development Archive

  • During the development and adoption of the new KSD Strategic Plan it was reported here that among the new North Star goals is that high school Algebra would become the standard for 8th grade students.  Details of planning for the new middle school math curriculum were reported in today’s Tri-City Herald. Follow this link for the Herald article: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/29/1883740/new-math-curriculum-begins-next.html  

    8th Grade Algebra Required Next School Year

    Posted on March 29, 2012 | 2 Comments
    During the development and adoption of the new KSD Strategic Plan it was reported here that among the new North Star goals is that high school Algebra would become the standard for 8th grade students.  Details of planning for the new middle school math curriculum were reported in today’s Tri-City Herald. Follow this link for the Herald article: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/29/1883740/new-math-curriculum-begins-next.html  

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  • Kennewick School Board Meeting March 14, 2012   Section 1: What transpired Personal comments (based on my Leadership WSSDA training) in Italics                              Section 2: What was not included Section 1 Present were school board members Dawn Adams, Heather Kintzley, Brian Brooks, Ron Mabry, Ben Messinger and Maricarmen Garza (student).  KSD staff: Dave Bond (Superintendent), Vic Roberts, Chuck Lybeck, Bev Johnson-Torelli, Jack Anderson, Greg Fancher, Dottie Stevens, Ethan Schwebke, Sam Schick, Linda Tucker, and Lorraine Cooper.  Several KSD employees, Kennewick Education Association representative and members of the public were also present.

    Kennewick School Board Report for March 14

    Posted on March 20, 2012 | No Comments
    Kennewick School Board Meeting March 14, 2012   Section 1: What transpired Personal comments (based on my Leadership WSSDA training) in Italics                              Section 2: What was not included Section 1 Present were school board members Dawn Adams, Heather Kintzley, Brian Brooks, Ron Mabry, Ben Messinger and Maricarmen Garza (student).  KSD staff: Dave Bond (Superintendent), Vic Roberts, Chuck Lybeck, Bev Johnson-Torelli, Jack Anderson, Greg Fancher, Dottie Stevens, Ethan Schwebke, Sam Schick, Linda Tucker, and Lorraine Cooper.  Several KSD employees, Kennewick Education Association representative and members of the public were also present.

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  • This opinion piece was submitted by Ray Porter.  Porter is an I.B. student currently attending Kennewick High School.  He attended Amistad Elementary in the K.O.G. Program, and went to Park Middle School.  You can see Porter in KeHS Drumline, Jazz Band and Windensemble; around town, in the Tri-City Herald and at nearly every board meeting. See note below.   With regard to Middle School Advanced Courses (Highly Capable Programs) Policy 2166:   2166-P Instruction Highly Capable Programs In accordance with the philosophy to develop the special abilities of each student, the district shall offer appropriate instructional programs to meet the needs of highlycapable students of school age. The framework for such programs shall encompass, but not be limited to, the following objectives: 1. Expansion of academic attainments and intellectual skills. 2. Stimulation of intellectual curiosity, independence and responsibility. 3. Development of a...

    Revisions Needed to English Courses in Kennewick Middle Schools

    Posted on December 16, 2011 | No Comments
    This opinion piece was submitted by Ray Porter.  Porter is an I.B. student currently attending Kennewick High School.  He attended Amistad Elementary in the K.O.G. Program, and went to Park Middle School.  You can see Porter in KeHS Drumline, Jazz Band and Windensemble; around town, in the Tri-City Herald and at nearly every board meeting. See note below.   With regard to Middle School Advanced Courses (Highly Capable Programs) Policy 2166:   2166-P Instruction Highly Capable Programs In accordance with the philosophy to develop the special abilities of each student, the district shall offer appropriate instructional programs to meet the needs of highlycapable students of school age. The framework for such programs shall encompass, but not be limited to, the following objectives: 1. Expansion of academic attainments and intellectual skills. 2. Stimulation of intellectual curiosity, independence and responsibility. 3. Development of a...

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  • I am often asked why I am so opposed to the drill-and-test curriculum that has been foisted on the public schools by corporatists and legislators over the past couple of decades in the name of accountability.  There are many reasons, of course, but I will focus on what I consider the core issue here.  The big issue for me is that the so-called reform efforts pay no attention to what is known about the brain and how we learn.  As you read the following article, think about what research supports and the instruction that is actually going on in schools today.  Then answer the question: What do you want for your children?

    Cognition-Based Principles of Learning

    Posted on September 6, 2011 | 4 Comments
    I am often asked why I am so opposed to the drill-and-test curriculum that has been foisted on the public schools by corporatists and legislators over the past couple of decades in the name of accountability.  There are many reasons, of course, but I will focus on what I consider the core issue here.  The big issue for me is that the so-called reform efforts pay no attention to what is known about the brain and how we learn.  As you read the following article, think about what research supports and the instruction that is actually going on in schools today.  Then answer the question: What do you want for your children?

