The Advanced Learning Department is happy to report an increase in students furthest from educational justice who have been identified for advanced learning services. This change demonstrates a commitment to our strategic plan, Seattle Excellence, by changing broken systems and undoing legacies of racism in public education to ensure students furthest away from educational justice thrive. 

As part of the department’s anti-racist work, the Advanced Learning department collected and reviewed data for all second through eighth grade students who are furthest from educational justice who were not referred, to identify those who may benefit from Advanced Learning services. The historical model of family referrals was also used. 

This decision to consider students who were not referred is based on the final recommendations of the Advanced Learning Task Force (ALTF). Family referrals were identified as a barrier to racial equity, so teams screened 22,000 students in addition to the 2,792 students referred by their families.  

Due to Covid-19, in-person testing was not possible last year. The team reviewed historical data for students to determine eligibility, including student performance data, grades, teacher and community member recommendations, and family input.   

Compared to data from the last three years, staff identified more students of color for Highly Capable and Advanced Learning services. We are excited to provide more services and supports to students.  

We are amid significant changes for Advanced Learning services as we work to become an anti-racist department removing barriers for students furthest from educational justice. We will provide more updates on our website in September 2021.