Saturday, February 1, 2014

2-1-14 Wait What? All Week

Wait What?:


  Wait What? All Week





More big money for Malloy campaign operation from contractors who got state funds… As the website Raising Hale continues to reveal, contractors who benefited from the Malloy administration are coming through with hundreds of thousands in campaign contributions for Malloy’s re-election operation. But whatever you do, don’t call it “Pay TO Play.” “Pay AFTER Play” […]The post The Malloy Campaign Mone

The Hartford Courant and City Line Blog reporter Vanessa De La Torre has the latest news on Steve Perry’s attempt to open a charter school in Bridgeport. De La Torre refers to “Capital Prep.” wanting to open a charter school but as Wait, What? readers are undoubtedly aware, the charter school application is not from […]The post News Update: More on Steve Perry’s application for a charter school in

Malloy to retired teaches; I know I tried cutting your legs off with that health insurance cut last year but…
A year ago this month, a Wait, What? Blog post began with the words: There are a lot of crazy, irresponsible and down-right mean things in Governor Malloy’s budget proposal, but his plan to totally eliminate Connecticut’s contribution to the retired teachers’ health insurance fund may very well take the cake. (See link) But election […]The post Malloy to retired teaches; I know I tried cutting you

YESTERDAY

NEWS FLASH: Executive Session on Steve Perry re-appears on Hartford BOE agenda
The agenda is out for the Special Meeting of the Hartford Board of Education to be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.  The meeting beings at 5:30 pm at the Fred E. Wish Museum School located at 350 Barbour St in Hartford. One of the first items on the agenda is the “Public Comment” period. […]The post NEWS FLASH: Executive Session on Steve Perry re-appears on Hartford BOE agenda appeared first on
A CT superintendent speaks: Madison’s Thomas Scarice and the Power of truth
What happens when a superintendent of schools stands up and speaks out! For more than two years many Connecticut teachers, public school advocates, parents of public school students and others have been warning about the dangers that will result from Governor Malloy’s corporate education reform industry initiative. When public school teachers recently gathered in large […]The post A CT superintend
New pictures paint even more serious concerns about child abuse at Capital Prep
New Pictures paint even more serious concerns about child abuse at Capital Prep Over the last few months, Wait, What? readers have learned about Steve Perry’s efforts to humiliate, punish and bully Capital Prep students by forcing them to sit at the “Table of Shame” requiring that students stand up while eating lunch in the […]The post New pictures paint even more serious concerns about child abus
Shhhh: Whatever you do, don’t mention class, classism or class warfare
Newspaper headlines in today’s Stamford Advocate: Street bonuses heat up January real estate market in Greenwich, Darien Stamford homeless shelters over capacity In 2013, the stock market hit “52 all-time record highs” and had its best year in 18 years.  As a result, Greenwich realtors report the sales of high prices homes is booming.  As one realtor […]The post Shhhh: Whatever you do, don’t menti

JAN 30

Rumors confirmed – Perry submits charter school app for bridgeport
NEWS FLASH:  Embattled Capital Prep Principal Steve Perry has submitted an application to open a K-12 charter school in Bridgeport. Perry is an employee of the City of Hartford but created a private charter school management company. Under Connecticut law, Perry”s company is housed at his private residence, but federal IRS laws it is housed […]The post Rumors confirmed – Perry submits charter scho
The politics of education reform…. Malloy says he was just “listening” to teachers
For more than two years teachers, administrators, parents and public school advocates have been warning Governor Malloy and Connecticut legislators about the problems associated with Malloy’s corporate education reform industry initiative. In fact, one need only look to New York City and New York State to see the damage initiatives like Malloy’s are having on […]The post The politics of education
Malloy says “stay the course” on Common Core and Teacher Evaluation (after election)
The Hartford Courant has what could very well be the clearest portrayal of Governor Malloy’s real intent when it comes to his corporate education reform industry initiatives. With the latest flurry of press conferences, letters and meetings behind him, the Hartford Courant notes; “After the meeting the governor emphasized that he is not backing off […]The post Malloy says “stay the course” on Comm

