AWSP Blog

Each year, AWSP’s Advocacy Advisory Council has the opportunity to select a state-level public servant who has demonstrated support of principals and the principalship in the education of all students. We’re thrilled to announce that our 2024 Torch of Leadership Award is presented to Representative Paul Harris (R-Vancouver), who currently serves on the Health Care & Wellness, Appropriations, Education, and Rules committees.

In addition to all the work of running a school building, school administrators must also take on the role of instructional leader, supporting and coaching teachers, and communicating with families about their children’s learning in meaningful, accessible ways. As school and district leaders across the country begin navigating the challenging yet necessary shift to science of reading-based instruction, they have more on their plates than ever. Fortunately, the science of reading can help Washington administrators engage in these conversations with specific knowledge drawn from rigorous research. Lexia® is eager to support school leaders in sharing information in open, clear, and critically reflective ways that help them push their schools and districts toward meaningful change.

You know what time it is…pumpkin spice latte season. Even more importantly, it’s back-to-school time all around the state. Some of you have been back at it for a week or more, and some are starting soon. Either way, writing an effective back-to-school email newsletter is crucial for principals to communicate important information to teachers, parents, and students. Start the year on the right foot by creating a great culture with clear and helpful communication with your school community.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), sometimes called verbal dyspraxia, is a neurological motor processing speech disorder in which the brain has trouble getting the tongue, lips, and jaw to move correctly for speaking. Not everyone is aware of this speech disorder. As parents come into the school year with a child who has a new or recent diagnosis, they may be terrified and overwhelmed sending their child to public school knowing they struggle to communicate. As principals and school administrators, it is important to have a brief understanding of CAS and how you can support these students and advise their teachers.

Periodically, the state is required to review and revise the state’s learning standards, which define what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Following a year-long process of working with teachers, school and district leaders, and community partners, drafts of revised standards in English language arts, math, and science are now available.