2009 October 14 | League of Education Voters

WA & Math NAEP: 4th grade steady, 8th grade up

Posted on 14. Oct, 2009 by Heather.

The results of the 2009 Mathematics National Assessment of Educational Progress (fondly referred to as NAEP, or the nation’s report card) for grades 4 and 8 were released this morning. As a nation, 4th grade math scores are unchanged from 2007, and 8th grade scores are up slightly. Results in Washington follow that trend, and continue to be above the national average, although Washington is not the leader among the Global Challenge States.

GRADE 4	Scale Score	Rank (of 50)
MA	252	1
NJ	247	5
CT	245	8
MD	244	11
CO	243	16
VA	243	17
WA	242	20
U.S. Public	239
CA	232	45

GRADE 8	Scale Score	Rank (of 50)
MA	299	1
NJ	293	5
WA	289	9
CT	289	10
MD	288	12
CO	287	15
VA	286	21
U.S. Public	282
CA	270	46

What is less encouraging about our results is the difference in scores between Washington’s low-income and non-low-income students. While we may have smaller gaps than most of the other GCS, we fall into the middle or bottom of the national pack. Negative signs in the tables below indicate low-income students scored lower than their non-low-income peers.

GRADE 4	LI-NLI Gap	Rank (of 50)
VA	-20	20
WA	-20	22
U.S. Public	-22
MA	-23	35
MD	-24	41
CO	-25	43
NJ	-26	47
CA	-26	48
CT	-28	50

GRADE 8	LI-NLI Gap	Rank (of 50)
VA	-26	32
CA	-27	35
U.S. Public	-27
WA	-28	39
MA	-29	43
CO	-30	45
NJ	-30	48
MD	-31	49
CT	-34	50

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Two critical decisions for Washington’s children and families are on your Nov. 3rd election ballot

Posted on 14. Oct, 2009 by George.

Two statewide ballot measures will have a tremendous impact on Washington’s children and families.

Ballots will arrive in your mailbox this week. It’s critical that you exercise your right to vote and help protect Washington’s children, families and schools.

On Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033, the League of Education Voters urges a resounding NO vote.

I-1033 will stop education reform in its tracks. It will effectively prevent any new investments in schools, higher education or teacher compensation, and force further cuts to already reduced educational opportunities the state provides children and families.

Under I-1033, today’s recession budget would be the high water mark for our schools, colleges and universities and the beginning of an era of ever-reduced investments in Washington’s families and children.

It’s no wonder that the one state in the union that adopted a similar measure, Colorado, has dropped to 49th and 48th lowest in higher education and K-12 investments.

Click here to learn more about Tim Eyman’s I-1033.

On Referendum 71, the League of Education Voters urges voters to APPROVE this measure.

Referendum 71 extends the legal protections afforded to married couples to families headed by same-sex partners or seniors who form stable households and register with the state. LEV believes all families need the same basic legal protections:

Labor and employment protections;
Access to school and medical records;
Family leave to care for sick family members;
Insurance and medical rights; and

• Access to pensions and benefits in the event of disability or death of a parent or spouse.

No purpose is served by excluding domestic partners from these protections, responsibilities and benefits, designed to promote family stability.

Click here to learn more about Referendum 71.

Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, November 3.

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Do your part

Posted on 14. Oct, 2009 by Katrina.

I hadn’t been at the League of Education Voters even one full day as an intern when I saw a staff message come across from Executive Director Chris Korsmo. She urged each member of the team to consider what they can do to connect their professional and personal community service.

It is this culture of living and working under the same values that attracted me to spend time with this particular organization. Their passion is clear and consuming; they work to bring education issues to the forefront for legislators, business leaders, school administrators, parents and students. Most importantly students.

LEV believes a NO vote on I-1033 is imperative to the future of education funding in our state. We are hosting several evenings of phone banks over the next two weeks to get the word out.

Won’t you join us and do your part?

To find out more, please contact Kelly Munn at: Kelly at educationvoters dot org