events
Publicola Party Tonight!
Posted on 01. Jul, 2009 by Bonnie.
If you are cool enough to read our blog, chance are you are a big fan of Publicola. I know I am. That’s why I’m going to their party tonight. The open bar is just an added bonus.
Here is the invite from their website:
Please join the Cola staff (including les Nerds) tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1 at 5:30 at The Rob Roy in Belltown—2323 2nd Ave. between Bell and Battery.
Open happy hour bar courtesy of PubliCola and a few PubliCola Angels. (Thanks Linda Derschang, Lisa MacLean/Moxie Media and Lynn Claudon.)
MusicNerd will DJ.
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Press Conference - A New and Improved Education System Draws a Big Crowd!!
Posted on 26. Jan, 2009 by admin.
I just left a press conference on the recommendations from the BEFTF (now known as HB 1410/SB 5444). The press conference was led by Representatives Sullivan, Priest, Hunter, Quall, Anderson and Senators Jarrett, McAuliffe, and Pflug. Most important was the great turn-out. LEV alone had over 30 community activists and affected children in the crowd!
The event was a great success. Legislators championing this innovative legislation spoke on the tremendous need for quality early learning for at-risk youngsters; a more modern teacher compensation program; an increase in investment; and a transparent budgeting system that allows meaningful dialogue between families, school boards, and legislators.
Of course, the conversation quickly turned to financing. Rep. Hunter and others were quick to point out that despite the current economic climate in our state, there is a unique opportunity this session to make key structural changes in the education system and create a clear plan for the future. Once the economy begins to recover, the new system will be in place and ready to absorb additional funds. Rep. Anderson made the compelling point that, yes, the realities of this budget crisis are stark. However, not making the critical investments in education now will create a much bleaker reality in the future - a reality where the workforce can’t support the economic demand or support the state infrastructure.
I just wanted to let you all know how things were going down here in Olympia. I am off to the Senatae Early Learning & K-12 committee hearing on SB 5444 now. There are so many people interested in this legislation that they just opened an overflow room to watch the proceedings.
Stay Tuned. More info to come!!
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Katarina’s trip to Vancouver
Posted on 25. Jul, 2008 by admin.
Boarding a bus at seven in the morning to attend a State Board of Education meeting was not at the top of my summer to-do list. Honestly, I would have never guessed that attending a State Board of Education meeting would ever be on my calendar.
With my eyes a little puffy and my stomach empty, my excitement meter was running on the low side as I headed to the office two hours earlier than normal. As I slowly dragged my body out of my dad’s car, I was instantly greeted with smiles and eager faces ready to show the State Board what we’re all about.
As the bus arrived at the meeting, our show-stopping swag captured the eyes of many in the room. Our message was even stronger than our fierce red shirts – every student should have the opportunity to succeed. We all brought our own stories, each one as powerful and unique as the next.
It was not until this summer that I realized how fortunate I was. Hearing some of the testimonies really helped me see how difficult it may be without the guidance, mentoring and encouragement I received through family, school and Rainier Scholars. Every student is not offered a chance to know success but I believe everyone should be able to know what it feels like to succeed. Through Core 24, every student will have the opportunity to make decisions that will directly affect their future. It offers a solid academic foundation with flexibility to alter courses in order to accommodate post high school graduation plans.
I can now say I have attended a State Board of Education meeting, learned a lot and had fun at the same time. Not only did we show everyone at the meeting how Core 24 would be beneficial to all students, but we also showed them how important student voices really are. We are the future and the time for change is now.
Katarina is our summer intern and also a Rainier Scholar.
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Congratulations, we did it!
Posted on 24. Jul, 2008 by admin.
- Over 500 supporters who signed our postcards and online petition;
- Over 50 activists who boarded the Did You Know Campaign bus to the State Board meeting in Vancouver yesterday;
- Dozens of students who gave great testimony about how CORE 24 will help prepare ALL our kids for success; and
- Members of the State Board of Education for raising the bar.
Click here for more information about CORE 24.
We’re not done
The State Board’s approval of CORE 24 is just the first step.
