tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post1706631823462268103..comments2024-02-28T22:24:07.299-08:00Comments on Community Forum for HCC (APP) in Seattle Schools: September '17 Open ThreadAndrew Siegelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06830585083467140758noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-42576966475174163962017-09-28T12:25:28.135-07:002017-09-28T12:25:28.135-07:00There are 3 different school board directors holdi...There are 3 different school board directors holding community meetings this Sat. I posted the specifics at the top. It would be useful for those concerned with the pathway decision to go out and offer feedback at all of them.Benjamin Leishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974191081762367425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-11141547230622754692017-09-26T11:10:01.292-07:002017-09-26T11:10:01.292-07:00Garfield is restricting the PSAT to Juniors only &...Garfield is restricting the PSAT to Juniors only "due to space constraints," yet Ballarad, Ingraham, Roosevelt, etc. have all figured out how to administer the test to their sophomores, as well. This is a blow to Garfield sophomores, who will be at a disadvantage compared to their peers when competing for National Merit Scholarships next year (except, perhaps, those students who can afford to take a private course with simulated testing conditions). Most egregiously, Garfield announced this decision only two weeks before the testing date, giving 10th grade students no option to sit for the test elsewhere.JLardizabalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14659495527579123651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-83712776768524788932017-09-26T10:59:34.080-07:002017-09-26T10:59:34.080-07:00I just added a note about the fact that Garfield i...I just added a note about the fact that Garfield is restricting the PSAT to Juniors only this year.Benjamin Leishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974191081762367425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-83241773831151008522017-09-25T10:15:30.540-07:002017-09-25T10:15:30.540-07:00After attending Dir. Harris's community meetin...After attending Dir. Harris's community meeting I've been thinking about the West Seattle Pathway. Is that interesting to others as a topic?Benjamin Leishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974191081762367425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-42860331878398532062017-09-18T16:18:06.944-07:002017-09-18T16:18:06.944-07:00@ Saddened, do you mean a rise in child poverty, b...@ Saddened, do you mean a rise in child poverty, broken homes, and lack of preparedness in Seattle specifically, relative to elsewhere in the state? Is that really the case? And if by lack of preparedness you mean academic preparedness, isn't that the point? <br /><br />Or if you're suggesting these things are larger problems everywhere, there's no excuse for SPS students to be faring worse. The top 1% of students in each state qualify as NMSFs. I don't know how many SPS juniors took the PSAT last year, but it would appear that fewer than 1% of SPS students met that bar.<br /><br />not impressedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-75476571230199134942017-09-18T16:10:59.448-07:002017-09-18T16:10:59.448-07:00"There is no reason for such a poor showing -..."There is no reason for such a poor showing - seems to me to the level of education has changed over the years."<br /><br />Given the rise in child poverty, broken homes, and lack of preparedness, this is not surprising at all. <br /><br />-SaddenedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-14069482545080625912017-09-18T12:44:30.326-07:002017-09-18T12:44:30.326-07:00While $2.5K isn't pennies, it's the schola...While $2.5K isn't pennies, it's the scholarships that are the real issue with PSAT. There's a whole list of schools that will give full scholarships or half scholarships if you're a finalist. For example, WSU will give a full tuition scholarship for 4 years. (You have to name WSU as your first choice with the National Merit org - fairly typical). <br /><br />Here's a list: http://thecollegematchmaker.com/52-colleges-offering-full-tuition-scholarships-national-merit-finalists/<br /><br />A slew of the colleges we looked at for my son offered 1/2 tuition scholarships (for 4 year) for finalists: Boston University, USC, etc. Bottom line, colleges like to have these finalists in their stats, so they can say "The class of 2020 had X National Merit Finalists." It is big money. And yes, SPS actually pays for this one so ALL the sophomores and juniors take it. There is no reason for such a poor showing - seems to me to the level of education has changed over the years.<br /><br />Another list for scholarship hunters: <br /><br />http://publicuniversityhonors.com/2016/04/04/best-major-universities-for-national-merit-scholarships-part-two/<br /><br />-Old TimerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-73979431971190947462017-09-17T18:49:16.264-07:002017-09-17T18:49:16.264-07:00SPS administers the PSAT to all sophomores and jun...SPS administers the PSAT to all sophomores and juniors. If anything, more students took the PSAT. Since the cut scores increased pretty much across the US, one has to wonder if the test was too easy and did not have enough spread at the higher end. <br /><br />Pennies in the bucket? $2.5K isn't exactly pocket change. Plus, it's the doors that open and scholarships that become available once named NMSF that make it a big deal. Some universities will offer full ride scholarships for NMSF status.