Report: half of schools fail federal standards: Nearly half of America's public schools didn't meet federal achievement standards this year, marking the largest failure rate since the much-criticized No Child Left Behind Law took effect a decade ago, according to a national report released Thursday.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Report: half of schools fail federal standards
Via Seattle Times. Follow link for full story.
Report: half of schools fail federal standards: Nearly half of America's public schools didn't meet federal achievement standards this year, marking the largest failure rate since the much-criticized No Child Left Behind Law took effect a decade ago, according to a national report released Thursday.
Report: half of schools fail federal standards: Nearly half of America's public schools didn't meet federal achievement standards this year, marking the largest failure rate since the much-criticized No Child Left Behind Law took effect a decade ago, according to a national report released Thursday.
Will Expanded Learning Time = Better Outcomes?
Via the Forum for Youth Investment. Follow link for full story.
Will Expanded Learning Time = Better Outcomes?:
Will Expanded Learning Time = Better Outcomes?:
What does Waiver 11 mean for school districts and community-base organizations? Experts from the education and youth development communities discussed the implications of this waiver in a webinar organized by three members of the Ready by 21 National Partnership - the Forum for Youth Investment (the Forum), American Association of School Administrators and United Way Worldwide.
Moderated by Forum Policy Director Elizabeth Gaines, the webinar on Dec. 8, 2011, brought together a leading education journalist, a cutting-edge superintendent, and policy and youth development thinkers.
NASBE Discussion Guide: School Leadership: Improving State Systems for Leader Development
Via Wallace Foundation. Follow link for full story.
NASBE Discussion Guide: School Leadership: Improving State Systems for Leader Development:
NASBE Discussion Guide: School Leadership: Improving State Systems for Leader Development:
Teacher evaluations need an overhaul, Gregoire says
Via Seattle Times. Follow link for full story.
Teacher evaluations need an overhaul, Gregoire says: Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed launching a statewide evaluation system aimed at weeding out ineffective educators.
Teacher evaluations need an overhaul, Gregoire says: Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed launching a statewide evaluation system aimed at weeding out ineffective educators.
Afterschool Evaluation 101: How to Evaluate an Expanded Learning Program
Via HFRP News. Follow link for full story.
Afterschool Evaluation 101: How to Evaluate an Expanded Learning Program:
Afterschool Evaluation 101: How to Evaluate an Expanded Learning Program:
A new tool designed to help OST program directors—with little or no evaluation experience—develop an evaluation strategy.
School board may ease ban on junk food
Via Seattle Times. Follow link for full story.
School board may ease ban on junk food: Years after a ban on unhealthful food in Seattle high schools, students are now ignoring campus vending machines — crippling student governments that once depended on profits from the sales. The Seattle School Board is likely to relax its policy next year.
School board may ease ban on junk food: Years after a ban on unhealthful food in Seattle high schools, students are now ignoring campus vending machines — crippling student governments that once depended on profits from the sales. The Seattle School Board is likely to relax its policy next year.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Seattle School Board takes up new ethics policy
Via Seattle Times. Follow link for full story.
Seattle School Board takes up new ethics policy: If approved, the new policy would strengthen provisions preventing conflicts of interest in decision-making and retaliation for making ethics complaints.
Seattle School Board takes up new ethics policy: If approved, the new policy would strengthen provisions preventing conflicts of interest in decision-making and retaliation for making ethics complaints.
New Seattle School Board could bring significant change to district
Via Seattle Times. Follow link for full story.
New Seattle School Board could bring significant change to district: New members Sharon Peaslee and Marty McLaren appear to have shifted the balance of power of the old board, likely leading to more close votes. Priorities are expected to include finding technology-based solutions to budget cuts and giving more flexibility to schools.
New Seattle School Board could bring significant change to district: New members Sharon Peaslee and Marty McLaren appear to have shifted the balance of power of the old board, likely leading to more close votes. Priorities are expected to include finding technology-based solutions to budget cuts and giving more flexibility to schools.
Finally here! Footage from the State of the District Address
Via Alliance for Education Community Blog
Finally here! Footage from the State of the District Address:
Dr. Susan Enfield, Seattle Public Schools' Interim Superintendent, delivered a very strong State of the District report at the end of November. The achievement gains and operational improvements cited give great reason for hope and confidence in what can be accomplished. While much work remains to deliver on the promise of a college-ready education for all, the forward momentum is palpable!
