Sami West
Education Reporter
About
Sami West is a reporter covering schools in Seattle and across the Puget Sound region. She’s been on the education beat for over five years and has reported extensively on the countless ways COVID has impacted schools, students, and families. Her coverage has also focused on school finances, special education issues, the importance of early childhood education, and the growing youth mental health crisis.
Before joining KUOW in 2023, she wrote about education for Chalkbeat in Memphis, Tennessee, and two newspapers in Wisconsin. A Midwesterner at heart, Sami originally hails from Minnesota and holds degrees in journalism and English from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
When she’s not attending school board meetings or chasing other education news, Sami enjoys exploring the beautiful trails and abundant breweries of the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dog.
Location: Seattle
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her
Professional Affiliations: Education Writers Association
Stories
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Trans students could be banned from competing in girls’ sports in Washington state
Washington may join a growing number of states limiting how transgender youth can participate in sports.
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Nation’s report card: WA student achievement gaps widen, Covid struggles continue
The results from the latest “nation’s report card” are out — and it’s not pretty. Washington students haven’t bounced back from the vast academic declines of the pandemic, and the state’s achievement gaps are worsening.
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Some WA Head Start programs still can't access federal funds a week after short-lived freeze
Some Head Start programs in Washington may be forced to shut down if their access to federal funds isn't restored soon.
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How will Trump's ban on trans athletes in girls’ sports impact Washington state?
Student athletes in Washington won’t see any immediate changes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
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Incoming UW president promises continued focus on DEI, despite Trump’s threats
The next president of the University of Washington says the school's values won't change — even as the Trump administration targests diversity, equity, and inclusion programs on college
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Are Seattle schools failing highly capable students? Parents raise concerns
Seattle parents and school board members are calling on the district to come up with a better plan for advanced learning.
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'We are not going backward.' Washington schools chief tells districts to maintain DEI programs despite Trump threat
Washington’s top education leader says schools shouldn’t make any changes in response to the Trump administration’s recent edict to axe diversity initiatives by the end of the month.
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How is Trump's crackdown on DEI affecting your school? KUOW wants to hear from you
In his first month back in the White House, President Donald Trump has already made strides toward fulfilling his campaign promise to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in American schools.
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Successful dropout prevention program in Washington state faces uncertain future
A state program that helps prevent Washington students from dropping out of high school may be in jeopardy if lawmakers don't step in.
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Homelessness is soaring among Seattle students. School support workers are on the front lines
Homelessness among Seattle Public Schools students has been on the rise over the last two years, affecting roughly 2,200 students. KUOW takes an inside look at how a district staffer goes above and beyond to help these students – and their families – in one southeast Seattle elementary school.
