Seattle School Board Considers Lowering Graduation Requirement. Yes, Lowering.

Letting kids with D’s pass helps balance for all that white privilege that exists in Seattle.

Letting kids with D’s pass helps balance for all that white privilege that exists in Seattle.

@1 that’s no solution to white privelege. That’s just stupid.

@1 that’s no solution to white privelege. That’s just stupid.

WTF? Say goodbye to this school board if they vote for this nonsense…

WTF? Say goodbye to this school board if they vote for this nonsense…

If you measure learning by statistics, there will always be political pressure to “juke the stats.” If you do it in public, you’ll be rebuked. If you do it quietly, you’ll be praised. It’s all part of the devil’s bargain.

If you measure learning by statistics, there will always be political pressure to “juke the stats.” If you do it in public, you’ll be rebuked. If you do it quietly, you’ll be praised. It’s all part of the devil’s bargain.

They’ll probably weasel their way around this by redefining the grading system … what was once a D becomes a C.

They’ll probably weasel their way around this by redefining the grading system … what was once a D becomes a C.

This is a travesty. I wish all the energy, blogging, and public debate over the stupid Viaduct would be put into the public school system. It matters so much more, but since there’s no money in it, people are messier than capital projects, and everyone thinks that these students evaporate the second they turn 18, we are doomed with headlines like this one.

Education should be the hot debate topic among politicos if they really care about livability. This is why sprawl happens, this is why people drive their kids to school (thereby clogging our roads), this is why people abandon cities. It’s not because the buildings aren’t taller and skinnier, or that there aren’t enough parks. It’s because the schools are in the toilet and no parent in their right mind is going to use their child as a guinea pig. They’re going to go where the schools are better, even if that means a hour commute each way.

Until we care about education as much as bike lanes, then we can just keep having the same problems with students leaving schools hobbled by a lack of education.

This is a travesty. I wish all the energy, blogging, and public debate over the stupid Viaduct would be put into the public school system. It matters so much more, but since there’s no money in it, people are messier than capital projects, and everyone thinks that these students evaporate the second they turn 18, we are doomed with headlines like this one.

Education should be the hot debate topic among politicos if they really care about livability. This is why sprawl happens, this is why people drive their kids to school (thereby clogging our roads), this is why people abandon cities. It’s not because the buildings aren’t taller and skinnier, or that there aren’t enough parks. It’s because the schools are in the toilet and no parent in their right mind is going to use their child as a guinea pig. They’re going to go where the schools are better, even if that means a hour commute each way.

Until we care about education as much as bike lanes, then we can just keep having the same problems with students leaving schools hobbled by a lack of education.

Another step toward privatizing a la the Broad Foundation rules. It’s all about preserving the institution at the expense of its constituents. This is the district that accepted millions in grant monies for TT Minor. Once the money ran out, they closed the school.

Another step toward privatizing a la the Broad Foundation rules. It’s all about preserving the institution at the expense of its constituents. This is the district that accepted millions in grant monies for TT Minor. Once the money ran out, they closed the school.

props to mcginn, he’s onto the school issue at least, while mallahan has nothing.

part of urban livability is making the schools work.

this move to say failure is success, is what drives people away from seattle schools…and from seattle itself.

it makes the city unlivable.

props to mcginn, he’s onto the school issue at least, while mallahan has nothing.

part of urban livability is making the schools work.

this move to say failure is success, is what drives people away from seattle schools…and from seattle itself.

it makes the city unlivable.

Soulnerd, Josh & Erica – can you all find out where the current candidates stand on this issue? Seems to me it should be front and center in the upcoming election.

Soulnerd, Josh & Erica – can you all find out where the current candidates stand on this issue? Seems to me it should be front and center in the upcoming election.

A few thoughts from the parent of two public school kids, copied from the 9/15 Seattle Times article:

“We are, in fact, increasing rigor,” said Susan Derse, a principal on special assignment who headed up a staff committee that made the recommendations.

One example, she said, is the fact that the district upped the ante for graduation about a year ago when it started counting an E (failing) grade when calculating grade-point averages, which it hadn’t done for seven years. And for two years, students have had to pass a state test to graduate, making it less important to have a C requirement.

