From the Executive Director | Taking A Sabbatical
After 15 years of dedicated service in education, I am taking a much-needed sabbatical. I’m deeply grateful to the BIPOC ED Coalition, the Foundation for Tacoma Students Board of Directors, and our staff for their support in this decision. It is a reminder that rest is not a retreat from purpose, but a way to […]
Analyzing Washington’s Election Results
2024 was a big election year in Washington. At the state level we had two new candidates running for Governor for the first time since 2012, as well as a large number of open seats in the state legislature. We also had four ballot initiatives put to voters, one of which was consequential for education […]
Beyond Quick Fixes: Why Washington’s Teacher Diversity Gap Demands Bold Policy Action
At the Foundation for Tacoma Students, we are committed to our community goal: ensuring that by 2030, 70% of high school graduates earn a college degree, technical certificate, or secure good-earning wage employment opportunity within six years of graduation. Achieving this requires investing in a crucial element: a strong and diverse teacher workforce. Just as […]
The Presidential Election And Education Policy
President Biden’s term included some high profile education policy work, but education was not a top priority on the same level of something like infrastructure. Looking ahead to 2025, education policy could be more prominent, and Vice President Harris and former President Trump have, let’s say, contrasting visions. But whoever wins the presidential election it’s likely that they will have to work with at least one chamber […]
Pathways to Possibility: Supporting 1,840 More Students to Success
During last week’s State of Public Education (SOPE) symposium, Foundation for Tacoma Students Executive Director Dr. Tafona Ervin set forth a clear vision: supporting 1,840 more Tacoma students to post-secondary completion through coordinated pathways to possibility. Her remarks surface both the challenge and opportunity before us – while 88% of our students aspire to post-secondary […]
Career And Technical Education Has A Lot Of Potential
If you spend any time around K-12 and higher education policy you’ll quickly pick up that something called “dual enrollment” or “dual credit” is a trending topic. This refers to programs that allow high school students to take college courses and earn college credits while still attending high school. Programs like these started in the early 2000s […]
How Pierce County Partners are Connecting Students to Postsecondary Opportunities
In Washington state, the journey from high school to college is rarely straightforward, varying across cities and school districts. Despite diverse paths, every young person has the potential to succeed when provided with appropriate support and resources. Tacoma exemplifies this belief, recognizing the promise in each student to thrive in our dynamic economy, even as […]
Building a Shared Vision for GenAI in Pierce County
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is actively reshaping education and workforce development, unlocking new possibilities for how we teach, learn, and work. Recognizing the urgent need to address this transformation, Graduate Tacoma recently convened a community pulse check, bringing together educators, industry leaders, nonprofit executives, and policymakers to explore AI’s current and future impact on learning and […]
Improving the High School and Beyond Plan
Our team at the Foundation for Tacoma Students recently wrapped-up a qualitative research project focused on the efficacy and opportunities for improvement to an aspect of our state’s requirements for high school graduation: the High School and Beyond Plan. Through a series of focus groups with educators, students and parents key themes emerged that characterized […]
Why Bold, Sustained Investments in Education is Everyone’s Business
The Foundation for Tacoma Students hosted its fourth annual Charting Our Future conference, a transformative gathering that brought together over 300 educators, policymakers, community leaders, and advocates committed to creating a more equitable and effective education system for all students. This year’s theme, “Local Focus, Statewide Impact,” underscored the power of community-driven initiatives to catalyze […]