Education is one of the most effective tools for helping disadvantaged populations enter the social and economic mainstream. As such, Appleseed works to ensure that educational opportunities are equally available to all, including minorities, immigrants and children of low-income families. Click the links below to read more about Washington Appleseed's work on education issues.
Students on long-term suspension or expulsion from school fall into an educational gray area—what are their rights to education? Who should provide those educational services? Appleseed is working to document the problem and design a solution that helps keep troubled kids from becoming drop-outs.
Washington Appleseed is working to improve local school districts’ identification of homeless students and augment the delivery of vital services like free transportation to and from school and free or reduced-price meals. Appleseed and our community partners will help ensure that students are receiving proper assistance.
Supplementing Struggling Schools
Federal law requires schools that have fallen short of state learning standards for three years or more to pay for any low-income student to receive free academic tutoring. Appleseed centers across the country have collaborated to create documents to help parents know about their children’s rights to these additional resources.
Many low-income, minority kids enter school behind and stay behind. Research has shown that one of the most effective methods of narrowing the persistent achievement gap is to work to increase access to high-quality early education opportunities. Appleseed researched funding strategies and outlined potential funding options for pre-K education.
Increasing School Board Accountability
Washington Appleseed and Leadership Tomorrow teamed up to host a community conversation about the changing role of the Seattle School Board and the Superintendent. This moderated discussion addressed key issues such as "What does a high functioning school board look like?" and "What are the skills needed by school board members?"
Improving Parental Involvement
Parental participation in the education of their children is one of the most important factors in a child's success in school and, correspondingly, a central characteristic of successful schools. The Appleseed Network investigated and reported on how schools across the country are actively engaging parents in their communities.