SESEC was very successful meeting its priorities that were established in January 2015, at its community summit. The following report card identifies those priorities and our accomplishments:
PROMOTE HIGH QUALITY EARLY LEARNING
- Co-chaired the City of Seattle’s Mayoral Task Force to develop the City’s roll-out of its pre-school plan.
- Generated community support for the Seattle Public School’s approval of new pre-school classes.
- Hosted a Kindergarten Kick-off event to facilitate enrollment in SPS kindergarten classes.
- Coordinated an advocacy effort that resulted in SPS approval of additional pre-K classes for 2016-17.
- Hosted FaceBook chats with the City of Seattle’s pre-school program and SPS’ Departments of Early Learning and Admissions.
CHANGE SCHOOL CULTURE THROUGH REVISIONS TO SCHOOL POLICY AND PRACTICES AND THROUGH AUTHENTIC PARENT/CAREGIVER ENGAGEMENT
- In collaboration with the UW College of Education, sponsored a parent engagement survey and, with the participation of three schools and three community non-profits, received over 600 responses from parents and caregivers on their experiences with school staff and their relationships with teachers, principals and other parents at their children’s schools.
- Hosted a Parent Engagement Summit in February 2016, to share the results of the survey.
CULTIVATE AND GROW PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE TRUSTED ADVOCATES AND FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS
- Provided proposal writing services to community non-profits and schools.
- Hosted regular and ad hoc meetings through which stronger and more honest relationships are developed.
PROMOTE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND VOICES HEARD BY POLICYMAKERS
- Facilitated a conversation among non-profit leaders and grant makers to discuss SE Seattle funding needs.
- Established a Committee on Policy and Advocacy to provide policy, advocacy and leadership training to emerging SE Seattle leaders, parents of color and immigrant/refugee parents.
- Member of the Planning Committee for the City of Seattle’s Education Summit.
Supporting Comments from Members
“SESEC sets the paradigm for genuine community and family involvement in their students’ education. The education opportunity gap for students of color in schools will disappear with the inclusive sharing of power that SESEC models for all education stakeholders. Every community needs a SESEC.”
Frieda Takamura
WA State Education Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee
“The grassroots connection means they understand the issues in our community on a much deeper level. They have created a forum where we can learn, grow and work together to make an impact on the lives of SE Seattle residents. It is coalition that is truly the voice of the people and not someone speaking on our behalf.”
CiKeithia Pugh
Early Learning Program Manager
The Seattle Public Library