Ed Advocate eNews, February 2014 | League of Education Voters

Greetings

I was thrilled to watch two big events unfold last week: The Dream Act (renamed the "REAL Hope Act") passed the Senate with bipartisan support; and the Washington State Charter Schools Commission approved 7 charters for public charter schools opening around Washington, bringing the total to 8. Both of these events are steps in the right direction to ensure all our kids have equitable access to a high-quality public education.

Please join me and the Excellent Schools Now (ESN) Coalition in working for a college and career ready diploma by signing the ESN petition, which ESN will deliver to our legislators in March.

This month, I am pleased to highlight the work of our Activist of the Month, Betsy Cohen, who has been an advocate for education as a parent and through her Issaquah PTSA.

During February, many school districts in our state will run a levy or bond during the February 11 Special Election. Please support your community by researching the ballot issues and voting to support your schools.

I hope you will join us at our March 11 LEV Breakfast, hosted by Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist Meeghan Black. We will feature a roundtable discussion between early learning advocates. Learn more below.

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

Chris Korsmo

P.S. Stay involved during the legislative session with my Weekly Roundup on Fridays and through our weekly online webinars with state legislators on Thursdays during the lunch hour for the duration of the session!

**Change the beginning of the story and you change the whole story.**

Please join us for our LEV Breakfast on Tuesday, March 11, hosted by Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist Meeghan Black. We will feature a roundtable discussion between early learning advocates, including Seattle Councilman Tim Burgess, South Shore K–8 Principal Keisha Scarlett, Trilogy International Partners chairman John W. Stanton, and pediatrician Dr. Michelle Terry. The panel will be moderated by First Lady Trudi Inslee. Seattle is considering a universal pre-K (UPK) initiative, which would make free preschool available to all three- and four-year olds in our city. We hope you will join us to learn more about the impact that investing in early learning can have on the lives of our kids and the fiscal health of our community. Learn 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 February: Betsy Cohen, who has been advocating for kids through her Issaquah School District PTSA and in Olympia for years.

Read more about Betsy's experience as an advocate, parent, and at LEV's Activist Training this year. Read more

A College and Career Ready Diploma

Right now, fewer than half of all graduating seniors can meet the basic admissions requirements for a state university. And only 6 in 10 are considered "qualified" by Washington employers. In fact, more than half of all community college students have to take remedial classes to learn basic skills they should have mastered in high school. That's why we're asking our legislators to green-light a new diploma that better prepares students for the 21st century. Sign the petition now for the College and Career Ready Diploma. Our students deserve nothing less. Add your signature to the petition

Upcoming Parent and Family Summit in Sunnyside

We are holding a parent and family summit in Sunnyside, Washington, on Saturday, February 8. We recently sat down with our Yakima-based community organizer Micaela Razo to learn more about the event. The goal of the summit is to empower parents and students with the right tools so that they have a voice and the connections to work locally—and beyond—to improve public education in their schools. Read more

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

As you may know, we have been hosting weekly webinars with Washington legislators since the beginning of the 2014 legislative session. We have been honored to hear from Senator Steve Litzow and Representatives Sharon Tomiko Santos and Ruth Kagi. Join us each Thursday during the session. Learn more

Get Involved

SAVE THE DATE

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

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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