by Jackie Jainga Hyllseth, Quality Initiatives Director

The recent article in the Seattle Times, “As parents raise cash, schools confront big gaps“ was another example of how systemic disproportion plays out in our Seattle school district. The article revealed how PTAs in well resourced neighborhoods have the ability to raise enough funds to provide their schools with substantial resources, including hiring additional staff while other PTAs in the same district struggle to raise a tenth of what their counterparts can. It is no surprise that the PTAs who are able to raise large sums of money, are from the northern, wealthier neighborhoods in Seattle that are predominantly white and the PTAs that can only raise small amounts of money serve the highest percentages of child and youth of color in the district.

PTA fundraising goes way beyond the Valentine's Day bake sale.

When we think about finding solutions to these problems, we should think about how to change the systems that keep these practices in place. System change can help move us collectively towards more equitable practices. There are ways to think about reorganizing how we currently do business. For example, the article revealed that there is policy in place in Portland and Eugene that requires their districts to pool a portion of the funds raised by parents and equally distribute them to all schools. Some Washington districts have already taken the lead towards equitable change. The Bellevue school district recently stopped the practice of PTAs being able to fund teacher positions. These decisions and actions are moving large systems towards more equitable practices, demonstrating that it is possible.

by Zach Wilson, Educational Services Director

At School’s Out Washington, we are regularly engaged in rich dialogue about the services youth receive in and out of school. I appreciate that I am surrounded by trusted friends and colleagues that help me see outside my own perspective. This blog is in response to some recent conversations we’ve been having around education reform and the impacts on youth of color.

It’s important to note that as a white person I have occasionally gotten lost in thinking about big ideas that sound great, while losing sight of immediate needs. When I look at undoing and reestablishing the system, I can easily fall into a biased thought process without even knowing it. I admire leaders who contend with a keen urgency to make reform efforts happen and who encourage youth of color finding support now.

As is blatantly clear, youth of color continue to face a very difficult journey to success as we currently know it. Time is a huge hindrance to reform efforts – consider the amount of time it takes to get buy-in from our country as a whole or find consensus within our government. I do not have the answer to this barrier of change.

The purpose of this blog, however, is to encourage white leaders focused on reform efforts to truly listen to the perspectives of leaders of color. I also hope to encourage critical conversations about how we reshape our country’s education system. One thing we can continue to do now is strengthen partnerships between school and community leaders providing the broad set of supports youth need in and out of school. Let’s continue to push back on what isn’t working within the system, but more importantly let’s not lose sight of the current realities facing our young people.

Zach leads the annual Bridge Conference. In 2011, Bridge strongly focused on racial equity. Read more about School's Out's work in racial equity.

Passionate and committed education champion, Representative Kathy Haigh (35th District) and Chair of the Committee, spoke about the importance of quality in afterschool-programming that best supports Washington youth. Representative Sharon Tomiko-Santos (37^th District) commented on the importance of diversity amongst teachers and caring adults working with students. While School’s Out Washington is working to ensure equitable access to opportunity for all children and youth, SOWA recognizes that 55% of youth who are participating in afterschool and youth development programs in Washington State are youth of color; the 2012 AYD state plan will make field-level policy recommendations while highlighting ELOs as an educational equity strategy. Our work will showcase 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. The Legislative Work Session was another great stepping stone for Afterschool and Youth Development as an important element of effective and efficient education policy.

Resources:

• Jan 12 PowerPoint presentation
• ELO Policy brief.
  
• What do we mean by "quality" and what are we doing about it? Read the Quality Program Initiative Summary
  
• Additional SOWA Publications and Studies

"That was the topic of a debate in The Washington Post's Answer Sheet blog last Wednesday. The entry featured a point-counterpoint between Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant and Jennifer Davis of the National Center on Time and Learning on using 21st Century Community Learning Center program funds to extend the length of the school day at the expense of afterschool programs." Continue reading the Afterschool Alliance's full blog entry on the debate...

"I agree that our children and youth deserve a much better education than what is currently being offered in most schools across our country however I am not convinced that extending the time within the current model will get us the results we so desperately need. Afterschool and youth development programs funded with 21st Century Community learning center dollars are currently offering experiential learning opportunities to thousands across the country. There are very few dedicated resources to support this effort of aligned and supportive learning done in partnerships with schools and community based organizations. Let's not take away critical resources that have a proven track record to invest in efforts that can be covered with other funding sources and may or may not deliver results."  (As posted in Washington Post comments).

by Virginia Eader, School's Out Washington MSW Student Intern

Of the 13 applicants who applied for this year’s grant, we were able to fund four projects. While all applicants were worthy of praise and support, we feel that the selected projects represent diverse efforts in building public will around the important role afterschool programs play in promoting healthy youth behaviors across the state.