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-38041664373293634202017-09-17T15:19:50.234-07:002017-09-17T15:19:50.234-07:00Could it be that there are fewer SPS students taki...<br />Could it be that there are fewer SPS students taking the PSAT/NMSQT?<br />I mean, $2.5K is nice but it's pennies in the bucket when it comes to paying tuition. <br /><br />-CluelessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-13254771025417159752017-09-17T10:24:51.540-07:002017-09-17T10:24:51.540-07:00Wow, even if they bar was increased, very poor sho...Wow, even if they bar was increased, very poor showing from SPS. The other schools seemed to keep up or drop slightly. Only 4 each from Garfield and IHS? In 2007, there were 22 from Garfield. In 2008, there were 20. Note that the program and number of APP (the old HCC) kids at Garfield was MUCH smaller than today. I know it's not a perfect benchmark of program quality, but it IS a data point that shouldn't be ignored. That test is not an IQ test about native intelligence - it's about fundamental skills (reading, critical thinking, math basics). Those things can be learned - Lakeside (and now Interlake since they started their program) get their kids those skills. They are not any smarter than SPS kids - just better educated on the whole.<br /><br />-Old Timer Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-76985304300726955872017-09-14T15:35:52.284-07:002017-09-14T15:35:52.284-07:00@ Eastside, did it ever occur to you that maybe th...@ Eastside, did it ever occur to you that maybe the responses are predictable because they are true? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-46863879786750237462017-09-14T11:10:43.708-07:002017-09-14T11:10:43.708-07:00Also for context I added this year's data and ...Also for context I added this year's data and a link to last year's data into the post.Benjamin Leishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974191081762367425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-69392108712511425662017-09-14T10:40:07.970-07:002017-09-14T10:40:07.970-07:00[Moderator Note] This is probably a good time to r...[Moderator Note] This is probably a good time to remind folks to stay on topic and avoid personal attacks. <br /><br />I do monitor all the comments and will step in based on my judgement. If you have a problem that you think needs attention please use the contact us link on the main page.<br /><br /><br /><br /> Benjamin Leishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10974191081762367425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-986735005742686962017-09-14T09:12:18.250-07:002017-09-14T09:12:18.250-07:00@the Eastside-- I also said "Maybe they shoul...@the Eastside-- I also said "Maybe they should try working moving the district to identify more low income & kids of color instead. Maybe they will want to eliminate Roosevelt, Ballard, Ingraham and actually any north end school next as those schools have the same "demographic" they cannot stand. In reality we all know the actual "wealthy" in Seattle are mostly at private schools."<br /><br />Maybe you should change your focus as well. Stop bullying families & kids. Our family is one generation away from poverty and I am a single mom. I am far from wealthy. I have been on food stamps in the past, but am now doing o.k. I also have a college degree, finally finished it in my late thirties, first in my family. Anything else? You resent kids like my son? In-fighting gets all of us nowhere. See the forest through the trees. Focus on the district and the real issue. Not the kids or families. How about advocating to the district to make the nomination process better for all including low income (including white) AND kids of color. <br />- sad parent<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-58249389190733928422017-09-14T09:07:31.253-07:002017-09-14T09:07:31.253-07:00Actually, I'm getting a cut from Vlad.
Try re...Actually, I'm getting a cut from Vlad.<br /><br />Try rebutting the numbers...Oh, that's right,<br />they are too dismal.<br /><br />Ad hominemAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-29594873251252357022017-09-14T08:15:21.851-07:002017-09-14T08:15:21.851-07:00East side,
Incessant trolling is an indicator of ...East side,<br /><br />Incessant trolling is an indicator of social isolation and mental health issues. <br /><br />Do BetterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-12384013678330487972017-09-14T03:38:37.881-07:002017-09-14T03:38:37.881-07:00I'll save you the time of rehashing the same d...I'll save you the time of rehashing the same discussion. See the comments starting Sept 8, 2015:<br /><br />http://discussapp.blogspot.com/2015/09/garfield-and-ingraham-course-scheduling.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-65008419895540949362017-09-14T01:05:18.024-07:002017-09-14T01:05:18.024-07:00And, yes, they ARE blaming it on Honors for All, e...And, yes, they ARE blaming it on Honors for All, et al.<br /><br />@sad parent: "social justice warriors" who want to eliminate a program that actually serves mostly middle class, not wealthy. <br /><br />Predictable as night follows day.<br /><br />the Eastside<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-22039596026639538042017-09-14T00:58:30.925-07:002017-09-14T00:58:30.925-07:00Synchronicity!
