Weekly Update | August 17

Graduation Pathway Options Report Overview The Washington Legislature directed SBE to provide an analysis of the equity and adequacy of new graduation pathway options through stakeholder outreach and engagement. The report, Washington Graduation Pathway Options: Stakeholder Feedback Project, Year I, is responsive to the legislative directive to SBE to report to the education committees of the Legislature. Read more about the report including new considerations and next steps on the latest SBE blog post. Download a copy of the full report.

Family and Community Forum The Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC) will host a virtual family and community forum on Saturday, August 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Space is limited, so please pre-register. Spanish interpretation will be provided. If you need accommodations or language interpretation, please indicate on your registration.  To register in English click here.   Para una copia de este mensaje en español oprima aquí.

Register for the SBE Student Voice Panel The State Board of Education will host a student voice panel on August 24 from 12:30-2:00 p.m. facilitated by Margarita Amezcua (SBE's west-side student Board member). The session is entitled "Modern Day Racism in Education." The goal of this panel is to give policymakers a better understanding of the problems that students of color face in the education system and the broader world, so that policy actions can be informed by student voice. Register for the session!

Partner Highlights Teacher Tech Project (CSTP) Education Recommendations for the 2020-21 School Year (Office of the Governor) Responding to COVID-19: Resources for Our Community (League of Education Voters) Here's the difference between a bond and a levy (ESD 189) Funds to Connect 60,000 Students to Online Learning Released (OSPI) Broad View What You Need to Know About Title IX (U.S. Dept. of Education) State Roadmap for Preparing the Future Workforce (National Governors Association) I can return to school when... (The Root of Us) Around Washington Let’s Talk About to School or Not to School: Adrienne Stuart and Tamara Jones, School Reopening Pro and Con (Crossing Division) Back to ‘school’: Even the basics are complicated, so how can teachers and students get on track? (Seattle Times) Spokane schools opening pushed back two weeks (Wenatchee World) Report: Resuming in-person education during pandemic carries 'significant risks' (KOMO)

Graduation Requirements Rules Update SBE staff hosted a webinar on August 6 to describe the proposed changes to graduation requirements rules and answered questions from the field. You can find the recording, PowerPoint, and materials linked in the post-webinar email that was sent to registrants. Find the timeline for adoption of these rules. Staff also compiled the questions asked during this webinar into an FAQ page and shareable document.  Background At the July meeting, the State Board adopted proposed changes to graduation requirements rules.  The proposed permanent rules:  Clarify that districts can award credit based on demonstration of mastery. Recognize that districts may offer courses that meet more than one subject area graduation requirement. Increase flexibility for districts to waive Washington state history for students impacted by school closures or other disruptions due to COVID-19 or other emergencies.  Public hearing The Board will hold a public hearing on August 27 from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (Zoom participation available), and the Board will consider adoption of final rules at the September meeting. Find information about current rulemaking on the SBE rulemaking page.

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The SBE Vision: An education system where students are engaged in personalized education pathways that prepare them for civic engagement, careers, postsecondary education, and lifelong learning.