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School Board Recognition Month

School Board Recognition Month
Image of FWPS School Board Directors

Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed January as School Board Recognition Month. This marks the 27th year of the annual observance initiated by the National School Boards Association in 1995.

As the Superintendent of Federal Way Public Schools, I would like to take the time to honor our Board of Directors for the critical role they play in developing policies in accordance with Policy Governance and the Ends' focus of our scholars to, “graduate with the academic knowledge and 21st Century skills ready to succeed as responsible citizens.” We are fortunate to have a diverse Board of Directors involved at the local and state levels, influencing policy in service of our local community and schools, as well as the broader educational community as a whole.

The Federal Way Public School Board of Directors has demonstrated significant leadership and exemplary work as is evident by:

  • Being chosen as a Board of Distinction by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) for the eighth year in a row.
  • Being one of 34, out of 295 school boards in Washington state, to be named as a Board of Distinction.
  • Earning the distinction of WSSDA Large Board of the Year in the 2020-21 school year.

National research shows a correlation between highly successful school board actions and student outcomes. The Board of Distinction application is a rigorous process that requires evidence of the board of directors’ work in partnership with the superintendent and how their actions helped their school districts close opportunity gaps. 

Federal Way Public Schools Board of Directors’ application demonstrated clear data indicating positive impacts on student success in three key areas:

  • How the board engaged in professional development to support the success of the school district;
  • How the board supported closing opportunity gaps and;
  • How the board set and communicate high expectations for student learning with clear goals and plans for meeting those expectations by: Adopting a collaboratively developed district plan focused on learning and achievement outcomes for all students.

Multiple outcomes were shown for supporting the success of FWPS scholars, including:

  • Strengthened core instruction through professional development on key indicators from our instructional framework specifically focusing on student engagement in rigorous learning;
  • Adoption of a standards-aligned, culturally responsive curriculum for K-2 ELA, US History, Dual Language SLA, and SEL for grades 6-12;
  • Continued implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, focusing on scholar academic achievement, behavior, and social-emotional wellbeing; and
  • Eliminated disproportionality in identification of diverse scholars for highly capable services, achieved the highest number to date of scholars who graduated with the Seal of Biliteracy, and more.

We are privileged to have an accomplished board of directors that has consistently shown their dedication to each and every scholar in Federal Way Public Schools, the most diverse school district in Washington state.  

The Federal Way Public Schools Board of Directors was honored with other Boards of Distinction at the Washington State School Directors’ Association Annual Conference this past November.

 

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