Ed Advocate eNews, September 2014 | League of Education Voters

Back to School

Chris Korsmo, CEO

My son Max can't wait to start third grade tomorrow. A new lunch box, seeing friends, playing soccer. These are some of the things he's been talking about leading up to the first day of school.

But what really excites him is that he is heading back to a school where he is known and welcomed. A classroom led by a caring, talented teacher who taught Max and his classmates last year and will continue teaching them in third grade. A teaching and learning environment that is challenging, supportive, AND fun.

My son Max is lucky. Because of where we live, he is getting a strong public education.

Unfortunately, this is not the case for many Washington students.

The quality of a child's education should not be determined by his zip code or how much money his parents make.

We can—and must—do better for all of Washington's students.

At the League of Education Voters, we are focused on creating a world-class public education system from early learning through higher education with ample, equitable, and stable resources. Will you donate today to ensure that we can keep moving toward this vision?

As our students head back to school, now is the time to join us and make our vision a reality—not just for the "lucky" kids like my son Max—but for each and every Washington student.

Your contribution will make a difference and enable us to continue to work with parents, community members, and policy leaders across the state to ensure that every student in our state receives an excellent public education that provides the opportunity for success.

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

Chris Korsmo signature

Chris Korsmo

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 September: Maria Estrada. Read more about her experience as an advocate for all kids, including her daughter, Paulina Zepeda (our March 2014 Activist of the Month). Read more

**Graduating all kids college and career ready**

A campaign for the strongest rules possible in the implementation of Washington's new high school diploma culminated in a big win for kids this summer.

Read the story of our journey from the state house to the State Board of Education, and how, working with our partners, we helped preserve academic rigor and parent engagement in the updated high school diploma. Read more

Early learning: Closing the gaps

Access to high-quality early learning can close the opportunity and achievement gaps. Children in high-quality early learning programs are more prepared for kindergarten, more likely to graduate high school, are healthier, more likely to be employed, and report higher income. They are also less likely to be repeat grades, be placed in special education, be involved in the juvenile justice system, and commit crimes as adults.

Join us for a series of 30-minute Lunchtime LEVinars to learn more about early learning in Washington state, taking place September 10, September 24, and October 8 at 12:30 p.m. Learn more

Celebrating our donors

Donations are made to the League of Education Voters (LEV) and the LEV Foundation by individuals, groups, and businesses throughout the community. These generous donations from those who believe in high-quality public education allow us to ensure measurable progress toward LEV's vision that every student in Washington state has access to an excellent public education that provides the opportunity for success. We'd like to take a moment to celebrate our supporters who donated to LEV or the LEV Foundation between April 1 and June 30 of this year. Thank you!

News round-up

In the news The news never stops—even when it's summer break. Below, a brief round-up of what's been happening this summer.

Fightin' words from the state Supreme Court on Education | Seattle Times op-ed by Chris Korsmo, June 19, 2014
Education matters: Why it's important to think about the greater good | Parent Map, June 25, 2014
State Board of Education deserves our thanks | The Olympian op-ed by Dr. Thelma Jackson, July 22, 2014

Stay up on other education news by visiting our website or following us on Twitter: @edvoters.

Get Involved

SAVE THE DATE

March 26, 2015 | 2015 Annual Breakfast, Sheraton Hotel, Seattle

LUNCHTIME LEVINARS

Sept–Oct 2014 | Early learning: Closing the gaps, Online webinars

GIVE TO THE LEAGUE OF EDUCATION VOTERS | Donate online

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