We are pleased to announce the 2012 Healthy Youth Healthy Futures mini-grant award winners:

• White Center Community Development Association (Renton, WA) with project partners: WSU/King County Food and Fitness Initiative, NeighborCare Health Centers, Neighborhood House, Chief Sealth International High School, and Evergreen High School. Project: Build Our Own Movement (BOOM) Youth Summit to promote youth leadership and education around healthy eating, active living and the promotion of healthy behaviors amongst youth in the community.
• Sunset Elementary School Trailblazers After School Program (Airway Heights, WA) with project partners: Airway Heights Parks and Recreation Department, Communities in Schools of Spokane County, and Cheney School District. Project: Health and nutrition education through a community garden project featuring science-based nutrition lessons, family activities and summer education events.
• Quincy School District (Quincy, WA) with partners: Quincy Valley Medical Center, City of Quincy Recreation Department, and Quincy Readiness to Learn. Project: Leprechaun Chase Community Fun Run Event and Fitness Training Program.
• Jack Straw Productions (Seattle, WA) with partners Seattle Public Schools, Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center, Refugee Women’s Alliance, International Community Health Services, and Campana Quetzal. Project: Food Talk, featuring youth-performed bilingual radio spots focusing on culturally- relevant healthy eating and behaviors.

Congratulations! We are excited to support you in your implementation process and to see your projects in action!

Listen below to Jack Straw Productions' radio spots from 2011. (Requires Adobe Flash Player. Click here to download Flash.)

By Danielle Baer, Communications & Grants Manager

While traffic lightens and schedules wind down with the holiday season underway, there is a lot happening at the state and federal level that will impact the afterschool and youth development field in Washington State.   First off, earlier this week, Washington State was awarded a $60 million Race to the Top grant to support early learning system building efforts in our state.  We were one of nine states to receive the grant out of 35 applicants.This is a huge victory for our state! 

The grant will help build statewide systems that affect our overall early learning system, including school-age child care.   As a member of the Early Learning Action Alliance, a statewide coalition of organizations working to strengthen early learning supports and systems, and in partnership with the Department of Early Learning, School’s Out Washington will take an active role in ensuring school-age care is included in the systems building work.

At the federal level, Congress released an FY 2012 omnibus spending bill which includes a .189% spending cut across the board to most federal programs, including 21st Century Community Learning Centers.  The Afterschool Alliance worked hard with Congressional members to fine tune language around allowing 21st CCLC funds to be used for a longer school day specifying that efforts to extend the school day should “align with and complement, rather than replicate, the regular school day by offering a range of activities that capture student interest and support student engagement to promote higher class attendance, reduce risk for retention or dropping out, and include activities that promote good health.” View a table of funding allocations for programs impacting the out-of-school time field and learn more about federal policy on the Afterschool Alliance’s website.

On a more personal note, today is my last day before heading out on maternity leave. I’m patiently awaiting the arrival of my second child.  While I prepare for sleepless nights, the joys of the newborn days and the stresses of arranging for child care, I can’t help but think about all the policies in place that could use revisions and improvements to truly call ourselves a nation that puts families first.  Did you know:

• In the U.S., 49% of mothers cobble together paid leave following childbirth by using sick days, vacation days, disability leave, and maternity leave.
• 51% of new mothers lack any paid leave -- so some take unpaid leave, some quit, some even lose their jobs.
• The U.S is one of only 4 countries that doesn't offer paid leave to new mothers -- the others are Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, and Lesotho.
(data from momsrising.org)

A system that supports mothers throughout their pregnancy and supports families as their raise their children in their early through school years is critical to our future.   While I experience firsthand in my personal life the early childhood years, my work at School’s Out Washington reminds me everyday that young people need continued support throughout their childhood and education to stay engaged in school and make positive choices to help them on their pathway towards a successful future. 

Especially in light of the growing disparities we see that negatively impact youth of color and low-income youth, we need interventions at the ground level and systems changes that demand equitable opportunities for all young people.  As we close out 2011 and start a new year, we hope you’ll join us in our journey and commitment to continue moving forward in our efforts to strengthen and unite the afterschool and youth development field with the end goal of supporting young people in achieving their dreams.

By Danielle Baer, Communications & Grants Manager

Last week, hundreds of Garfield High School students in Seattle walked out of class in protest against proposed cuts to education funding during the special legislative session called by Governor Gregoire this month.  As a Garfield alum, I was proud to see fellow bulldogs standing up for what they believe in and speaking out against further cuts that are having a real impact on their day to day educational experience.  

As we advocate on behalf of young people and providing access to quality expanded learning opportunities, afterschool, youth development and summer programs, we need to remember to listen to youth voice and provide opportunities for their input to be heard.  Over the past few years, many people have become desensitized to hearing about budget cuts. What’s another billion in a deficit of trillions?  What does it really mean?  But when students take to the streets and tell us firsthand what education cuts mean to their lives and their futures, the message resonates in a concrete way and makes a real impact.

Just this week, the Children’s Alliance and Washington State Budget & Policy Center released their Kids Count in Washington 2012 report including more data on the persistent achievement gap in Washington State and its disproportionate impact on Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic and American Indian students.  Further cutting education is not going to help narrow this gap and provide opportunities for all young people to thrive in school and life.  

Over the course of the next few months, we will be supporting efforts to preserve safety net services such as high quality afterschool and youth development programs, food and nutrition programs, health care programs, employing training programs and a strong educational system that prepares children and youth to enter the future workforce.  Stay tuned for our 2012 legislative agenda and sign-up for our Washington Afterschool Network email alert system for regular updates and opportunities to take action on budget and policy issues during the 2012 legislative session.  As young people take risks and take to the streets, we need to support their actions and speak up to preserve essential services for children, youth and families.

Photos by Joshua Trujillo of the SeattlePI.com.

Click here to see Joshua's photo slideshow