LAUNCH Flagstaff

Meritocracy Under Siege

June 12, 2019June 21, 2019
by Paul Kulpinski

The Meritocracy is Under Siege

From The New York Times, June 12, 2019. Thomas B. Edsall – Opinion

From a positive vantage point, meritocracy is “a political system in which economic goods and/or political power are vested in individual people on the basis of talent, effort and achievement.”

Viewed negatively, such a system discriminates against the less highly educated and those who perform less well on ability tests. At the same time, meritocracy privileges an arrogant, complacent and entrenched elite — largely white, increasingly Asian — with the money, resources and connections to jump to the head of the line.

Read more “Meritocracy Under Siege” →

Early Learning CAN

Literacy Program Analysis Begins

June 6, 2019June 6, 2019
by Paul Kulpinski

Programmatic Landscape Analysis of Literacy Resources Begins

FLAGSTAFF – June 6, 2019

The Literacy Coordination Team began work on a programmatic landscape analysis of community literacy resources yesterday to lay the foundation for its work toward improving collaboration and coordination in alignment with the K-3 literacy plan of the Flagstaff Unified School District.

Motivated by the survey results gathered by LAUNCH Flagstaff in February, the team is focused on strengthening personal and organizational relationships Read more “Literacy Program Analysis Begins” →

Education News

Silicon Valley Parents Banning Technology for Kids

June 6, 2019
by Paul Kulpinski

Silicon Valley parents banning tech for their kids

From BBC, June 5, 2019. Colleen Hagerty (Video) Read more “Silicon Valley Parents Banning Technology for Kids” →

Education News

3 School Changes from Arizona Legislature

May 29, 2019
by Paul Kulpinski

Don’t overlook these 3 big changes the Arizona Legislature made for schools

From ArizonaCentral.com, The Arizona Republic, May 29, 2019. Joanna Allhands – Opinion Read more “3 School Changes from Arizona Legislature” →

Early Learning CAN

KDI Pilot Implementation Outcomes

May 24, 2019May 31, 2019
by Paul Kulpinski

KDI Pilot Implementation Outcomes

FLAGSTAFF May 24, 2019. Linda Harbottle

The LAUNCH Flagstaff Multi-LEA Collaborative is concluding its one year pilot of the Kindergarten Developmental Inventory (KDI) for the 2018-19 school year. The goal of the collaborative team was twofold – (1) to determine the value of the KDI as both an assessment and a teaching tool to support effective teaching and learning, and (2) as a valid and reliable tool for evaluating success in a consistent manner across all schools in our community. The collaborative team initially was comprised of the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) and two Flagstaff charter schools – Mountain School and PEAK School. Read more “KDI Pilot Implementation Outcomes” →

Early Learning CAN

Initial Investment for Preschool Expansion Secured

May 23, 2019January 13, 2020
by Paul Kulpinski

Initial Investment for Preschool Expansion Secured

FLAGSTAFF May 23, 2019

This month the City of Flagstaff pledged an initial investment in the Flagstaff preschool expansion three-year pilot project, as part of their budget allocation for fiscal year 2020.

City Council allocated $70,000 toward the first year of implementation for the project. This investment was matched by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors which allocated $35,000 for fiscal year 2020.

The Wharton Foundation followed suit and granted $150,000 over the three-year pilot. Read more “Initial Investment for Preschool Expansion Secured” →