Weekly Update | August 10

Mastery-based Learning in Washington State SBE has convened a mastery-based learning work group. This group identifies barriers to mastery-based learning (MBL) and explores ways to increase student access to relevant and robust mastery-based academic pathways aligned to personal career and post-secondary goals. Why mastery-based learning? Find out what the work group is considering, new proposed rules about MBL, and more in the latest SBE blog.

Register for the SBE Student Voice Panel The State Board of Education will host a student voice panel on August 24 from 12:30-2:00 p.m. facilitated by Margarita Amezcua (SBE's west-side student Board member). The session is entitled "Modern Day Racism in Education." The goal of this panel is to give policymakers a better understanding of the problems that students of color face in the education system and the broader world, so that policy actions can be informed by student voice. We'll share more details in the coming weeks. Register for the session!

Partner Highlights Time to Learn: Shaping the Future of a State Agency Focused on Opportunity Gaps (Governor's Office of the Education Ombuds) webinar Podcast – Fernell Miller of The Root of Us on What Students Need Now (League of Education Voters) Inslee announces education recommendations for 2020–2021 school year (Office of the Governor) Broad View COVID-19 Resources for Schools (CDC) Back-to-School Resources for Families and Educators (Child Mind Institute) Around Washington Washington, D.C.’s NFL team changed its racist mascot. Now, a push for change in Washington state schools (Seattle Times) WA school mascot draws Native family into decades-long fight (Crosscut) Online schools see spike in interest as WA districts hustle to set up virtual platforms (The News Tribune)

Instructional Hours FAQ Update What is the basic education requirement for minimum instructional hour offerings in grades 1-12? How should instructional hours for distance learning time be calculated? Get the answers to these questions and more on the recently updated Instructional Hour FAQ on SBE's website.

Webinar on Graduation Requirements Rules In case you missed it, SBE staff hosted a webinar on August 6 to describe the proposed changes to graduation requirements rules and answered questions from the field. You can find the recording, PowerPoint, and materials linked in the post-webinar email that was sent to registrants. Background At the July meeting, the State Board adopted proposed changes to graduation requirements rules.  The proposed permanent rules:  Clarify that districts can award credit based on demonstration of mastery. Recognize that districts may offer courses that meet more than one subject area graduation requirement. Increase flexibility for districts to waive Washington state history for students impacted by school closures or other disruptions due to COVID-19 or other emergencies. The Board will hold a public hearing on August 27 from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (Zoom participation available), and the Board will consider adoption of final rules at the September meeting. Find information about current rulemaking on the SBE rulemaking page.

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The SBE Vision: An education system where students are engaged in personalized education pathways that prepare them for civic engagement, careers, postsecondary education, and lifelong learning.