Posted Sun, Apr 8, 8:59 a.m.

I watch the interviews of Maria Goodloe Johnson and Asst. Superintendent of Philadelphia Thornton. I believe Thornton withdrew for one of two reasons. (1) The Superintendent in Philadelphia resigned to go to New Orleans during Thorton's Seattle interview process. (2) He figured that Cheryl Chow had already selected MGJ. I ...

Posted Wed, Apr 4, 7:51 a.m.

From "The Economist": http://www.economist.com/node/13237193 Failed states and failed policies How to stop the drug wars Prohibition has failed; legalisation is the least bad solution Mar 5th 2009 Concludes with this paragraph=> A calculated gamble, or another century of failure? This newspaper first argued for legalisation 20 years ago (see article). ...

Posted Thu, Jan 19, 9:59 a.m.

Mr. Jon Bridge wrote: -- "Micromanaging is NOT the Board responsibility." -- The State Auditor's office in repeated findings has stressed that "Management and Oversight" is the Board's responsibility. Apparently Mr. Bridge found repeated findings from the SAO to be"OK", for he now rails against a move toward accountability as ...

Posted Thu, Jan 12, 10:38 a.m.

So as a former teacher in a Los Angeles charter school, I do wonder why Senator Tom who has been a part of the "failing to fully fund" education legislature has been so interested in pushing Ed Reform legislation. Last session Sen. Tom was all about laying off teachers that ...

Posted Thu, Jan 5, 12:07 p.m.

A large portion of the public gets their information about schools from the Seattle Times and perhaps a few from Crosscut. Given the highly inaccurate reporting over the last several years as Cheerleading trumped Facts, why would a survey of the public be given much weight? Two members of the ...

Posted Wed, Jan 4, 4:53 p.m.

Author needs to read survey ==> ? Favorable impressions of SPS outweighed unfavorable by nearly 3:1 ? Majorities had favorable impressions of Teachers (81%) “your local school" (62%) the PTSA (60%) and “Seattle Public Schools” (60%). Author incorrectly reported that ==> Teachers received a 60 percent favorable rating Crosscut can ...

Posted Tue, Dec 20, 4:53 p.m.

Dear Mike G James, Fact 1: "Discovery Math" at the high school level used in Seattle and Bethel has been a serious under-performer as measured by the End of Course Algebra assessment given to students who just completed an Algebra course. The scores of Seattle's and Bethel's Low income 9th ...

Posted Mon, Dec 19, 7:55 p.m.

Prior to 2007 there had never been a school board candidate that spent over $40,000 to get elected. In the 2007 election the Times predicted as much as $50,000 might be spent to win a seat. The Reform Bloc four spent $500,000 with Peter Maier spending over $160,000. It sounds ...

Posted Fri, Nov 18, 1:08 p.m.

..."On the upside, the district is seeing very modest gains in both math and reading for minority and low-income students" ....... Definitely NOT true for high school math in Seattle.... see data on End of Course testing for grade 9 Low-Income algebra students=> www.school-truth.com/resultsGrade9EoC.pdf Check results for Auburn at 52% ...

Posted Tue, Oct 25, 1:27 p.m.

"But the financial scandals unearthed by the state Auditor, the expensive closure and reopening of schools, the acceptance of a goofy math curriculum, and sometimes slack oversight of administrators cannot be repeated." Careful attention reveals: #1 ... The incumbents rubber stamp almost every proposal that comes before them from the ...

Posted Tue, Oct 25, 10:36 a.m.

Mr. Van Dyk is correct the lack of interest in local governance by the voters is disheartening. As long as too many voters choose to cast their votes founded in opinions formed by myths and half-truths, rather than the facts, we will continue to have legislative bodies filled with purveyors ...

Posted Fri, Aug 26, 10:59 a.m.

Here is a sample of current decision making. The WA State adoption of the common core state standards. This is an unfunded mandate courtesy of OSPI and the State legislature. Not counting eventually needed tech infrastructure improvements, the cost to local school districts will be $165 million over five years ...

Posted Fri, Aug 26, 10:45 a.m.

I was at Mr. Oki's book signing for "Outrageous Learning" where I met Gov. Dan Evans, Don Neilson, and chatted with Rep. Skip Priest. Mr. Oki has some interesting ideas but he misses a major cause of the current condition. The apparently unseen elephant in the education room is "the ...