Reference was made to potentially lowering the 2013 outcome goals. The Alliance believes that this should not be considered an option. Instead of having a conversation around whether and how far we should lower our goals, we should be having a conversation around what we - as an entire community invested in the success of our public schools - need to do faster and better to meet or exceed the goals that have been set.
"Attacking Gaps, Raising Expectations Everywhere" means just that. Lowering outcome goals flies directly in the face of the spirit of AGREE, which is a very compelling rallying cry.
The individual schools cited in this presentation demonstrate just how much progress can be made in a short period of time under strong, deliberate leadership. Let us look to those and other high achieving schools for the path forward, rather than be content to lower our sights and ambitions on behalf of school children across our city!
Finally here! Footage from the State of the District Address:
Dr. Susan Enfield, Seattle Public Schools' Interim Superintendent, delivered a very strong State of the District report at the end of November. The achievement gains and operational improvements cited give great reason for hope and confidence in what can be accomplished. While much work remains to deliver on the promise of a college-ready education for all, the forward momentum is palpable!
Reference was made to potentially lowering the 2013 outcome goals. The Alliance believes that this should not be considered an option. Instead of having a conversation around whether and how far we should lower our goals, we should be having a conversation around what we - as an entire community invested in the success of our public schools - need to do faster and better to meet or exceed the goals that have been set.
"Attacking Gaps, Raising Expectations Everywhere" means just that. Lowering outcome goals flies directly in the face of the spirit of AGREE, which is a very compelling rallying cry.
The individual schools cited in this presentation demonstrate just how much progress can be made in a short period of time under strong, deliberate leadership. Let us look to those and other high achieving schools for the path forward, rather than be content to lower our sights and ambitions on behalf of school children across our city!
For more information in on the data referred to in Dr. Enfield's presentation, CLICK HERE.
Dorn Calls for Run-Off Election for State Board
Via OSPI Communications. Follow link for full story.
Dorn Calls for Run-Off Election for State Board: State Superintendent Randy Dorn has called for a run-off election for a position on the State Board of Education.
Dorn Calls for Run-Off Election for State Board: State Superintendent Randy Dorn has called for a run-off election for a position on the State Board of Education.
Number of students attending charter schools soars
Via Seattle Times. Follow link for full story.
Number of students attending charter schools soars: The number of students attending charter schools has soared to more than 2 million as states pass laws lifting caps and encouraging their expansion, according to figures released Wednesday.
Number of students attending charter schools soars: The number of students attending charter schools has soared to more than 2 million as states pass laws lifting caps and encouraging their expansion, according to figures released Wednesday.
Community-Based Education and Social Capital in an Urban After-School Program
Via Education and Urban Society. Follow link for full story.
Community-Based Education and Social Capital in an Urban After-School Program:
Community-Based Education and Social Capital in an Urban After-School Program:
This qualitative case study examined how social capital development was facilitated in an urban after-school program. Specific attention was devoted to identifying structures and strategies that helped student participants develop social capital, the types of social networks that were developed through program participation, and the outcomes that were attributed to these networks. The findings suggest that the program’s purposeful design and skillful implementation presented students with opportunities to forge heterogeneous and bridging relationships that fundamentally shaped their learning experiences and their future social, educational, and professional aspirations.
Achieving Resource Equity Within a Single School District: Erasing the Opportunity Gap By Examining School Board Decisions
Via Education and Urban Society. Follow link for full story.
Achieving Resource Equity Within a Single School District: Erasing the Opportunity Gap By Examining School Board Decisions:
Achieving Resource Equity Within a Single School District: Erasing the Opportunity Gap By Examining School Board Decisions:
This article examines the failure of school districts to distribute nonmoney resources—controlled primarily by the board of education—equally among students in affluent neighborhoods versus low-income areas. It is largely an urban phenomenon, although some county-wide and large suburban school systems display similar patterns. Such practices represent a failure to achieve the vision of equity championed in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. The main aspects of the opportunity gap addressed in this article are teacher assignment, staff-based budgeting, formal equality over equity, general education funds, parental involvement, curriculum, and building maintenance costs. These elements are widely accepted as important to learning outcomes. Inadvertent disparities in resource allocation, therefore, can foster a growing opportunity gap between well-off and impoverished students. The findings of Necochea and Cline highlight the negative effects on students of unequal resource allocation. Potential legal pathways in the form of Federal and State laws are suggested to combat the intradistrict educational inequity. The article concludes with policy solutions that school districts across the country have implemented to mitigate the harmful effects of unequal resource allocation and their straightforward attempts to erase the opportunity gap among students from different neighborhoods.
