Washington Afterschool Network (WAN) Work Session

Washington Afterschool Network (WAN)  
Join us for a Work Session on Thursday in Olympia

 
The focus of the work session is to give an overview of Expanded Learning Opportunities, the Supporting Student Success-S3 Initiative and the development of a new state plan for afterschool and youth development. In the first new plan since 2003, we will emphasize programs that intentionally support academic outcomes for youth of color, from low-income families, and English Language Learners. The plan will also identify strategies for all programs serving children and youth in the hours they are not in school.
 
WHAT: Work session before the Education Appropriations and Oversight Committee for the House of Representatives
WHEN: Thursday, January 12th, 2012, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm.
WHERE: John L. O’Brien Building House Hearing Room A, 504 15th Avenue Southeast, Olympia.

THE LEADERS:
•Representative Kathy Haigh (35th district) helped to schedule this work session because of her passion and commitment to education (pictured, right).
•“Team Washington," the champions working with us to create a new state plan for expanded learning opportunities:
◦ Martin Mueller, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
◦ Jonelle Adams, Executive Director of the Washington School Directors Assoc.
◦ Karen Waters, Excellent Schools Now Coalition
◦ Amanda Thomas and Janet Frieling, SOWA

•Funders and supporters
◦ National Governor’s Association Center for Best Practice, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of Chief State School Officers and the C. S. Mott Foundation along with many other Washington Afterschool Network partners and supporters.

 
THE PLAN: The 2012 plan will highlight Expanded Learning Opportunities as an educational equity strategy and center on evidence-based programs that intentionally align activities and support for academic outcomes for children and youth, particularly youth of color, from low income families and those for whom English is a second language. We know there are many high quality programs serving the youth in our state and we believe that with a focus on intentional academic activities, we may see better academic outcomes. The plan will also make field level recommendations that will identify strategies for all programs serving children and youth in the hours they are not in school.

WHY NOW: The landscape has changed dramatically since 2003: the Common Core Standards have been adopted, the Achievement Gap continues to widen, Washington’s dropout rate continues to increase, and community and state resources have decreased.

 SOLUTIONS: Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOs) offer ways to maximize resources, connect and engage community based organizations and offer additional supports to those who struggle the most academically.

 GET INVOLVED: Consider attending the work session. Have conversations within your community about the need for a state plan with a focus on expanded learning opportunities, that support the most vulnerable students, might produce better academic outcomes. Stay tuned for future announcements about how you can attend community gatherings or provide important feedback on this work.
 
For more questions or to find out more about the Washington Afterschool Network, please contact the Network Director, Janet Frieling, or call her at 206.323.2396
 
 
 
Washington Afterschool Network (WAN) Partnership Group Meetings
 

Join us Friday, March 2nd in Tumwater.  Stay tuned for more information on the topics to be discussed at the meeting.  Visit our website to learn more about the WAN Partnership Group.

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