Washington Learns: The final report
Washington Learns concluded its 18-month review of the state’s education system today with an education summit and the release of its final report and recommendations to the Legislature. For WSSDA's reaction to the outcome, plus links to the report and other information, click here.

See you at Annual Conference!
Online registration for the WSSDA Annual Conference is now closed, but you can still sign up onsite when the meeting gets underway this Wednesday in Spokane. Remember, WSSDA offers single-day registration options for those who can’t attend the entire conference. If you’re from a small school district, consider attending "Small Schools Thursday" to take in Terry Bergeson's State of Education Address and our grouping of sessions and activities specifically related to small schools issues. For more information, visit www.wssda.org/annualconference. See you in Spokane!

Peer-to-peer support program to start in January
WSSDA is reviving its Members Assisting Peers (MAP) program, which provides the services of experienced school board members who have been trained in the art of listening, confidentiality, problem-solving and resource information. The MAP volunteers serve as a sounding board and a support system to school directors facing tough questions and challenges. This service, available at no charge to WSSDA members, will begin in January — check back after the first of the year for a list of MAP members and contact information.

WSSDA’s new Community Engagement Service
Through grant support from Washington Mutual, WSSDA is offering school districts a facilitated service to design and implement community engagement plans. This program is ideal for districts striving to increase community understanding of educational reform, promote parent and community involvement in schools, and cultivate community buy-in for improving student learning and closing the achievement gap. To keep costs low, WSSDA has structured the program to encourage multiple districts in a region to take the workshop together.

Save the dates for February, April conferences
Mark your calendar for two important conferences coming in 2007 — the WASA/WSSDA Legislative Conference, Feb. 25-26 at the Olympia Red Lion and the State Capitol, and the Northwest Conference on Celebrating Educational Opportunities for Diverse Students, April 27-29 at the SeaTac Marriott Hotel. The Legislative Conference is your opportunity to get firsthand information on K-12 issues and to spend a "day on the Hill" talking with legislators about challenges and priorities for your district. The Opportunities Conference will present innovative programs and strategies that have been successful in strengthening academic achievement across a variety of diverse student groups. Watch for more information on these events in December.

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