Testimony: Using Data to Improve CTE Opportunities
Washington State has one of the most open legislatures in the country. There are plenty of opportunities for an advocate to testify before Senate and House committees even if they are unable to attend public hearings. Advocates can contact their legislator by writing a letter, sending an e-mail, calling the legislator’s Olympia office, or by […]
New Apartments Ready to Help Tacoma Students in Need of Affordable Housing
Koz Development last year announced it was opening up its Koz on Market to help students find affordable housing. This year, a second Koz property is launching another program to help more students struggling with finding a place in Tacoma they can afford. Tacoma Housing Authority and Koz Development on Friday announced Koz at the […]
Highlights From Graduate Tacoma Advocacy Day 2020
Over 25 Graduate Tacoma representatives spent the day in Olympia last week meeting with members of the Pierce County Delegation and state agencies. This was our first-ever advocacy day and the goals were simple; introduce the work of this partnership, learn about our delegation’s priorities and gain experience as new advocates. Representatives met with legislators and their […]
Meet the Staff: Chanel R. Hall
Chanel R. Hall is the Tacoma STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Learning Network Manager at the Foundation for Tacoma Students. With a background in Chemistry, Chanel is passionate about creating opportunities for students of color and girls to have access and more experiences with STEM and STEAM. Her role at the Foundation is […]
Investments in Early Learning Promote Stronger Families and Economy
Two early learning bills introduced to legislators this week propose making early child care and education more affordable and accessible for Washington state families: the Fair Start for Kids Act (HB 2661) and the Early Care and Education Act (SB 6253). The two-hour House hearing on Tuesday included over forty early learning advocates from all […]
White Paper: Lasting Investments in Early Learning
It’s time to make lasting investments in quality early learning opportunities for more Washington children. Long-term, sustainable financing of high-quality, community-based child-care and preschool opportunities will help ensure that success for Washington children throughout their educational career – and beyond – is not determined by their zip code, family income, race, or ethnicity. Overview Mountains of […]
White Paper: Special Education Matters
We must fulfill our duty to meet the needs of students receiving special education services. A new funding model for special education services will allow the state to meet its obligation to equitably provide for the needs of students with disabilities – a duty just as critical to the future success of students, families, schools, and local […]
White Paper: Safe & Quality Learning Environments For All
With Proposition 1, Tacoma voters have the opportunity to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all Tacoma students Over the past decade, Tacoma students have made improvements that are nothing less than astounding; they deserve schools, classrooms, and playfields that continue to improve right along with them. Tacoma voters can support Tacoma students by […]
What it Really Takes to Get an Education After High School
While high school graduation rates have increased in Tacoma over the past nine years, postsecondary enrollment and completion rates have remained stagnant (49% and 55% respectively). Understanding the role a postsecondary education has in attaining living-wage employment, the Graduate Tacoma movement has doubled-down on its efforts to connect students seeking an education after high school […]
A Year in Review: A Letter from the Foundation’s Executive Director
Dear Partners and Friends, As I reflect on 2019, I’m reminded just how fast time flies and how much work there is still to do to improve the outcomes of every child cradle to career. The Foundation for Tacoma Students has spent the last nine years mobilizing a community that now includes more than […]