Have a say about the state and future of schools during a public forum Wednesday evening with the new Washington Student Achievement Council.
The council, which replaced the Higher Education Coordinating Board last year, aims to be a stronger and more focused entity than its predecessor. According to a Seattle Times editorial, the WSAC has a clear purpose, which includes the promise of a “more vocal and robust leadership to design a higher-education system closely aligned with work force and educational needs.”
Putting those promises into action, the community is invited to gather with WSAC members – which includes five citizens, a current student, and five education sector representatives, one from the four-year public universities, one from the public community and technical colleges, one from the not-for profit independent colleges and universities, and a representative from the office of the superintendent of public instruction – to give input on the state of education.
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Seattle Central Community College
Broadway Performance Hall (BPH)
1625 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122
“Our state is truly at a critical crossroads,” said WSAC Chair Brian Baird, in a press release. “There are many things being done well in Washington, but there are also significant challenges. Without comprehensive changes today and in the future, too many of our citizens will be left without the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Too many employers will be forced to look or locate somewhere else for their workforce. We cannot afford to let that happen.”
Here’s more about the Council’s duties, which includes building a comprehensive 10-year roadmap that will help guide education reform and innovation:
The Student Achievement Council released an action plan that identified five key challenges/opportunities for education:
• Improve readiness for higher education by addressing opportunity and achievement throughout the education system
• Expand accessibility and affordability of higher-ed and increase participation and success of under-represented communities
• Improve competency outcomes and expand capacity for higher education – including career and technical education
• Leverage technology and explore innovations for better learning
• Build a sustainable higher education funding model based on measurable outcomes
For more information, visit http://www.wsac.wa.gov.
