During the shift to online learning in 2020, the disruption to students and families was nearly universal, but the causes--and effects--varied. In this time, a shocking number of students did not attend school regularly, or at all. The work of the intervening years has been largely twofold: ensure that students reengage with learning and help them…

This paper presents the process of conducting a community-wide needs assessment that initially focused on soliciting information about childcare needs of families with school-aged children. The researchers were interested in understanding whether the method designed to conduct the needs assessment helped to foster collaboration, trust, and…

Lack of adequate access to capital is a major barrier for rural entrepreneurs. Washington State University Extension and the Association of Washington Cities partnered to explore and test an innovative local investment approach that provides access to capital and engages the community in the success of individual businesses. The approach offers…

The author, a teacher in the Seattle public schools, tells the story of a movement begun by teachers at Garfield High School who in January 2013 voted unanimously to refuse to administer the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. The MAP boycott spread to seven more Seattle schools, and teachers at 10 more schools signed statements of support.…

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has a long history of leadership as an important membership organization serving the research library community. A reading of its history highlights a substantial shift in its methods of community leadership in recent decades. Historically, like most membership organizations, ARL was largely focused on…

Describes Cheney's successful use of volunteers in parks and recreation programs. They raised funds, worked for park maintenance and improvement, and organized sports programs and special events. Reports survey results from Washington communities on voluntary efforts of fraternal and social organizations, businesses, and senior and youth groups.…

Describes how a library in the state of Washington was floated on a barge across the Hood Canal (part of Puget Sound) to its new site. Discusses property costs, the mechanics of moving the building, community support, obstacles, media coverage of the move, and renovations at the new site. (AEF)

Community involvement in rural school facilities improvement projects is significant to the success of these projects. While literature regarding school-community partnerships and citizen involvement in school construction projects appears to be ample, writing which specifically addresses community involvement in rural school facilities is far…

In an attempt to show that Spokane Community College was a significant factor in the current and future economic fortunes of the city of Spokane, four hypotheses were tested and confirmed: (1) Spokane Community College (SCC) had a higher growth rate than the city itself between 1963 and 1968 as shown by population, employment, capital investment,…

The author discusses administrative issues involved in implementing a program in moral education and in gaining acceptance for it from school officials and the public. (MJB)

A parent involvement policy to improve public relations in a high school is examined in this report. The policy goal was to attract at least one thousand parents, approximately one-half of the parent population, to the school each year for a positive nonathletic experience. Methodology to analyze policy effectiveness involved interviews with staff…

In Waitsburg, Washington, the community was actively involved in a rural school facilities improvement project. The district serves approximately 410 students in three buildings on a single campus. Spurred by growing enrollment and aging facilities, the project included the complete renovation and restoration of a historic school building to serve…

The report grows out of increasing concern for improving foreign language and international studies in United States schools. To gain an understanding of the state of foreign language instruction in Washington, a committee was organized to develop and process a survey of foreign language teachers in the state. The survey requests information about…