Help LEV Advance Equity for Washington Students in the 2024 Legislative Session

LEVinar: Ensuring Fair Due Process in Special Education

When a parent or guardian doesn’t agree with a decision a school has made about their child’s special education services, they can request a due process hearing. This is a legal proceeding that helps determine whether or not the decision made is appropriate. However, in our state, the burden of proof (or responsibility) is placed on parents/guardians to prove their case, rather than on the school to defend their decision.

In our free webinar on Thursday, January 25th at 12:30 pm, we will discuss why we must switch the burden of proof to school districts. This means that school districts would need to submit their data and reasoning about the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) to the court for review.

Confirmed panelists:

• Washington state Senator Yasmin Trudeau (D-27)
• Kathy George, Partner at Johnston George LLP, a Northwest law Firm
• Lisa Brodoff, Professor Emerita at Seattle University School of Law
• Karen Pillar, Director of Policy and Advocacy at TeamChild
• Andrea Kadlec, Attorney at Disability Rights Washington

Podcast Episode: Blaire Penry, 2024 Washington state Teacher of the Year

In this episode of Putting Students First, we interview Blaire Penry, the 2024 Washington state Teacher of the Year, about how career technical education and fine arts can be taught in an equitable way, how her students lead their learning, how to create culturally responsive practices at the school district level, and how she would change Washington state’s education system if she were in charge and there were no budgetary constraints.

You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and Spreaker.

LEVinar Recording: Washington state Teachers of the Year on What Students Need Now

In this webinar, Washington state Teachers of the Year share what they are hearing from students, parents, and colleagues in their community about how the current school year is going and what students need now, especially as we enter the 2024 legislative session. Students from the Washington state Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) and the new Washington Youth Alliance (WYA) offer their feedback.

Panelists:

• Stacy Osoria, a senior at Shorewood High School in Shoreline Public Schools and a member of the Washington state Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)
• Chetan Soni, a senior at Lincoln High School in Seattle Public Schools, a Running Start student, Founder and Executive Director of the Washington Youth Alliance, and Operations Coordinator at the Alliance for Gun Responsibility
• Blaire Penry, the 2024 Washington state Teacher of the Year
• Dana Miles, the 2023 Washington state Teacher of the Year
• Jerad Koepp, the 2022 Washington state Teacher of the Year
• Brooke Brown, the 2021 Washington state Teacher of the Year
• Mandy Manning, the 2018 Washington state Teacher of the Year and the 2018 National Teacher of the Year

LEVinar Recording: What to Expect in the 2024 Legislative Session

In this webinar, League of Education Voters Co-CEO / Director of Policy and Research Jacob Vela and government relations consultant Carey Morris, along with LEV partners, give an overview of the 2024 legislative landscape, outline our priorities for the 2024 legislative session, and answer your questions.

In addition to Jacob and Carey, panelists include:

• Stacy Osoria, a senior at Shorewood High School in Shoreline Public Schools and a member of the Washington state Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)
• Chetan Soni, a senior at Lincoln High School in Seattle Public Schools, a Running Start student, Founder and Executive Director of the Washington Youth Alliance, and Operations Coordinator at the Alliance for Gun Responsibility
• Roxana Gomez, Youth Policy Program Director at ACLU Washington
• Ramona Hattendorf, Director of Public Policy & Civic Engagement at The Arc of King County
• Ben Mitchell, Director of Advocacy & Policy at the Foundation for Tacoma Students

LEVinar Recording: Pathways of Change: A Journey through Institutional Transformation

The Guided Pathways Initiative, supported by College Spark Washington, streamlines the postsecondary process from college entrance to program selection to degree completion, providing students with a much clearer, more efficient path to completion.

In this webinar, we spotlight four colleges that have made substantial change at their institutions through the implementation of Guided Pathways. Discover the driving forces behind their commitment, the innovative strategies employed, and the remarkable outcomes achieved through dedicated leadership and bold changes. Our panel of experts from these institutions share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering valuable insights into student success and the future of higher education.

Panelists:

• Monica Wilson, Director of the Washington State Student Success Center and Strategic Initiatives at the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
• Dr. Matthew Campbell, President of Pierce College
• Debra Gilchrist, Vice President for Learning and Student Success at Pierce College
• Dr. Kimberlee Messina, President of Spokane Falls Community College
• Dr. Michelle Andreas, Vice President of Instruction at South Puget Sound Community College
• Dr. Dave Pelkey, Vice President of Student Services at South Puget Sound Community College
• Dr. Thomas Broxson, Vice President of Instruction at Clover Park Technical College
• Bob Watrus, Independent Evaluator for College Spark and the Guided Pathways Initiative
• Deena Heg, Independent Evaluator for College Spark and the Guided Pathways Initiative