Comments on: BHS science labs — the denouement http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/19/bhs-science-labs-the-denouement/ News and notes on our city Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:51:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lance Knobel http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/19/bhs-science-labs-the-denouement/comment-page-1/#comment-4009 Lance Knobel Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:42:27 +0000 http://www.berkeleyside.com/?p=6716#comment-4009 Deirdre: thanks for that report. The three of us who started Berkeleyside all have children at BHS, so we're acutely conscious of what goes on there. We need more information about what's happening in the primary and middle schools in Berkeley -- from you and others. Thanks again. Deirdre: thanks for that report. The three of us who started Berkeleyside all have children at BHS, so we’re acutely conscious of what goes on there. We need more information about what’s happening in the primary and middle schools in Berkeley — from you and others.

Thanks again.

]]> By: deirdre http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/19/bhs-science-labs-the-denouement/comment-page-1/#comment-4008 deirdre Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:39:56 +0000 http://www.berkeleyside.com/?p=6716#comment-4008 RE: "There are other things that should be cut way before science labs I believe." I'd like to note that there ARE very important resources that are being cut around the district. Just as an example: dozens of parents at my BUSD school mobilized around the proposed cut of a half-time teaching position which funds support to classrooms which are above the BSEP class size target. In the past, this FTE has been provided at our school to bring classroom teaching cohorts in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade 'combination' classes down to BSEP target size. Despite many emails, a letter signed by dozens of parents, and parent testimony at a BUSD meeting, it appears that this resource will be gone next year. I suspect many BUSD teacher and parent communities are fighting similar battles right now across the district. So yes, the loss of BHS lab resources is tragic, AND all our schools are suffering real losses. RE: “There are other things that should be cut way before science labs I believe.” I’d like to note that there ARE very important resources that are being cut around the district. Just as an example: dozens of parents at my BUSD school mobilized around the proposed cut of a half-time teaching position which funds support to classrooms which are above the BSEP class size target. In the past, this FTE has been provided at our school to bring classroom teaching cohorts in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade ‘combination’ classes down to BSEP target size. Despite many emails, a letter signed by dozens of parents, and parent testimony at a BUSD meeting, it appears that this resource will be gone next year. I suspect many BUSD teacher and parent communities are fighting similar battles right now across the district. So yes, the loss of BHS lab resources is tragic, AND all our schools are suffering real losses.

]]> By: Lance Knobel http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/19/bhs-science-labs-the-denouement/comment-page-1/#comment-4001 Lance Knobel Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:57:05 +0000 http://www.berkeleyside.com/?p=6716#comment-4001 I agree completely, Diane. I agree completely, Diane.

]]> By: Diane http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/19/bhs-science-labs-the-denouement/comment-page-1/#comment-3999 Diane Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:48:23 +0000 http://www.berkeleyside.com/?p=6716#comment-3999 OK - good point, it is better. But to me it's sort of like saying that cutting off your foot is good because at least we didn't cut off your leg. There are other things that should be cut way before science labs I believe. OK – good point, it is better. But to me it’s sort of like saying that cutting off your foot is good because at least we didn’t cut off your leg. There are other things that should be cut way before science labs I believe.

]]> By: Lance Knobel http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/19/bhs-science-labs-the-denouement/comment-page-1/#comment-3989 Lance Knobel Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:40:04 +0000 http://www.berkeleyside.com/?p=6716#comment-3989 Diane, I'm not sure who considers it a success. It's better than what BHS proposed in December, but still not great, I agree. Also, see my view on the tepid email about the optional labs: http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/20/comment-bhs-science-labs-need-more-push/ Diane, I’m not sure who considers it a success. It’s better than what BHS proposed in December, but still not great, I agree. Also, see my view on the tepid email about the optional labs: http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/20/comment-bhs-science-labs-need-more-push/

]]> By: Diane http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/19/bhs-science-labs-the-denouement/comment-page-1/#comment-3988 Diane Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:37:02 +0000 http://www.berkeleyside.com/?p=6716#comment-3988 I don't know in what alternate universe this is considered a success, but here in the 21st century, this is a failure. Labs as optional? Allowing kids to maybe opt in if they make an effort to find out when they are and spend extra time taking them? Really? BHS is preparing its kids for flipping burgers, not college. I don’t know in what alternate universe this is considered a success, but here in the 21st century, this is a failure. Labs as optional? Allowing kids to maybe opt in if they make an effort to find out when they are and spend extra time taking them? Really? BHS is preparing its kids for flipping burgers, not college.

]]> By: Comment: BHS science labs need more push – Berkeleyside http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/19/bhs-science-labs-the-denouement/comment-page-1/#comment-3936 Comment: BHS science labs need more push – Berkeleyside Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:52:17 +0000 http://www.berkeleyside.com/?p=6716#comment-3936 [...] I wrote about the approved compromise deal in the Berkeley High science lab flap, commenter Maureen Burke replied, “Color me [...] [...] I wrote about the approved compromise deal in the Berkeley High science lab flap, commenter Maureen Burke replied, “Color me [...]

]]> By: Maureen Burke http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/19/bhs-science-labs-the-denouement/comment-page-1/#comment-3907 Maureen Burke Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:59:54 +0000 http://www.berkeleyside.com/?p=6716#comment-3907 Color me unimpressed. Mr. Huyett's science lab proposal cuts funding by 50% from current levels for science at BHS. This new procedure is cumbersome and most kids are being steered to not sign up for science labs. And guess what? Next year we will hear that there was no demand for science labs after all and they will be eliminated. Furthermore, there is no way UC will grant an honors designation for kids taking the science lab option next year. People can see the timeline at the UC doorways website. The school board must review and then approve the curriculum for each class, then it must be submitted to UC and only after UC approves it could the classes possibly receive an honors designation. I really wonder why these science classes with optional lab signups would get an honors designation if it is the same class kids are currently taking with required labs, and they do not have an honors designation. This is not a well-planned course of action at all. But it is in keeping with BHS promising all sorts of UC approval for classes that never receive such designation. Color me unimpressed. Mr. Huyett’s science lab proposal cuts funding by 50% from current levels for science at BHS. This new procedure is cumbersome and most kids are being steered to not sign up for science labs. And guess what? Next year we will hear that there was no demand for science labs after all and they will be eliminated.

Furthermore, there is no way UC will grant an honors designation for kids taking the science lab option next year. People can see the timeline at the UC doorways website. The school board must review and then approve the curriculum for each class, then it must be submitted to UC and only after UC approves it could the classes possibly receive an honors designation. I really wonder why these science classes with optional lab signups would get an honors designation if it is the same class kids are currently taking with required labs, and they do not have an honors designation.

This is not a well-planned course of action at all. But it is in keeping with BHS promising all sorts of UC approval for classes that never receive such designation.

]]> By: jjohannson http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/04/19/bhs-science-labs-the-denouement/comment-page-1/#comment-3905 jjohannson Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:39:28 +0000 http://www.berkeleyside.com/?p=6716#comment-3905 Huyett rocks. Problem-solver, budget maestro, been-there-done-that, politically deft, and instinctually collaborative while knowing how to turn off the shit spigot. And it's about the kids, and lifting all boats. Color me impressed. Huyett rocks. Problem-solver, budget maestro, been-there-done-that, politically deft, and instinctually collaborative while knowing how to turn off the shit spigot. And it’s about the kids, and lifting all boats. Color me impressed.

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