Do you have an excellent secondary math or science teacher in your building? If so, make sure to nominate them through the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program. See the details from PAEMST below.

Q: Dr. WAC, does the principal focus evaluation follow the same focus requirements of teachers?

If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably already familiar with Initiative 1351, which is designed to reduce class size. AWSP has long advocated for new revenue and supported legislation to lower class size, but this ballot measure has too many implementation issues and is not the best way to increase student achievement for all kids, which is why the AWSP board voted to opposed it.

Q. If the members of an ASB club wanted to participate in a fundraiser to help pay for individual costs (say the club is going on a field trip), could the club then turn around and allocate those raised funds for the participants of the fundraiser? For example, Student A raises $100, that $100 goes into the club’s ASB account, can the club then approve for that $100 to be allocated to help Student A offset the cost of the field trip that Student A wants to attend?

Here’s a lab oriented lesson from the Cispus Learning Center that can be done in the classroom or at any outdoor school…“Owl Games”

College Spark is launching a new College Ready Math initiative to help low-income students graduate from high school with strong math skills and avoid remediation in college.

Melissa Santos, writing for The Olympian, discusses the State Board of Education's decision to weigh in on basic education funding. Here's an excerpt:

Here’s a lab oriented lesson from the Cispus Learning Center about water quality that can be done at in the classroom or at any outdoor school…“Clearing the Muddy Waters”

Q. Our choir teacher just asked if they could use their ASB account to purchase their choir uniforms (dresses, suits, etc.). Because they are altered/fitted, etc., the kids would buy them and own them. I know this is okay if it becomes school property, is it ok if the students buy to own?

Here’s a lab oriented lesson from the Cispus Learning Center that can be done at in the classroom or at any outdoor school.

Q. Does every high school need to have an ASB?

Q: What if I retire early using the ERF option but want to return to work as a substitute teacher or consultant?

With the move to a 24 credit high school graduation requirement, principals and schools are faced with this question: How can we create a system that ensures enough opportunities for students to earn those 24 credits without the risk of falling too far behind and losing hope?

Kid President checks in with another great video, this one pertinent to the start of the school year.

In a unanimous ruling, the State Supreme Court ruled the Legislature is in contempt by failing to provide an ample funding for basic education, the State's paramount duty according to the state constitution. The Court has given the Legislature until the end of the 2015 session to come up with a solution.

Q. I would like to know if it would be appropriate to have a booster club with officers comprised of coaches or coaches’ wives. I have been in this district for eight years and we cannot count on the community to assist due to many issues. Would we be in violation if coaches and their wives were in charge of the booster club?

We all know that positive adult-student relationships are key to students staying engaged in school. The other major factor contributing to the success of our students is their ability to see a positive future: a future of hope. In an age of school reform, talking about relationships and hope can often get pushed down the list by Common Core, instructional frameworks and testing. AWSP Leadership Framework Criteria 1 talks about the importance of Creating a Culture of learning. Where does this journey begin? It begins with hope.

Focus: To gain an understanding of the different parts of a tree and how they work together.

The Retirement and Benefits Update for the September 2nd edition of Legislative Update.

WSU football kicks off tonight, UW opens this weekend, the Seahawks are playing their last preseason game, and before long all the state's school hallways will be filled with kids. Also looming large, the outcome of the McCleary vs State decision. WASA Executive Director Bill Keim has a great blog post on school funding. Here's an excerpt below, but be sure you read the whole article.