Alternative Education Committee Minutes

May 23, 2005

John Stanford Center

4:00-6:00 PM

1. Members present: Elaine Packard (Chair), Lynn Beebe, Rachel Bishop, Kevin Geloff, Jim LaRiviere, David Marshak, John Miner, Elaine Schmidt, Doug Selwyn, Cynthia Spencer, Sheri Touissant, Mikala Woodward

Interns: Liz Savage, Diane Solvang-Angell

Visitors: None

2. Minutes of May 16: Approved

3. Check-in/Reports

• The Chair mentioned the possibility of an interview with Post-Intelligencer reporter, Bill Miller. The committee agreed that it was a good idea but to wait until after we present our recommendations to Brita. It was suggested that the alternative community would benefit by cultivating an on-going relationship with Miller.
• One member commented that the alternative school community may be relaxing after the withdrawal of the recommendations on school closure and needs to be alert to changes that may be coming.
• Jim LaRiviere reported on his conversation with Mary Ellen Cardella about the small schools in New York City. These schools mainly serve students-of-color. They are co-housed with several small schools that are physically separated in one large school building. A member commented that if Seattle were to work toward equity with a small school approach, strong District leadership is needed. Mary Ellen is willing to speak to our committee about the NYC schools.
• The Superintendent is forming an advisory committee on Reshaping the Seattle School District. Our committee will nominate David Marshak to serve on this committee.
• The Alternative School Coalition and our committee need to support each other’s recommendations.

4. Discussion of Best Practices “Continuousness” and “Clear Mission and Objectives”

Decision: By consensus, we agreed to include “Continuousness” in our definition.

Decision: By consensus, we agreed to include “Clear mission and objectives that go beyond simply academic achievement” in our definition.

5. Work Session on draft policy recommendations from meeting of 5/16

Changes are:

• Add to the introduction “Alternative schools offer a range of educational options that serve the educational needs of many students and families whose needs are not met by traditional schools. Many of these students and families will choose to leave the District if options are not available. An array of excellent alternative school options might well attract families currently choosing not to attend Seattle public schools back to the District.”
• Add K-5 to the expansion configurations.
• Add “Due to the demand for seats at the alternative middle school level, the District should expand current alternative K-5’s to K-8’s and/or co-locate a new alternative middle school within an existing middle school building without creating a negative effect on a current program.”
• Add “Students may choose to transfer into an alternative school after the October 31 deadline, if space is available.”
• Add “Fifth-graders at Orca and AEII should have priority in assignment to the middle school at Salmon Bay until a new alternative middle school opens.”

6. Homework for next meeting

• The Chair will draft a School Board Policy with Holly Ferguson.
• Liz Savage, Rachel Bishop and the Chair will draft a checklist on Shared Decision-making.
• John Miner and the Chair will draft a checklist on Individualizing Curriculum and Differentiating Instruction.
• Kevin Geloff and Jim LaRiviere will draft a checklist on A Deeply Caring and Respectful School Culture That Creates Community.
• Doug Selwyn will write a paragraph on “market share.”

7. Adjournment: 6:00 PM

Respectfully submitted, Diane Solvang-Angell, Committee Intern

Meeting Schedule: June 13