To the Point

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86256157099187706972012-02-16T04:27:35.699-08:00To the PointA blog by the staff from the Center for the Improvement of Student Learning at OSPI. Visit us at <a href=http://www.yourlearningcenter.org>www.yourlearningcenter.org</a>Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comBlogger511100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-54229321900364786552009-03-31T12:02:00.000-07:002009-03-31T12:04:06.888-07:00Building a Community of Learners and Educators

I am still recuperating from an enjoyable, hopefully fruitful WABSE (Washington Alliance of Black School Educators) conference. There were approximately 200 adults and 75 students in attendance over the course of three days of workshops. Attendees heard presentations about the African American Achievement Gap Final Report, they had opportunities to begin to develop an action plan for their

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-76143096881381647352009-03-31T11:45:00.000-07:002009-03-31T11:50:03.100-07:00Teachers having a voice. Who is representing our students?

As always, life is a little crazy between running the office, doing presentations and advocating for parent involvement and our students of color on Capitol Hill. I think I have been invited to be on every board known to mankind. Well, not every board, but it feels like it… Being in the classroom, it’s easy to become insulated, to feel like you are on an island, doing so much on your own. Am I

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-51253924106009013252009-02-25T09:38:00.001-08:002009-02-25T09:44:30.112-08:00Students teach others about American Indian culture

Middle-schoolers in program create lesson plans on children's booksLACEY – Students in Nisqually Middle School's Native Culture class were surprised at how attentive first- and second-graders can be when listening to a book being read.Read the story

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-52987712944310046092009-02-19T10:23:00.000-08:002009-02-19T10:26:03.975-08:00We can make real, lasting change!

Hello, again! I spent President’s Day with many of you at African American Legislative Day! I have only attended one other such event, and this was long before I worked in Olympia and knew any of the “players,” so-to-speak. I am just realizing now that I met Rosalund Jenkins almost 3 years ago at that event, just before making the decision with my husband to move to Spokane, far removed from

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-44371452238415246652009-02-11T11:39:00.000-08:002009-02-11T11:44:22.262-08:00Parent Engagement that Best Serves your Community

In the last week I have presented in 4 different cities…at staff meetings, school improvement meetings, and a district-wide parent engagement meeting. Everywhere I go, educators are clamoring for help. Teachers and administrators know they need to get parents engaged in schools, but they’re not really sure how to do it. I would love to say that I have all the answers, but I really don’t. I,

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-52649208393790650502009-01-27T11:34:00.000-08:002009-01-27T11:58:23.270-08:00Thoughts on Cultural Competency

Hello, Everyone! I know it’s been a while since I last wrote in this blog. Sorry, sorry, sorry! It’s been a crazy couple of months wrapping up the African American Achievement Gap Study. We now have a Final Report that you can access from our website. As a matter of fact, I asked the other commissions if they would allow us to post all of the final reports on our website so people who were

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-25738323545330013742008-12-05T11:10:00.000-08:002008-12-05T11:15:38.523-08:00HB2722 African-American Achievement Gap Study

I’m back after a long season of being out of the office in Baltimore, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma… everywhere but home. I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some of the important work CISL has been doing lately.Some of you may have attended one of the town hall meetings associated with the House Bill 2722, the African-American Achievement Gap Study. We held town hall meetings in

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-80737891876496982892008-11-06T11:58:00.000-08:002008-11-06T13:15:18.136-08:00CISL e-newsletter (November 2008)

CENTER FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING (CISL) www.yourlearningcenter.org November 2008View the Web version:CISL E-NEWSLETTER INSIDE:1. Partnering for Student Success Conference Presentations and Handouts 2. National Expert Advice on Strategic Plan for Closing Achievement Gap 3. Teaching about Thanksgiving 4. Renton Principal Wins 2008 Milken National Education Award 5. Free CISL Video===

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-15103199682811309852008-10-23T15:37:00.000-07:002008-10-23T15:38:00.469-07:00Families and Communities: Building Bridges

So, I sat in a meeting yesterday with parents and parent involvement professionals from a number of school districts across the state of Washington. I am used to being in meetings where we talk and talk and talk and do nothing. We talk about doing and walk away with theories that sound good but have no practical application. However, I can say I have now been in two critical meetings in the

