§ 3.36.010. Department created—purpose

A Department of Education and Early Learning is created. The mission of the Department is to ensure that all Seattle children have the greatest opportunity to succeed in school and in life and to graduate from high school ready for college or a career.

This Department shall facilitate the City's support for the educational and developmental needs of children birth to preschool, students in Seattle's public schools, students in post-secondary programs, and their families. The Department is responsible for leadership, direction, policy development, interdepartmental and interagency communication and coordination regarding:

A.

Early Learning Programs. The Department shall:

1.

Administer, align and integrate policies and funding for Seattle's education and early learning programs/initiatives for children from birth through age eight (3rd grade) to improve learning outcomes for children; and

2.

Provide coordination and collaboration with Early Learning systems, Early Learning providers, the Washington State Department of Early Learning and public schools to ensure high quality early learning services are available to families and to support a seamless transition from early education systems into school.

B.

Education Programs and Policies. The Department shall:

1.

Act as the liaison between the City and public schools on all education issues of joint concern, including, but not limited to, before and after school programs, Families and Education Levy implementation, school safety, transportation and planning for growth;

2.

Develop and facilitate City interdepartmental collaboration to assure City-funded programs within public schools are operating efficiently and effectively;

3.

Work cooperatively with public schools to develop new educational support resources and ensure coordinated linkage, as appropriate, with community-based services; and

4.

Act as a liaison with other education agencies in the region to promote a coordinated response to education related issues.

C.

Higher Education Liaison. The Department shall:

1.

Act as a liaison to higher education institutions on all education issues of joint concern and build partnerships for academic, economic and social advancement;

2.

Facilitate collaboration between local higher education representatives and the City to:

a.

Align investments, initiatives and priorities to achieve shared goals of increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment; and

b.

Engage in planning and development of new policies and partnership opportunities, including facilitating relationships between higher education institutions and other City departments to advance and meet common goals; and

3.

Support educational institutions in linking career education and workforce development programs with City investments on employability and equity.

D.

Access and Communication. The Department shall improve access to and communication among key education leaders and decision-makers in the public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.

E.

Race and Social Justice. The Department shall:

1.

Embed Race and Social Justice Initiative goals and principles into the day-to-day approach to advancing the City's mission and objectives for education in Seattle; and

2.

Strive to build necessary capacity for quality learning services in emerging and/or underserved communities.

F.

Families and Education Levy. The Department shall:

1.

Perform the strategic planning necessary to establish a policy framework for the City's involvement in education and school-related initiatives, including the Families and Education Levy;

2.

Provide staffing and logistical support to the Families and Education Levy Oversight Committee and interdepartmental teams;

3.

Administer a levy partnership agreement between the City and Seattle School District No. 1; and

4.

Develop and oversee interagency and interdepartmental collaborative planning, implementation, and evaluation of Families and Education Levy funded programs.

(Ord. 124650 , § 2, 2014.)