The EEC, together with the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission, is proud to host a five part professional growth series around the school-to-prison pipeline. The first of the series “Eliminating the Pipeline” will be held on April 27, 2017. Educators and those involved with the justice system are encouraged to visit our event page and learn more!

Earlier this legislative session, the EEC supported Senate Bill 5155 which prohibits suspension or expulsion of students in K-2. The bill represents EEC’s longstanding commitment to ending the unfair disciplinary practices that disproportionally affects children of color. Read why we supported SB 5155 here and why the EEC will continue to target policies and procedures related to discipline to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for all of the state’s students.

Washington’s Learning Assistance Program (LAP) currently serves 13% of the state’s students who are scoring below grade level standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. While the program offers supplemental services to boost academic and/or readiness skills, LAP is part of the program of basic education program as defined in the state’s constitution. The EEC strongly believes that existing appropriations and statutory policies for LAP are resulting in inequitable access to services, exasperating educational and opportunity gaps, and underserving our state’s students of color. Read more about the EEC’s recommendations for the Learning Assistance Program in the 2017-19 biennium here.