Seattle School Board member Steve Sundquist held another “Coffee with Steve” at Uptown Espresso near the Junction Wednesday, Aug. 26 and about 10 parents and PTSA members shared questions and concerns with him about their neighborhood schools.

While the teachers union has reached a tentative contract agreement with Seattle Public Schools, Sundquist explained that as he has been part of the negotiations, contract specifics could not be discussed until the contract is ratified in about one week. School starts Sept. 9 in Seattle.

Sundquist did say that Seattle students have much to look forward to this year.

“The IB (International Baccalaureate Diploma) Program offered at Sealth High School has gotten the attention of lots of middle class parents,” said Sundquist. “Some parents from the West Seattle High School geography are taking their kids down to Sealth. But there are also more AP (Advanced Placement) classes at West Seattle High School, so I think you’ll see that get calibrated over time.”

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is a college prep series of courses and exams developed for academically ambitious juniors and seniors. AP (Advanced Placement) courses follow the College Board's curriculum and present sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to master college-level curriculum.

“For a long time it has been the school district’s expectation that every student is going to college,” Sundquist said. “But lots of kids are more tactile than analytical. Still, the business community is telling school districts that high school graduates are expected to have rigorous training both in white-collar and blue-collar jobs. And with apprentice programs in trades the level of training is substantially higher now than when I was in high school. There are many paths to success, not just college, but we (in the school district) have to have your kids’ mastery at this high level no matter which path they choose."

Dano Beal, a second-grade teacher from Lafayette Elementary, said too many parents treat school as daycare for their children.

“They think, ‘My kids go somewhere and somebody else takes care of them,'" said Beal.

Beal said teachers are handed a list that increases in length yearly with requirements the teachers must meet, and that problems start early in their public education.

“If I can tell the parents that in order to be in my classroom, they must read to their kindergarten children every night, have (proper) clothing for them, teach them to identify colors and letters, then I can accomplish the requirements on the list,” Beal said. "We need an entrance exam at every level. It is daunting and extremely depressing when we (teachers) are given kids largely broken and we are held responsible.”

“Not all parents were infused with the same expectations when they grew up,” responded Sundquist, referring to those born in poverty, those with addiction issues and parents who do not speak English. (Seattle Public Schools Superintendent) Dr. Goodloe-Johnson would like partnership systems with high-quality daycare for 4 year-olds for low income homes. This is a huge challenge.”

“We have problems, but I lived in Los Angles, and here we are a lot better than other big cities,” said Bill Hoffman with Schmitz Park Elementary School’s PTSA. “Our students are being prepped by their parents. And we have a very good principal.”

“The very thing we’re talking about is present at this table,” said Sundquist. You’re from Schmitz Park, Lafayette, Arbor Heights, Madison, Pathfinder, and West Seattle High School. No one here is from Roxhill, West Seattle Elementary, etcetera.”

Hoffman referred to a statistic Sundquist brought up, that only about 18 percent of Seattle Public High School graduates meet the college entrance requirements for Washington State Schools as defined by the State of Washington Higher Education Board. He said that’s a huge problem because “Microsoft and Boeing are clamoring for better educated kids and we’re not prepared.”

When reached, the Seattle Public Schools could not locate the specific statistics on West Seattle or Sealth High School graduates in this area. However, Sundquist seemed to share West Seattle High School Principal Bruce Bivins’ desire to better prepare area high school students, and make them stronger candidates for college, through science and math. (Bivins was reached later.)

“The Seattle School District will provide West Seattle High School with a math coach one day a week, Andrea Buescami, a University of Washington coach and former teacher here,” said Bivins.

He pointed out that more than 90- percent of his incoming senior class has declared a two or four-year college they will attend. He said a rule of thumb is that about half will attend each.

“We will have two AmeriCorps workers to provide career counseling three days per week to help students with college access," said Bivins.

Bivins said Southwest Youth and Family Services, and an Asian community service organization will offer both on and off-site help to students with drug and alcohol issues. They will work in tandem with the high school’s health center. Also, his students can look forward to a better sports program.

“The Hiawatha playfield will conclude construction in November,” he said. “The field will offer varsity baseball, soccer, non-varsity football, and track practice.”