“All those other requirements students have to meet … make sure the diploma isn’t meaningless,” said Wendy Krakauer, head counselor at Roosevelt High School.

Counselors also hope the change would encourage some students to stay in school because they would have a greater chance of graduating and some would be more willing to try challenging classes.

School Board member Harium Martin-Morris said it’s also a matter of consistency. If students get credit for a class with a D, he says, then that should count toward graduation, too.

I think Goodloe-Johnson knows what she’s doing, and she has the support of her principals and counselors. And this parent (who hopes to hell her kids will graduate with room to spare in the grade department).

A few thoughts from the parent of two public school kids, copied from the 9/15 Seattle Times article:

“We are, in fact, increasing rigor,” said Susan Derse, a principal on special assignment who headed up a staff committee that made the recommendations.

One example, she said, is the fact that the district upped the ante for graduation about a year ago when it started counting an E (failing) grade when calculating grade-point averages, which it hadn’t done for seven years. And for two years, students have had to pass a state test to graduate, making it less important to have a C requirement.

“All those other requirements students have to meet … make sure the diploma isn’t meaningless,” said Wendy Krakauer, head counselor at Roosevelt High School.

Counselors also hope the change would encourage some students to stay in school because they would have a greater chance of graduating and some would be more willing to try challenging classes.

School Board member Harium Martin-Morris said it’s also a matter of consistency. If students get credit for a class with a D, he says, then that should count toward graduation, too.

I think Goodloe-Johnson knows what she’s doing, and she has the support of her principals and counselors. And this parent (who hopes to hell her kids will graduate with room to spare in the grade department).

@ 8:

Props to McGinn for WHAT? He hasn’t said jack shit about schools except for a bunch of platitudes.

@ 8:

Props to McGinn for WHAT? He hasn’t said jack shit about schools except for a bunch of platitudes.

@2 that’s no solution to white privelege.

Well how can I get some of that white privelege? my kids keep getting d’s in school, I want some of them a’s for my kids too!

@2 that’s no solution to white privelege.

Well how can I get some of that white privelege? my kids keep getting d’s in school, I want some of them a’s for my kids too!

How many students are we talking about here? How many students are doing so badly in school that they don’t have a 2.0 GPA yet are not doing so badly that they haven’t failed more than a couple of classes and have the 20 credits they need to graduate? How many students have a GPA under 2.0, yet can pass the Reading and Writing WASL?

Historically, haven’t all of the small handful of students who fall into this narrow crack get a waiver and graduate anyway?

At the same time, the Board is considering other changes. Do students need a 2.0 GPA in the core classes to graduate? Do students need a 2.0 GPA to participate in extra-curricular activities such as sports?

How many students are we talking about here? How many students are doing so badly in school that they don’t have a 2.0 GPA yet are not doing so badly that they haven’t failed more than a couple of classes and have the 20 credits they need to graduate? How many students have a GPA under 2.0, yet can pass the Reading and Writing WASL?

Historically, haven’t all of the small handful of students who fall into this narrow crack get a waiver and graduate anyway?

At the same time, the Board is considering other changes. Do students need a 2.0 GPA in the core classes to graduate? Do students need a 2.0 GPA to participate in extra-curricular activities such as sports?

@9, you will never see candidates talk a lot about the school system in Seattle because they have no control over it. in fact, when Mcginn first announced, improving the schools was one of his three platform issues (along with improving the bus system and the internet technology infrastructure of the City) , and he was roundly criticized for identifying two issues (schools and buses) that the City doesn’t even control. (The School Board and Metro have authority over these functions). To that he said he would investigate a “Mayoral takeover” of the District, like what has been done in NYC under Bloomberg.

@9, you will never see candidates talk a lot about the school system in Seattle because they have no control over it. in fact, when Mcginn first announced, improving the schools was one of his three platform issues (along with improving the bus system and the internet technology infrastructure of the City) , and he was roundly criticized for identifying two issues (schools and buses) that the City doesn’t even control. (The School Board and Metro have authority over these functions). To that he said he would investigate a “Mayoral takeover” of the District, like what has been done in NYC under Bloomberg.

