It’s hard to believe that summer is already halfway over and the Packers play the Hall of Fame Game this Sunday. If you’re not watching football or the Olympics, hopefully you’ll be able to get out and about with your family. Meanwhile in the education world, our Washington Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing on the McCleary education funding lawsuit. LEV has created a McCleary resources page hereso you can follow the action.
Coming up on August 23rd, don’t miss our free Lunchtime LEVinar on the Opportunity Gap Bill and how it can transform basic education, presented by Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, chair of the House Education Committee. Join us to learn about next steps for this landmark legislation.
And we’re paying close attention to the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction. As of now, it looks like Erin Jones and Rep. Chris Reykdal will advance to the general election in November. LEV will continue to list candidate forums here.
May you and your family enjoy the second half of summer.
And thank you for all you do for kids.
Chris Korsmo
Lunchtime LEVinar August 23 on The Opportunity Gap Bill: Next Steps
House Bill 1541, which went into effect June 9, will soon play out in schools. Under the new law, students will no longer be suspended or expelled for discretionary offenses and better statewide data on student demographics will ensure that the system is working to keep all students on track and in school. All students suspended or expelled will receive educational services and school staff will be provided with new trainings that are sensitive to culture and positively support all students’ growth.
Learn more from Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, who chairs the House Education committee. Moderated by our State Field Director, Kelly Munn. Register here
The work that we do to improve public education is only possible thanks to the support of our activists and advocates – the parents, community members, students, and teachers who stand up and speak up.
Congratulations to Vanessa Hernandez, Youth Policy Director at the ACLU Washington, who is working to end the overuse of suspension and expulsion in schools and to eliminate disparities in rates of suspension and expulsion of students of color and students with disabilities. Read more
Resources on the McCleary Lawsuit
In McCleary v. State of Washington, the Washington state Supreme Court ruled that the State of Washington is violating the constitutional rights of students by failing to amply fund basic education. The Court ordered the Legislature to make “steady, real, and measurable” progress each year to fully fund K-12 public education by 2018. LEV has gathered resources that will help clarify the debate over education funding. Learn more
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