Seattle, WA
Seattle Public Schools axes gifted learning over racial equity – The Heartlander
(The Lion) — If there was ever any doubt that “equity” was code for “worse education,” Seattle Public Schools has officially confirmed it.
In its crusade to achieve racial equity, SPS is effectively axing its gifted learning program, and even the teachers aren’t happy about it.
Back in 2021, SPS started developing its new “Highly Capable Neighborhood School Model,” which keeps advanced learners in the same classroom as their less academically inclined peers.
Hypothetically, teachers would provide additional services to the gifted students while providing regular instruction to everyone else.
The problem?
“I was a classroom teacher for 14 years,” said Reby Parsley of the Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted. “It’s really hard to provide services to students when you have a group of kindergarteners learning phonics and then you have a kindergarten[er] that’s, like, fluently reading Harry Potter.”
Seattle’s gifted learners were those who tested in the 98th percentile or higher and simply needed a different learning environment.
Previously, those students could attend a highly capable cohort (HCC) school with similarly advanced learners, and parents were grateful for the opportunity.
“It was a real lifesaver,” recalled Katie McAllister, whose son learned to read at age 4. “I don’t know what would’ve happened if he was in a neighborhood school because he can be really frustrating (to the teachers around him) if he’s not challenged.”
Now, gifted learners will experience exactly that.
According to The Seattle Times, teachers also will be required to create individualized learning plans for every single student – something no one has the time or resources to do.
Though the new model is worse for students, parents and teachers, it does claim to improve one thing: racial equity.
White and Asian students perform better on average in Seattle – and nationwide – than Hispanic and black students, and therefore are slightly overrepresented in HCC schools.
“Numbers would suggest that within our city … predominantly white children are more gifted than other cultures and races, and we know that is absolutely not true,” said Kari Hanson, SPS’s director of student support services.
When the Seattle school board voted to phase out HCC schools in 2020, even black parents protested, but were accused of being “tokenized.”
Sadly, public schools nationwide are dumbing down their academics for the same reason.
Chicago’s school board recently considered a pro-neighborhood school measure to prevent students from testing into “selective enrollment” schools – ones with much better academic outcomes.
Other districts are axing advanced math classes and homework, and inflating grades, all in pursuit of equal outcomes across racial demographics.
However, not all communities are taking the changes lying down.
In March, San Franciscans won a huge victory at the ballot box, approving a measure to reinstate algebra in 8th grade, nearly a decade after it was removed for the sake of equity.
Seattle, WA
Palestinian terrorist released in deal applauded at Seattle cultural festival | The Jerusalem Post
Seattle Palestinian cultural festival participants applauded an al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades terrorist, released as part of a ransom for hostages held in Gaza, as he was introduced as the keynote speaker at a Saturday event.
Speaking by video call from Egypt, according to Instagram stories published by Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return at the University of Washington (SUPER UW), Raed Abduljalil told participants of the Palestinian Cultural Resistance Festival that their actions were “an essential part of the battle we are waging against the occupation and its supporters.”
“Stay vigilant, for homelands are protected only by their conscious and aware. And I tell you today: I am more convinced than ever that I chose the right path,” the Fatah-affiliated terrorist said, according to SUPER UW. “Until we meet, God willing, under the sky of a liberated homeland.”
Abduljalil was released last February after serving 23 years of a life sentence in prison, according to Quds News and Wattan, responsible for terrorist attacks that resulted in deaths and injuries.
In promotional materials for the event organized by SUPER UW, Nidal Seattle, and Seattle University Students for Justice in Palestine, Abduljalil was described as a “freed Palestinian political prisoner and author” who had met and “struggled alongside” arch terrorist Marwan Barghouti and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) cell commander Walid Daqqa.
“Please don’t miss this important opportunity to learn not only the horrific conditions of the zionist prisons, but of the incredible work and teachings of the compass of the Palestinian resistance: its beloved prisoners,” Seattle University SJP in an April 12 Instagram post.
The program was held at the Cherry Street Village interfaith community center, which, four days prior, hosted a SUPER UW fundraiser for Lebanon and a screening of a documentary about “armed resistance” against Israel.
SUPER UW on April 15 told supporters it was a “crucial time to raise funds to materially support as well as deepen our understandings of the Lebanese resistance.” These remarks led the Department of Justice to announce on Tuesday that it was investigating UW’s handling of antisemitism.
SUPER UW and Nidal Seattle are affiliated with a network of organizations tied to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.
9:52 PM: After 911 got a call from a driver who reported another driver shooting at her in a “road-rage incident,” police have found “casings all over” the 35th SW and SW Morgan vicinity. No report of injuries; the victim said the shooter was in a ‘white BMW SUV.” Police closed Morgan between 34th and 35th while investigating and collecting evidence.
(WSB photos)
10:09 PM: Our crew at the 35th/Morgan scene estimates at least 15-20 markers on the ground and notes that the highest number they’ve seen on a marker is 24. Adding photos.
Meantime, over radio, police say the shooting started further south on 35th, between Trenton and Elmgrove.
10:36 PM: Officers told dispatch they’re reopening Morgan.
Perhaps all Rob Refsnyder needed was some extra dad strength to break out of his early-season slump.
Refsnyder continued his strong recent play in a major way for the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, blasting a go-ahead, pinch-hit solo homer in the ninth inning to lift the M’s to a 3-2 win and series sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Box Score
Refsnyder battled back after falling behind 0-2 against Cardinals left-hander Jo Jo Romero and used some help from MLB’s new Automated Ball-Strike System to do so. The veteran kept his plate appearance alive by winning a challenge on a called third strike on the third pitch of the at-bat. He then fouled off a pitch and watched two balls before clubbing a sweeper 412 feet with a 106.6 mph exit velocity into the Mariners’ bullpen for a 3-2 lead.
It was the 12th pinch-hit, go-ahead home run in the ninth inning or later in team history, per the Mariners.
The home run was Refsnyder’s second of the season and second since being reinstated off the paternity list on April 17 following the birth of his third child.
Prior to going on the paternity list on April 14, Refsnyder was 0 for 16 at the plate in his first eight games in a Mariners uniform. In eight games since he returned, he’s 4 for 17 with the two homers.
Eduard Bazardo pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn his first win of the season. Jose A. Ferrer pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save as a Mariner.
The Mariners improved 14-15 overall and 3-0 on their six-game road trip.
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