The Washington Learning Source
(WLS) is a statewide program developed by Washington's nine regional
Educational Service Districts. The WLS website
was officially launched in January 2007. Our mission is to provide
a place for districts to choose products and services that meet
their needs and create economic efficiencies through ESD collaboration
and a regionally supported delivery model. This website has been created
to meet those needs.
Background
For over 30 years, Washington ESDs
have been providing a vast array of services to school districts for
the purpose of assuring equal educational opportunities for quality
education and lifelong learning for all. ESDs currently provide school
districts with access to resources through the regional Instructional
Resources Cooperatives, regional Educational Technology Support Centers,
and other ESD programs. The Washington Learning Source is an expansion
of the Ed Tech Support Center purchasing program serving as a single
source to access the variety of resources available in enhancing education
and teaching in the state of Washington. Top
Objectives
To provide a single source for the educational
resources currently provided through the state's ESDs ensuring that
all school districts have equal access to available products and services
To provide products and services that create
economic benefit for schools and lower pricing than a district could
get on its own.
To provide access to high quality learning
resources and services to enhance learning opportunities and provide
greater variety of curriculum to students regardless of their location. Top
Operating
Principles
The program is called the Washington Learning
Source and is managed by the Ed Tech Development Center at Puget Sound
ESD.
A Washington Learning Source Advisory Team is responsible for determining content for the Washington Learning
Source/WLS. All products and services must receive unanimous support
from the ESD representatives. Top
How
it Works
WLS works with vendors and ESDs to
provide Washington's school districts with the best prices possible for
products and services they need. Products are competitively bid, there
are no exclusive vendors, and districts will sign an access subscription
agreement allowing them access to products in the WLS. Top
WLS
organizes its programs into three streams of service for:
Educators
WLS serves as a source for digital
instructional materials, purchasing agreements, and access to ESD services.
The products and resources available through WLS serve to enhance access
to electronic tools for communication, collaboration and instruction.
Students
Students are provided with greater
access to tools to enhance achievement levels and educational technology
to increase opportunities for learning.
Parents
WLS gives parents access to information
on products and services used by students and educators in order to increase
parent participation and keep parents and the community informed of the
use of tools in classrooms. Top
Why
a District Should Become a Member
Membership is free! With a membership, districts will be
able to:
Use a login to access the easy shopping cart feature
Take advantage of bids into which the WLS has entered and not have
to create bids themselves.
Purchase bundled services provided by the ESDs
along with products
Receive ongoing regional support in ESDs
areas of expertise
Find tools, resources, products, and services
that improve teaching and learning;
Purchase products at prices lower than a
district could get on its own;
Access information about events and projects
that lead to improved student achievement; and
Read announcements and time-sensitive information. Top
How
to Become a Member District
In order for schools
to purchase from this site, their districts will need to become WLS
members, which involves completing an access form (Interlocal agreement).
This is a free membership.
Follow the membership links on the top border panel.
Complete an online contact information form.
Complete and send in an access subscription form (Interlocal agreement)
to be signed by your district's governing body
These resources are provided as a service of the WLS and
is not intended to be an all inclusive list or endorsement by the WLS. Every effort
is made to provide resource sites that are appropriate for students, parents and
educators, however the WLS is not responsible for content found on the sites.
In most cases, resource descriptions are direct quotes from their Web site.