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  • Having witnessed the development of Kennewick School District’s North Star goals and knowing these goals will drive KSD programs and allocation of staff and district resources for the next 7 to 10 years, KSD Citizens proposes a more inclusive process guaranteed to enlist community and staff participation from the beginning, instead of at the end. The current process for developing Kennewick School District Strategic Plan North Star goals suffers several inherent weaknesses: • The initial plan was proposed by one board member who, potentially, has at least two notable biases favoring MAP testing and certain reading programs. This “stacks the deck”. See notes. • Superintendent Dave Bond’s proposal, which was accepted for consideration, made it clear these goals will be developed from the top-down. See notes. • While the board and administration conducted an interesting dialogue over the goals from...

    Problems with KSD’s Strategic Plan

    Posted on June 7, 2011 | 2 Comments
    Having witnessed the development of Kennewick School District’s North Star goals and knowing these goals will drive KSD programs and allocation of staff and district resources for the next 7 to 10 years, KSD Citizens proposes a more inclusive process guaranteed to enlist community and staff participation from the beginning, instead of at the end. The current process for developing Kennewick School District Strategic Plan North Star goals suffers several inherent weaknesses: • The initial plan was proposed by one board member who, potentially, has at least two notable biases favoring MAP testing and certain reading programs. This “stacks the deck”. See notes. • Superintendent Dave Bond’s proposal, which was accepted for consideration, made it clear these goals will be developed from the top-down. See notes. • While the board and administration conducted an interesting dialogue over the goals from...

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  • ESEA/NCLB is coming up for re-authorization this year.  As anyone who has had to deal with it in its present form knows, it is riddled with problems.  The Forum on Educational Accountability has developed a list of recommendations designed to reduce the problems.  We present their summary statement here.   Forum on Educational Accountability http:www.edaccountability.org 2011 Recommendations for Improving ESEA/NCLB- Summary The Forum on Educational Accountability (FEA) has released recommendations for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, currently “No Child Left Behind” or NCLB).These will strengthen public schools, improve learning, enhance equity and empower educators by improving federal policy in the areas of assessment, accountability, capacity building, and opportunity to learn. Our more detailed agenda is at http://www.edaccountability.org/Legislative.html. Our alliance carries forward the Joint Organizational Statement on NLCB, signed by 153 national organizations. Our plan, summarized...

    2011 Recommendations for Improving ESEA/NCLB- Summary

    Posted on March 10, 2011 | 1 Comment
    ESEA/NCLB is coming up for re-authorization this year.  As anyone who has had to deal with it in its present form knows, it is riddled with problems.  The Forum on Educational Accountability has developed a list of recommendations designed to reduce the problems.  We present their summary statement here.   Forum on Educational Accountability http:www.edaccountability.org 2011 Recommendations for Improving ESEA/NCLB- Summary The Forum on Educational Accountability (FEA) has released recommendations for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, currently “No Child Left Behind” or NCLB).These will strengthen public schools, improve learning, enhance equity and empower educators by improving federal policy in the areas of assessment, accountability, capacity building, and opportunity to learn. Our more detailed agenda is at http://www.edaccountability.org/Legislative.html. Our alliance carries forward the Joint Organizational Statement on NLCB, signed by 153 national organizations. Our plan, summarized...

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  • Superintendent Dave Bond stated the main goal is to finalize KSD strategic planning by June or July so it can be adopted and implemented in schools for the next school year and presented a draft timeline which began board discussion.

    KSD School Board Report by Tom Staly

    Posted on January 19, 2011 | 2 Comments
    Superintendent Dave Bond stated the main goal is to finalize KSD strategic planning by June or July so it can be adopted and implemented in schools for the next school year and presented a draft timeline which began board discussion.

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  • The debates rage on. Nature versus Nurture. Phonics versus Whole Language. Reductionist versus Constructivist. Traditional versus Progressive. Once the conversation begins lines are quickly drawn and, as educators, we either withdraw or begin to espouse our current position. We have heard it all before. Parents and others in the public take sides as well, taking their cue from their own experience or from someone they believe and respect. Meanwhile, politicians use whichever position they believe will further their own agenda, whether in the best interest of children or not. After all, who are they to believe? Over a period of several decades the author both witnessed and participated in the arguments listed above. Finally, after realizing the same issues recycled every 20-25 years, he began to search for areas of agreement in the work of brain researchers and other cognitive...

    Brain Research and the Great Debates of Learning

    Posted on December 6, 2010 | 1 Comment
    The debates rage on. Nature versus Nurture. Phonics versus Whole Language. Reductionist versus Constructivist. Traditional versus Progressive. Once the conversation begins lines are quickly drawn and, as educators, we either withdraw or begin to espouse our current position. We have heard it all before. Parents and others in the public take sides as well, taking their cue from their own experience or from someone they believe and respect. Meanwhile, politicians use whichever position they believe will further their own agenda, whether in the best interest of children or not. After all, who are they to believe? Over a period of several decades the author both witnessed and participated in the arguments listed above. Finally, after realizing the same issues recycled every 20-25 years, he began to search for areas of agreement in the work of brain researchers and other cognitive...

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