Our Impact

At LEARN, we are a Regional Educational Service Center committed to fostering equitable and just education systems. Our community through innovative, efficient, and effective programs, services and solutions that support each learner. Guided by our vision, we strive to ensure each child has access to high-quality education and opportunities. 

During the 2023-2024 school year our Executive Director, Katherine Ericson, had the privilege of meeting with every superintendent in the LEARN region to discuss developments in their school districts. These conversations were insightful, revealing common themes and common pressure points. Superintendents emphasized concerns such as teacher shortages, the onboarding of new administrators, the fragility of systems within their districts regarding English proficiency acquisition. Sixteen out of LEARN's 24 member districts reported a rise in both the number of multilingual learners and the diversity of languages spoken, underscoring the need to enhance language support. Understanding what our member school districts encounter is foundational to crafting and executing service solutions that truly meet their needs and deliver added value. 

Feedback from families with children attending LEARN's Family of Schools underscored a pressing desire for a magnet middle school option. Currently, there exists a notable gap in the LEARN magnet pathway, which poses a challenge in maintaining cohesive educational journey for students and their families. Surveys, focus groups, and individual discussions have consistently emphasized the necessity for an enriched educational progression at this critical junction of middle school. Building on this feedback, I am excited to share that the 2023-2024 year paved the way for LEARN to reimagine its magnet school programs, addressing this essential need. 

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our member school districts, dedicated staff, and invaluable partners for their commitment to exploring and implementing innovative solutions that address identified needs, all in pursuit of fostering more inclusive educational environments. I hope you will consider joining us as we embark on the next steps toward even greater achievements together.  Katherine Ericson, LEARN Executive Director