Latest News and Comment from Education

Friday, June 13, 2014

6-13-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:





Latest on Advanced Learning in Seattle Public Schools
From the SPS webpage:- Summer Testing: For students who moved to Seattle after October 2013 and were not able to test for Advanced Learning eligibility, a summer testing opportunity is available. Information and Application Form. Applications are due by August 1, 2014.- For students found eligible for Advanced Learning programs, a School Choice Form must be completed in order to enroll. Forms are


Compare and Contrast How Vergara Decision is Viewed
An ad in USA Today by yet ANOTHER group.  As Diane Ravitch notes,Funny the ad doesn’t mention that the highest performing states in the U.S. on the NAEP are Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Connecticut, all of which have strong unions.Or that the states at the bottom of the NAEP ratings do not have strong unions (or, in some states), none at all.The ad was underwritten by the deceptively named “Cent

Friday Open Thread
Found this kind of fun looking gaming science/math site - might be worth bookmarking for those long summer days. A sobering look at school shootings.  Here's a list of every school shooting since Jan 2013.  Did you hear?  A mom in Philadelphia, a mother of seven with four currently in school, was jailed for two days over her children's truancy fines.  She died in jail.  On a lighter note, here's s
The Supreme Court: Ball's in your court, Legislature
The Supreme Court had something to say about the lack of progress in fulfilling the McCleary Decision.  It's short but sweet.  They ordered the State to appear before them on September 3, 2014 to address why they should not be held in contempt by the Court.  The State must reply by July 11, 2014.Here's what they say they can do to address the request for "relief requested by the plaintiffs:&q


6-12-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Math Pathways, Middle School, and Equitable AccessThe District has claimed that equitable access to quality programs and services for all students is important to them. They say that, but where are the efforts to provide equitable access beyond the flowery talk?In one step towards equitable access the District math department has standardized math placement in midd