The Seattle School Board and Green River Community College Board of Trustees have passed resolutions endorsing the Road Map Project, a region-wide effort to dramatically improve student achievement from “cradle to college and career” in South Seattle and South King County.

The Road Map Project’s goal is to double the number of students in the region who are on track to graduate from college or earn a career credential by 2020. The project also aims to close achievement gaps for low-income students and children of color. The school districts involved in the Road Map Project are Auburn, Federal Way, Highline, Kent, Renton, Seattle and Tukwila. The project also engages higher education institutions, including Green River Community College, Highline Community College, Renton Technical College, Seattle Central Community College and South Seattle Community College.

The Seattle School Board passed its resolution on Jan. 23 and Green River Community College adopted its endorsement on Dec. 20. The Road Map Project has now gathered endorsements from all seven school districts in the region and one community college.

“As a Seattle Public Schools Director, I have long been convinced that shared services and building on best identified practices, rather than reinventing the wheel at each school district, will ensure the best possible instruction for our students at highest risk. The Road Map Project embraces the collaborative approach and enables us all to break through silos, take regional approaches and develop strategies that will maximize outcomes,” said Kay Smith-Blum, Seattle Public Schools Board President.

“We are committed to closing the achievement gaps for our increasingly diverse community. Current data indicates that far too few students in our service area are graduating from high school and earning postsecondary degrees. The Road Map Project will help support these students from cradle to college and career,” said Green River Community College President Dr. Eileen Ely.

The Seattle Public Schools resolution is reprinted below.

A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Seattle School District No. I, King County, Seattle, Washington

WHEREAS, the young people growing up in South King County and Seattle deserve the best possible education; and

WHEREAS, the Puget Sound regional economy has become one of the nation’s most knowledge intensive — in that most jobs require some form of postsecondary degree or credential; and

WHEREAS, the current data indicates that far too few of the students in the Road Map area are graduating from high school and earning postsecondary degrees — with the results being far worse for students of color; and

WHEREAS, the need to improve education starts early and requires parents, schools, cities, youth development groups and others serving young people and families all work together on behalf of the region’s children; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Seattle School Board of Directors of Seattle School District No. I endorses the Road Map cradle to college and career goal:

The Road Map Project Goal is to double the number of students in South King County and South Seattle who are prepared to graduate from college or earn a career credential by 2020. Along with the six other Road Map districts, Seattle School District is committed to nothing less than closing the unacceptable achievement gaps for low income students and children of color and increasing achievement for all students from cradle to college and career.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Seattle School Board of Directors of Seattle School District No. 1 will hold all students to the same high standards and not set lower expectations for different subgroups. In addition, the Seattle Public School district commits to incorporate the Road Map interim progress targets into its next strategic plan, and to ask its administrators and staff to find ways to accelerate progress and collaborate with others sharing the Road Map Goal.

ADOPTED this 23rd day of January, 2013.

The Green River Community College resolution is reprinted below.

WHEREAS, the young people growing up in South King County and South Seattle deserve the best possible education; and

WHEREAS, the Puget Sound regional economy has become one of the nation’s most knowledge intensive- in that most jobs tend to require some form of postsecondary degree or credential; and

WHEREAS, the current data indicates that far too few of the students in the Road Map area are graduating from high school and earning postsecondary degrees – with the results being far worse for students of color;  and

WHEREAS, the need to improve education starts early and require that parents, schools, cities, youth development groups  and others who serve young people and families all work together on behalf of the regions’ children

THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED THAT that Green River Community College endorses the Road Map cradle to college and career improvement goal;

The Road Map Project Goal is to double the number of students in South King County and South Seattle who are on track to graduate from college or earn a career credential by 2020. We are committed to nothing less than closing the unacceptable achievement gaps for low-income students and children of color and increasing achievement for all students from cradle to college and career.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Green River Community College Board of Trustees commits to consider incorporating the Road Map interim progress targets as appropriate when it next revises its strategic plan, and to ask its administrators and staff to find ways to accelerate progress and collaborate with others sharing the Road Map Goal.

Adopted this 20th day of December 2012, by the Green River Community College Board of Trustees.

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