9:50am-10:25am
Basic Education Finance Task Force: Summary of Recommendations – Annie Pennucci
>>Sen. McAuliffe asked if the BEFTF included folding I-732 into basic education. Annie Pennucci said the BEFTF did not.
>>Sen. Zarelli asked what factor most contributed to the increase in projected graduation rate. Ms. Pennucci said she would have to go back and check. Sen. McAuliffe asked if this presumed students began in early learning programs. Ms. Pennucci said yes, these projections were for 14 years after implementation of recommendations.
>>Supt. Dorn asked if they did cost estimates on the savings of increased graduation rates (lower incarceration rates, etc). Ms. Pennucci said they did not. Rep. Skip Priest said they did do a cost-benefit analysis of early learning programs.
>>Sen. McAuliffe brought up that the final BEFTF recommendations are not fully reflected in ESHB 2261. She just wanted to make sure everyone was clear on that.
>>Back and forth on whether BEFTF was tasked with finding a funding source (not in legislation).
>>Rep. Pat Sullivan said staff did a good job in presentations that allow audience to see difference between ESHB 2261 and BEFTF recommendations. Rep. Priest said what was missing from the bill was the sense of urgency included in the BEFTF recommendations. Rep. Priest also brought up the court cases addressing funding (Federal Way lawsuit in the Supreme Court and adequacy lawsuit in King County Superior Court), and the governor’s veto of the early learning section of ESHB 2261.
>>Sen. King raised concerns over investing $6 billion more per year to raise graduation rates by “only” 8.5 percent; seems like a better investment may be to hire tutors for the 6,000 students that don’t graduate each year. Rep. Bruce Dammeier asked if the BEFTF looked at closing the achievement gap and related cost estimates. Rep. Priest said yes, and highlighted community college remediation rates (reducing them is a return on investment). Rep. Priest said the thing to consider is how we prioritize investments. Supt. Dorn brought up recent legislation that’s been passed focusing on closing the achievement gap.
>>Dr. Jane Gutting asked about the regional labor cost analyses. Supt. Dorn clarified that these largely looked at regional cost differences. Ms. Pennucci said the analyses compared teacher salaries to comparable occupations in different labor markets. Rep. Priest mentioned that the wage analyses also looked at TRI (time, responsibility, incentive) pay, and members of the BEFTF brought up difficulties of rural and remote districts to attract teachers.<<
10:25am-10:45am
Early Learning Work Plan Update – Dr. Bette Hyde
>>Rep. Sullivan asked if the group will make specific recommendations for at-risk children. Dr. Hyde said yes, but the recommendations will be for all kids, with sub-targets for different age groups. Rep. Sullivan added that part of the BEFTF work highlighted the high return on investment for quality early learning programs, which is why this work is important.
>>Rep. Marcie Maxwell asked about the availability of early learning data. Dr. Hyde said it is her wish that the state have a truly longitudinal data system, so children can be tracked through the entire system.
>>Sen. Zarelli worried about any recommendations being too prescriptive, and making every daycare center too expensive because they have to be early learning centers. Dr. Hyde acknowledged those concerns, but highlighted the benefits of early learning programs and how they teach through playful learning activities.
>>Sen. McAuliffe asked that if early learning is included in basic education doesn’t that require it be for all children. Dr. Hyde said the recommendations will be tiered and include recommendations for all children, most children and some children. Dr. Hyde said it’s on the QEC to decide if any level of early learning should be part of basic education. Rep. Priest said the recommendation of the BEFTF was that early learning programs be an option.<<
