For Immediate Release | March 19, 2014
Plans Announced for First Annual
Washington Charter Schools Conference
Registration for Conference, to be Held in May, Opens Today
Seattle, Wash. – Today WA Charters announced plans for the first annual Washington State Charter Schools Association Conference to be held May 8-9 in SeaTac, Wash. Carrying the theme A World of Opportunities: Putting Washington on the Map, this conference will bring together charter founders, teachers, parents, community leaders, neighbors, policy-makers and education advocates to share their own innovative ideas and connect with some of the brightest minds in education, public policy, business and philanthropy.
This first annual conference will allow participants from across the Pacific Northwest to learn best practices for serving academically and economically disadvantaged communities, benefiting from the lessons realized by charter schools and other public schools nationally over the last two decades. Sessions will include topics such as:
- Engaging entire school communities.
- Harnessing groundbreaking practices in teaching and learning, including technologies designed to modernize classrooms and prepare students for college and career.
- Laying the operational groundwork for successful schools.
- Recruiting and developing effective leaders and teachers.
- Effective policy and governance practices.
The conference will also feature an awards dinner and networking reception, as well as a keynote address and breakout and plenary sessions, with nationally acclaimed speakers to be announced.
“We’re excited to announce the first gathering of so many who have become champions for public charter schools throughout our state since the historic passage of the Washington Charter School Initiative,” said WA Charters interim CEO Marta Reyes-Newberry. “With the first public charter schools opening soon, this conference is our chance to ensure that together we build the strongest possible foundation for Washington families.”
Participants can register today for the lowest rates. Located at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport, the conference will open on Thursday, May 8 to conclude on Friday, May 9.
Date
May 8-9, 2014
Location
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport
18740 International Blvd.
Seattle, Wash. 98188
Public charter schools will open in communities across Washington, giving parents additional public school options to consider when looking for the right learning environment for their children. Charters are independent public schools that are allowed to be more innovative in exchange for being held accountable for strong student academic outcomes. As public schools, they are free, do not charge tuition and are open to any student living in Washington. Eight public charter schools have been approved to open their doors to students in 2014-15 or 2015-16.
Nationally, public charter schools are becoming neighborhood schools of choice. Demand from parents is at an all-time high. More than 2.5 million students currently attend charters with more 1 million student names lingering on charter school waitlists.
About WA Charters
The Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters) is a statewide nonprofit organization that supports the start-up of high-quality public charter schools, with a focus on serving academically and economically disadvantaged communities. WA Charters focuses on three key areas or support: providing information about charter schools; supporting leaders to grow high-performing public charter schools; and providing support and services to help charter schools operate. To learn more about public charter schools in Washington, please visit: www.wacharters.org.
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