Strengthening Systems to

Enhance Postsecondary

Success Symposium

Puget Sound ESD Superintendent John Welch, along with colleague Mary Jean Ryan Executive Director of Community Center for Education Results and the Road Map Project, recently presented at an event focused on Common Core Standards and assessments. The symposium provided participants with updates on those policies and practices shaping implementation of Common Core Standards with focus on SMARTER Balanced Assessment. Participants also heard about resources supporting work taking place across the state to foster professional learning about the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium, as well as how the Common Core Standards and assessments can help improve college readiness, college persistence and success of recent high school graduates.

The event included participants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Washington State Achievement Council, Puget Sound ESD and others.