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-8733166595668601242008-10-23T15:29:00.000-07:002008-10-23T15:34:57.568-07:00Conversations about School PTA's

Sorry I’ve been away for so long! Life is busy, as you know if you are a parent and working full-time. For those of you who attended the “Partnership for Student Success”, thank you so much for making the conference such a success! You all are such a wealth of information yourselves.I want to share with you where I have been in the last few weeks, both as a parent and as a professional. At

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-43103301678624025742008-09-10T15:23:00.000-07:002008-09-10T15:24:55.992-07:00My Last Orientation for the Year

I have now attended my last school orientation for the year. Although I was impressed by the numbers of parents in attendance at the middle school orientation, there were easily twice as many parents at the elementary open house. Some hallways I dared not enter for fear of being squeezed into a corner.All in all, my son was very happy with his new school and new classroom. He was excited to get

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-18545884100939487992008-09-10T15:22:00.000-07:002008-09-10T15:23:25.694-07:00Middle School Orientation

Well, my middle school children have just experienced orientation at their new school. The event was organized so that all new students (both 7th and 8th graders) could do activities together in groups of 10 – 12, facilitated by 8th grade students. The groups played name games and listened to speakers. They took tours of the building and saw their new schedules.Parents could come later and

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-22254334824154290512008-08-29T11:10:00.000-07:002008-09-10T15:00:48.980-07:00Jones Family 2008-2009

Have you ever wondered if you are the only parent who has a difficult time making connections to your child’s school? As the new director of the Center for the Improvement of Student Learning (CISL) at OSPI and as someone who has just moved into a new community, I decided it may be helpful to use this blog to chronicle my experiences as the mother of three children (an 11 year-old, a 12 year-old

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-53466297729527917772008-05-08T15:54:00.000-07:002008-05-08T16:00:32.160-07:00COLLEGE ACCESS SUMMIT

Join The College Success Foundation to create a statewide college access network. When: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Breakfast and networking reception begin at 9 a.m.Summit 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. What: KnowHow2GO College Access Summit Where: University of Washington HUB West Ballroom – Seattle campus Who: You, along with college access providers, youth-serving organizations, and community leaders from around

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-22725419724475564872008-05-07T17:31:00.000-07:002008-05-07T17:40:05.145-07:0010 Ways to Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Home

1. Recognize the great diversity of Asian and Pacific Islander ethnicities and languages. How many can you name?2. Read about Asian Pacific American History.3. Talk with your child about the moments in our history that we should never forget.• What happened to Japanese Americans during World War II? • How did Chinese immigrants contribute to the building of the Transcontinental Railroad?• Who was

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-8603974889838279902008-05-06T11:56:00.000-07:002008-05-06T11:59:18.490-07:00Civil Rights Conference on the dropout crisis in the Northwest (May 30, 2008)

The Dropout Crisis in the Northwest: Confronting the Graduation Crisis in All Communities with Special Focus on American Indian and Alaska Native Students is scheduled for May 30, 2008 at the University of Washington. Our feature speakers will include Susan C. Faircloth of Penn State University, Christopher B. Swanson of Education Week, Nettie E. Legters of Johns Hopkins University, Mandy Smoker

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-33167823198736187402008-04-30T11:07:00.000-07:002008-04-30T11:12:46.198-07:00Washington State Coalition for Language Access Conference

The WASCLA Conference brings together participants throughout Washington State to share improvements and progress in working to ensure access to Limited English Proficient individuals. Who Should Attend?Those who are interested in language access including interpreters, translators and those providing services in the following areas: domestic violence, sexual assault, crimes such as trafficking,

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-6127286682321888872008-04-14T14:47:00.000-07:002008-04-14T14:50:40.121-07:00Preventing the Kindergarten Readiness Gap

Dear Education Leaders and Supporters:As we implement multiple strategies to meet state standards and “leave no child behind,” we cannot ignore the readiness skills of our future students. Forty percent of children walk into kindergarten already one to three years behind. What happens in the early learning years, long before a child enters kindergarten, has a profound impact on his or her

