSCEE (downtown SPS administrative building at 4th and Lander), room 2700, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Events Update
Another event this week: Washington Student Achievement Council Public Forum, on Wed Feb 20, 5–6:30pm, Broadway Performance Hall, Seattle Central Community College, 1625 Broadway, free.The Washington Student Achievement Council is conducting on a statewide Listening Tour to inform the development of a 10-Year Roadmap to increase Washington’s educational attainment level. We want to hear and learn from local communities about what’s working, what we need to pay attention to, and how we can work together to create the integrated, effective education system we need for all Washingtonians. To read recaps of the listening tour sessions and give feedback to the Council, please visit feedback.wsac.wa.gov.
Also, a reminder of the Michelle Rhee talk tonight at 7 p.m. at TownHall. There will be a protest at 6 p.m. so please try to come. (Anyone staying to hear her talk? I just can't - I think I might say something uncivil and that would not be good.) The moderator is...the Chief Community Officer of Starbucks, Blair Taylor. Wonder what that's about? And some of the sponsors are truly the usual suspects like Stand for Children and the Washington Policy Center.
From SPS on Black History Month:
FEBRUARY BLACK HISTORY MONTH @ CASCADE
In honor of the ancestors who had the courage to seek freedom. Take a trip back in time and understand the insurmountable odds African Americans have overcome. Having the courage and faith to plant mustard seeds of change, during the harsh climate of racism and fear. Blacks have planted a positive landscape of love, out of hate
Tuesday Open Thread
Quite the astonishing report on KUOW about MAP. Banda sounds a bit tougher:
“They chose this way to express themselves and the message is heard loud and clear,” Banda said. “But I’m going to hold firm to the fact that they have obligations and responsibilities. And the expectation is these two assessments will be given."
What was astonishing was the response from John Cronin who directs research at the NEA which makes MAP.
He says it's a mystery to him why an entire school of teachers would vote to boycott the test. Laughing, Cronin said, "You know, it’s not even something I can speculate on. It’s interesting to us, but not being Seattleites ourselves, I really can’t say that I know what’s motivating them.”
It's a very odd thing that he thinks this is funny but it's also a good way to marginalize the teachers' concerns.
What's on your mind?
“They chose this way to express themselves and the message is heard loud and clear,” Banda said. “But I’m going to hold firm to the fact that they have obligations and responsibilities. And the expectation is these two assessments will be given."
What was astonishing was the response from John Cronin who directs research at the NEA which makes MAP.
He says it's a mystery to him why an entire school of teachers would vote to boycott the test. Laughing, Cronin said, "You know, it’s not even something I can speculate on. It’s interesting to us, but not being Seattleites ourselves, I really can’t say that I know what’s motivating them.”
It's a very odd thing that he thinks this is funny but it's also a good way to marginalize the teachers' concerns.
What's on your mind?