RENTON (May 2, 2012) – Students in south King County are gaining improved opportunities for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) due to the coordinated work of business and education groups. At the same time, Washington’s STEM industries are gaining access to a more highly trained workforce here at home.

Today, Washington STEM has announced a grant of $270,000 to launch the South King County STEM Network. This newly formed network of school districts, businesses, higher education, workforce development, research institutes, and public/private organizations will work collaboratively to improve STEM education outcomes for students in the region.

The South King County STEM Network will weave STEM education outcomes into the already-established Road Map Project, impacting seven districts in the region: Auburn, Federal Way, Highline, Kent, Renton, South Seattle and Tukwila. The Road Map Project is a civic initiative aimed at driving major improvements in education results — cradle to college and career — in the low-income communities of South Seattle and South King County. The STEM Network will advance the Project’s aim to close the achievement gap and double the number of students who are on track to graduate from college or earn a career credential by 2020, fueling the Puget Sound’s robust STEM economies.

Washington STEM is investing in three STEM Networks across Washington, which will support communities and regions in the state to revitalize STEM education and drive local economic development. The other two Networks are in Yakima and Spokane. Each Network is community driven, and engages schools, nonprofits, businesses and others to define a common vision and develop a sustainable five-year business plan for systems level change.

The South King County STEM Network’s lead agency is Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD). “We are very excited to lead this effort on behalf of the Network, which will increase opportunities for students to pursue STEM education and careers,” says John Welch, incoming PSESD Superintendent and Chair of the Network’s Leadership Team. “This partnership will help close the opportunity gap and meet real education and workforce needs in our region.”

Other members of the leadership team are: Jana Carlisle, Executive Director, Partnership for Learning; Trish Dziko, Co-founder and Executive Director, Technology Access Foundation; Susan Enfield, Interim Superintendent, Seattle Public Schools; Marcie Maxwell, State Legislative Representative, 41st District; Gary Oertli, President, South Seattle, Community College; Cos Roberts, President, Urban Tech Systems; Mary Jean Ryan, Executive Director, Community Center for Education Results; Deborah Salas, Executive Director of Community Schools Collaboration; Marléna Sessions, Chief Executive Officer, Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County; Tom Stritikus, Dean and Professor, College of Education, University of Washington.

One of the first efforts of the Network is to engage stakeholders – students, parents, community members, businesses and industry ­– in developing a vision and business plan. Members are currently gathering workforce data and best practices to use in the process.

About Puget Sound ESD PSESD is a regional public agency that provides instructional and administrative support to school districts and state-approved private schools in King and Pierce counties plus Bainbridge Island. PSESD improves the quality, equity and effectiveness of PreK-12 educational programs through entrepreneurial programs with schools, early learning and higher education communities, and public/private organizations. Learn more at www.psesd.org

About the Road Map Project The Road Map Project is a community-based effort aimed at fostering shared ownership and action to drive dramatic improvement in student achievement from birth to college and career in South King County and South Seattle. The Road Map Project is committed to nothing less than closing the unacceptable achievement gaps for low income students and children of color, and increasing achievement for all students from cradle to college and career. Learn more at www.ccedresults.org

About Washington STEM Washington STEM is a statewide nonprofit advancing equity, excellence, and innovation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Launched in March 2011, Washington STEM invests in and lifts up breakthrough ideas and promising practices that bridge education and our economy through STEM. Together with educators, businesses, and communities, they are improving opportunities for those most underserved and underrepresented in STEM fields. Learn more at www.washingtonstem.org

Read Washington Stem's Media Release

Contact: Joan Tritchler, Puget Sound Educational Service District, jtritchler@psesd.org; 425-917-7605, 253-778-7605

Posted 5/3/2012