As a parent of a child in Seattle Public Schools, seeing this kind of thinking makes me wrench in my bowels. Kids aren’t doing well enough, so lower the standard? Really? REALLY???

Someone asked where the current crop of candidates stand on issues like these, and I can only really speak to Kay Smith-Blum – she wants to RAISE the standards, not lower them. And that makes sense. Can’t get a “C” average? No sports, no graduation.

At the same time, programs such as those at Madrona should be available in all schools that need them – like counselors that will go to the home of the student, and work with the family to make for a better learning environment at home, uniforms and gender separation in the upper grades (it’s a K-8 school)to make for a better learning environment at school. Public-Private partnerships to pick up where the school funding leaves off.

Raise the standards, and look at how to make things better outside of the classroom, not just inside.

That’s how we make sure we have the best schools.

As a parent of a child in Seattle Public Schools, seeing this kind of thinking makes me wrench in my bowels. Kids aren’t doing well enough, so lower the standard? Really? REALLY???

Someone asked where the current crop of candidates stand on issues like these, and I can only really speak to Kay Smith-Blum – she wants to RAISE the standards, not lower them. And that makes sense. Can’t get a “C” average? No sports, no graduation.

At the same time, programs such as those at Madrona should be available in all schools that need them – like counselors that will go to the home of the student, and work with the family to make for a better learning environment at home, uniforms and gender separation in the upper grades (it’s a K-8 school)to make for a better learning environment at school. Public-Private partnerships to pick up where the school funding leaves off.

Raise the standards, and look at how to make things better outside of the classroom, not just inside.

That’s how we make sure we have the best schools.

@15, I agree, and am sickened by your post, as well.

Is a D passing or failing? I think the F-ing grades either should count and the average be C minus, or not have the F’s count and passing average a C.

I do have a hard time imagining a D average.

@15, I agree, and am sickened by your post, as well.

Is a D passing or failing? I think the F-ing grades either should count and the average be C minus, or not have the F’s count and passing average a C.

I do have a hard time imagining a D average.

Can we please fire Maria Goodloe-Johnson and try to find a leader the caliber of Gen. John Stanford to be Superintendent? If the current board won’t do it let’s keep voting in new board members until we get one that does.

Can we please fire Maria Goodloe-Johnson and try to find a leader the caliber of Gen. John Stanford to be Superintendent? If the current board won’t do it let’s keep voting in new board members until we get one that does.

Well… Washington also needs ditch diggers.

What Maria said makes absolutely no sense. In essence, she is saying we are lowering the bar, because we raised it. Huh? Then doesn’t that counteract all the initiatives to make students more competitive on the world stage? So the school district spent money to keep the status quo. Crazy.

No wonder the large corporations in Washington don’t hire from the area. I would never hire a graduate from Washington schools. I’ve met too many that can’t even make correct change, let alone do more complex tasks. Some of the people I’ve met are even college students. Ridiculous. I would rather hire a foreign employee (meaning from out of state and out of country) who is intelligent, hardworking, reliable, and motivated, unlike most of the students in Washington.

Well… Washington also needs ditch diggers.

What Maria said makes absolutely no sense. In essence, she is saying we are lowering the bar, because we raised it. Huh? Then doesn’t that counteract all the initiatives to make students more competitive on the world stage? So the school district spent money to keep the status quo. Crazy.

No wonder the large corporations in Washington don’t hire from the area. I would never hire a graduate from Washington schools. I’ve met too many that can’t even make correct change, let alone do more complex tasks. Some of the people I’ve met are even college students. Ridiculous. I would rather hire a foreign employee (meaning from out of state and out of country) who is intelligent, hardworking, reliable, and motivated, unlike most of the students in Washington.

Sometimes I wonder if private school lobbyists are flipping money to the school board members to actively lower the quality of the public school systems in order to make the private schools look more attractive to middle class and otherwise weller-to-do parents.

