Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, December 16, 2013

12-16-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:





It's about the money
Here is a comment, pulled out as the start of a new thread.My review of the proposals made by Education Reform Organizations shows that all of their efforts, in the end, are either about reducing the costs of education - and therefore keeping a few tax dollars in their pockets - or about directing some of those tax dollars into their friends' pockets. It's all about their money, not the students.



If You Care about K-5 Math in Seattle Public Schools...
...then get down to the John Stanford Center and review the proposed ideas for math.From the district:GIVE US YOUR INPUT! First Phase of Adoption Reviews: Seven new Mathematics programs for Kindergarten through Grade 5 use are on display in the Professional Library on the second floor of the John Stanford Center. These are the textual materials that are being reviewed by our Adoption Committee for


Dear Santa
Washington State Charter Schools - To Be Clear on the King County Ruling
First, the Seattle Times continues to try to use smoke and mirrors on their readers on this issue.Their latest editorial's headline says "A charter schools victory at the state Supreme Court."  The reality? It was a decision by a King County court (although, yes, it is very likely to head to the Supreme Court). This, like Lynne Varner's statement in her opinion piece that it is the Gates

Seattle Schools This Week
Tuesday, December 17thAudit&Finance Committee Meeting (Quarterly Audit Meeting) from 4-6 p.m.  Agenda not yet available.Wednesday, December 18thWork Session: Budget, WSS, and Transportation from 4-7 p.m.  AgendaI see some troubling and yet vital info in this presentation but I think that will be a separate thread.  Thursday, December 19thOperations Committee Meeting from 4-6 pm.  Agenda not y


JAMS Meetings; Past and Present
I know there was a JAMS meeting on December 11th and someone requested a thread to talk about that one.Also, there is another Jane Addams' Middle School "launch/intro" at the JAMS library this Wednesday Dec. 18th at 6:30pm.Meet the wonderful principal, Paula Montgomery, and hear about the exciting work being done. Lots of Q&A, and a tour of JAMS too!
More Diversity for Non-Profits Workshop
From United Way of King County (please forward if you know people who are interesting in learning more):Project LEAD: Why is everybody white? A challenge for more diversity on nonprofit boardsUnited Way of King County is recruiting people of color for the 2014 session of Project LEAD (Leadership, Effectiveness and Diversity) and we need your help to get the word out. The application deadline is We
12-14-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum Week
Seattle Schools Community Forum:Seattle Schools Community Forum mark as readFriday Open ThreadAnyone who has given thought to Common Core standards and has a opinion you might want to pass along/talk about, please shoot me an e-mail at sss.westbrook@gmail.com.   I'll forward your e-mail on.  Please send it to me by noon if possible.Haven't checked other news sources but I suspect the charter law d