Regional Education News

Events and Other News

News and Information of interest to educators and parents of our region will be updated as our resources permit. Check back often to see our progress.

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Current News

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Executive Director Selected for Solar System Ambassador Program: Jim Draggoo, Executive Director of Kid's Cosmos, has been selected for NASA/JPL's Solar System Ambassador program. It is "a public outreach program designed to work with motivated volunteers across the nation. These volunteers communicate the excitement of JPL's space exploration missions and information about recent discoveries to people in their local communities." For more information or to contact Mr. Draggoo see the Solar System Ambassador page. 2/28/2003.

Washington students excell in Iowa Test of Basic Skills.: The results of tests given this past spring that measure basic reading, language and math skills among third- and sixth-graders show that Washington students averaged in the 57th percentile in reading and in the 64th percentile in math compared to the 50th percentile for the nation. Some Spokane area schools averaged as high as the 85th percentile in math. A survey reported that many students who have computers at home scored up to 25 points above those that had none. Spokesman-Review story, A1, 6/13/2001.

Moran Prairie Elementary students talk to Space Station Alpha.: On May 23, 2001, 5 students from Moran Prairie elementary school in Spokane, WA, had 10 minutes to talk to the crew of the International Space Station, Alpha, as it orbited overhead. Students asked questions via ham radio and received answers about getting treated for illness, astronaut food, solar flares, the brain in space and osteoporosis. A local space enthusiast, Joe Bruce, began five years ago making the arrangements with NASA and was extremely pleased with the event. Spokesman-Review story, B1, 5/24/2001.

Foundations to help teachers with national certification.: A proposal to fund teachers who want to get certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards was announced by Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson and Governor Locke. A 15% pay raise would go to those certified by the national organization in addition to underwriting support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Stuart Foundation, and Washington Mutual Savings Bank. Locke's goal is to have 1,000 teachers certified, 600 within the next four years. Spokesman-Review story, B1, 12/8/2000.

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