JAN 29

Malloy dishes students, parents and teachers in political maneuver
Earlier today, Governor Malloy had the opportunity to make a meaningful statement about whether he was willing to make a real commitment to Connecticut’s students, parents, teachers and our public schools. Instead he decided to stick with Commissioner Stefan Pryor and the education reform initiatives that are undermining Connecticut public schools. For more than two […]The post Malloy dishes stude
In bizarre political ploy: Malloy says Delay Teacher Evaluations; Set up task force on Common Core
With the 2014 gubernatorial election ten months away, Governor Dannel Malloy held a press conference yesterday that would have made Saturday Night Live or the satirical website, The Onion, proud. Malloy removed his blinders and took out his ear plugs long enough to announce that the unfair teacher evaluation system should be delayed until after […]The post In bizarre political ploy: Malloy says De

JAN 28

A plea to the public for help in tracking down the Malloy Administration’s effort to extend $1 million contract
An out-of-state company of consultants that have already collected $1 million in taxpayer funds wants even more. Wait, What? needs your help in tracking down this travesty of justice. The following link is to the $1 million contract between Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor and Mass Insight, the out-of-state company brought in help Commissioner Pryor […]The post A plea to the public for help
Commissioner Pryor and entourage are the biggest threat to Malloy’s Re-election…
Considering Governor Dannel Malloy won the last gubernatorial election with less than 50% of the 1.2 million votes cast and his margin of victory was only 6,404 votes, virtually anything could cost him his re-election dreams. But forget the Republicans and their propensity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory… Forget Malloy’s tax increases […]The post Commissioner Pryor and entourage are the

JAN 27

No one is above the law, not even Capital Prep Steve Perry (a re-cap)
The Hartford Board of Education will be holding its rescheduled board meeting tonight at the Journalism & Media Academy Magnet School which is located at 150 Tower Avenue in Hartford. The public may address the Hartford Board of Education at 5:30pm The executive session on Capital Prep Principal Steve Perry has not been re-scheduled. Considering […]The post No one is above the law, not even Ca
Paul Vallas Re-cap: A Trail of Destruction
Two weekend Wait, What? blog posts continue the task of revealing the Trail of Destruction that Paul Vallas leaves in his wake. First up is the special education debacle.  Despite repeated warnings that his “initiative” to reduce special education costs would not only violate federal and state laws but would be disastrous for Bridgeport children […]The post Paul Vallas Re-cap: A Trail of Destructi
Common Core costs up, instruction time down, Opt Out movement takes hold
When it comes to the implementation of the Common Core and its related Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC) testing frenzy, the tide is beginning to turn.  As a result of the policies being pushed by Governor Malloy and Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor, massive amounts of school instruction time will give way to even more standardized test […]The post Common Core costs up, instruction time down,

JAN 26

The Paul Vallas Legacy: “Bridgeport systematically violated special education laws”
Paul Vallas hasn’t even left Bridgeport…In fact; the taxpayers of Connecticut and Bridgeport are picking up his salary and benefits for another month… But his legacy is already becoming clear. Late last week, the Connecticut State Department of Education released a report blasting the Paul Vallas’ leadership and the Bridgeport School System because, among other […]The post The Paul Vallas Legacy:

JAN 25

Don’t let them fool you: You can and should consider opting your child out of standardized testing frenzy
This week’s commentary piece from fellow education advocate and commentator Wendy Lecker is a message that should be distributed to every parent in Connecticut. As Wendy Lecker explains in her column entitled, “Opting out, parents answer to a higher authority,” the Governor Malloy’s Commissioner of Education, Stefan Pryor and the Malloy administration are telling local […]The post Don’t let them f
Sarah Darer Littman: Back with more news about the Malloy’s administration’s Common Core Spending
Sarah Darer Littman, the award winning columnist, has returned to CT Newsjunkie after taking a six month hiatus to work on her novels for teens. In her latest, “must read,” commentary piece she picks up where we left off with the Wait, What? post earlier this month entitled, “Malloy/Pryor Common Core Strategy – Hey, but […]The post Sarah Darer Littman: Back with more news about the Malloy’s admini

2-1-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum Week


Seattle Schools Community Forum:


Seattle Schools Community Forum






Friday Open Thread
For the artists in your house, two guys, feet, a rake and some unusual mediums to work in.  A thing of beauty is not always a joy forever.Saturday Community meeting - Director Sue Peters' first one at Queen Anne library from 11 am to 12:30 pm.What's on your mind?

