Opportunity for WA students with disabilities to learn self-advocacy skills

Upcoming LEVinar: Why Students Need Section 504 Protections in Washington State Law

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), students with disabilities, including those who may not qualify for special education services, have important discrimination, accommodation, and education protections. Unlike many states, Washington lacks a uniform hearing or dispute resolution process for these claims. This leaves many families frustrated, unable to secure needed services and supports for students.

In our free webinar on Thursday, July 10, we will explore what might be done to build a more robust system for Washington, so students with disabilities can secure their right to a public education. Also, every student who qualifies for special education services under the IDEA is likely protected by Section 504. Having a robust system of Section 504 dispute resolution will help students eligible for special education services seek timely resolution of discrimination and retaliation claims, accessibility claims, and an avenue for procedural enforcement.

Panelists include:

• Alexis DeLaCruz, Education Attorney at Tulalip Office of Civil Legal Aid
• Chris Elnicki, Senior Education Attorney at TeamChild
• Andrea Kadlec, Attorney at Disability Rights Washington

Make Your Voice Count: Share What Makes an Excellent School (and Enter to Win a $250 Gift Card!)

Excellent Schools Washington, a partner of League of Education Voters, wants to hear from you! Your input will help shape a new statewide school directory designed to give families the information they need to choose the best school for their child. Take a few minutes to share what you think makes a school excellent — and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $250 gift card. 

Take the survey here.

Excellent Schools Washington is a new non-profit organization focused on ensuring every student in Washington has access to an excellent education. Learn more about their work, grant opportunities, and opportunities for collaboration at their website here.

LEVinar Recording: Superintendents from Across Washington state on Best Practices, Data, and Challenges

As the 2024-25 school year wraps up, school districts across Washington state are focusing on improving academic success, student and staff supports, and transitions to postsecondary education in the wake of this year’s budget challenges.

In this webinar, a panel of superintendents from across Washington state share how they are supporting academic preparedness, student social-emotional and physical well-being, and college and career knowledge, what data they are monitoring to determine whether their strategies are effective, and what challenges they see on the horizon.

Panelists:

• Dr. Susana Reyes, Shoreline Public Schools
• Dr. Concie Pedroza, Tukwila School District
• Dr. Nik Bergman, Quincy School District
• Dr. Ivan Duran, Highline Public Schools
• Dr. Christopher Nesmith, Elma School District

LEVinar Recording: How Washington Students Use Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom

Teachers across Washington state are incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) in their work, but how are students actually using it in the classroom?

In this webinar, a panel of students from across the state share their experience with AI and what they would like to see in the future. We also learn about new research on AI in education from Dr. Min Sun, a professor at the University of Washington and Co-Founder of Colleague AI, whose team has recently conducted pilot studies with a group of educators and their students about the question of how teachers and students can leverage AI to classroom discourses to amplify human relationships and students’ critical thinking.

Panelists:

• Paree Raval, a junior at Sammamish High School in the Bellevue School District and a 1st-year member of the Washington state Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC)
• Mayah Stewart, a senior at Montesano High School in the Montesano School District and a 2nd-year member of LYAC
• Ananya Swaminathan, a junior at Redmond High School in the Lake Washington School District and a 1st-year member of LYAC
• Lilah Wakefield, a freshman at Bainbridge Island High School in the Bainbridge Island School District and a 1st-year member of LYAC
• Richie Martinez, a senior at Columbia Basin College studying Cyber Security and the Columbia Region Coordinator of the Washington Student Engagement Networks (WA-SEN)
• Jordan Verkh-Haskell, a recent graduate of the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Computer Science and the South Sound Region Coordinator of WA-SEN
• Dr. Min Sun, a professor at the University of Washington College of Education and Co-Founder of Colleague AI