Herald Archive

  • Ty Beaver, Tri-City Herald reporter, relates discussion of Kennewick grading policies from a school board retreat on Wednesday.  Giving principals more control over how students in their schools are graded and creating a more consistent grading system were among the topics discussed Wednesday during a Kennewick School Board retreat. The board met Wednesday night to begin reviewing the school year and district policies and philosophies. No changes have been made yet, but board members voiced a desire to see a more consistent and transparent system to evaluate student performance that would hold students accountable but not penalize those who don’t grasp a subject’s concepts right away. Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/05/17/1942889/kennewick-school-board-discusses.html#storylink=cpy    

    Kennewick School Board discusses consistent grading practices

    Posted on May 17, 2012 | No Comments
    Ty Beaver, Tri-City Herald reporter, relates discussion of Kennewick grading policies from a school board retreat on Wednesday.  Giving principals more control over how students in their schools are graded and creating a more consistent grading system were among the topics discussed Wednesday during a Kennewick School Board retreat. The board met Wednesday night to begin reviewing the school year and district policies and philosophies. No changes have been made yet, but board members voiced a desire to see a more consistent and transparent system to evaluate student performance that would hold students accountable but not penalize those who don’t grasp a subject’s concepts right away. Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/05/17/1942889/kennewick-school-board-discusses.html#storylink=cpy    

    Continue Reading...

  • I have been concerned about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) since the idea was announced.  The “State” in State Standards is a ruse.  These are national standards developed by some “blue ribbon” panel of experts (No teachers were included) in some far off, unnamed office.  Pearson, the testing giant, was involved of course.  Then every state was coerced into adopting the standards by withholding Federal funds for non-compliance.  A few states resisted, but Washington was not one of them.   In addition to my mistrust of standards developed by someone far away from my town and grandchildren, the “standards” approach to education has not worked after more than 10 years of trying.  In Washington it is more like 15 years.  National Assessment test scores have remained flat for the entire time and the achievement gap, which was closing during...

    Flabby to the ‘Core’

    Posted on April 1, 2012 | 2 Comments
    I have been concerned about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) since the idea was announced.  The “State” in State Standards is a ruse.  These are national standards developed by some “blue ribbon” panel of experts (No teachers were included) in some far off, unnamed office.  Pearson, the testing giant, was involved of course.  Then every state was coerced into adopting the standards by withholding Federal funds for non-compliance.  A few states resisted, but Washington was not one of them.   In addition to my mistrust of standards developed by someone far away from my town and grandchildren, the “standards” approach to education has not worked after more than 10 years of trying.  In Washington it is more like 15 years.  National Assessment test scores have remained flat for the entire time and the achievement gap, which was closing during...

    Continue Reading...

  • 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  

    Continue Reading...

  • On page 6 of the Tri-City Herald PROGRESS 2012 edition in an article titled District charts course with new strategic plan, Superintendent Dave Bond describes the principles and “North Star” goals which will guide the work of Kennewick School District for the next decade and beyond.  When that edition is available online we will link to it here. Until then, information about the KSD Strategic Plan and North Star goals is available here:

    Dave Bond Describes the KSD Strategic Plan

    Posted on March 28, 2012 | No Comments
    On page 6 of the Tri-City Herald PROGRESS 2012 edition in an article titled District charts course with new strategic plan, Superintendent Dave Bond describes the principles and “North Star” goals which will guide the work of Kennewick School District for the next decade and beyond.  When that edition is available online we will link to it here. Until then, information about the KSD Strategic Plan and North Star goals is available here:

    Continue Reading...

  • For readers who may not have seen these Tri-City Herald articles we offer links to some recent news and opinion pieces of interest to educators and families.  Follow the links below to read the associated articles and opinion letters: March 19 - Health care proposal worries Washington educators http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/19/1870484/health-care-proposal-worries-washington.html Kennewick, Pasco students learn in English and Spanish http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/19/1870743/kennewick-pasco-students-learn.html

    Local Education News and Opinion from the Tri-City Herald

    Posted on March 19, 2012 | No Comments
    For readers who may not have seen these Tri-City Herald articles we offer links to some recent news and opinion pieces of interest to educators and families.  Follow the links below to read the associated articles and opinion letters: March 19 - Health care proposal worries Washington educators http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/19/1870484/health-care-proposal-worries-washington.html Kennewick, Pasco students learn in English and Spanish http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/03/19/1870743/kennewick-pasco-students-learn.html

    Continue Reading...

