What’s the DEEL? Department of Education and Early Learning

Department of Education and Early Learning

Fam & Ed Levy funding available for Summer 2017

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We are currently running a Request for Investment (RFI) process to fund new or expand existing summer learning programs for Summer 2017.  Here are the details:

  • Elementary funding available: Up to $94,546
  • Middle school funding available: Up to $477,531
  • Award duration: Programs will receive funding for the next three summers (2017, 2018, 2019)
  • New for this cycle: Preference will be given to summer programs that effectively serve Black males or Black females AND/OR regions of the Seattle School District not currently served by Levy summer programming, but all programs are welcome to apply
  • Application is posted here: http://www.seattle.gov/education/about-us/funding-opportunities/summer-learning_2017
  • Deadline: Friday, November 18, 2016 at 4:30pm

We will be hosting two information sessions on Mon, Sep. 26 and Tue, Oct. 4 (details on the website).  To see a list of the schools and organizations we currently fund for summer, please go here: http://www.seattle.gov/education/k-12-schools/summer-learning

Or Email Long Phan, Summer Program Lead, long.phan@seattle.gov

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We hope you consider applying for this opportunity to create high-quality summer learning experiences for your students!

Mayor Murray 2017-18 budget proposes additional funding for education and youth

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Mayor Ed Murray delivered his 2017-18 Proposed Budget to the City Council yesterday, and I am pleased to inform you of a few exciting new items included in the Department of Education and Early Learning’s proposed budget.

When Mayor Murray appointed me as director of DEEL, he made it clear that our mission would be to advance equity in education and help close the achievement gap that has long plagued our schools. This budget invests in our kids’ education and continues making progress toward ensuring everyone has access to opportunity.

First, the 2017 Proposed Budget includes $1 million to implement the first phase of the Mayor’s Education Summit Advisory Group’s recommendations, which will be announced soon. One of these recommendations is to fund an additional 200 high quality summer learning slots for middle and high school students, primarily focusing on African-American and other students of color.  Another recommendation will provide funds for a pilot innovation model at one high school modeled on the Families and Education Levy middle school innovation program.  This program significantly improves academic achievement by following a holistic approach that addresses academic skills, social emotional development, health, and family engagement.  And, the Mayor’s budget includes funding in the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department to expand the My Brother’s Keeper initiative that helps mentor African-American boys at Aki Kurose Middle School to five other middle schools.

Second, the proposed budget adds funding of $500,000 in 2017 to expand the Parent-Child Home Program to increase the number of young children who benefit from literacy education.

Third, the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) Levy in DEEL’s 2017 Proposed Budget includes the planned addition of new SPP classrooms, from 32 in the 2016-17 school year to 53-60 classrooms in 2017-18. This increase means up to 1,200 more students will be served by the program in the next two years.

Finally, the Families and Education Levy (FEL) in DEEL’s 2017 Proposed Budget includes additional early learning preschool slots, funding for four new elementary schools, and increased summer learning funding for elementary and middle schools.

Additionally, Mayor Murray announced the creation of a Youth Opportunity Sub Cabinet that will be comprised of City department directors whose funding and programs focus on youth in Seattle. This group will serve as a structure to better align the City’s work with youth around common goals and outcomes.

I’m excited about the additional kids we’ll be able to serve with evidence-based and innovative strategies to help them succeed in school and in life. The budget shows Mayor Murray’s commitment to this goal.

Please let the City Councilmembers know that your thoughts about these investments by emailing the Council by using the Council website linked below or attending one of the two Council budget hearings scheduled for the following dates:

  • Wednesday, October 5, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., Seattle City Hall in Council Chambers
  • Tuesday, October 25, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., Seattle City Hall in Council Chambers

http://www.seattle.gov/council/

I would like to personally thank you for your continued support of and involvement with our programs and services, and to Mayor Murray for including these proposals as part of his 2017-18 Proposed Budget.

Sincerely,

Dwane

Dwane Chappelle, Director

Department of Education and Early Learning

Looking for summer activities and learning opportunities for your student?

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Our belief is that high-quality summer learning is critical to closing the achievement gap.

Summer learning opportunities are focusing on students who meet some of the following criteria:

  • Children with no prior preschool experience
  • Children who have been identified as not meeting standards on
    • Teaching Strategies GOLD
    • Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA)
    • Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
    • Washington English Language Proficiency Assessment (WELPA)
  • Students who failed at least one core course during the first semester
  • Students who received more than 5 absences during the first semester

In Summer 2016, the Families and Education Levy will invest a total of $2.3 million in high-quality summer learning programs that serve more than 2,000 of Seattle’s students.