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-67372006233914147582008-04-14T14:41:00.000-07:002008-04-14T14:46:53.571-07:00Celebrating Earth Day at Home

On April 22nd, we join over 100 different countries in celebrating Earth Day. This is an opportunity to appreciate nature and discover ways to protect our environment. At home and in the classroom, it is a great time to learn with our children about our planet and how each of us can contribute to keeping it clean.Ten Ways to Celebrate Earth Day with your Child:1. Talk about how her daily choices

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-64412324672743976002008-03-21T11:55:00.000-07:002008-03-21T12:02:46.294-07:00Hands-on Environmental Lessons

Students learn how to test water quality and gain a better understanding of the local environment.Click here to learn more.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-7013802468874502812008-03-20T17:10:00.000-07:002008-03-21T12:04:22.733-07:00Insights into their Future

8th grade students at North Thurston Public Schools went to work for the day at a variety of businesses. They gained insight on what life is like in the workforce and learned that some things are even "cooler" in person than on TV.Click here to learn more.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-34860858804238442512008-03-20T12:42:00.000-07:002008-03-20T16:53:12.672-07:00A Fun Way to Develop Strategic Thinking

Second and third-graders in Idaho are learning how to play chess. They practice thinking ahead, and it levels the playing field for ELL students.Click here to learn more.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-78609944060797808022008-03-19T12:21:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:31:21.731-07:00Getting Kids Excited About Reading

Sanislo Elementary found a way to bring reading to life. They organized a kiting event and handed out books with kites in their story line. Click here to learn more.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-83933573597622045692008-03-17T14:07:00.000-07:002008-03-17T14:24:37.646-07:00Bilingual Education at Evergreen Elementary

Students at the bilingual school, Evergreen Elementary, in Shelton learn math in English and science in Spanish. Parents are enthusiastic about their children achieving fluency in two languages.Click here to learn more about the approach the school is taking and why it is successful.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-52667334557573139092008-03-17T14:02:00.000-07:002008-03-17T14:06:26.503-07:00Mini-courses by Parents

Parents come to Marshall Middle School's alternative class to teach mini-courses on their area of expertise. Parents decide what courses to offer, and students like the variety of subjects.Click here to read the story.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-33399167070741138082008-03-17T13:48:00.000-07:002008-03-17T14:02:05.255-07:00Running Start

With the end of the school year just a few months away, it is time for high school students to consider whether Running Start is a good option for their junior and senior years.Click here to read an article about the program or visit the Running Start website.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-8609482757458586572008-03-13T12:40:00.000-07:002008-03-13T12:46:02.753-07:00CSI Workshops Hook Students on Science

Lower Columbia College hosted CSI Workshops for high school students. Students tested DNA and blood samples to solve a hypothetical murder case. Students find the practical application of science fascinating.Click here to read the story.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-91133217249651258202008-03-11T14:43:00.000-07:002008-03-11T14:50:04.743-07:00Success in a Mixed-Ability Classroom

First-grade teacher Judy Birk at Twin City Elementary encourages kids helping kids with varying abilities in her classroom.Click here to read the story.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-72963507436837505162008-03-11T09:45:00.000-07:002008-03-11T09:50:36.891-07:00Hands-on Learning - Genetic Inheritance

Science teacher Ray Nelson teaches his seventh graders at Chinook Middle School about dominant and recessive genetic traits with a hands-on activity. The kids not only understand the concepts but really enjoy the class.Click here to learn more.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-65836835567806792292008-03-06T13:36:00.000-08:002008-03-06T13:38:34.968-08:00The Hundred Dresses

My April book review for the CISL e-newsletter will be on a timeless classic dealing with prejudice, teasing, bullying, classism. After choosing to do my April book review on The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes, I couldn’t believe it when I saw that Seattle Children’s Theater is doing a play based on it. It is currently running and continues through April 6. I am planning a trip to Seattle to

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-40201531495522584332008-02-27T13:19:00.000-08:002008-02-27T13:28:37.201-08:00Students Launch a Business

High school students in Middle Creek are reinforcing their classroom learning by starting a business and having a lot of fun. Click here to learn more.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-81687604119172395572008-02-25T14:41:00.000-08:002008-02-25T14:51:16.873-08:00Mentorship Program Helps Struggling Students