Posted Tue, Jul 12, 3:32 p.m.

I agree with Smacgry ... and Scott Oki There is a huge need especially in the Seattle Public Schools for decentralization.

Posted Tue, Jul 12, 2:35 p.m.

Mr. Tong you've missed talking about the extremely low quality of "Supposed Research" by Colleges of Education. The University of Chicago had the good sense to close its school of education. The UW should do the same. The UW CoE has an absolutely abysmal record when it comes to advocating ...

Posted Sat, Jul 2, 3:31 a.m.

Dear Mr. Brewster, 1. I was unaware that Crosscuts was running out of posting space on this website. Seems implausible.... please clarify: "hog the comment stream in this way. Let others feel free to make comments." 2. I always post under my own name, Readers are certainly free to see ...

Posted Fri, Jul 1, 9:14 a.m.

From the Huff Post: When it came to setting up our government, Thomas Jefferson had three concerns: tyranny of kings, tyranny of theocrats, and tyranny of the wealthy. For the time being we seem to be safe from kings and theocrats. We are not, however, safe from the super-rich. Here's ...

Posted Fri, Jul 1, 8:58 a.m.

So Seattle has "Everyday Math", "Connected Math Project", and for High School the mathematically unsound "Discovering" series. Is Ms. Ryan planning on fixing the math mess? Math Books need more explicit instruction with clear examples and sufficient practice. What is Ms. Ryan's plan? There is a supposed shortage of Math ...

Posted Fri, Jul 1, 8:34 a.m.

I was on the State Board of Education Math Advisory Panel..... It no longer meets as the state is unable to fund a volunteer panel. Ms. Ryan has goals.... and if there is one thing we have seen plenty of over the last decade .... it is goals. What is ...

Posted Fri, Jul 1, 8:29 a.m.

Interestingly ... Gov. Gregoire, Randy Dorn of OSPI, and Ms. Ryan of the SBE all vigorously pushed for the WA state adoption of the common core state standards... These will be largely counter-productive in WA Schools for at least the next few years. The CCSS will require local WA School ...

Posted Mon, Jun 20, 8:42 p.m.

Absolutely crazy that the Board ignores evidence at every opportunity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVXRdBouyCs&feature;=related Board sees "No evidence of wrong doing" ... Clear the Board does no looking.

Posted Mon, Jun 20, 8:36 p.m.

The Culture of School Board failure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLvNYAFCVPE&feature;=related Board lack of oversight puts public funds at risk.

Posted Mon, Jun 20, 12:46 p.m.

The four members of the Board have often failed to intelligently apply relevant data. Mr. Lilly writes: "The strategic plan tells us that the district knows what to do. But the board’s report last week tells us that the district — along with pretty much everybody in education — still ...

Posted Thu, Jun 16, 6:31 p.m.

Since the Teacher shortage is non-existent and the ratio of classes taught by Highly Qualified teachers is (99.5%) and that ratio is the same in both low income schools and non-low income schools .... Why are only certain low income schools targeted with TfA 5 week wonders? Why is it ...

Posted Thu, Jun 16, 5:39 p.m.

I testified before the board that out of every 200 classes taught in the Seattle schools only 1 is taught by a teacher that is not Highly Qualified. This ratio is the same at low income schools and non-low income schools. The UW CoE is apparently a fountain of misinformation.....

Posted Thu, Jun 16, 3:46 p.m.

This article in regard to Seattle School Directors should be classified as shameless cheer-leading. I have particularly strong disagreement with this: "The School Board is under a lot of criticism, to be sure, mostly stemming from the mismanagement and off-putting style of ousted Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson" ..... It is a ...

Posted Thu, Jun 16, 3:14 p.m.

Explanation needed: "Lots of fireworks, but I suspect the current board will survive, sustaining the momentum it has created." What momentum would that be? State Auditor's Office momentum? The ability to deceive the public? There is NO momentum evident in the area of academic improvement. ========== In regard to TfA ...

Posted Fri, Jun 10, 3:42 p.m.

Dear AltEd, My son just received his Masters in Teaching today. Please name your school. If he meets the qualifications for the position, he will be looking to apply ASAP. Thanks, Dan

Posted Fri, Jun 10, 10:17 a.m.

