About This Project
Transparency about who created this, how it was made, and why it exists.
Our Mission
To provide Moses Lake families with complete, factual, non-partisan information about what's being taught in our schools, what it costs, and whether it's working—so parents can make informed decisions and advocate effectively for their children's education.
Who Created This?
The Researcher
This project was created by a concerned Moses Lake resident who has lived in the community for 45 years. As a Christian with deep roots in the area, they've watched the changes in education policy over multiple decades and decided it was time to compile the facts in one accessible place.
Background:
- 45 years as Moses Lake resident and community member
- Parent and grandparent concerned about education quality
Why this project?
I created this project because I love Moses Lake and I'm concerned about the direction of education and our community. I am concerned because too many things today are becoming issues of separation instead of unification.
After researching education policies for personal understanding, I realized that most Moses Lake families don't have time to wade through government reports, legislative records, and academic studies. This website makes that research accessible, documented, and actionable.
The Technology
This website was built using Claude AI by Anthropic, demonstrating how artificial intelligence can serve communities by making complex information accessible.
What AI did:
- Helped organize and format research documents
- Built the website structure and navigation
- Created the reader tracking system
- Converted documents to multiple formats (PDF, ODT, HTML)
- Designed a mobile-responsive, accessible interface
What AI did NOT do:
- The research - all data comes from public sources
- The analysis - all conclusions are human-authored
- The political positions - these reflect community values
- The decision of what to include - human editorial judgment
Why use AI?
AI enabled a single community member to create a professional website with complex features (document conversion, reader tracking, responsive design) that would normally require a team of developers. This democratizes information access—you don't need a big budget to make important research available to your community.
Transparency Note: We believe in being honest about our tools. This site shows AI being used for public good—making complex government information accessible to regular citizens. The research and conclusions are entirely human; AI just helped make them presentable and accessible.
Our Methodology
Sources
All data comes from verifiable public sources:
- Government databases: OSPI, NCES, Census Bureau, CDC
- Legislative records: Bill text, voting records, committee hearings
- Academic studies: Peer-reviewed research on education outcomes
- News reports: Major newspapers and investigative journalism
- Financial records: School district budgets, state funding reports
Every claim is cited. See the bibliography in each document for complete source lists.
Fact-Checking Process
- Primary sources first: Go to original government documents, not secondary interpretations
- Multiple sources: Verify data points across different databases when possible
- Date verification: Ensure data is from the time period claimed
- Context inclusion: Present both favorable and unfavorable interpretations
- Corrections policy: If errors are found, we update documents and note the correction
Political Neutrality
This is not a partisan project, though the data may make one side look better than the other. We include:
- Arguments from both conservative and liberal perspectives
- Data that contradicts our conclusions (like international comparisons)
- Acknowledgment that some issues are genuinely complex
- Fair representation of opposing viewpoints
Our approach: We present facts accurately regardless of which "side" they support. Our goal is to help Moses Lake families make informed decisions based on complete information.
About the Reader Number System
Why We Track Reading Progress
We've compiled a large amount of information for you on this website. So much, in fact, that we're concerned you might get lost or bored trying to work your way through it all.
To make it better and easier for you, we've added a Reader Number tracking system that permits you to read, leave, and then come back to where you left off when you get tired.
How It Works
- No personal information required: We don't ask for your name, email, phone, or any identifying details
- Simple number: The system assigns you a Reader Number (like "reader-abc12345")
- Resume anywhere: Enter your number on any device to pick up where you left off
- Track progress: See what you've read and what's left
- Earn points: Get points for reading—makes it more engaging!
What We Track
- Your anonymous Reader Number (randomly generated)
- Which pages you've viewed
- Your bookmarks and reading position
- Points earned for reading
- Time spent reading (to reward engagement)
What We DON'T Track
- ❌ Your name
- ❌ Your email address
- ❌ Your phone number
- ❌ Your IP address (beyond session)
- ❌ Any personally identifiable information
Privacy Promise: Even if our database were hacked, the attacker would only get random reader IDs and page numbers. Nothing connects your Reader Number to your real identity. We designed it this way on purpose—your privacy matters.
Our hope: That this system keeps you involved and connected, and that some public good comes out of this site and its information.
What This Project Is
Our Goals:
- Give Moses Lake families complete, factual information
- Document what was mandated, how legislators voted, and what happened
- Show where tax dollars go and what results we got
- Empower parents to make informed decisions
- Provide tools for effective advocacy (if you choose to act)
- Encourage both transparency and accountability
- Support teachers and strengthen public education
- Build unity around what works for Moses Lake students
A Note from the Creator
I'm not an expert. I'm just a citizen who took the time to read the government reports, track down the data, and follow the money. What I found surprised me—and I think it will surprise you too.
Some will disagree with my conclusions. That's fine. All the sources are documented. Check my work. Verify the data. Draw your own conclusions. That's the point of transparency.
I used AI to build this website because it let me create something professional without a big budget. I'm being transparent about that too. The research is mine; AI just helped make it accessible.
My hope is simple: that Moses Lake families will have the information they need to advocate effectively for their children's education. Whether that means working within the system, engaging with the school board, or contacting legislators—that's your decision to make.
But you should make that decision with complete information. That's what this project provides.
— A concerned Moses Lake resident
Contact & Feedback
Found an Error?
If you find a factual error, broken link, or outdated information, please let us know. We're committed to accuracy and will correct mistakes promptly.
Have Questions?
Questions about sources, methodology, or how data was compiled? We're happy to explain.
Want to Help?
This project could benefit from:
- Additional research on recent developments
- Updates as new data becomes available
- Translation into Spanish (large Moses Lake Hispanic community)
- Help sharing with other families