A group of mentors in University Place School Districts is reaching out to African American boys who are struggling in school. Students in the program are bringing up their grades with the encouragement of their peers and mentors. Click here to read the story.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-59095049373245588862008-02-25T14:30:00.000-08:002008-02-25T14:52:23.664-08:00Voices of Children Contest

5th Annual Voices of Children ContestWhat living with a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relative has meant What is the contest?Voices of Children Raised by Grandparents and Other Relatives is a contest for children in Washington State who are being raised now or in the past by a relative other than their parents. The contest honors both the children and the more than 35,000 relatives in

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-79251804666281030142008-02-14T09:14:00.000-08:002008-02-14T09:17:59.486-08:00Teaching Tolerance Offers Grants to Schools & Districts

Teaching Tolerance is offering grants of up to $10,000 for programs that equalize students' experience in school. Letters of inquiry are due by May 15, 2008.Click here for more information.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-1224975809244348292008-02-06T11:06:00.000-08:002008-02-06T11:41:20.756-08:00Seeds of Compassion Coming to Seattle

Seeds of Compassion is a five-day event celebrating kindness and the nurturing of children in Seattle from April 11-15.The Dalai Lama will be at KeyArena on Monday, April 14. He'll sit down with children and leaders to speak about empathy and compassion. Schools are invited to participate in the "What Does Compassion Look Like" campaign, or are encouraged to initiate compassion programs in their

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-85341133340928126022008-02-06T10:52:00.000-08:002008-02-06T11:01:25.613-08:00Tolerance.org Gives Pointers on Family Engagement

Tolerance.org published an extensive article to celebrate Bring Your Family to School Week, February 10-16. It covers several key areas of family engagement: initiating contact, inviting engagement, overcoming language barriers, using plain terms and recommended resources. Click here to learn more.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-57246651496542780432008-02-05T14:20:00.000-08:002008-02-15T13:44:20.740-08:00African American Legislative Day – Students Top Priority

Washington State’s Capitol building was all a buzz February 4, 2008, with nearly 1,400 students and adults taking part in the African-American Legislative Day. One of the top legislative priorities outlined by the Commission on African American Affairs is House Bill 2722. The Bill was introduced by Representative Eric Pettigrew, to create a strategic task force on reducing the achievement gap

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-81919926862421580762008-02-05T13:02:00.000-08:002008-02-05T13:13:59.474-08:00Federal Way Mentors Recognized

Federal Way School District's Heritage Leadership Camp earned recognition in a local newspaper article. The camp is a part of the district's partnership program led by Trise Moore. It is good to see these programs getting recognized for their work.The leadership program was featured in a video called "Successful Schools: Families Matter," produced by the Center for the Improvement of Student

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-2357003560236886242008-01-24T15:42:00.000-08:002008-01-24T15:56:03.489-08:00CISL's February E-Newsletter Released

The Center for the Improvement of Student Learning has released its February e-newsletter, and it's chock full of new stories, research, promising practices and plenty of resources. Go to CISL's Website to see all the stories. Many of this month's key stories and updates can be found below as well.Regaining Her Life: Meisha Nash struggled with drugs and alcohol and had all but fallen through the

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-71902556025696897162008-01-23T14:47:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:56:48.724-08:00Wrapping up LEAP Conference

Here's a post from CISL facilitator Sally Brownfield on last week's LEAP Conference in Tacoma. LEAP (Latino/a Educational Achievement Project) was founded in 1998 with a mission to improve the academic achievement of Latino/a students in Washington state. To learn more about LEAP, go to their Website at www.leapwa.org.Now, here's the report from Sally:Last week I attended the LEAP conference in

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-1512675849949135912008-01-23T14:41:00.000-08:002008-01-23T14:46:29.479-08:00Issaquah Addressing Issue of Jailed Parents and Their Children

The issue of jailed parents and their children is growing one in the state and one that OSPI has been addressing. Now, the Issaquah School District is asking for funding to provide a housing project that would reunite formerly jailed parents with their children. This is an interesting story from Wednesday's Seattle Times.Click here to read the story.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-39280634977835882062008-01-15T14:43:00.000-08:002009-01-06T13:33:23.456-08:0010 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month at Home

