CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION adopting the Seattle Education Action Plan.
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WHEREAS, providing access to a quality education is a fundamental purpose of government, enshrined in Washington State's Constitution as the State's paramount duty; and
WHEREAS, despite significant efforts to provide an equitable education system, there persists an opportunity gap between white students and students of color and English Language Learners, with Seattle Public School District ("School District") students of color meeting third grade reading standards at a rate 31 percent lower than white students; and
WHEREAS, while the School District is directly responsible for serving our public school students in our classrooms, the support and assistance of all community members is needed to help all children optimize their full potential; and
WHEREAS, in 2016 over 2,000 community members across Seattle participated in conversations about how to eliminate this opportunity gap, culminating in an Education Summit on April 30, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Murray convened an Education Advisory Group to develop recommendations for the City and the School District to more vigorously address this persistent opportunity gap; and
WHEREAS, the Education Advisory Group delivered their recommendations to the Mayor on November 17, 2016, with the goal of helping 70 percent of African American/Black students and other students of color achieve success in college or a credential program, so they can take advantage of the economic opportunities in our vibrant city; and
WHEREAS, the goal, implementation guidelines, recommendations, and priorities of the Education Advisory Group were incorporated into the Seattle Education Action Plan, setting out a vision for eliminating the opportunity gap by focusing new and existing resources on effective approaches such as but not limited to diversifying the educator workforce, dual language learning, strengthening family engage...
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