Most Disturbing
I am deeply disturbed by Seattle Times editorials regarding education. It's not because the Times Editorial Board, and Lynne Varner in particular, doesn't share my perspective. I'm okay with that; I have a lot of good relationships with people who disagree with me. I am disturbed by the disingenuous, thoughtless, or deceitful tone of Seattle Times editorials about education which create contradictions.
The Times often calls for additional education services, such as summer school, or professional development for teachers, but the Times doesn't seem to realize that these additional services will require additional funding. The Times actively opposes paying for these additional services with either new taxes or with cuts in other spending.
The Times often calls for accountability - whatever that means - and slanders public education for a lack of accountability, but the Times also wants spending to go into the classroom rather than administration. Accountability efforts create additional administrative work. The Times becomes offended when anyone suggests
The Times often calls for additional education services, such as summer school, or professional development for teachers, but the Times doesn't seem to realize that these additional services will require additional funding. The Times actively opposes paying for these additional services with either new taxes or with cuts in other spending.
The Times often calls for accountability - whatever that means - and slanders public education for a lack of accountability, but the Times also wants spending to go into the classroom rather than administration. Accountability efforts create additional administrative work. The Times becomes offended when anyone suggests
Assessment Taskforce Update
Reader Joan Sias attended Thursday's Assessment Taskforce meeting. Here are her notes on the meeting.
The new MAP policy for 9th grade was handed out at the meeting. Not a single member of the TF asked what the process was for this policy decision. I am not a TF member, so I could not ask this question.
A handout was given that was a compilation of comments from TF members that had, in the past week, taken one or more MAP tests. TF members took these tests for purpose of learning more about the MAP test.
The comments showed that there are significant problems with this test.
I have heard many anecdotal stories of problems with individual test questions, with scope of questions (especially on the reading test), and on the adaption algorithm.
These are problems that - as far as I know - NWEA has not and will not admit to, and are very hard to document
The new MAP policy for 9th grade was handed out at the meeting. Not a single member of the TF asked what the process was for this policy decision. I am not a TF member, so I could not ask this question.
A handout was given that was a compilation of comments from TF members that had, in the past week, taken one or more MAP tests. TF members took these tests for purpose of learning more about the MAP test.
The comments showed that there are significant problems with this test.
I have heard many anecdotal stories of problems with individual test questions, with scope of questions (especially on the reading test), and on the adaption algorithm.
These are problems that - as far as I know - NWEA has not and will not admit to, and are very hard to document
Rainer Beach Receives IB Authorization
I am thrilled to announce that Rainier Beach High School, over three years of hard work, yesterday received their official authorization letter to be an International Baccalaureate high school.
From Colin Pierce, the IB Coordinator at RBHS:
We are extremely proud of RBHS's new designation as an IB World School, and it is gratifying that the IB Organization - an organization responsible for setting the international standard for high quality curriculum and assessment - has recognized the hard work we have been doing over the past three years. Their stamp of approval is an affirmation that we have the staff and systems in place to offer the level of challenge and quality of learning required for an IB education. Our parents, students, and community are beyond excisted to engage
From Colin Pierce, the IB Coordinator at RBHS:
We are extremely proud of RBHS's new designation as an IB World School, and it is gratifying that the IB Organization - an organization responsible for setting the international standard for high quality curriculum and assessment - has recognized the hard work we have been doing over the past three years. Their stamp of approval is an affirmation that we have the staff and systems in place to offer the level of challenge and quality of learning required for an IB education. Our parents, students, and community are beyond excisted to engage