Institutional Racism, a primer
This comment appeared in the Trayvon Martin thread:"Could someone calmly describe the institutional racism is Seattle Public Schools? Whose actions are racist - and what exactly are they doing? Is it a policy issue? What policy is it? I'd be happy to read something if you could direct me to it."I'll try to respond to this because I think it's really important. There is a range of opinion here and
Washington Board of Education Denies SPS' Request for Waivers
From reader DK:
Looks like the 2013-14 school calendar will not be what the district originally assumed- our kids will actually be with their teachers for 3 more days than planned, as Seattle’s request for the 3 full Waiver days for professional development has been denied for a 2nd time by the State Board of Education last week.
From the posted July 10-11th meeting highlights:
BASIC EDUCATION ACT WAIVERS
“The Board considered requests from 13 school districts for Option One waivers from the basic education requirement of a minimum 180-day school year. Six of the requests are resubmittals of requests presented but not approved at the May meeting, with additional information provided by each district as requested in May…The Board directed staff to provide written notice to Columbia (Walla Walla), Fife, and Seattle districts that their requests were not approved.”
Among the reasons given for the final denial for Seattle- lack of community support or engagement (required by state law). The district did not even release the information to the public (or to the Board, which had to vote approval of the 1st application) that they were
Looks like the 2013-14 school calendar will not be what the district originally assumed- our kids will actually be with their teachers for 3 more days than planned, as Seattle’s request for the 3 full Waiver days for professional development has been denied for a 2nd time by the State Board of Education last week.
From the posted July 10-11th meeting highlights:
BASIC EDUCATION ACT WAIVERS
“The Board considered requests from 13 school districts for Option One waivers from the basic education requirement of a minimum 180-day school year. Six of the requests are resubmittals of requests presented but not approved at the May meeting, with additional information provided by each district as requested in May…The Board directed staff to provide written notice to Columbia (Walla Walla), Fife, and Seattle districts that their requests were not approved.”
Among the reasons given for the final denial for Seattle- lack of community support or engagement (required by state law). The district did not even release the information to the public (or to the Board, which had to vote approval of the 1st application) that they were
Stranger Endorses Peters, Blanford
The Stranger's endorsements for School Board were pretty much on point. (The Times hasn't issued their endorsements for School Board but does have a sweet editorial about how expensive it is to go to weddings. No, really, apparently that's the burning issue of the day.)District No. 4Sue PetersAs if you needed more proof that the Seattle School Board is a dystopian shithole, the board members, in