Orca K-8 School makes huge gains in academic achievement -- grades 6 to 8 improved performance by two levels, according to Principal Concie Pedroza 

"I sometimes see Orca K-8 as an orchestra," says Concie Pedroza, principal of Orca K-8 School. "We have a large, diverse mix of students, teachers and staff, all coming together to create music. We struggle through new pieces of music, the new concepts we present to students. We practice. And eventually, we make beautiful music. I see my job as conducting all the pieces to make sure this music - success for each student - happens." Read more...

College Goal Sunday Events, January 18-31

Deadline for College Bound Scholarship Students, February 1

10th Annual Alliance for Education Community Breakfast, March 29  

Family Symposium, May 12

Friends and Colleagues,

To say 2011 was a tumultuous year at Seattle Public Schools would be an understatement. Yet through it all, significant academic gains were realized. The Alliance is proud to be part of the academic momentum in Seattle. While the political environment may shift, student need is constant. Our focus remains - as it must - on the nearly 50,000 students educated in Seattle's public schools. Each and every one of them deserves the best.

In 2011, Seattle students achieved the greatest academic gains this city has seen in years. We now outpace the state in all tested subjects in grades 3-8. After stagnating in the 60% range for years, graduation rates broke through to 73%. And implementation of a transformative new teacher contract - achieved in large part through the advocacy efforts of the Alliance, the League of Education Voters, the Technology Alliance and more than 30 other partner organizations - is underway. Other 2011 accomplishments of which we are proud include:                           

• Enrolling 100% of eligible 8th graders in the state's College Bound Scholarship program through the Seattle College Access Network;
• Working with the Our Schools Coalition as it grew into its "2.0" phase, continuing a concerted effort to effectively support and reward excellence in teaching through smart, effective contract reform;
• Managing $1.8M in school accounts, providing fiscal services to more than 200 PTAs, booster clubs and school foundations at no cost to them;
• Showcasing amazing young talent at our annual Community Breakfast;
• Laying the groundwork to launch the Seattle Urban Teacher Residency, a powerful joint venture with SPS and the University of Washington to create a sustainable pipeline of exceptional teaching talent.

As we move into 2012, we are proud of these accomplishments but acutely aware of the unacceptable achievement gaps that persist between student groups. This, above all, drives our passion and our work. Furthermore, we believe that the broader Seattle Public Schools family - parents, teachers, principals, staff and community supporters - deserves stability and quality. In the coming year, the Alliance pledges to:

• Encourage greater introspection on the root causes of SPS' leadership instability and help identify solutions;
• Nurture relationships with community partners across the city;
• Continue our disciplined programmatic focus on developing leadership capacity within SPS, supporting effective teaching and scaling academic rigor;
• Act as a faithful steward of private funds that enhance the District's work;
• As always, take seriously our role as the district's "critical friend."

Our gorgeous city is filled with generous, engaged citizens, brilliant entrepreneurs, committed public servants and dedicated civic leaders. Collectively, we can do better, and we will.

Pam MacEwan

Public Affairs & Governance

Group Health Cooperative;

Board of Directors Chair 

Alliance for Education

Sara Morris

President & CEO

Alliance for Education

TEACHER VOICES

Eric Mansfield, math instructor at McClure Middle School, teaching kids to believe they can

West Seattle High School senior Valeria Najera inspires through overcoming obstacles to success 

Valeria Najera is an accomplished high school senior at West Seattle High School. If you meet her today you'll find a confident, smart and ambitious student who prioritizes her school work and community involvement. But not too many years ago, her existence was dramatically different.

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Since it was founded in 1995, the Alliance for Education has been a leader in the fight to ensure that every child in Seattle Public Schools is prepared for success in college, career, and life. 

Learn more about the Alliance's specific investments towards this end and join us by supporting our work today.