Here are some tips educators can pass along to families as they prepare for Black History Month.1. Ask your local librarian to recommend books to read with your child. 2. Visit a museum or cultural arts institution that showcases African American art and culture. 3. Read about notable African Americans from Washington State.4. Play mancala, a

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-72520205903653032932008-01-09T10:51:00.000-08:002008-01-09T11:00:26.345-08:00Olympia Area Seniors Look Ahead to Graduation, College

Since 2004, The Olympian newspaper has followed 15 South Sound students set graduate this year. Here's a look at how a few of them feel about graduating and their next step afterward. The story also covers what requirements this class must meet in order to graduate. It's always interesting to get into the minds of students to see what convers them the most.Click here to read the story.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-69024378683319201032008-01-09T10:01:00.000-08:002008-01-09T10:45:30.467-08:00Touching Education Story from Vancouver

If you don't think people in today's education system really care -- I mean really care -- just read this story from The Columbian newspaper in Vancouver. Seven-year-old Luke Jensen has a rare form of leukemia, but with the efforts of his school, the hospital and his parents, he's still getting a quality education.Click here to read the story.And, when you're done with that, kudos to The

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-3094480037593156672008-01-04T12:14:00.000-08:002008-01-04T12:20:45.111-08:00Students Learning Government and History

One of the more important aspects of life students can take from their time in school is how to navigate the world, especially when it comes to how their government works. Those students will become more engaged in the world as adults and simply be more informed about how government affects their lives, and how they can hold government accountable.Rivers' Edge High School in Richland has taken an

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-64704172433845016752008-01-03T11:08:00.000-08:002008-01-03T11:12:38.102-08:00Grants Available, But Hurry!

Thanks for our friends at the National Network of Partnership Schools for passing this along. The first grant has a quick deadline, but it looks like a good one. Good luck!The National Center for Family Literacy Verizon Tech Savvy AwardsThe National Center for Family Literacy is looking for nominees for its Verizon Tech Savvy Award. The awards recognize programs that teach parents about current

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-20142868515520367302008-01-02T11:44:00.000-08:002008-01-02T12:33:46.199-08:00Happy New Year!

Now that we're all back from our extended holiday break, here's a few education stories that you might have missed. We hope your new year will be one where you, your students and your family will be engaged with improving student learning. As always, we're here to help. Be sure to contact us at by e-mail cisl@k12.wa.us, by phone at (360) 725-6165 or via our Web site,

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-77305563670886339542007-12-19T13:39:00.000-08:002007-12-19T14:00:17.603-08:00"10 Minutes With Terry" podcast

If you're not aware, State Superintendent Terry Bergeson is now doing a regular podcast. You'll find it on OSPI's home page, or you can listen to it directly by clicking here. In the latest podcast, she talks about her priorities for the upcoming 2008 legislative session. Check it out.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-54315091157135314552007-12-18T12:22:00.001-08:002007-12-18T12:45:22.552-08:00Science training emphasizes question-driven approach

Math and science are the top priorities for the state and its schools. CISL is all about family, school and community partnerships, and the following story from The Bellingham Herald is a great example of how meaningful partnering with private organizations can greatly improve student learning. This story is especially important considering it covers science.Read this story quick as the

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-3940823518016908852007-12-17T14:49:00.000-08:002007-12-19T14:27:22.262-08:00Snohomish Tech School Teaches to the WASL to Draw Students

Here's an interesting story posted today from The Herald in Everett about how Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center, like many of the state's skills centers, is seeing its enrollment and applications decrease. The cause? Some think it might be the WASL and students taking classes focused on meeting standards, specifically in math. If that's the case, Sno-Isle is doing something about that by teaching

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8625615709918770697.post-57417336251432096072007-12-17T14:45:00.000-08:002007-12-19T14:27:41.500-08:00CISL Debuts New Blog

The staff at the Center for the Improvement of Student Learning is here, there and everywhere. Visit our blog to see where we've been, who we've talked to and what we learned. The "To the Point" blog will also link you to relevant educational information. Also, if you have a comment about the Website, please let us know.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10638991671394622916noreply@blogger.com