Students Speak Up Against Budget Cuts
Via SOWA Live (So Alive!)
Students Speak Up Against Budget Cuts:
By Danielle Baer, Communications & Grants Manager
Last week, hundreds of Garfield High School students in Seattle walked out of class in protest against proposed cuts to education funding during the special legislative session called by Governor Gregoire this month. As a Garfield alum, I was proud to see fellow bulldogs standing up for what they believe in and speaking out against further cuts that are having a real impact on their day to day educational experience.
As we advocate on behalf of young people and providing access to quality expanded learning opportunities, afterschool, youth development and summer programs, we need to remember to listen to youth voice and provide opportunities for their input to be heard. Over the past few years, many people have become desensitized to hearing about budget cuts. What’s another billion in a deficit of trillions? What does it really mean? But when students take to the streets and tell us firsthand what education cuts mean to their lives and their futures, the message resonates in a concrete way and makes a real impact.
Just this week, the Children’s Alliance and Washington State Budget & Policy Center released their Kids Count in Washington 2012 report including more data on the persistent achievement gap in Washington State and its disproportionate impact on Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic and American Indian students. Further cutting education is not going to help narrow this gap and provide opportunities for all young people to thrive in school and life.
Over the course of the next few months, we will be supporting efforts to preserve safety net services such as high quality afterschool and youth development programs, food and nutrition programs, health care programs, employing training programs and a strong educational system that prepares children and youth to enter the future workforce. Stay tuned for our 2012 legislative agenda and sign-up for our Washington Afterschool Network email alert system for regular updates and opportunities to take action on budget and policy issues during the 2012 legislative session. As young people take risks and take to the streets, we need to support their actions and speak up to preserve essential services for children, youth and families.
Students Speak Up Against Budget Cuts:
By Danielle Baer, Communications & Grants Manager
Last week, hundreds of Garfield High School students in Seattle walked out of class in protest against proposed cuts to education funding during the special legislative session called by Governor Gregoire this month. As a Garfield alum, I was proud to see fellow bulldogs standing up for what they believe in and speaking out against further cuts that are having a real impact on their day to day educational experience.
As we advocate on behalf of young people and providing access to quality expanded learning opportunities, afterschool, youth development and summer programs, we need to remember to listen to youth voice and provide opportunities for their input to be heard. Over the past few years, many people have become desensitized to hearing about budget cuts. What’s another billion in a deficit of trillions? What does it really mean? But when students take to the streets and tell us firsthand what education cuts mean to their lives and their futures, the message resonates in a concrete way and makes a real impact.Just this week, the Children’s Alliance and Washington State Budget & Policy Center released their Kids Count in Washington 2012 report including more data on the persistent achievement gap in Washington State and its disproportionate impact on Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic and American Indian students. Further cutting education is not going to help narrow this gap and provide opportunities for all young people to thrive in school and life.
Over the course of the next few months, we will be supporting efforts to preserve safety net services such as high quality afterschool and youth development programs, food and nutrition programs, health care programs, employing training programs and a strong educational system that prepares children and youth to enter the future workforce. Stay tuned for our 2012 legislative agenda and sign-up for our Washington Afterschool Network email alert system for regular updates and opportunities to take action on budget and policy issues during the 2012 legislative session. As young people take risks and take to the streets, we need to support their actions and speak up to preserve essential services for children, youth and families.
Photos by Joshua Trujillo of the SeattlePI.com.
How Mercer Middle School soared after struggling
Via Seattle Times. Follow link for full story.
How Mercer Middle School soared after struggling: The remarkable turnaround at Asa Mercer Middle has School Board members paying close attention. The school's success could significantly influence policies across the district.