I want Dean Stritikus to either resign or get busy fixing problems rather than creating them. A great place to start is ending the TfA proposed fiasco right now. Clearly another shameless politician masquerading as an educator is not needed. The Dean needs to fish or cut bait ... not ...

Posted Fri, Jun 10, 9:32 a.m.

Typo above... and yet UW CoE programs and NSF programs for professional development directed (but) by UW correlate with declining math skills for low income students and many ethnic minority students.

Posted Fri, Jun 10, 9:30 a.m.

I see an even bigger problem than the "lack of a teacher shortage" in the UW CoE Dean pushing this TfA program. ==> The motivation behind bringing in TfA is to close achievement gaps in low income schools...... and yet UW CoE programs and NSF programs for professional development directed ...

Posted Wed, Jun 8, 11:32 a.m.

Mr. Brewster, At 10:23 am you wrote: "One historic parallel is the experimental school John Dewey started when he was teaching at the University of Chicago and where he worked out his early theories about progressive education. The schools, which continue today, were instrumental in putting the University of Chicago ...

Posted Thu, Apr 21, 4 p.m.

Reuven, let us look at the RttT facts. The obligation to replace "failing" principals at "failing" schools is what was driving your bill. There will simply not be enough qualified principals to fill the spots at all the "failing" schools. The solution is to create lots more principals from where ...

Posted Fri, Apr 8, 7:59 a.m.

chapala21, You have that right. The viaduct view is arguably the greatest drive view in the world. Especially in often dark rainy Seattle, the Viaduct sure beats anything else ( a tunnel ??). On a sunny day truly amazing..... Instead of Safeco or Quest.. we will be getting the dark ...

Posted Fri, Apr 8, 7:55 a.m.

Mr. Bricklin, I like you have hope that we live in a republic, where every citizen is protected by existing laws and the state constitution. Unfortunately I've learned on multiple occasions that is NOT the case. ---------- In education "The Billionaire Boys" determine what will be done. State Legislators, just ...

Posted Tue, Dec 14, 12:42 p.m.

Each director has a currently lengthening list of the Superintendent's bad acts; to do nothing to bring the Superintendent to justice will certainly be an intentional failure to fulfill the duties of the office of school director.

Posted Tue, Dec 14, 12:40 p.m.

A letter concerning: Will the School Board continue to tolerate the Bad Acts of Seattle's Superintendent? http://mathunderground.blogspot.com/2010/12/will-school-board-continue-to-tolerate.html Great Job, the Math Underground applauds Craig Parsley.

Posted Mon, Aug 23, 10:47 a.m.

Yes let us not miss a chance at serious reform ...... Unfortunately the Councilman has missed it. Reforming the system through the intelligent application of relevant data applied to decision making is what is needed. The Councilman is a mouth piece for Race to the Top and other non-researched based ...

Posted Mon, Oct 26, 7:08 p.m.

Only Clover Park spends a higher percentage of budget on Central Administration at 10%. Seattle's 9% equates to almost $1000 per child for central administration expenditure. If Seattle had the same per child spending for Central Admin as Olympia SD. the savings would be more than $20 million annually.

Posted Mon, Jan 5, 4:42 p.m.

Dick Lilly said: It will be tough for the school board to claim they’ve got answers to all these questions by the time they take a final vote on closures at the end of the month. -------------- The SPS Board rarely if ever claims to have answers but that never ...

Posted Mon, Dec 1, 12:34 p.m.

WOW!!! just imagine if the SPS had shown some interest in effective math curricula. How many students would still be attending school in the SPS? When the district ignores the National Math Advisory Panel recommendations and the State Math Standards to follow the Everyday Math pacing plan is it any ...

Posted Fri, Nov 9, 3:20 p.m.

endorsements: You will notice that the NAACP never shows up in endorsements. They get it. Voters rarely distinguish between a PTSA leader speaking as individual or for the group, anyone who believes otherwise is foolish. Ms. Stambor is spot on in regard to endorsements.

Posted Sun, Oct 14, 10:19 a.m.

The k-12 Education Dark Age of Dr. Bergeson: To improve a system usually requires the intelligent application of relevant data. Despite large expenditures for WASL testing and the end of cheap standardized IOWA tests in 2005, OSPI apparently learned nothing to bring about improvement in mathematics. In August of 2006 ...