Washington’s kids and schools are counting on your vote
Posted on 02. Nov, 2009 by George.
Vote!
Washington’s kids and schools are counting on you to vote and postmark your ballot by tomorrow-Election Day.
Two statewide ballot measures will have a tremendous impact on Washington’s children and families. 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.
Click here to learn why you should vote NO on 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.
Click here to learn why you should APPROVE Referendum 71.
Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day, November 3.
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Education news for November 2
Posted on 02. Nov, 2009 by Katrina.
Two programs in Washington keep focus on kids:
Successful afterschool programs in Aberdeen
For some, late starts paying off in North Kitsap High Schools
Continue Reading
LIVE BLOG: QEC
Posted on 02. Nov, 2009 by Heather.
Documents from the meeting are available here.
9:05am-10:25am
Workplan Discussion - Jennifer Priddy
-2018 values for prototype model
>>Superintendent Randy Dorn thought 2261 directs the QEC to look at the prototypical school model and propose 2018 values. Dr. Bette Hyde agreed. Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe didn’t think they could look at one area without looking at others [seems to disagree]. Rep. Pat Sullivan thought that, especially in light of the pending McCleary suit, the QEC does need to look at the whole, but also set priorities for phase in.
>>Sen. Curtis King had concerns about setting values for 2018; doesn’t want the state to lock itself in to values it may not be able to afford. Mary Jean Ryan thought the QEC does need to prioritize phase in, and look at the 2018 values in 2010 to at least give direction to their work. Sen. Eric Oemig thought he agreed with Ms. Ryan, and that they do need to figure out 2018 goals. Supt. Dorn said he doesn’t care if they are end “goals” or “values,” the QEC needs to have some 2018 recommendations for the Legislature. Dr. Jane Gutting said she wants to set 2018 values.
>>Dr. Hyde equated this work of the QEC to the early learning draft that’s being done - need to set the end goal so we know how to implement. Looking at the charge of the QEC, there are some deliverables due in January, but the QEC is also directed to keep going. Sen. Joseph Zarelli worried about setting 2018 values in statute because the state is then on the hook and we don’t want to obligate the state before we try some other low-cost options.
>>Rep. Skip Priest referenced the Doran decisions from the 1970s, and focused on the constitutional responsibility of the Legislature to fully fund basic education. Rep. Bruce Dammeier had concerns after the last meeting that the QEC would be prematurely setting 2018 values - without the Funding Formula Technical Working Group vetting numbers, knowing the full cost of everything and not considering everything that should be in the final plan. It is more important to him that the QEC get the numbers right rather than have numbers for the 2010 legislative session.
>>Supt. Dorn asked Ms. Priddy what 2261 requires the QEC to deliver in January. Ms. Priddy answered that the QEC report must include: beginning teacher mentor program, program of early learning, schedule for phasing-in new transportation formula, schedule for phase-in of changes to program of basic education, and resolving issues requiring legislative action in 2010 session.
>>Stephen Rushing said he’s hearing a lot of members wanting more information, and we need to make those needs clear so staff can get answers to the QEC quickly. He is concerned that they are going to get down to the wire and members are still going to be want more information, which will slow things down.
>>Rep. Sullivan said the QEC can’t lose momentum, and need to at least adopt crosswalk values, but should also push to have strong recommendations for 2018. He doesn’t want to have the courts tell them to be more aggressive 20 years later. Sen. McAuliffe said not all members are familiar with all of this work (from sitting on Basic Education Finance Task Force, etc.) and the QEC hasn’t discussed a lot of the values in the crosswalk. [Sen. McAuliffe probably meant the 2018 values] Supt. Dorn said that given the work of Washington Learns and the BEFTF, they need to adopt the crosswalk so they can keep going with their bigger tasks. In the end, they need to have those honest conversations and ask tough questions, because that is what’s best for kids. Sen. McAuliffe asked what happens to ELL students if they come to Washington in 11th grade. Supt. Dorn gave a sort of answer, and then spoke about the need to lower class sizes so we can get all kids to pass classes like Algebra II. [Then members went off on class size confusion..] Sen. Zarelli brought it back to class size as a cost driver, and the need to reduce the number of strings attached to school funding.
>>Rep. Sullivan reminded the group that the prototype model is meant for allocation purposes only; schools and districts can spend the funds as they see fit. Sen. King appreciated Rep. Sullivan’s reminder but doesn’t feel knowledgeable enough to set 2018 values. Dr. Hyde said more funding is needed, and the allocation model will drive dollars toward those best practices that have proved effective.
