Schools And Education

Week in Review: light rail stabbing, Seattle Public Schools, and Denny Blaine Park

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Too Beautiful to Live’s Andrew Walsh, political analyst and contributing columnist Joni Balter, and KUOW’s Dyer Oxley.

Education

Elementary school closures could be on the way for SPS families

Like many school districts across the state and country, Seattle Public Schools is staring down a shaky financial future. The district is projecting a $105 million dollar budget shortfall next school year. Soundside host Libby Denkmann talks with SPS School Board President Liza Rankin about what these potential closures could mean for educators, families, and students.

Education

AI should be used in class, not feared. That’s the message of these Seattle area teachers

Earlier this year, Washington became the fifth state in the country to issue guidance on using AI in school. Some teachers had already started using artificial intelligence to improve their assignments, engage students, and save time.

Investigations

How loopholes in Washington state law can protect abusive school staff

In Washington state, if a teacher or other certified school staff commits serious misconduct, like abuse, districts are required to report that to the state for investigation – and possibly the revocation of that person’s certification to work in schools.

Education

School budget shortfalls mean hard choices for Seattle area districts

Schools around the region are dealing with serious budget shortfalls. The Northshore School District says it’s $26 million in the red, and Seattle Public Schools is reporting a more than $100 million gap in funding. Making up that money is no easy task – and in many cases, the scarcity means cuts to programs students and parents hold dear, like AP and music classes.

Education

What the controversy at a Washington charter school reveals about the politics of school choice

What do a former Seattle sports star, a Grammy-winning musician, and a school administrator have in common? They’re all at the center of a controversy surrounding a charter school in Des Moines, Washington: Why Not You Academy.