  • The Tri-City Herald recently endorsed charter school legislation in Washington then invited readers to offer their opinions.  The editorial and selected responses are linked below. The Herald editorial: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/17/1790103/its-time-to-take-a-look-at-charter.html  Bob Valiant: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795533/fast-focus-meet-the-lemmings.html  Kathy White:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795526/fast-focus-we-dont-need-charter.html Greg Fancher:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795534/fast-focus-look-beyond-propaganda.html  William Pennell:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795525/fast-focus-not-the-answer.html  Daniel Bell:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795538/fast-focus-giving-charters-low.html Sandra Smith: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795537/fast-focus-different-learning.html Judy Golberg: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795536/fast-focus-no-to-charter-schools.html  

    Charter School Debate in Tri-Cities

    Posted on January 24, 2012 | 4 Comments
    The Tri-City Herald recently endorsed charter school legislation in Washington then invited readers to offer their opinions.  The editorial and selected responses are linked below. The Herald editorial: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/17/1790103/its-time-to-take-a-look-at-charter.html  Bob Valiant: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795533/fast-focus-meet-the-lemmings.html  Kathy White:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795526/fast-focus-we-dont-need-charter.html Greg Fancher:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795534/fast-focus-look-beyond-propaganda.html  William Pennell:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795525/fast-focus-not-the-answer.html  Daniel Bell:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795538/fast-focus-giving-charters-low.html Sandra Smith: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795537/fast-focus-different-learning.html Judy Golberg: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/01/22/1795536/fast-focus-no-to-charter-schools.html  

    Continue Reading...

  • 2011 was our first full year of reporting and we are proud of our results.  This site has established a place for local citizens to publish their ideas about education to a wider audience and enables anyone to comment on featured articles. Now for 2011’s top 12 - 12. In January the Tri-City Herald reported the existence of KSD Citizens. Link:  http://ksdcitizens.org/2011/01/16/advocate-group-keeps-tabs-on-kennewick-schools/   11. The Tri-City Herald as “The Voice of the Mid-Columbia” did not accept our invitation to investigate the development of the Children’s Reading Foundation and the improper fiscal relationship between the foundation and the Kennewick School District.  This is a story which has yet to be completed. We believe Kennewick families and taxpayers deserve to know the details of this story and expect the Herald to fulfill its mission in that regard.  Meanwhile, we will continue to...

    KSD Citizens Top 12 Stories for 2011

    Posted on January 8, 2012 | No Comments
    2011 was our first full year of reporting and we are proud of our results.  This site has established a place for local citizens to publish their ideas about education to a wider audience and enables anyone to comment on featured articles. Now for 2011’s top 12 - 12. In January the Tri-City Herald reported the existence of KSD Citizens. Link:  http://ksdcitizens.org/2011/01/16/advocate-group-keeps-tabs-on-kennewick-schools/   11. The Tri-City Herald as “The Voice of the Mid-Columbia” did not accept our invitation to investigate the development of the Children’s Reading Foundation and the improper fiscal relationship between the foundation and the Kennewick School District.  This is a story which has yet to be completed. We believe Kennewick families and taxpayers deserve to know the details of this story and expect the Herald to fulfill its mission in that regard.  Meanwhile, we will continue to...

    Continue Reading...

  • On November 2, 2011 I met with Ben Messinger, Brian Brooks’ representative and Ron Mabry to review their school board campaign contributions and expenses.  The table presents the information collected from those meetings.  The three successful candidates shared expenses for campaign flyers and postage and Tri-City Herald advertising.  Their other campaign expenses were separate. Messinger will continue accepting donations to offset his deficit.  Mabry had nearly $5000. in commitments for contributions so turned away a contribution from the Washington Education Association (WEA-PAC). The postage expense of $938.98 for each candidate was a loan from Ty Haberling.  This data was revised December 6, 2011 to reflect new or updated information. I credit Brooks, Messinger and Mabry for providing their campaign finance data and expect to update this table as the candidates complete payments for expenses and record late contributions.

    The Cost to Campaign for Kennewick School Board

    Posted on December 7, 2011 | 3 Comments
    On November 2, 2011 I met with Ben Messinger, Brian Brooks’ representative and Ron Mabry to review their school board campaign contributions and expenses.  The table presents the information collected from those meetings.  The three successful candidates shared expenses for campaign flyers and postage and Tri-City Herald advertising.  Their other campaign expenses were separate. Messinger will continue accepting donations to offset his deficit.  Mabry had nearly $5000. in commitments for contributions so turned away a contribution from the Washington Education Association (WEA-PAC). The postage expense of $938.98 for each candidate was a loan from Ty Haberling.  This data was revised December 6, 2011 to reflect new or updated information. I credit Brooks, Messinger and Mabry for providing their campaign finance data and expect to update this table as the candidates complete payments for expenses and record late contributions.

    Continue Reading...

Older Entries