CORE 24 will be phased-in over six years, but nothing will happen unless the State Legislature implements CORE 24 and approves the funding schools need to hire more teachers and extend the school day to six periods.
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Simran’s testimony, Western Washington Student
Posted on 24. Jul, 2008 by admin.
Just shy of spending two weeks as an intern here, I attended the State Board of Education meeting in Vancouver yesterday to testify in support of CORE 24. As I watched the number of miles decrease on the exit signs, my thoughts were about how the Board would react to the proposal, if much of the public would attend, if they would be in support of CORE 24, and if the students’ testimonies would be enough to sway the Board.
Upon arriving, I was ushered into a crowded room. I was intimidated by the formality of the meeting, yet comforted by the red shirts scattered throughout the sea of people. As I began listening to one woman testifying against CORE 24, I was taken aback by her opinion of students struggles in education. I can’t get over how people use technical issues like finances as an excuse for not supporting issues like CORE 24 and how easily people forget why Washington State made a board that makes decisions on public education. For the students, of course!
When my turn came, I hope to channel the importance of this decision, and how the Board is responsible for an uncharted number of children who would go through our state’s school system. I wanted to convey how we could set the students up for failure if we weren’t decisive. As another testifier said, “…..not making this decision would be criminal”. I was pleased that the Board seemed eager to listen to the students, and that my words proved to be meaningful.
It was a tangible experience and I found it empowering that people can make a difference despite the obstacles. My goal is to help other students realize that it isn’t difficult to speak out, but it takes having someone to listen that makes it count.
Here is an excerpt from my testimony:
My name is Simran and I’m a public school graduate heading into my third year at Western Washington University. I was fortunate to have parents and an older brother who were familiar with high school four-year plans, and knew how to prepare for success in enrollment in college. By taking AP courses and being highly involved in my high school, I had gained enough experience to ensure my position at a four-year university. I was lucky. We need to make sure that every student is just as lucky . . .
Despite the obvious technical issues that lie ahead with Core 24, it is important for you as a member of the State Board of Education to understand the fundamental theme behind this proposal. This is for the betterment of all students and will give them an opportunity to excel. They are the future of society and I believe that all of you have their best interests in mind. Thank you for continuing to do what you do for all students.
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Sea of Red
Posted on 23. Jul, 2008 by admin.
Posted by Heather
The State Board of Education are meeting today and tomorrow in Vancouver to vote on the proposed Algebra II requirement and have further discussion on CORE 24 (proposed new high school graduation requirements).
To show support for CORE 24, a busload of 50 students, parents and advocates rode down with us to the meeting. Wearing red “Change our world, change our schools” t-shirts, we were literally a sea of red in the room. Even more amazing than our visual presence was the student perspective offered by 10 members of our group.
Public testimony on CORE 24 was heard for more than an hour, and our group took up about a third of that time. After hearing from some of the usual suspects — most of whom support CORE 24 despite their concerns over funding and implementation — our speakers offered some perspective a bit closer to the ground.
Student speakers Roxana, DeAngela, Sebastian and Simran gave great testimony about how CORE 24 will help prepare ALL of our kids for success after high school. They all spoke to how raising expectations will benefit students, not hurt them, and creating a post-secondary plan will help students visualize their futures. All four asked the SBE to not wait to raise graduation requirements for fear of leaving more of their peers behind.
Let’s hope their testimony leaves SBE members seeing red over our current low expectations for students and voting to continue with CORE 24 as a framework.
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Join us on the Did You Know Campaign Bus!
Posted on 11. Jul, 2008 by admin.
Join students, parents and community leaders on the Did You Know Campaign Bus. Washington’s students are counting on YOU to make your voice heard at the State Board of Education meeting in Vancouver, WA on July 23rd. We’re going to let State Board members know that we expect our kids to be ready for college and careers when they earn a high school diploma in Washington State. Click here to view your invitation to Vancouver. RSVP today!
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Inspired. Maddened. Informed.
Posted on 30. Apr, 2008 by admin.
