Re: “The kids are not all right” (Feb 16, Opinion):
The editorial is true to sound the alarm on the state of training in Washington. As we stare down a funds deficit of $10 billion or extra, we’re susceptible to sustaining this establishment fairly than doubling down on the efforts which have probably the most affect for youths and households.
Since 2018, the Ninth Grade Success Initiative has demonstrated its efficacy at enhancing the speed at which ninth graders cross all their courses. These college students are 3 times likelier to graduate. Being on monitor in ninth grade is extra predictive of highschool commencement than race, ethnicity or ZIP code. This strategy relies on twenty years of nationwide analysis on what strikes the needle: early warning programs coupled with devoted groups creating schoolwide and focused interventions. The outcomes communicate for themselves: Taking part colleges have on-track charges seven proportion factors larger than nonparticipating colleges.
But this session, the Legislature is poised to remove or considerably scale down this strategy due to the funds deficit. If we wish to deal with the dismal outcomes the editorial highlighted, we will’t afford to reduce on what’s working. To take action is to ensure these numbers keep static, or worse, fall.
Liz Trautman, government director, Stand for Kids WA, Seattle
