Council Notes
Middle School Updates
•
“Evidence Base for Advanced Learning Programs” reading
is based on the Skyview Middle School request for changing
•
Austina: “De-tracking” removing tracks (i.e.,
low performers/remedial tracks); education has moved away from this in recent
years; not only does this improve low performers, it can improve the situation
for high performers; however, research is very mixed (mixed together there is a
small positive effect)
•
Does Skyview Middle meet the law the state is
required to provide? Does not seem to at this point. Changing curriculum does
not solve behavior problems; HiCap students who are not motivated may do the
minimum required
Amity Updates
•
Senior survey
- Angie
put results in a Jot form; Amity would like to send this out district-wide in
the next few weeks
- Added
a question: “what was the highest level of math you took in HS?”
- Provided
to seniors with a HiCap designation
- Questionnaire
needs to be edited; it is a bit long; need to look at responses from past
surveys, perhaps low response questions could be eliminated
•
State is transitioning grant process
•
Discussion regarding PD for staff; should PD be
offered for parents/community?
Council Questions/Updates
•
Skyview meeting updates:
- Amity
asked for a briefing paper from Skyview, was given a presentation:
•
Skyview does not understand what HiCap/district
does (the presentation was very one-sided); Amity asking Skyview to re-evaluate
pros and cons, making sure they are fully developed representing multiple view
points
•
Not a “listening” session; select data provided:
believe acceptance criteria changed in 2018 and too many students are
identified as HiCap; want to continue backfilling classes (not in the current
CBA)
•
Carson’s question to Skyview teachers: how is
what you’re proposing different from what you’re requesting?
- Conversation
should focus on curriculum decisions not student numbers (i.e., backfilling)
- Curriculum
needs to focus on scaffolding 2E and gifted students who may not be motivated
to do HiCap-level work
- Next
steps: Amity and Melissa Riley will meet with Skyview to rework their briefing
paper/presentation; possibly form a task force to evaluate all the shifts in
middle school in recent years; HiCap subcommittee to create a position
statement
•
Concerns about Edgenuity adequately preparing
students for SBA testing:
- SBA
scores will reflect who is using Edgenuity and who is not
- Terra
concerned that the compressed math curriculum may not provide enough repetition
to build foundational skills
- Last
year, 62% got 4s, 29% got 3s (91% meet or exceed grade level)
•
Large HiCap math class sizes (34 students at
FLE):
- School
will have to decide what to do on a case by case basis
•
Future of NSD HiCap:
- Seattle
Public Schools has been in the news recently; negative reception
- Bellevue
and Lake Washington districts are contemplating changes
Council Business
•
Elementary play dates:
- What
is the value? If students aren’t transitioning to HiCap schools, why are
certain students invited and not all? Cost?
•
Value is not based on the school but rather the
cohort of parents; strong value in building parent community
- PTAs
push back about this being exclusive/insular
- Change
to district-wide rather than school-specific gatherings? Regional?
- Perhaps
make play dates inclusive, everyone is welcome, but the topic will be HiCap
- Could
have value in middle school meet-ups, more for parents
- Woodmoor,
Maywood, Wellington, Crystal Springs, Cottage Lake still have students that
move to a HiCap school; value in meeting other families doing the same
- Create
a survey to ask NSD community about play dates and whether it is good for
parents, kids, or both?
•
Annual financial audit: Terra and Becky to
complete
•
Upcoming election:
- Communications,
voting can be separated and led by different people; timeline is 10 days for
nominations and 10 days for voting; meet offsite to transition positions
- Holly
will be the Election Chair: manage nomination forms and tally votes
- Meeting
to be scheduled week of June 3rd; survey to be sent out to decide the date
- Elections
will begin in May; possibly send into to PTA for increased distribution
