We worked with groups across the State of Washington to define questions and issues they want candidates for State Superintendent of Schools to address. We sent those questions to the Espinoza and Reykdal campaigns. We gave both until midnight September 26th to respond after which we would not accept their comments. Why the time limit? We didn't want one candidate to have any advantage by knowing their opponents responses. We emailed both campaigns multiple times. In the end Ms. Espinoza responded but the existing State Superintendent Chris Reykdal never did. Not a single note. So...we bring you the list of questions and Ms. Espinoza's responses. The only other thing we can do is to share … [Read more...]
Washington State School Funding data for Washougal School District: “More money does what?”
There is a LOT of buzz about funding K-12 education in Washington State the last couple of years. We’ve seen the State raise property taxes to better fund schools…with over 50% of the entire state budget going to education. We’ve seen limits placed on local levy’s with a requirement to ONLY use the funds for “enrichment” programs. We’ve seen the legislature debate increasing the $1.50 levy limit to $2.50 because most of the extra funds from tax increases went to teachers and districts are now running deficits and need to lay teachers off. We now see special “capital levies” to fund technology. We see capital bonds to fund new schools and renovations/repairs. So what has all that money done … [Read more...]
Common Core testing…is here again…it’s time to act
For those who don't know or don't pay close attention to notices from school it's now time for the "BIG" Common Core testing again. Every spring the children in multiple grades spend weeks and weeks on practicing and taking the SBAc (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium). If you want to see the propaganda from the group that owns the testing here is a link: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/ This is a private group that profits from the testing. What do they claim it does and is good for? Supporting high-quality teaching Improving learning for all students Preparing students for life after high school Why is this testing used? Originally it, along with a sister test (PARCC) was … [Read more...]
Students are drowning in tests…for no reason other than adult vanity
I recently had discussions with people in the local K-12 education community about students being tested to death. Yes...to death! The question that came up? Are you saying we shouldn't test and if not what's the alternative? I sat down and put my thoughts together and share them here. If you take the time to read the blog article consider sharing it with others but do something even more important...contact your local school and district and tell them to back off and do what's helpful and not what's for ego or childish adult vanity reasons. Summary Thoughts We do need to test. The question is what types of tests, the frequency and how the results are used. When we use curriculum … [Read more...]
Top 10 most read articles in 2018
Seems everyone does a review of the closing year so we'll follow that trend. In this article we share our "Top 10" most read articles for 2018 in the order (most read) to #10. Thanks to our readers as we close our 3rd year of the blog. iReady Testing....What is it and is it useful or just another waste of time? Updated December 29, 2018 (id:3592) Robot Teachers - The Future of Education? (id:3149) Florida School Ditches Common Core – Soars To Number One (id:4621) Battle Ground Teachers Union - New Contract (2017-2018 year) (id:4745) Southwest Washington State SBAC (Common Core) Test Scores 2015/16 vs 2017/18 (id:5241) Washington State Common Core Test (SBAc) Results - … [Read more...]
Southwest Washington State SBAC (Common Core) Test Scores 2015/16 vs 2017/18
This is Part 2 of our review of the Washington State SBAc test score results released on Sept 10, 2018. In our first article: https://swweducation.org?p=5232 we reviewed the results and offered a quick snapshot of an example. Today we offer a more detailed view of how the ten (10) districts in Southwest Washington State compare to each other and the State results. Let's start out by providing you the link to the State results: http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/StateTesting/ScaleScores.aspx In this link you get to specific 2017-18 vs. … [Read more...]
Washington State Testing Scores – 2017-18
The latest test scores for Washington State K-12 were released by OSPI on September 10th. The scores are ranked with four (4) levels of results: Level 1 = Fail; Level 2 = Below level; Level 3 = Above level and Level 4 = Exceeding level. The "cut scores" are the break points between the different performance levels. The State Board of Education adopted the "cut scores" in January 2015 and claim NOT to have changed them since. The full details can be found at: http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/StateTesting/ScaleScores.aspx If you open the link you will also be able to get information on: Test question examples Information on how to get your child/ren(s) scores Testing results data … [Read more...]
NAEP Shows Little to No Gains in Math, Reading for U.S. Students
Kids today are tested to death. The big annual test (SBAc); the iReady several times a year. Regular tests. Test...test...test. The stress is high and the student attitudes are bad. On top of this most districts have moved from paper to computers. Tests on computers produce lower results. The following article from US News discusses the performance issues. If you don't think your child should be tested electronically take a stance and contact your local school principal and district. Fourth- and eighth-graders in the United States have made little to no gains in math and reading since 2015. While the average reading scores for eighth-graders increased compared with 2015, … [Read more...]
How does your local school perform?
OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) has released a new tool that allows the user to look at any school in any district in the State of Washington to see how they are performing. In this blog report we'll share the link to the website, explain how to use the tool and then grab some examples from schools in Southwest Washington. You can also ask questions of OSPI and/or make requests and recommendations - we'll share their email address as well. Congress passed the ESSA in 2015 to replace NCLB. ESSA claims to push more responsibility down to the State (but still requires the USDoE to review a plan and approve it...so that claim is false). In 2014/2015 Washington State … [Read more...]
The Testing Charade: Pretending to Make Schools Better
We've been very clear about our distaste and criticism of the Common Core testing (SBAc and PARCC). We've also warned that iReady and other testing systems are used less to help students and more for administrators and school boards and State Superintendents and States and the Federal government to have numbers to use to control the flow of money. Money controls choices and actions. In the end all the testing does little to help, adds stress and pressure without helping the students improve. Enter a new book titled "The Testing Charade: Pretending to Make Schools Better" published August 21st 2017. The author is Daniel Koretz. Dan is the Henry Lee Shattuck Professor of Education at the … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 6
- Next Page »