Change the world. Change our schools.


A FRESH FACE IN THE LEV OFFICE
July 7, 2008, 5:46 pm
Filed under: Reform talk | Tags:

Posted by Katie

It’s wonderful to join the LEV staff, and I look forward to being a part of the movement to improve public education in Washington’s schools. My name is Katie, and I am the new office manager at LEV.

As a former student in the Edmonds School District and as a tutor and mentor for high school students in Seattle, I am very familiar with the challenges that today’s students face. Furthermore, I spent the past ten months as a corps member with City Year Seattle/King County, an AmeriCorps program that serves youth throughout Puget Sound. This experience has opened my eyes to the realities and implications of school funding (or lack thereof), graduation requirements (including the WASL, of course) and the beauties and intricacies of working within a diverse community.

The issues about which I feel most passionate parallel those of LEV, educators and citizens in Washington and across the country. Additionally, I would like to see an increase in student voice in policy and standards discussions. It seems ironic to me that students’ voices are rarely heard while important decisions are made on their behalf. I realize that school boards and lawmakers have their plates full of daunting responsibilities already, but with the well-being of Washington’s youth being the heart of why they serve, I believe that conversing with students should be a top priority.

As I enter this new chapter with LEV and begin applying for my Masters in Teaching, it is a personal and professional goal of mine to see that Washington students have a voice in decision-making. I believe that we (teachers, administrators, lawmakers and community members) need not only to encourage our youth to speak out but empower them to exercise their voices and challenge ourselves to listen.

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The Time for Bold Solutions is NOW!
April 11, 2008, 9:45 am
Filed under: Reform talk | Tags: , ,

Posted by Lisa, 4/11/2008

Telling truths and dispelling myths about education is what Kati Haycock, from The Education Trust, does extremely well. Kati makes a very persuasive case for why we need to raise standards higher for all kids of all races.

Chances are that if you hear Kati speak, you will be moved to action.  And that is what is needed if we want to really give our kids-all of our kids-as many opportunities as possible to succeed in life. 

Our state’s education system is currently at an important crossroads. Not everyone realizes that right now we are in the process of deciding whether or not we should update (and yes, raise) high school graduation requirements to better align with the expectations of post-secondary education. 

Sounds like a no-brainer given the new realities of the changing work force and the knowledge economy that surrounds us. Not to mention the fact that every young adult should have the choice of going to community college or university. But, change is not easy.

While we have made real progress in the last decade, there is no getting around the fact that too many kids are still struggling and losing out on key opportunities.

We need more parents and concerned citizens engaged, demanding change, and communicating with policy makers.  That is why the League of Education Voters Foundation is bringing Kati out to Seattle.  We could not think of a better person to come rally the troops than Kati or a better time to do it than now. 

You won’t want to miss this important conversation with one of the nation’s leading education reform advocates.  Eric Liu, one of our State Board of Education members, will moderate and help put Kati’s recommendations in the context of things we can do right here, right now to create more opportunities for all of Washington’s kids.

Join us and together we will discuss bold solutions to ensure that every student will have the opportunity to build the future they desire.

Kati Haycock and Eric Liu (view the invite)
Monday, April 28 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Seattle Public Library, Microsoft Auditorium
The event is free and open to the public.
Please RSVP by Friday, April 25th.

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Attention! Atención! Attenzione!
March 31, 2008, 11:40 am
Filed under: State Board of Education | Tags: ,

Posted by Lisa, 3/31/2008

It is time to pay attention to the State Board of Education.  This group, which used to be not very relevant, is now a force to be reckoned with.

I’d argue that their work and the work of the Basic Education Task Force (a.k.a the Grimm Commission) will profoundly impact class room realities and student outcomes for years to come.

The State Board members are thinking deeply (and soon they will be acting) about system reforms.  They seem to be united around the goal that all kids graduate from high school with maximum options to succeed in life.  They do not want to move to a system where there would be different kinds of diplomas for different kinds of kids.

Here is the short-hand version of where the State Board is headed:

  1. Meaningful diploma
  2. Multiple pathways
  3. No unfunded mandates

Board members are listening hard.  Like me, several have become new, strong CTE (Career and Technical Education) converts.  The fact that they are looking ahead to implementation and resource issues is refreshing.

Education policy does matter.  If you go to the State Board website, you will find all kinds of presentations and meeting notes.

Know that the State Board is on a fast-track to drive some important system reforms.  Board members feel the same urgency that we do.  James Kelly, President of the Urban League, hit the nail on the head when he said “we need to do the right thing for kids; waiting is not the right thing.”

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