By Eric Mathison

Highline Public Schools Superintendent Susan Enfield gave her annual “State of the Schools” presentation Thursday, Oct. 23 at Tukwila’s Museum of Flight.

The presentation was a review of the district’s strategic plan adopted in 2013.

Enfield said the plan’s four pillars are equitable access, results focused, strong partnerships and being a culturally responsive organization.

She spoke briefly about each of the district’s “bold goals” that are part of the strategic plan.

The first goal is that at least 19 out of 20 students entering kindergarten in the 2013 will meet or exceed state standards by the end of third grade.

Enfield pointed to the district’s adoption of all-day kindergarten as the first step in achieving that goal.

“The work is truly transformational,” Enfield declared.

She characterized the kindergarten students as “geniuses in the making.”
Kindergarten jump-start classes in the summer before students began kindergarten meant by the first day of class most kids were “focused on learning,” according to Enfield.

On a video first-grade teacher Sarah Wix said the students entering her classroom after experiencing all-day kindergarten were much more ready to learn and did so much better than previous classes.

Although the district is working toward having every student in the class of 2026 graduate tech savvy and tech literate, Enfield said she realizes there is a “digital divide” in the community.

She noted the district not only has a duty to teach how to use technology but also help students to be responsible technology users.
Just as studies show the importance of mastering subjects by third grade, they also say passing algebra by 9th grade is vital to academic success, according to Enfield. The district has set a goal of having 19 of every 20 students successfully complete an algebra class by ninth grade.

Enfield promised, “there is not anarchy in the schools” despite the district’s goal to eliminate all out of school suspensions by 2015.
She noted there will be exceptions when critical to the safety of students and staff.

“This has been a huge cultural shift,” Enfield declared. “We need the patience of teacher and we appreciate receiving it.”

But, she added, “We are in danger of throwing kids away through long suspensions. We often punish behavior without treating the symptoms.”
She reported out-of-school suspensions are down from 3,193 in the 2007-2008 school year to 975 in the 2013-2014 school year.

Enfield said the district’s goal of having every student who graduates in2026 be bilingual and biliterate got an unexpected boost from a recent Cascade Middle School visitor. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson told students he wished he had learned another language in school.

“We are the only developed nation in the world that doesn’t teach students two languages,” Enfield added.

Al of the district’s “bold goals” are pointed toward all Highline students graduating college and career ready, Enfield said.
The district has stepped up its work internship and career awareness efforts, she noted.

Summing up, Enfield declared, “We have challenges. We are not always successful but we are on the right track.

“There is a lot going on in Highline we can be proud of.”