FYI

Two New Educational Programs Begin Outreach to Families, Teachers and Underserved Communities

Two new educational outreach programs premiered this year -- the first to increase access to information and learning for teachers and underserved communities, and the second with the same mission for parents and students.

The Office of the Educational Ombudsman is a new public service agency within the governor’s office and is not part of the public school system. Ombudsman Adie Simmons and her staff are neutral problem-solvers and mediators who help students, parents and legal guardians understand how the public school system works, how to find services and resources and what to do when conflict happens.

For more information, call the ombudsman’s office at 866-297-2597. They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Translation and interpretation services are available. They recently launched their Web site.

The next new group is called the Center for the Improvement of Student Learning (CISL). Under OSPI, it opened its offices last year and just launched a new Web site as well.

The primary goal of this program is to increase access to information and resources and to improve learning and teaching. CISL also promotes academic success and equality for all students, specifically those in underserved communities.

To reach CISL Director Janet Hayakawa, call 360-725-6165 or e-mail her at janet.hayakawa@k12.wa.us.

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