Sometimes I wonder if private school lobbyists are flipping money to the school board members to actively lower the quality of the public school systems in order to make the private schools look more attractive to middle class and otherwise weller-to-do parents.

@10: This might be the goal in principle, but the cynic in me sees SPS transforming their low graduation rates by lowering the bar, while still claiming to “raise” the bar. Can they really have it both ways? If this is the case, would a GED suffice?

@10: This might be the goal in principle, but the cynic in me sees SPS transforming their low graduation rates by lowering the bar, while still claiming to “raise” the bar. Can they really have it both ways? If this is the case, would a GED suffice?

The superintendent’s proposal truly saddens me. I’ve been a parent of children in Seattle Public Schools for more years than I can remember (only 4 more to go!) and this is like a blow to my gut.

When you parse all the education-ese and the spin, the net end result is diminished expectations, lower standards, and more students coming out of the system even less functional.

I’ve often lamented the District’s failure to teach civics any more — well, here’s a good example of why that subject is still relevant. I’m one of many citizens who will be watching this decision, when the school board votes. It will be a telling action, for each boardmember.

The superintendent’s proposal truly saddens me. I’ve been a parent of children in Seattle Public Schools for more years than I can remember (only 4 more to go!) and this is like a blow to my gut.

When you parse all the education-ese and the spin, the net end result is diminished expectations, lower standards, and more students coming out of the system even less functional.

I’ve often lamented the District’s failure to teach civics any more — well, here’s a good example of why that subject is still relevant. I’m one of many citizens who will be watching this decision, when the school board votes. It will be a telling action, for each boardmember.

Another thought… what does this and the Kent teachers that illegally went on strike say to our kids?

The “adults” are not setting a good example for our kids by saying that it’s okay to slide by in life, only do a minimum amount of work, and do substandard work. Additionally, that it’s okay to ignore the law and court orders from judges. No wonder kids from the region are not employable. Boeing and Microsoft can’t afford the liability that comes with substandard work and unreliable workers. No corporation can.

Another thought… what does this and the Kent teachers that illegally went on strike say to our kids?

The “adults” are not setting a good example for our kids by saying that it’s okay to slide by in life, only do a minimum amount of work, and do substandard work. Additionally, that it’s okay to ignore the law and court orders from judges. No wonder kids from the region are not employable. Boeing and Microsoft can’t afford the liability that comes with substandard work and unreliable workers. No corporation can.

@12 I have a black kid and he got As in school and a degree in math and physics. But I did send him to a private school. YOu couldn’t graduate with Ds there.

@12 I have a black kid and he got As in school and a degree in math and physics. But I did send him to a private school. YOu couldn’t graduate with Ds there.

@11
ivan McGinn has said:

1. schools are an issue.

Mallahan says nope, not by business.

2. McGinn has said they have to improve.

Mallahan — doesn’t give a crap.

3. McGinn has said he will try to take them over if they don’t.

Mallahan: fuck it let them all rot away, it’s not my job.

4. Mcginn has said that schools are part of what we need to have a livable Seattle and make urbanism work along with transit sidewalks grocery stores, etc.
IT’s a comprehensive well thought out vision. The broad band stuff helps on jobs, too.

Now if you think our schools are doing okay, then, friend, you have decided to accept failure as success and you are part of the problemo.

How many more decades of decline do you need before you say “this is not working”?

@11
ivan McGinn has said:

1. schools are an issue.

Mallahan says nope, not by business.

2. McGinn has said they have to improve.

Mallahan — doesn’t give a crap.

3. McGinn has said he will try to take them over if they don’t.

Mallahan: fuck it let them all rot away, it’s not my job.

4. Mcginn has said that schools are part of what we need to have a livable Seattle and make urbanism work along with transit sidewalks grocery stores, etc.
IT’s a comprehensive well thought out vision. The broad band stuff helps on jobs, too.

Now if you think our schools are doing okay, then, friend, you have decided to accept failure as success and you are part of the problemo.

How many more decades of decline do you need before you say “this is not working”?

@ 24:

For your information, I am a Seattle Public Schools parent, even though I do not live in the city limits. I have been involved in my daughter’s K-8 and high schools. They are not in any “decline.” As far as I am concerned every word in your post is total bullshit.