For those of you unable to attend Monday’s presentation by Kati Haycock, let me tell you - you missed something incredible. It was inspirational, maddening, informative - and I hope, viral.
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Did you know that students who have two ineffective teachers in a row never recover?
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Or that we can’t catch kids up by slowing them down?
Would you have known the answer? Now that you do, you also know that the time for bold solutions is now.
Of all the lessons that Kati Haycock imparted this past week, for me, the takeaway was her six characteristics of successful schools. They seemed to me as straightforward as they are honest.
- They focus on what they CAN do, rather than what they can’t.
- They don’t leave anything about teaching and learning to chance.
- They set their goals high.
- Higher performing secondary schools put ALL kids - not just some - in a demanding high school core curriculum.
- Students who enter behind get extra instruction.
- Good schools know how much teachers matter and they act on that knowledge.
You can view these lessons and the rest of Kati’s presentation at http://www.didyouknowcampaign.com/
While she was here, Kati met with some folks at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Today’s editorial page reflects part of that conversation. As she said Monday night, Kati was shocked to learn that the state only funds a five period day. If we want to achieve the goal of getting all kids college and career ready, we’ve set ourselves up for failure, especially kids who need extra instruction.
The last thing Kati said Monday may have been the truest. Basically, it comes down to us to make the current system change. Without strong advocacy for a system that serves all kids, we likely won’t see one. For every one of us who was in the Library Monday night, there are dozens, maybe hundreds more that each of us know SHOULD have been there.
Help build momentum today by telling your friends about your takeaway lesson from Kati. Send them to http://www.didyouknowcampaign.com/ - ask them to engage. If everyone connected just five more people, we’d have a network of 1,000 educated citizens ready to change the world by changing our schools.
Aside from pestering your friends, there’s more you can do on your own. Monday night, State Board Member and event host, Eric Liu asked, “Did you know that the State Board of Education is getting ready to change the high school graduation requirements” - removing the barriers and the guesswork from preparing for post-secondary education. Please call or email the State Board of Education and let them know what you know about higher standards, preparing all children for college and careers, and making our high school diploma meaningful. The SBE can be reached at 360-725-6025 or by email at sbe@k12.wa.us
Thank you for your steadfast commitment to all our kids’ success. We are inextricably linked whether all of us act like it or not; they are our future, and we are theirs.
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Seeds of Compassion
Posted on 14. Apr, 2008 by admin.
Posted by Molly, 4/14/2008
The Dalai Lama is in Seattle for a 5-day gathering to cultivate compassion. The focus throughout the event has been on nurturing kindness and compassion throughout the world starting with children and those who touch their lives.
This special focus on young children and early learning was what drew me to attend the Compassion Forum on Sunday afternoon. The forum brought together a diverse group of more than 500 citizens, policy makers, teachers, parents, youth, community leaders, philanthropists and children’s advocates to discuss action steps to sustain the goals of Seeds of Compassion.
I spent the day engaged in conversations with a special-needs pre-school teacher, a care-center owner, an employee of the Department of Early Learning and a conflict-resolution counselor. It was really incredible having so many people gathered and focused on one thing - improving the lives of young children!
There were lots of bold ideas being discussed on how we can all contribute to promoting successful and healthy young people. The keystone to all of the ideas, discussion and brainstorming was that we, as children advocates, need to build an awareness campaign that increases public understanding of the importance of the healthy social, emotional, and cognitive development of children. Unfortunately, many policymakers, community leaders, parents and the general public are just unaware how critical this time is in a child’s life. Increasing awareness and understanding is necessary so decision-makers can take better-informed, more effective action!
The forum yesterday was meant to collect the thoughts and ideas from those who are deeply engaged in the early learning and education fields. The recommendations that were gathered will be used to create a set of priorities by the forum leadership which will be translated into action in the coming year.
“Compassion is not just being sentimental and feeling with someone, but seeking to change the situation. If you are going to be compassionate, be prepared for action.”
~ Archbishop Desmond Tutu
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The Time for Bold Solutions is NOW!
Posted on 11. Apr, 2008 by admin.
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.