Our paths just crossed. The Kubler...Synchronicity!<br /><br />Our paths just crossed. The Kubler-Ross books are available on Amazon for those of you who are dealing the with sticker shock of low number at Ingraham and Garfield.<br /><br />Many of us are not surprised a bit.<br /><br />The numbers may be down because of the high cut-off score in WA state, but the proportion of SPS students to other Puget Sound students of similar demographics keeps getting more dismal. <br /><br />That bar has been on a downward trajectory, despite ever higher numbers of students in SPS who are "identified". <br /><br />The proof is in the pudding.<br /><br />the EastsideAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-33917997431091435112017-09-14T00:50:46.302-07:002017-09-14T00:50:46.302-07:00https://patch.com/washington/seattle/seattle-natio...https://patch.com/washington/seattle/seattle-national-merit-scholarship-semifinalists-announced<br /><br />Wow! Look at the numbers. For all the talk about their "gifted genes" by the resident bourgeoisie in-crowd of this blog...<br /><br />Interesting that with all of the informed parents who post here, no one bothered to mention these dismal SPS results. They are practically reaching for the Kubler-Ross books on another local blog that has many of these same readers.<br /><br />It must be because of Honors for All. Yeah, that's it.<br /><br />Looks like most of good-gene mixing folk bought homes on...<br /><br />the EastsideAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-62398468711090185752017-09-13T23:13:42.794-07:002017-09-13T23:13:42.794-07:00Yes, Lakeside and Eastside schools way down, too, ...Yes, Lakeside and Eastside schools way down, too, almost 50%, from last year. The bar clearly moved.<br /><br />http://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/bellevues-interlake-high-tops-this-years-list-of-national-merit-semifinalists/<br /><br />-sleeperAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-6360691699567205902017-09-13T21:57:22.218-07:002017-09-13T21:57:22.218-07:00Thanks for the link. I am not surprised by the num...Thanks for the link. I am not surprised by the numbers as the bar was significantly higher this year. Center School, Garfield, and Ingraham were the -only- SPS schools represented. Congratulations to those nominated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-26206120171242673972017-09-13T18:38:59.995-07:002017-09-13T18:38:59.995-07:00@sad parent--your suggestion that they might want ...@sad parent--your suggestion that they might want to eliminate north seattle schools is not far fetched. These are bussing advocates who are mad about things out of SPS control, unless they go back to bussing all kids for hours to create the equity approach they want. Hard to do that, even with bussing, with renegade principals.<br /><br />Race 2theMiddleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-69481707846334563962017-09-13T18:06:03.458-07:002017-09-13T18:06:03.458-07:00Yes they have been named. https://patch.com/washin...Yes they have been named. https://patch.com/washington/seattle/seattle-national-merit-scholarship-semifinalists-announced<br /><br />I was surprised actually at how few from Ingraham & Garfield. Sad considering how not long ago those schools had a longer list. I think the issues at SPS overcrowded high schools are taking its toll on the kids, along with other issues. As the 'attack" continues on HCC as "wealthy" privileged etc. Infighting continues between "social justice warriors" who want to eliminate a program that actually serves mostly middle class, not wealthy. Maybe they should try working moving the district to identify more low income & kids of color instead. Maybe they will want to eliminate Roosevelt, Ballard, Ingraham and actually any north end school next as those schools have the same "demographic" they cannot stand. In reality we all know the actual "wealthy" in Seattle are mostly at private schools. <br /><br />In contrast to Garfield & Ingraham, long lists from Lakeside, and Eastside schools Mercer Island, Bellevue, Newport etc. <br />-sad parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4649338642905686469.post-23676111671184425352017-09-13T16:43:16.045-07:002017-09-13T16:43:16.045-07:00Seattle Times usually publishes a school by school...Seattle Times usually publishes a school by school list for NMSF. Today was the official day for public release, but I have yet to see any announcements.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com