I am not a Mallahan fan, not by any means, but at least he has the sense not to let his mouth write a check that his ass can’t cash, as your blowhard candidate McGinn has been doing since his campaign began.

Here are two candidates for Mayor of Seattle who have no, repeat, NO public sector experience whatever, and one of them has the gall, the unmitigated effreontery, to say he’s going to take over the SCHOOL SYSTEM to boot? H-E-L-L-O! Learn to run the fucking city first, yo?

And I’m supposed to take him — or you — seriously?

@ 24:

For your information, I am a Seattle Public Schools parent, even though I do not live in the city limits. I have been involved in my daughter’s K-8 and high schools. They are not in any “decline.” As far as I am concerned every word in your post is total bullshit.

I am not a Mallahan fan, not by any means, but at least he has the sense not to let his mouth write a check that his ass can’t cash, as your blowhard candidate McGinn has been doing since his campaign began.

Here are two candidates for Mayor of Seattle who have no, repeat, NO public sector experience whatever, and one of them has the gall, the unmitigated effreontery, to say he’s going to take over the SCHOOL SYSTEM to boot? H-E-L-L-O! Learn to run the fucking city first, yo?

And I’m supposed to take him — or you — seriously?

The only rigor Goodloe-Johnson is talking about in Seattle public schools is mortis. It’s time to bury the dead, not graduate them.

The only rigor Goodloe-Johnson is talking about in Seattle public schools is mortis. It’s time to bury the dead, not graduate them.

What a terrible thing to do to the children in the Seattle School District. Shame on the Seattle School Board. I echo the request for Publicola to find out where the school board candidates stand on this proposal.

What a terrible thing to do to the children in the Seattle School District. Shame on the Seattle School Board. I echo the request for Publicola to find out where the school board candidates stand on this proposal.

This is a good plan. E(F) has always been failing. D is below average. Why are we making kids who are already struggling to graduate just give up and drop out because they are below average but not failing? It’s not like these kids are getting into College with a D average. Let them get their diploma (and at least a chance at some job after graduation) for at least showing up. That’s about what most of the adult population do at their jobs anyway; just show up.

This is a good plan. E(F) has always been failing. D is below average. Why are we making kids who are already struggling to graduate just give up and drop out because they are below average but not failing? It’s not like these kids are getting into College with a D average. Let them get their diploma (and at least a chance at some job after graduation) for at least showing up. That’s about what most of the adult population do at their jobs anyway; just show up.

i am from chicago and i could get my child a better education in that system than seattle’s, and that says something about the job Arne Duncan did in Chicago and what Seattle is doing today.

this leaves parents no choice–

1) spend every penny you can rub together on private education (note–more and more middle class parents in this city are doing just this).
2) move. just get the “f” out and deal with hell in bellevue, sammamish
3) keep your child locked in this soviet school system, where innovation and flexibility are taboos and get you a janitors assignment.

fucking pathetic. if mary bass is for this, i am not voting for her as my board member.

i am from chicago and i could get my child a better education in that system than seattle’s, and that says something about the job Arne Duncan did in Chicago and what Seattle is doing today.

this leaves parents no choice–

1) spend every penny you can rub together on private education (note–more and more middle class parents in this city are doing just this).
2) move. just get the “f” out and deal with hell in bellevue, sammamish
3) keep your child locked in this soviet school system, where innovation and flexibility are taboos and get you a janitors assignment.

fucking pathetic. if mary bass is for this, i am not voting for her as my board member.

Average for high school, however, isn’t exactly the same level as average in the typical workplace.

I know people are accustomed to working and living with lazy failures, but let’s not let our resignation to failure in our lives promote a resignation to failure with the public school system.

Average for high school, however, isn’t exactly the same level as average in the typical workplace.

I know people are accustomed to working and living with lazy failures, but let’s not let our resignation to failure in our lives promote a resignation to failure with the public school system.

Gee ivan thanks for your substantive comments. You asked for info, I gave it, you say every word is bullshit.

Wow how well argued that is.