How Mercer Middle School soared after struggling: The remarkable turnaround at Asa Mercer Middle has School Board members paying close attention. The school's success could significantly influence policies across the district.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
52% of 4th graders are receiving subsidized meals
52% of 4th graders are receiving subsidized meals:
Via United Way of King County.
When I think about childhood hunger a vivid image comes to mind of my fourth grade teacher, Ms. Doyle, teaching kids how to make simple nutritious snacks – like peanut butter on apples. It was the early 90’s and the country was in the middle of a recession and the first Gulf War. She knew that there were some kids in this working class Connecticut suburb who went to bed with empty bellies – many of them had parents working multiple jobs, struggling to get by and find the time and resources to prepare meals. Like many teachers before and after her – she understood that hungry children struggle to concentrate, learn and thrive. She believed it was unacceptable for any child to be hungry and she made sure that didn’t happen…one kid at a time. Fast forward 20 years – I wonder what she would do today as more families struggle to put food on the table.
Yesterday the New York Times reported a surge in the number of kids receiving free or low cost meals. Nationally an astonishing 52% of 4th graders are receiving subsidized meals. In some King County school districts, more than 70% of kids are eligible for these programs. This is no surprise given the ongoing recession, high rate of unemployment and that nearly 250,000 King County residents are food insecure. While these numbers are alarming, they show that kids are accessing food during the school day. We should also be concerned with hunger when school is out – after-school, on weekends and during the summer.
Like Ms. Doyle, I believe it is simply unacceptable to have children experiencing hunger in our community. As a community we should be outraged that any child is hungry. It doesn’t make moral or financial sense. Federal nutrition programs like the National School Lunch Program and Basic Food Program (SNAP/Food Stamps) are critical tools in the fight against hunger. These programs combined with resources from community food banks, education on cooking low cost meals and opportunities to grow food can help end childhood hunger. As a community we must rally together to protect existing programs, promote access to these programs and find new solutions to address childhood hunger.
United Way of King County is working to create a Hunger Free King County and ensure no child is hungry. Here are five ways you can join us:
1. Advocate for the State Food Assistance Program: Legislators are in Olympia now for a Special Legislative Session to deal with a projected $1.4 billion deficit. Last year, the state legislature reduced funding for State Food Assistance (a program that provides Food Stamps to legal immigrants who are not eligible for the Federal Food Stamp program). A court order is in place prohibiting the benefit reduction, however, pending the outcome of an equal protection and due process lawsuit on behalf of SFA recipients. Gov. Gregoire has again proposed to eliminate the program. Of the 31,100 people who either receive State Food Assistance or benefit indirectly from the program by living in a householdwhere another family member receives it, 12,500 are children. Contact your legislator today and ask them to protect this important program.
2. Encourage your school to participate in the Fuel Up First With Breakfast Challenge sponsored by the Children’s Alliance.
3. Support weekend backpack programs and summer meal programs that provide food outside of school hours.
4. Volunteer at a local food bank, community garden or with Bridge to Basics a program that connects families with the benefits they are eligible for.
5. Donate to an area food bank.
To Teach a Child: The Parents' Role (Letter to the Editor, The New York Times, 11/24/2011)
To Teach a Child: The Parents' Role (Letter to the Editor, The New York Times, 11/24/2011):
HFRP director Heather Weiss' response to a recent New York Times op-ed, "How About Better Parents?"
Via HFRP. Follow link for full story.
Garfield students protest more cuts to schools
Garfield students protest more cuts to schools: State legislators considering further cuts to education to close a $2 billion state budget shortfall have already heard from a variety of school administrators and advocates.
Via Seattle Times. Follow link for full story.
Via Seattle Times. Follow link for full story.
Credentialed by 26, When Working Works: Employment & Postsecondary Success
Credentialed by 26, When Working Works: Employment & Postsecondary Success:
Balancing work and school can hinder a young person’s success in higher education. However, the opposite can also be true: Good jobs facilitate student persistence and completion. So what does it look like when working works for students? That’s what we need to understand in order to transform employment opportunities into drivers of student success.
This brief summarizes research about employment and postsecondary success, and features examples of employers and institutions that have found creative ways to both support student persistence and advance their bottom lines by creating “college-friendly” jobs.
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