Ed Advocate eNews, January 2014 | League of Education Voters

Happy New Year

It may be a new year, but the League of Education Voters is as committed as ever to working toward an equitable public education system. As Washington State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen stated in yesterday's McCleary order, "I think every person in Washington understands that providing for education is the state's paramount duty under the state constitution."

Washington state's 2014 legislative session begins Monday. During the session, I will send my Weekly Roundup every Friday, beginning January 17. Sign up for my Weekly Roundup today. In addition, we are hosting weekly online webinars with state legislators on Thursdays during the lunch hour for the duration of the session, beginning January 9. More information is below.

This month, I am pleased to highlight the work of our Activist of the Month, Lynda Collie-Johnson, who has been an advocate for equity throughout her career as an educator in special education.

I hope you will join me on January 25 for our annual activist training, Access, Equity, & Excellence activist training. Erin Jones, Director of Equity and Achievement for Federal Way Public Schools, is our keynote speaker. Erin is an inspiring educator who was named a "Champion of Change" in 2013 by the White House.

Thanks for all you do for kids. We couldn't do it without you.
Chris Korsmo signature

Chris Korsmo

Erin Jones to Keynote Activist Training

We are pleased to announce that Erin Jones will be the keynote speaker at our January 25 activist training, Access, Equity, & Excellence. Erin Jones is the Director of Equity and Achievement for Federal Way Public Schools. She has worked in education for the past 18 years as a volunteer, a private and public school teacher, a late night program director, and an instructional coach. Read more

LEV's Activist of the Month

At the League of Education Voters, we recognize all of the hard work that you do toward improving public education across Washington state. We are pleased to announce our Activist of the Month for January: Lynda Collie-Johsnon, who has been advocating for equity throughout her career as an educator.

Read more about Lynda's experience as an educator and at LEV's Activist Training last year. Read more

Once a Week. 30 Minutes. Your Legislators. Your Issues.

Beginning this week, our online webinars will focus on Washington state’s legislative session. Each week, we are inviting a legislator to present, giving policymakers the opportunity to share their most pressing issues, and giving you the chance to ask your most pressing questions. LEV Government Relations Director Frank Ordway kicked off the series on January 9. Our first legislator, presenting on January 16, is Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, a strong education advocate who chairs the House Education Committee and serves on the Washington State Education Opportunity Gap Accountability and Oversight committee. Learn more

Join Us at Our Annual Breakfast

Join us on March 11, 2014, at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel, to learn more about Seattle’s proposed universal pre-K (UPK) initiative, which would make free preschool available to all three- and four-year olds in our city. Only a handful of other cities have implemented a UPK initiative. Washington's business and civic leaders, educators, and parents understand the impact that investing in early learning can have on the lives of our kids and the fiscal health of our community. Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician at Seattle Children's Hospital in Seattle and early learning advocate, says it best: "Change the beginning of the story and you change the WHOLE story." RSVP online

Forums on Proposed Charter Schools Start Monday

Those who want to learn more about the first proposed charter schools in Washington state can attend public forums beginning Monday in Spokane.

The Washington Charter School Commission will give each of the 19 applicants 10 minutes to talk about their proposals. Each forum will also include 30 minutes for public comments. Learn more

Get Involved

SAVE THE DATE

January 18, 2014 | Finding Your Voice Training, Richland

January 25, 2014 | Access, Equity, and Excellence Activist Training, Puget Sound

February 8, 2014 | Access, Equity, and Excellence Activist Training, Yakima

March 11, 2014 | LEV Foundation Annual Breakfast, The Sheraton Hotel, Seattle

LUNCHTIME LEVINARS

January 9–March 6, 2014 | Weekly webinars on the 2014 legislative session, Online

GIVE TO LEAGUE OF EDUCATION VOTERS | Donate online

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