Learning Loss: Four years after the pandemic, student proficiency down nationally
More than four years have passed since Bothell High School became the nation’s first school to shut down during the pandemic in February 2020. Their closure set a precedent, one which generated controversy across the nation. During the pandemic, some states ordered schools to be closed, others allowed districts to decide, and a few states […]
Fewer than half of Washington students are hitting grade level
On September 10, OSPI released its K-12 Report Card for the 2023-24 school year. Following national trends, fewer than half of Washington students met academic proficiency. Testing was over grades 3-8 and 10. In Washington state, only 50.3% of students met ELA standards, 39.7% met math standards, and 43.5% met science standards in their spring […]
Lake Stevens Vikings advance to state championship game
LAKE STEVENS, Wash., November 26, 2022—Tonight the Lake Stevens Vikings defeated the defending 4A state champions, Graham-Kapowsin Eagles, with a 42-28 win at Lake Stevens High School to advance to the state championship game. Last December, the Vikings lost the championship game to the Eagles (7-44) and will now face Kennedy Catholic High School at […]
Snohomish County Schools: How the pandemic affected student achievement
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, July 25, 2022 – The first round of test scores since the pandemic is in for Snohomish County schools. Almost entirely across the board, fewer students met standards for English, Math, and Science, indicating how the last two years have affected public education. However, this decrease in the number of students that met […]
Two Lake Stevens students place in top 10 at DECA competition
LAKE STEVENS, Wash., May 4, 2022 – Two Lake Stevens High School students, Alizabeth Busby and Jasela Sianipar, placed in the top 10 at an international competition last month, winning out against 150 other teams in the School-Based Enterprise (SBE) event at the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). DECA is a not-for-profit student organization […]
Activist groups resort to School Surety Bonds claims in attempt to end mask mandates
In an attempt to counter mask mandates at local school districts, some organizations across the nation have begun to employ a little-known approach – targeting the surety bonds of their public school officials. Two activist groups in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Bethalto, Ill., have resorted to this tactic. Public officials – including superintendents, treasurers, and others […]
State’s Education Superintendent calls on DOH to remove state mask mandate for students
Below is a statement by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal on his recommendation to the Department of Health and Governor to make masks a local health department decision for students in K–12 schools. OLYMPIA—February 9, 2022—Throughout the pandemic, the Department of Health and Governor Inslee have set essential health and safety requirements for our schools using […]
February Special Election 2022: Winners, losers, and too close to call
UPDATE [7 PM 2-9-22] Updated Special Election Results SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., February 8, 2022 – Today was the last day hundreds of thousands of Snohomish County residents cast their ballot to vote in the 2022 Special Election for county and local elections. Results are based on ballots counted as of Tuesday, February 9. Special Election results […]
School District Bonds and Levies on February ballot
This February, voters will decide the fate of their local school districts as they vote on education bonds and levies that provide critical funding for their schools. Over a decade ago, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that the state was failing to fully fund education, therefore violating its constitutional duty. As a result, Washington State […]
Do Parents Have a Say over Education? Edmonds and Mukilteo respond
LYNNWOOD, Wash., December 2, 2021 – In November, the Lynnwood Times published an article entitled “Do Parents Have a Say over Education?” to discuss the controversial letter released by the National School Board Association (NSBA). Though the NSBA later removed and apologized for the letter, the effects of the letter included action by the Department […]