1. You are a Seattle Public Schools parent who thinks Seattle schools are not in decline.

ivan, less than two of three student graduate from high school and the drop out rate is about 37%.

That sucks.

And, the parents who have taken their kids out of the public schools aren’t all racists or idiots.

Fact is, the poor quality of the schools drives many parents to not even consider living in Seattle.

2.”I am not a Mallahan fan, not by any means, but at least he has the sense not to let his mouth write a check that his ass can’t cash, as your blowhard candidate McGinn has been doing since his campaign began.”

YOU are calling someone for being a blowhard?

You asked what McGinn had said, I told you, he’s addressed schools more than Mallahan.

Your position amounts to putting your head in the sand and declaring decline to be success.

3.”Here are two candidates for Mayor of Seattle who have no, repeat, NO public sector experience whatever,”

Actually, McGinn has worked in politics and on local public issues getting parks and sidewalks and fighting for transit. He’s not held office, correct.

4.”and one of them has the gall, the unmitigated effreontery, to say he’s going to take over the SCHOOL SYSTEM to boot? H-E-L-L-O! Learn to run the fucking city first, yo? And I’m supposed to take him — or you — seriously?”

If this is what you think passes for argument or discourse, I dn’t think you’re qualified to judge education. Sorry.

The basic issue is are the Seattle schools performing acceptably or not.

The vast majority of folks think they’re not, that’s why the vast majority of them who can afford it send their kids to private school or choose to live in the suburbs. If your choice was Vashon versus Seattle I can see why you’d send your kids to Seattle schools versus the tiny Vashon school. Maybe for you, the Seattle schools are better. But you’re ignoring the fact that an overwhelming percentage of parents who have a choice vote no with their feet on the Seattle schools and the dropout rate is 37%.

In fact, if you’re only graduating 63 % in traditional grading systems that is a D.

So to you D is success, not failure. To most people it’s failure.

That’s about the size of it.

Gee ivan thanks for your substantive comments. You asked for info, I gave it, you say every word is bullshit.

Wow how well argued that is.

1. You are a Seattle Public Schools parent who thinks Seattle schools are not in decline.

ivan, less than two of three student graduate from high school and the drop out rate is about 37%.

That sucks.

And, the parents who have taken their kids out of the public schools aren’t all racists or idiots.

Fact is, the poor quality of the schools drives many parents to not even consider living in Seattle.

2.”I am not a Mallahan fan, not by any means, but at least he has the sense not to let his mouth write a check that his ass can’t cash, as your blowhard candidate McGinn has been doing since his campaign began.”

YOU are calling someone for being a blowhard?

You asked what McGinn had said, I told you, he’s addressed schools more than Mallahan.

Your position amounts to putting your head in the sand and declaring decline to be success.

3.”Here are two candidates for Mayor of Seattle who have no, repeat, NO public sector experience whatever,”

Actually, McGinn has worked in politics and on local public issues getting parks and sidewalks and fighting for transit. He’s not held office, correct.

4.”and one of them has the gall, the unmitigated effreontery, to say he’s going to take over the SCHOOL SYSTEM to boot? H-E-L-L-O! Learn to run the fucking city first, yo? And I’m supposed to take him — or you — seriously?”

If this is what you think passes for argument or discourse, I dn’t think you’re qualified to judge education. Sorry.

The basic issue is are the Seattle schools performing acceptably or not.

The vast majority of folks think they’re not, that’s why the vast majority of them who can afford it send their kids to private school or choose to live in the suburbs. If your choice was Vashon versus Seattle I can see why you’d send your kids to Seattle schools versus the tiny Vashon school. Maybe for you, the Seattle schools are better. But you’re ignoring the fact that an overwhelming percentage of parents who have a choice vote no with their feet on the Seattle schools and the dropout rate is 37%.

In fact, if you’re only graduating 63 % in traditional grading systems that is a D.

So to you D is success, not failure. To most people it’s failure.

That’s about the size of it.

@ 31:

That’s what you call info? That’s propaganda. Don’t give me that “overwhelming percentage” and “vast majority” crap. You can’t measure that and you know it.