  • If you are a school or community based organization interested in applying for funding, please see current “Funding Opportunities.”
  • If you are a student or parent interested in summer programs, please see our list below and contact the program directly.

Levy Funded Summer Programs

Elementary  Summer Learning–click here for details

Middle School Summer Learning–click here for details

High School Summer Learning–click here for details

Equity day at West Seattle HS

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Amazing student-led, and student-centered work is happening at West Seattle high school, a school funded by the Families and Education Levy.

The school’s Diversity Club and the ASB are planning to hold WSHS’s first annual Equity Day: Raising Awareness, Inspiring Action. This will be a day of workshops culminating in an all-school assembly on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. 

WSHS’ mission is Every Student Achieving, Everyone Accountable. The Diversity Club and ASB would like to help achieve this mission by making everyone accountable for equity at WSHS and to make every student comfortable in order to allow for every student to achieve.

Check out this video the students made in response to anti-muslim messages in the media.

It’s official! Dwane Chappelle confirmed director of DEEL!

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On Tuesday, February 9th Dwane Chappelle was confirmed by Seattle City Council as the new Director of the City’s Department of Education and Early Learning.

Mayor Murray nominated Chappelle in October 2015 to lead the newly created City department. Prior to his appointment, Chappelle served as the principal of Rainier Beach High School. He has long been a champion for students, and for ensuring that all kids have access to high quality learning. Under his leadership, Chappelle adopted a wide-spread International Baccalaureate program at Rainier Beach High School, offering these rigorous course to all students. Additionally, Rainier Beach saw a dramatic rise in graduation rates during this time, and ultimately was named as a Washington State School of Distinction.

Chappelle is now bringing his passion for educational equity to the City’s Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL). Currently DEEL is tasked with implementing the Families and Education Levy, the Seattle Preschool Program, the Child Care Assistance Program, and the Washington State Early Childhood Education Assistance Program. Chappelle would like to use his time at DEEL to strengthen the City’s partnerships with Seattle Public Schools, along with community partners, philathropy and business–bringing various efforts together to do the best for our students.

In the spring Chappelle will be co-chairing, along with former King County executive Ron Sims, an Education Summit. This Summit will bring the City together to build partnerships and strengthen our efforts in closing the achievement gap.

 

Families and Education Levy Schools Honored as Schools of Distinction

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We are thrilled to share the news that several of the Department of Education and Early Learning’s school partners have been recognized by the State of Washington for their amazing work in improving student achievement rates. The designation as a School of Distinction signifies that the recipient ranks in the top five percent of schools in the state for raising academic achievement over five years in reading and math; high schools are recognized for their graduation rates.

Rainier Beach High School has raised its graduation rate by 25 percentage points since 2011 and graduated 79 percent of its seniors last year–up from only 54 percent in 2011. The Families and Education Levy funds the school’s health clinic.

Cleveland High School is a repeat winner and has continued to make strong improvements in student graduation rates. The Families and Education Levy funds the school’s health clinic and a portfolio of student interventions. 

Additionally, Hazel Wolf and Broadview Thompson K-8 Schools were recognized for the first time as Schools of Distinction. Both of these schools receive funding from the Families and Education Levy to implement interventions for struggling students.

Congratulations! And keep up the hard work!

Please click here for the full story in the Seattle Times. 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to our Levy-funded schools who won the Washington Achievement Award!

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Every year the State’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction selects schools who are top performers in the State, and 10 of those top performers are Seattle Levy-funded schools.

We are so proud of the great work happening in Seattle Schools!

  • Overall Excellence – Awarded to the top 5% of all WA elementary, middle and high schools (based on three years of data).
    • Mercer Middle School
  •  High Progress – Top 10% of schools making progress in reading and math combined performance for all students (based on three years of data).
    • Cleveland High School
    • Franklin High School
    • Hazel Wolf K-8
    • Ingraham High School
    • Pathfinder K-8 School
    • West Seattle High School
    • Wing Luke Elementary School
  •  Special Recognition – Reading and Mathematics Growth – Top 5% of schools with a 3-year average Median Student Growth Percentiles in reading and/or math.
    • Denny Middle School – Mathematics
    • Mercer Middle School – Reading and mathematics
    • Broadview Thompson K-8 – English Language Acquisition