Washington schools chief calls for changes to better fund special education Washington’s chief of public schools wants the state to fully fund special education this legislative session. Sami West
Should school meals be free for all at Washington elementary schools? A proposed law would provide free breakfast and lunch to students at all elementary schools across Washington, regardless of income. Sami West
I was a 'library kid.' But my old school is among many in WA that no longer have librarians For over a quarter of a century, Laura Moffitt dedicated her career to the elementary school library in the rural Washington town of Concrete. A lot of that time was spent trying to save it. And now, the library is no longer staffed. Natalie Lahr Play AudioListen 4 mins
'This is everybody.' Residents of Seattle's Central District band together to tackle public safety Seattle’s Central District has started to see small changes in the neighborhood after local government officials started attending monthly, community-led meetings. The goal for the meeting's organizers is to make residents feel more safe. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
Seattle nonprofit brings back in-person foot patrols to Central District Starting this week, the nonprofit group Community Passageways will bring more foot patrols to Seattle’s Central District neighborhood during peak school commuting hours. Gustavo Sagrero Álvarez
A music teacher left two jobs following allegations of sexual harassment. Kent School District hired him anyway When parents in Kent, Washington, heard whispers that the new music teacher at Lake Youngs Elementary School had made students and colleagues uncomfortable, they probed his past. What followed was a frustrating journey that exposed deep flaws in background checks for teachers moving from state to state, which rely heavily on disjointed systems, applicant disclosures, and a district’s discretion — and sometimes allow teachers with a history of alleged predatory behavior to remain in the classroom. Diana Opong Play AudioListen 7 mins
Seattle will close schools… eventually Seattle Public Schools has thousands fewer students enrolled than 5 years ago. That Sami West Play AudioListen 11 mins
Student homelessness in Seattle schools jumps by a third in 2023 The number of Seattle Public Schools students experiencing homelessness has spiked over 30% in the past year. Sami West
Seattle school closures are a top issue for school board hopefuls. Where do the candidates stand? Four of the seven Seattle Public School board’s seven seats are up for grabs this year, and the 2023 election comes at a particularly pivotal time for Washington’s largest school district. Sami West
A 4-day school week? These Pacific Northwest districts are trying it out The Waterville School District is among a growing number of districts across the country to shift to a four-day school week. But what are the trade offs? Sami West Play AudioListen 5 mins