>>Sen. McAuliffe asked what the workplan for 2010 is, and if that would help clarify things for some people, and Ms. Ryan should probably speak to that. Ms. Ryan sort of agreed, admitting that she doesn’t have a lot of patience with this process, and does see value in setting 2018 end goals. She also recognized the need to consider cost effectiveness and academic issues. She suggested the QEC create a “sketch” of 2018 so people can know what they are thinking and “calm down.” Sen. McAuliffe suggested Ms. Ryan work with staff to create a 2010 workplan.<<
10:40am - 11:10am
Proposed Implementation Plan - Reps. Priest and Sullivan
PowerPoint here. Entire proposal here.
-Adopt the crosswalk in the 2010 legislative session so the new formula can be implemented in 2011
-Include a program of early learning for at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds in the definition of basic education
-Adopt a preliminary implementation plan that phases in the redefined program of basic education and selected improvements to the prototypical funding model
- Phase in program of early learning over three years
- Continue phase in of full-day kindergarten
- Phase in new pupil transportation formula beginning in 2011
- Recommend increased instructional hours and CORE 24 to 2011 Legislature
- Convene Compensation and Local Finance work groups in May 2010
- Reduce K-3 class size over five-year period
- Increase allocations for librarians, student health and classified staff
- Increase instructional time for LAP and ELL
- Increase allocations for MSOC
-Monitor outcomes of the Beginning Educator Support Team program (mentoring/induction program)
>>Sen. Zarelli asked that if research shows negligible benefit for all-day versus half-day kindergarten, why we would spend a couple hundred million dollars to expand full-day K. And with early learning, if we only provide it to some kids, wouldn’t the state be sued for not providing a universal program? Rep. Priest said he would rather do all-day K all at once, but we don’t have the funds for that. And gifted/talented education probably isn’t basic education but it’s treated as such, and looking at LAP and other specialized programs, the courts would probably allow for a focused program of early learning to help those students most likely to struggle.<<
Discussion to continue after NBPTS symposium presentation
11:10am-12:10pm
National Board Certified Teacher Symposium: Report of Results - Michaela Miller, Sarah Applegate, Paul Rae, Cindy Rockholt, Gunnar Guttormsen
-Top three funding priorities (first four years)
- Mentor/induction program for beginning teachers
- Reduction of class size for high-needs schools
- All-day kindergarten
>>Questions from members about instructional coaches, mentoring programs, teacher education programs<<
Lunch break until 1pm
1:05pm-3:10pm
Crosswalk of Current Funding into New Formula Structure - Neil Sullivan, Shawn Lewis, Stephen Nielsen
>>Questions and discussion over length of teacher work day, class size, cost to implement CORE 24, LAP/ELL funding (being categorical)
[Neil Sullivan made what is perhaps the only budget joke we will ever hear: insurance companies have been increasing premiums for school districts at rates greater than inflation, they didn't know about the Implicit Price Deflator rule - trust me, it's funny.]
>>Rep. Priest requested that clarity be pushed over precision; we don’t want to create another complex system that only experienced budget professionals can understand. Sen. McAuliffe would like everyone to remember that what students need to be successful isn’t necessarily reflected in the class size numbers.
>>Supt. Dorn asked what the Funding Formula Technical Working Group needs from the QEC. Mr. Nielsen said, for him, the direction given today that says the FFTWG should follow 2261 is helpful. Mr. Lewis appreciated the comments on keeping the formula clear and not stressing over the details; however he does see value in keeping details in the background while having a very transparent system in the foreground. He also thinks the Compensation and Local Finance groups should start their work sooner rather than later. Mr. Sullivan said he would like the end goal to have a more transparent budget reporting system, and accountability for districts, without the distrust that districts are “hiding” dollars.<<
3:15pm-3:40pm
Public Comment
Pat Montgomery, Auburn parent volunteer - need to make school funding more equitable
Rachel Aeby, kindergarten teacher in Franklin-Pierce School District - early learning will help more students arrive to kindergarten ready to learn
Pam, 5th grade teacher - would like QEC to enact real education reform, and don’t wait until 2018 to implement changes
Sam Fields, junior high science teacher in Bethel - concerns over teacher salaries and merit pay, reduction in school funding, and time dedicated to assessments
Convened until tomorrow
