Latest News and Comment from Education

Friday, May 9, 2014

5-9-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:





Louis C.K. and Common Core
The blowback from the comedian Louis C.K. and his tweets about Common Core are useful in pointing out some fundamental issues with Common Core.These are issues that ALL public school parents have a right to weigh in on both as taxpayers AND as parents investing their children into public education.  And that, to me, means parents have more rights to talk about Common Core than say, Bill Gates.  Be

Ed News Roundup
Washington State charters, a terse OSPI tweet on the NCLB waiver, a district trying to growing their own Special Education teachers and NYC students talking about difference.  Washington State just finished its first charter school conference (you weren't there? me neither).  And boy, were there a lot of tweets.  Some of them were funny like claiming a room was "full" when the photo in t


Robert Eaglestaff Documentary
From the Urban Native Education Alliance:"Hello Community Members, family and friends, You are all invited to attend the premier of a documentary on Robert Eaglestaff and Indian Heritage School. This documentary has been in the making for the past 8 months and we are excited to announce the premier date May 22nd @6pm at Indian Heritage Seamat building (Wilson-Pacific). Free event. Dinner and

Arbor Heights Appeal Hearing
From the West Seattle blog, a detailed accounting of the appeal hearing held on Thursday asking for an environmental review.  The appeal was brought by long-time district watcher, Chris Jackins. In a brief closing statement, Jackins contended that “everything about this project seems to be rushed,” and he said that the supplemental studies presented by the district had not been done before the SEP

Call Your House Member and Urge a "No" Vote on H.R. 10
Which is the Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act and will expand - even more quickly - charter schools.  What is really disturbing about this is that it is almost designed to punish any state that choose a more methodical or "go slow" method of charter approval or expansion.  NY Times story for more information.What's very sad is that Congress cannot work together


Friday Open Thread
I will be taking a short break for a few days as my family will be happily attending the graduation of my youngest son from his university.  We are very proud that he was accepted to the Evans School of Public Affairs at UW to work on his Master's.I am disappointed to report that teacher Jesse Hagopian narrowly lost to Jonathan Knapp for president of the SEA.  The vote difference was 45 votes out


5-8-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Wilson-Pacific; FACMAC Weighs InIt might have gone unnoticed by some parents but the issues with Wilson-Pacific are near dire. This matters for two reasons.  One, there is a ripple effect to nearly every single capital decision in this district.  Two, next time, it could be your community.  - The district will have a "community meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 6:30