Our executive director, Mary Jean Ryan’s blog on what we are seeing in education.
Finding Inspiration and Rainbows in South King County
May 7, 2012
School districts get a lot of criticism—some warranted and some not. However, I saw some things the other night that made me want to shout out with hope. It was a beautiful spring night, “The Mountain” was out, the rain had stopped, and there were rainbows…
What are we trying to accomplish? Do we know?
February 23, 2012
Too often organizations–big and small–don’t take the time to get crystal clear on their desired outcomes. They live with vague statements of aspiration and content themselves with carrying out their annual cycle of activities. They may or may not measure outcomes; even if they do, it is often without much reflection, rendering the actual results obtained almost irrelevant. Whether the results are good or bad, systems often are on cruise control and they simply do the very same things again.
Supremes Get It Right for Kids
January 5, 2012
History has been made today, great history that will benefit the children of our state–for generations.
The Washington State Supreme court hit a home run of an opinion today when they essentially affirmed the strong lower court ruling by Judge John Erlick, which declared that the State had failed to fund basic education in a manner consistent with its paramount constitutional duty.
Road Map Project Baseline Report
December 14, 2011
On December 13, 2011, we released the Road Map Project Baseline Report. Thank you to all who helped make this happen!! The Report presents the state of education in South King County and South Seattle.
Local Flexibility Anyone?
September 29, 2011
For years now I have heard complaints from our state officials, districts and union leaders about the aspects of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) that are just plain dumb…too blunt of an instrument. So, I was happy to see that federal officials are creating a path to better policy.
College Bound Scholarship Eligible Students Hit the Senior Year
September 12, 2011
In a few days the first student cohort group of our state’s College Bound Scholarship program will start their senior year. We want these kids to realize the promise of this scholarship, so it is time again for “all hands on deck.” School districts have received student lists from the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) showing them who the kids are in their high schools. There are about 1,665 College Bound eligible students in the Road Map region.
Ready to Double Down??
June 30, 2011
Check out the new report put out at the end of June by our friends Carnevale and Rose at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, The Undereducated American. These are the guys that did the great study last year that shows that 67% of the jobs in the State of Washington will require a post-secondary credential by 2018.
Bridgeport High School in Top Three!
May 4, 2011
We are so proud of you, Bridgeport High! Over here in Seattle and South King County we aspire to come close to your levels of student success. You exemplify the very best in public education. You have very high rates of poverty, yet the students are excelling. Your graduation rates are tremendous as are your rates of college going. Clearly the adults in your school have adopted a “no excuses” philosophy—they believe in the young people of Bridgeport. They know that all students need a great education if they are going to be successful in postsecondary education and in their careers.
Many things….
March 23, 2011
How many fit for college?
On March 18 Seattle Schools announced yet another take on the percentage of their students who are ready for college and careers when they graduate. 63% is the new number they have reported………click here to see the Seattle Times article by Linda Shaw
I appreciate that the Seattle district is trying hard to figure this out—but to get to the bottom of it we need a much better definition of college and career readiness and we need to put the information out for each high school, so the school officials and parents know where things stand and can work on improving the preparation of their students. The courses taken are only part of the story—the real test comes from looking at what actually happens to the students after high school.
Back from the Strive Network Convening
February 4, 2011
I just spent a couple of inspiring days in our nation’s capitol with leaders from around the U.S. who are building regional Cradle-to-College and Career civic partnerships. The convening was sponsored by Strive-Cincinnati and by Living Cities—a consortium of major national funders. Over 25 regions were represented. Most have started like we have—developing ambitious goals and a common set of student success metrics. Many are also putting emphasis on building better data capabilities, working toward funder alignment, and are deepening community engagement and advocacy.
These multi-sector partnerships that are furthest along are also focusing on supporting key improvement strategies. Strive, for example, staffs networks of education institutions and CBOs that make intensive use of data and are collaborating in order to scale up successful practices. Almost all of the projects include a focus on teacher effectiveness and principal leadership. Apart from the specific strategies, the groups all seem to be building movements in their regions aimed at getting dramatic improvement in results. Louisville, for example, aims to add 55,000 more degrees by 2020.
A powerful education reform tool – kindergarten readiness data
January 19, 2011
This is a guest blog post by Bonnie Beukema, Assistant Director for Outcomes and Accountability at the Department of Early Learning.
What gets measured gets done. Nothing speaks truer or gets us closer to achieving meaningful results for children.
In my years working to implement education reform, I’ve had one simple question running through my head like an ongoing news ticker – How can we prevent this? As League of Eduation Voters illustrated in the 2011 Citizens’ Report Card, the data is daunting and the problems feel intractable. Too many students drop out. The achievement gap is persistent, unconscionable and, in many cases, widening. Too many children are still learning to read at age 8 and beyond. Yes we can do better and we must. We also need to tackle the problems sooner.
Happy holidays from CCER
November 29, 2010
Raise your voices for quality education and, as they say at the raucous Storm basketball games, “LOUDER!!!!!!”
Let’s put improving education- from cradle to college and career-at the top of our collective holiday wish lists. Make firing up education progress your New Year’s resolution-join in the work to help the kids of our region get a great education. Commit to do your part to double the number of students from our area who get a college degree or career credential. Today only 27% do and by 2018 67% of the jobs in our state are projected to require some form of post secondary degree. Let’s set the kids of King County up for success- not poverty.
DON’T WAIT – WORK FOR CHANGE!
November 8, 2010
Lot’s of people are going to see the movie, “Waiting for Superman.” If you haven’t seen it, I recommend you do. At the very least, it is thought-provoking. Too bad that so many viewers seem more interested in affixing blame for America’s education crisis than in working for change. Blaming is a form of waiting. It is easy to point fingers. It’s easy to make excuses. It’s much harder to say, “I have a personal responsibility to do my part to ensure that we improve education results for kids.”
North Dakota Trip
November 1, 2010
Last month I spent a few days in North Dakota on a learning trip with the Northwest Area Foundation Board. A few reflections from the trip seem in order. I was so impressed by the leaders we met at Standing Rock Reservation, Sitting Bull Tribal College, and United Tribes Technical College. The can-do spirit was palpable as was the belief in the importance of educational attainment.
Improving education is central to these tribes’ economic development and youth development strategies. On a very poor reservation with unimaginable unemployment rates, we saw a beautiful school. The school’s front door sign read, “Expect Excellence.” The leaders of these schools are knocking down barriers every day. They exemplify Geoffrey Canada’s motto of doing “whatever it takes.”
The Issue
August 16, 2010
In today’s economy, lack of higher education generally results in a life of low-wage work. The consequences to the individual, family and community can be devastating. By 2018, Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce projects that 67 percent of Washington State’s job openings will require a postsecondary credential. We have work to do!
Reflections on the Race to the Top Results
July 30, 2010
I love competition but I hate losing. When you compete hard and lose, it hurts, but it can serve a good purpose. It can hone your skills and focus; strengthen your resolve. If you reflect on what went right and wrong and examine the strengths of your competition, losing can often propel you to much better performance the next time out.
Speaking of next time … we need to start that reflection both at the state and local levels and get a new game plan — one that can propel us to victory.
Thanks Arne!
July 21, 2010
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently visited the Seattle area to speak at the AFT Convention, campaign on behalf of Senator Patty Murray and address a crowd of students, teachers and education activists at Aviation High School in the Highline School District. Repeatedly, he said to call him “Arne.” “OK, Mr. Secretary, I will try,” was the typical reply.