As Garfield High School teachers are joined in a protest against a standardized test that Superintendent José Banda is working to resolve, some of Seattle’s most academically at-risk high school students are busy learning on college campuses.

Seattle University is the newest campus to take in high school students at the Middle College High School, which opened in November.

At the alternative high school, highly motivated students who have had a difficult time succeeding in a traditional setting learn in smaller classrooms with committed teachers preparing them for college or a meaningful career.

“The students here have just as much promise as any other young person with hopes for a bright future, but they may not have had the opportunity to succeed academically,” says Dr. Charisse Cowan Pitre, the Middle College partnership director.

Thursday, the public is invited to see what the school is all about:

When: 1-3 p.m. (MCHS classroom tours begin at 2 p.m.)

Where: Seattle University – Casey Building, Casey Atrium

Remarks: Seattle University President, Fr. Steven Sundborg, S.J. and Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, Dr. Jose Banda; MCHS Students will be sharing testimonials

Meanwhile, other high school students may be struggling to succeed academically while their teachers protest in refusal to administer the MAP — Measures of Academic Progress — standardized test.

“Students don’t have anything attached to this in terms of their grades,” Jesse Hagopian, a Garfield High teacher opposed to MAP told CHS earlier this month. “Many get bored and just start pushing buttons.” 

Banda announced Tuesday he is forming a task force to review the strengths and limitations of the MAP assessment, which he says “provides critical data to help screen the most vulnerable students for additional academic support and more personalized attention and to measure their growth and improvement over time.”

Here is the press release from Banda regarding the MAP assessment:

Good afternoon,

There has been much public debate about the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment in the last few weeks. Today I am announcing details of a Joint Task Force on Assessments and Measuring Progress. This task force will be a productive way for educators and our community to come together to discuss concerns and find solutions that best meet the needs of all our students.

I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of data in our work as educators. Across Seattle Public Schools, we use multiple forms of data to help guide classroom instruction and measure progress. For many of our teachers and principals, the MAP assessment provides critical data to help screen the most vulnerable students for additional academic support and more personalized attention and to measure their growth and improvement over time. 

At Seattle Public Schools, we must champion equity, access and opportunities for all students. I want to listen and better understand assessment concerns, and work with staff on a solution moving forward. But in the meantime, I am asking as your Superintendent that teachers follow our policies and procedures and administer this assessment for our students. This is especially important for our students who are the most at-risk academically. I am hopeful we will continue to work together in support of our students.

The new task force will have the opportunity to explore and review the strengths and limitations of the MAP assessment, and will consider potential alternatives to future district testing programs. The task force will be formed in partnership with the Seattle Education Association (SEA) and Principals Association of Seattle Schools (PASS), and will include teacher representatives and school leaders. The input of additional stakeholders, including families, students and community members, will also be solicited to provide multiple perspectives. The task force will be formed immediately and meet at least twice a month from February through May. Final recommendations should be provided to me in May.

I am hopeful the task force will develop strong recommendations for making future improvements to district assessment processes. I look forward to a productive conversation.

Thank you for the work you do every day on behalf of our students.

Sincerely,

José Banda

Superintendent

Seattle Public Schools