TUKWILA, Wash.—The Tukwila School Board has passed a resolution supporting the Road Map Project’s goal of dramatically improving student achievement from cradle to college and career in South Seattle and South King County.
The Road Map Project is a regional initiative that aims to double the number of students who are on track to graduate from college or earn a career credential by 2020. It also aims to close achievement gaps.
The resolution was passed at the school board’s meeting on Tuesday. This marks the second time this summer that a regional school board has supported the Road Map Project’s goal. The Federal Way School Board passed its resolution in late June.
Mary Fertakis, a member of the Tukwila School Board, said she appreciates how the Road Map Project provides data that helps the district focus resources where they will have the greatest impact on students. Additionally, the project’s regional scope supports children, she said.
“Collective action efforts, such as the Road Map Project, will benefit our students, even if they move out of our district,” Fertakis said. “For me, personally, I really appreciate the fact that the Road Map Project is encouraging the region to look at all of the students who live here as ‘our’ kids.”
The approved resolution states:
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 the Board of Directors of the Tukwila School District 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 Tukwila School District school board 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.
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