@ 31:

That’s what you call info? That’s propaganda. Don’t give me that “overwhelming percentage” and “vast majority” crap. You can’t measure that and you know it.

It is difficult to know what Betty Patu and Wilson Chin, the candidates for School Board District #7, think about this or any other issue as they make no policy statements whatsoever. They don’t make them on their web sites. They don’t make them at candidate forums. They don’t make them on candidate questionnaires.

Prior to the primary, Publicola did not even speak to the candidates before giving an endorsement.

How are voters supposed to make informed decisions when those who are charged with getting the information can’t be bothered to do it?

I will be happy to conduct the candidate interviews for Publicola – ideally with SoulNerd – if Josh and Erica can’t find the time to do them.

It is difficult to know what Betty Patu and Wilson Chin, the candidates for School Board District #7, think about this or any other issue as they make no policy statements whatsoever. They don’t make them on their web sites. They don’t make them at candidate forums. They don’t make them on candidate questionnaires.

Prior to the primary, Publicola did not even speak to the candidates before giving an endorsement.

How are voters supposed to make informed decisions when those who are charged with getting the information can’t be bothered to do it?

I will be happy to conduct the candidate interviews for Publicola – ideally with SoulNerd – if Josh and Erica can’t find the time to do them.

Well should D be a passing grade? The current standard for graduation (a C) is higher than the standard for passing a class. If you get all Ds and pass every class, you can’t graduate. Does that seem incongruent to anyone else? Every class has a curve, naturally occurring or imposed. Not everyone can get an A, not everyone can get a B. Do we feel the same about Cs? How about Ds? If we accept the curve, and accept that some kids will be at the bottom, then apply that acceptance to graduation. What is at issue here for me is not graduation standards (it seems to focus on the result when the process is at issue), but rather this: will the SPS give every kid who’s capable of achieving a D, a C, a B or an A the support and guidance needed to realize those grades? If our kids and families are getting that support across the board, from North to South, then I care a lot less whether we’re holding our kids to higher standards for graduation, because we will have given them every opportunity to achieve whatever bar we ask them to reach.

Well should D be a passing grade? The current standard for graduation (a C) is higher than the standard for passing a class. If you get all Ds and pass every class, you can’t graduate. Does that seem incongruent to anyone else? Every class has a curve, naturally occurring or imposed. Not everyone can get an A, not everyone can get a B. Do we feel the same about Cs? How about Ds? If we accept the curve, and accept that some kids will be at the bottom, then apply that acceptance to graduation. What is at issue here for me is not graduation standards (it seems to focus on the result when the process is at issue), but rather this: will the SPS give every kid who’s capable of achieving a D, a C, a B or an A the support and guidance needed to realize those grades? If our kids and families are getting that support across the board, from North to South, then I care a lot less whether we’re holding our kids to higher standards for graduation, because we will have given them every opportunity to achieve whatever bar we ask them to reach.

The Mayor of Seattle has no hegemony over Seattle Public Schools. Period. McGinn has said some rather nice things about what he’d like to see, and I’m voting for him for other reasons (or rather voting against Mallahan), but talking about schools is BS. Rather than take over schools, the City should take over its own Transportation Department. Start on the stuff inside your building.

A D average on graduation from high school will get you nothing but a job at McDonald’s, which is what no diploma at all will get you.

The Mayor of Seattle has no hegemony over Seattle Public Schools. Period. McGinn has said some rather nice things about what he’d like to see, and I’m voting for him for other reasons (or rather voting against Mallahan), but talking about schools is BS. Rather than take over schools, the City should take over its own Transportation Department. Start on the stuff inside your building.

A D average on graduation from high school will get you nothing but a job at McDonald’s, which is what no diploma at all will get you.

The requirement is a C average, not that you get at least a C in every class. A D (which BTW stands for ‘below average’) is only a passing grade for the purpose of giving kid credit for the course, but overall the kid needs to show an average slate of grades. And to be fair (and to scratch the surface of the ‘what effort it actually takes to finish HS’ argument), it’s pretty hard to get worse than a C in some basic high school classes, like P.E. or awareness & gen ed classes.

