Did You Know Slid Show

DID YOU KNOW The time for bold solutions is now? Change the world. Change our schools.

Did You Know… 

A student can get a 4.0 in high school and not get into college? Washington’s high school graduation requirements do not align with what is required to take credit-bearing courses at a two- or four-year college. Source: State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

Minimum High School Graduation Requirements

Minimum Four-Year College Entry Requirements

3 Credits English

4 Credits English

2 Credits Math (soon to be 3 credits, including Algebra II or its equivalent)

3 Credits Math (Algebra II or higher)

2 Credits Science (1 lab)

2 Credits Science (soon to be all lab, one credit algebrabased)

2.5 Credits Social Studies

3 Credits Social Studies

0 Credits World Language

2 Credits World Language

1 Credit Visual or Performing Art

1 Credit Visual or Performing Art

2 Credits Health & Fitness

0 Credits Health & Fitness

1 Credit Occupational Education

0 Credit Occupational Education

5.5 Credits Electives

N/A Source:

SBCTC Red = Diploma requirements lower than four-year requirements Yellow = Aligned Blue = Diploma requirements higher than four-year requirements

Did You Know… 

One out of five kids in Washington will drop out of high school? Yet, it is projected that by 2014, nearly 77 percent of family-wage jobs will be held by people with at least some post-secondary education. Source: College & Work Ready Agenda

Did You Know… 

The high school graduation rate in _____ School District is _____ Click here to find your local dropout rate

Did You Know… 

Half of students entering community college do not have the skills or knowledge necessary to take college level courses? In 2006, 52 percent (12,468) of recent high school graduates who enrolled in community or technical college had to take pre-college courses to gain the skills they should have learned in high school Source: SBCTC

Did You Know… 

For every $1 spent on quality early learning programs, we get at least a $4 return on investment? Benefits include: - higher employment rates and earnings; - better health outcomes; - lower crime rates; - higher levels of verbal and math achievement; - greater success in school (lower special education and higher graduation rates); and, - higher government revenues due to lower government expenditures and increased economic activity. Source: College & Work Ready Agenda

Did You Know… 

Washington schools are achieving average results with below average funding? Washington ranks 43rd nationally in per-student funding (adjusted for regional cost differences). Percent Proficient on NAEP, 2007 4th Grade

Washington

National Average

Reading

36.3%

31.7%

Writing

43 .8%

38.6%

Reading

34.1%

29.2%

Writing

35.9%

31%

8th Grade

Source: Quality Counts 2008: Washington, Editorial Projects in Education, 2008

Did you know the time is now? Our state's education system is at an important crossroads. Key stakeholders and policymakers are in the process of making major decisions that will impact the education system for decades to come. Your voice is needed today.

Did you know the time is now? 1.

The State Board of Education (SBE) is reviewing high school graduation requirements to better align with college entrance requirements.

3.

The Basic Education Finance Task Force is reconfiguring the definition of basic education and what the system needs in terms of funding.

5.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is reviewing math and science standards with the SBE.

Did you know change now? Fivestarts Things You Can Do Today: 3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Help a student.

This is about children and their future. One of the most meaningful ways

to give back is by spending time with students and helping them learn. You can do this by signing up at your local school or preschool as a mentor, homework helper or volunteer reader. You’ll quite easily change a life, starting with your own. Talk It Up! You are the most powerful advocate in your community. Your friends, family and community members know and trust you. It is your job to talk to them about the importance of education issues. Invite them to the next PTA meeting, State Board of Education meeting, or to the local school where you volunteer. Get Informed. Learn more about the education issues you care about. Stay current on education news through local and national media. Find websites and organizations that track the issues you care about. Become a citizen activist. Your government works for you. The only way to ensure that they represent you is to communicate with them regularly and effectively. Know who represents you in the state Legislature, the State Board of Education and your local school board. Call, email, and write to them often. You can also attend your local board and PTA meetings. They do listen! Sign in! We know you want to give more time and help children succeed—but we also know that life is busy. That’s why the League sends email updates. They’ll send you brief updates and key opportunities to take action. That way you’ll never have to wonder what is going on.

Change the world. Change our schools. Did You Know Campaign DidYouKnowCampaign.com League of Education Voters Foundation Levfoundation.org