JAN 30

High School Students - Input Wanted on Next Police Chief
Got a politically-minded high schooler with some time on his/her hands? From Publicola:Two of the most important members, in our opinion, of Mayor Ed Murray's police chief-search Community Advisory Committee, Franklin High School's Isaiah Bridges and Garfield High School's Jabari Cook—a pair of African American South End high school students in a city where the SPD has a strained relationship with
Washington State Charter Commission Meeting - Part Three
Trying to keep up; details to come. Also to note; the Times has not had one piece of news on this.  Again, quite strange.Seventh application - First Place - an existing K-5 school for students with trauma, approved 8-0.Eighth application - Green Dot - approved 7-0 with one abstaining voteNinth application - King County Academy - denied 8-0Tenth application - Out of the Box - denied 8-0 Eleventh ap
Rave and Rant for Classroom Issues
Hearing from parents about classroom issues like homework.  Below are two comments (off-topic in Math Adoption thread) and we have heard enough of these to warrant their own thread.Rant and rave away - please DO state things you like in your child's classroom as well as any concerns/unhappiness. Karen said...I'm a parent of a 1st and 3rd grader. I want my kids to know math facts inside and out. Cr
WA State Charter Commission Mtg - Part Two
First application - CAL Elementary - is denied, 8-0.  Commissioners cited the evaluators' "deny" and noted not financially ready with little community support/input.Second application - Cedar River - is denied, 8-0. Third application - Coral Academy of Science - the probable Gulen-based charter - is denied, 8-0.Cyndi Willams, Commissioner said it was a good application but not wide-rangi
Live Blogging from Charter Commission Meeting
Starting out a bit disorganized with several people lost.  But meeting appears to be starting on-time.Eight members of the CC are present (Doreen Cato has a health issue and is not going to be here - what that might mean for any given charter is unknown).President Steve Sundquist says law makes this process  "complicated."   If denial, must have reasons. If approved, attach any "con

JAN 29

Ballard High Teachers Say Yes to Later Start
 From one Ballard teacher (via Facebook):Educators at Ballard HS voted today on a motion regarding moving the High School start times to a later time (switching with elementary). The vote was UNANIMOUS in support of the motion. The research, by the way, is also unanimous. Students learn better later in the morning.
Seattle Schools Math Adoption - What is Going On?
 Update:First, here's a link to School Board policy (see top of chart "Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials"). To review, here's what we reported (via reader Rick B) in early January:The top three programs are to be selected as finalists by Friday the 10th. Additional copies of these finalist programs will be ordered from publishers and distributed to ~5 locations around the
I Asked - Do You? (about guns at home)
From Washington Ceasefire:Asking Saves Kids (ASK) - Washington is a public safety education campaign aimed at encouraging inquiry by parents and neighbors about guns in homes where their children play. Our goal is to persuade parents that this conversation—to ensure that their kids play in a gun safe environment—is an essential parental responsibility.Despite the very real dangers of guns in proxi
Seattle Schools Updates Fieldtrip Volunteer Policy
(Editor's note - the district is making a distinct difference here between oversight chaperones and day fieldtrip volunteers - I believe that may be what "A" and "B" volunteer categories are but I have a call into SPS about that.) From SPS Communications:To ensure the safety of our students and volunteers, Seattle Public Schools has updated our Volunteer Administrative Procedur
Kid President Gives Us All a Pep Talk
This kid is great - listen up students (and everybody's a teacher). Get your learn on!

