Jun. 13, 2017
Participants Sought for Regional Education Focus Group
The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) will hold two focus groups on June 20 to gain insights into emerging economic trends, employers’ long-term planning, student demand, community needs, and other factors related to specific regional educational needs in Washington.
The public is invited to attend one of the following June 20 Educational Service District (ESD) 105 meetings:
- Yakima Valley College, Deccio Higher Education Center, Parker Rm (CWU-Yakima co-located)
12:30-2:00 p.m., 1000 South 12th Avenue, Building 8, in Yakima Campus Map
Free street parking is available on South 12th Ave or Arlington - Central Washington University, James E. Brooks Library, Room 301C 4:00-5:30 p.m., 400 East University Way, in Ellensburg
Register for one of two focus group times at https://www.regonline.com/esd105focusgroup, no later than Monday, June 19, 2017. Register early, as space is limited.
If you or a designee are unable to attend on these dates, but would be interested in contributing your insights to this project, please contact Christina Sedney.
WSAC has selected the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) to convene the focus groups with regional employers, leaders from education, industry, labor, nonprofit, and community groups, students, and parents in each of the state’s nine ESDs, to inform public policy.
According to WSAC, the insights garnered through this process will contribute to regional data profiles, offering more nuanced perspectives on regional needs than quantitative data alone can provide. A report on the key themes from the regional focus groups, an online survey of employers, and key informant interviews, will be presented to the WSAC and key policymakers, including the Governor and state legislature.
Direct focus group questions to the WICHE staff (Demi Michelau, Vice President, Policy Analysis and Research at 303-541-0223/dmichelau@wiche.edu or Christina Sedney, Policy Analyst at 303-541-0238/csedney@wiche.edu).
Media contact: Dawn Alford, public affairs coordinator, 509-963-1484, dawn.alford@cwu.edu.