A hypothetical student who gets all D’s has some issues, but if those issues are addressed, many of those D’s should turn into C’s, B’s and A’s. If a kid walks into HS getting D’s and walks out getting D’s, then the school’s probably failed the kid as an institution.

The requirement is a C average, not that you get at least a C in every class. A D (which BTW stands for ‘below average’) is only a passing grade for the purpose of giving kid credit for the course, but overall the kid needs to show an average slate of grades. And to be fair (and to scratch the surface of the ‘what effort it actually takes to finish HS’ argument), it’s pretty hard to get worse than a C in some basic high school classes, like P.E. or awareness & gen ed classes.

A hypothetical student who gets all D’s has some issues, but if those issues are addressed, many of those D’s should turn into C’s, B’s and A’s. If a kid walks into HS getting D’s and walks out getting D’s, then the school’s probably failed the kid as an institution.

I vote for Charlie Mas and SoulNerd doing the candidate interviews.

And next time, Publicola, you do the interviews before endorsement puh-leese…

I vote for Charlie Mas and SoulNerd doing the candidate interviews.

And next time, Publicola, you do the interviews before endorsement puh-leese…

When did it stop being the kid’s fault for getting Ds and start being the school’s fault? Obviously some time in the last 40 years. But when?

When did it stop being the kid’s fault for getting Ds and start being the school’s fault? Obviously some time in the last 40 years. But when?

I think the movement picked up steam during the sensitive new age 90′s but certainly began before then.

Ultimately, I still believe kids are responsible for putting forth the needed effort. Whether or not a school fails a kid isn’t necessarily the school’s fault: If the kid doesn’t try, it’s on him/her regardless of what the school did to help.

I think the movement picked up steam during the sensitive new age 90′s but certainly began before then.

Ultimately, I still believe kids are responsible for putting forth the needed effort. Whether or not a school fails a kid isn’t necessarily the school’s fault: If the kid doesn’t try, it’s on him/her regardless of what the school did to help.

To answer to Charlie Mas’s comment concerning not speaking out about school policies, you have not read all the questionairs and listen to all my interviews but I have mentioned many times about the inconsistency of the policies within the Seattle School District. I am appall about this announcement to lower grades to “D.” I had problems with them putting it to 2.0 when they made that change. Now, they want to lower it to “D”. I strongly believe that if we are going to impressed upon our children how important it is to get good grades in school, we cannot turn around and tell them that you don’t have to try any harder now, because it is alright to get a “D”. This is going to hurt our children more then helping them. If we want our children to compete in the best colleges or even have the opportunity to go to college, we cannot lower our standards. For many years I have worked with students and getting a “D” to me is the same thing as failing. When a athlete receives a “D” for any of their requirement subjects, they have to retake the same course and pass it with a C,B, or A. The clearinghouse do not take “D” very lightly. We have many problems with our
schools today but lowering the standards to accomodate them for graduation will prepare them for failure. If we are going to push equity education for all our children, lowering standards is not the way to close the achievement gap. “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” Albert Einstein

To answer to Charlie Mas’s comment concerning not speaking out about school policies, you have not read all the questionairs and listen to all my interviews but I have mentioned many times about the inconsistency of the policies within the Seattle School District. I am appall about this announcement to lower grades to “D.” I had problems with them putting it to 2.0 when they made that change. Now, they want to lower it to “D”. I strongly believe that if we are going to impressed upon our children how important it is to get good grades in school, we cannot turn around and tell them that you don’t have to try any harder now, because it is alright to get a “D”. This is going to hurt our children more then helping them. If we want our children to compete in the best colleges or even have the opportunity to go to college, we cannot lower our standards. For many years I have worked with students and getting a “D” to me is the same thing as failing. When a athlete receives a “D” for any of their requirement subjects, they have to retake the same course and pass it with a C,B, or A. The clearinghouse do not take “D” very lightly. We have many problems with our
schools today but lowering the standards to accomodate them for graduation will prepare them for failure. If we are going to push equity education for all our children, lowering standards is not the way to close the achievement gap. “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.” Albert Einstein