The Washington Youth Mental Health & Public School Promise Initiative
A science-aligned framework to redesign
Washington’s public schools
Public education was designed before modern developmental science existed. This initiative aligns public schools with what research now shows young people need to learn, stay motivated, and thrive.
Why We Exist
Persistent behavior challenges, bullying, disengagement, stagnant academic performance, and rising youth mental health concerns reflect a school model developed over 150 years ago — before modern science understood how children learn and develop.
Modern developmental science now offers a clear, evidence-based blueprint for learning environments in which students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally — and teachers are empowered to do their best work.
This initiative integrates research, policy development, and pilot implementation to build a science-aligned public education model designed for statewide replication.
The core classroom model has remained largely unchanged for over a century.
Our Mission
1. Establish a Science-Aligned Standard of Care
Work with districts and state leaders to align public education with modern developmental science, ensuring responsive learning environments are treated as foundational to student success, not optional enhancements.
2. Advance State Policy in Washington
Develop and advance state policy to align public education with modern developmental science in the design, structure, and accountability of Washington’s public schools.
3. Launch Public Microschool Demonstration Sites
Partner with selected districts to launch public microschools as a practical, low‑risk first phase of system transition. These demonstration sites will:
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Support students’ autonomy, mastery, relatedness, relevance, and sense of purpose
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Integrate real‑world skills, sustained mentorship, and passion‑driven learning
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Serve as measurable proof‑of‑concept sites for scalable, district‑wide redesign
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Microschools are not the end goal; they are the first operational step toward coherent, district‑wide transformation.
National and State Education Leaders Are Advancing Public Microschools as a First Step Toward Aligning Public Education with Modern Developmental Science
State education agencies, district superintendents, and leading national organizations are advancing public microschools as a practical, scalable strategy for improving student engagement, well-being, and academic outcomes.
National organizations advancing this work include:
• Education Reimagined
• Getting Smart
• Learner-Centered Collaborative
• Transcend Education
• Aurora Institute
State and district public education leadership examples:
Arizona has emerged as a national leader in microschool expansion, supported by state policy and public education leadership enabling flexible learning environments as part of broader system modernization.
Dr. George Philhower, Superintendent of Eastern Hancock Schools in Indiana, helped launch the Indiana Microschool Collaborative—a statewide public microschool network designed to pilot and scale learner-centered public education models.
Implementation Note​
These microschools operate within public school districts and serve as pilot demonstration sites for systemwide implementation while remaining fully integrated within the public education system.
John Merrow, Former Education Correspondent, PBS NewsHour, where he reported on education for 35 years.
SUPPORT From a National Educational Leader
“This is a thoughtful, well‑constructed initiative. I am impressed by both its analytical rigor and its constructive, non‑blaming approach. I have shared it with several influential education leaders and will support this effort in any way I can.”
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— John Merrow
Current Progress
We are engaging Washington public school districts to identify partners for initial public microschool demonstration sites. Implementation planning is advancing alongside policy development, including engagement with state policymakers to develop legislation supporting science-aligned public education and enabling long-term statewide implementation.
Science-aligned learning environments strengthen mentorship, engagement, and real-world skill development.
​What Partnership Makes Possible
Strategic partnership accelerates:
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Development of state policy language and implementation frameworks
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District-level transition planning and technical guidance
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Launch and evaluation of initial public microschool pilots
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Independent research to measure impact and guide scalable implementation
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This initiative builds both the policy architecture and the first operational models of science-aligned public education, positioning Washington to improve student well-being, engagement, and academic outcomes at scale.