JAN 28

Seattle Times - A Confusing Place for Ed Information
 Update:First, still nothing about the charter applicants and the upcoming Charter Commission meeting.  Still odd.Second, there was an article this morning. about public school funding throughout the country that may give some insight into why our state legislature drags its feet on fully-funding education.  To whit:nearly all states doubled or tripled the amount of money spent on public schools f
Bingo (or Drinking Game Alert) for SOTUA
I used to have bingo sheets for School Board meetings (particularly when we had an ed reform superintendent that had every ed reform phrase in the arsenal).  It helped pass the time.So in honor of tonight's State of the Union Address, here's a mock-up for your own "education" bingo sheet for the President's speech.Possible words/phrase the President might use:- choice- college and career
Data Privacy Day
 From Stay Safe Online:Data Privacy Day is an international effort to empower and educate people to protect their privacy and control their digital footprint.Data Privacy Day began in the United States and Canada in January 2008 as an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe. Data Protection Day commemorates the January 28, 1981, signing of Convention 108, the first legally bindi
Gun Violence at Schools and Campuses; It Needs to Stop
As you may be aware, there are two competing initiatives going to the Legislature (and, in fact, going before a committee tomorrow). One is SI 591 - Protect our gun rights and the other is SI 594 gun sales background check.  Both are about background checks - one for and one against.  You might want to consider contacting your own legislator on this issue.   Look, do I think background checks for
Tuesday Open Thread
Coming up on Thursday is the one-year anniversary of the MAP test boycott.  It's also the day that SEE (Social Equality Educators) are introducing their "Respect' slate of candidates to challenge the current SEA leadership.  They are having a forum on Thursday at Garfield Community Center.   Lead by Jesse Hagopian, a Garfield teacher who was named "Secondary School Teacher of the Year&qu

JAN 27

Washington State Charters; Six to Be Recommended for Approval by Charter Commission
 Updates:It seems there are three Charter Commission members with conflict of interest issues with charter applicants.  Two seem simple and one is quite problematic.Trish Millines Dziko is in a leadership program with the founder of Summit.  That one is a big of a tough call to make because the relationship could be either just professional or just collegial but if not financial, I think she could
Washington State Charter Schools Update
Items of interest:- the Charter Commission is going to have a phone-in meeting tomorrow, the 28th from 9 am to 10 am.  The agenda vaguely says " discussion of resolution process" and "bills currently under consideration."  Dial-in number is 800-245-9874, Access code 7784207.- the Charter Commission will have a regular meeting this Thursday the 29th, in Seattle, from 8:30 am to

JAN 26

Why Do Students of Different Races Achieve as They Do?
In one heck of an op-ed by Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld in the NY Times Sunday Review, they lay out their case for the three conflicting (somewhat) reasons why students in different groups perform the way they do.  The two authors have a book coming out called "The Triple Package: How Three Unlikely Traits Explain the Rise and Fall of Cultural Groups in America."It's long but worth it (esp
Seattle Schools This Week
A fairly quiet week in the district.Monday, January 27thSeattle Special Education PTSA General Meeting at 7pm. JSCEE Rm 2700. Agenda includes program services and enrollment issues for 2014-2015. Tuesday, January 28thCommunity Meeting with Director McLaren from 8:45-10:15 am at Highland Park Elementary.Thursday, January 30thA day to note as the Washington State Charter Commission is to announce wh

JAN 25

Highly Capable Services Delivery Model Task Force Nominations Open
The District is forming a task force to make recommendations to the superintendent on delivery model(s) for Highly Capable Services. This group will meet, investigate, discuss, and recommend the structure for the services that the District currently provides as APP.Here is a link to the form for nominations for the Highly Capable Services Delivery Model Task Force.Here is a link to the charge for
The Latest Re-Definition of "Curriculum"
Seattle Public Schools has re-defined the word "curriculum" no fewer than six times in the past four years. It seems to change with each new Chief Academic Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, or Executive Director of Curriculum. It also changes anytime the District needs to weasel or make other people (the Board or members of the public) appear ignorant.Here is th
Odds and Ends
Several items I thought might interest you.Frida Kahlo, a favorite of mineOne is a new video from Dove soap, straight from the Sundance Film Festival where it "premiered."  It's an 8-minute video about an experiment with teen girls, their mothers and cell phone photos called "Selfie."  Worthy viewing, I think. My favorite line, from a girl, "Social media is widening the de
About Race
There's an article by Joel Connelly in the PI that there was some irony that one of the first acts of our new mayor, Ed Murray, was to go to see the Race exhibit at the Seattle Science Center.  (It has now ended.)   (Thanks to Johnny Calcagno for the heads up.)The irony is that just across the way at Seattle Center is Center School where Seattle Public Schools allowed one family to upend a vital c