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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Seattle Schools Community Forum: BEX IV - Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?

Seattle Schools Community Forum: BEX IV - Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?:


BEX IV - Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?


I confess - I haven't been able to keep up on BEX IV as I would have liked.  But I have noticed (and noted) that, true to form, this BEX follows the pattern of previous ones (except on steriods).

1. Changes to the list in the last month before it is approved?  Check.
2. Lack of clarity about changes and no fleshed-out explanations?  Check.
3. A Board in a hurry-up mode "because we have to get this done to get it qualified for the ballot in time?" Check.

Again, it's a list of projects but you are really just voting for a pot of money.  They can change that list but that really isn't my worry.

It's that this high-cost, long-term project has not been walked through in a clear and deliberate manner.  What is


Seattle Teacher Residency Program

I have heard rumblings about this program and this press release does little to assuage them. 

The Alliance for Education, Seattle Public Schools, and the University of Washington College of Education on Oct. 24 announced the addition of the Seattle Education Association as the fourth partner in launching the Seattle Teacher Residency. 

Urban Teacher Residency United, (http://www.utrunited.org/ ), based in Chicago, is the national network of the highest-performing residency programs. UTRU Executive Director Anissa Listak said, “This is the first time we’ve seen a residency launch with this set of players at the table. It bodes very well for the success and efficacy of the initiative.”  


My first question is - why is the Alliance for Education involved?  This is NOT their area of expertise at all.  I have