The state has taken steps in recent years to try to reduce the practice of locking up young people for non-criminal offenses. A newly passed law aims to phase out the use of detention for young people who repeatedly skip school or run away and then fail to comply with a judge’s order.

Lead is a contaminant that's particularly dangerous for children, especially kids younger than 6. It's associated with learning disabilities and behavioral issues. The Washington Department of Health has been testing water fixtures in schools for high levels of lead, and the capital budget approved by the Legislature includes funds for schools to replace lead-contaminated drinking fixtures.

Gov. Jay Inslee has made a big push in recent years to help more Washington students train for and find work in science and technology fields. In particular, state leaders want to make sure students of color have access to those high-paying jobs.

Pierce County has less than half the population of King County, but the two counties have almost the same number of children in foster care or other out-of-home placements. In Pierce County, a new effort is underway to keep families intact.

Researchers at the University of Washington have been examining the health of child care workers and one thing they've found is high rates of depression.

New York City and some other school districts on the East Coast and in the Midwest have designated the Muslim celebrations of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr as official school holidays. Both are very important holidays in the Muslim religion. Eid al-Adha marks the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Fitr comes at the end of Ramadan, when Muslims fast during the day. Now, two high school students in the Highline school district are asking their school board to do the same.

UPDATE, June 27: Adds that the school board voted to end automatic renewal of the superintendent's contract. The Kent school board voted Wednesday evening to cease automatic renewal of Superintendent Calvin Watts' contract beyond June 30, 2021, ahead of a Monday deadline to make a decision on the matter.

Seattle public school students who have been told not to wear tank tops or short shorts will probably be relieved to hear that a new districtwide policy is in the works. The proposed policy will be introduced at tonight’s school board meeting.

This is a special week for about 100 kids in Washington who live apart from their siblings. Camp to Belong Washington brings together siblings who are separated from each other because they're in foster, adoptive or relative care.

Graduation ceremonies have been taking place all over the region, and this Saturday, 11 people incarcerated at the Washington Corrections Center for Women will receive Associate of Arts degrees.