Where are the election night parties?
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Mike.
After all the phone calls to voters, signing waving on street corners and status update reminders to vote-it’s time to party.
Here’s a list of election night parties:
Seattle
Twist Belltown
2313 1st Ave, Seattle
5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Host: The Municipal League, PubliCola, Seattle Works, the Washington Bus and the Alki Foundation
No on Initiative 1033
Seattle
The Edgewater Hotel, Alki Room
2411 Alaskan Way, Pier 67
7:00 PM
Approve Referendum 71
Seattle
Pravda Studios
1406 10th Ave., Suite 200, Seattle
7:00 PM
Host: Campaign Chair Anne Levinson and Campaign Manager Josh Friedes
Tacoma
Home of Ryan Mello & Jerry Hallman
1514 South Oakes Street, Tacoma
7:45 PM
Host: Approve 71 campaign
Bellingham
Rumors Cabaret
1119 Railroad Ave, Bellingham
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Host: Stephanie Kountouros
Olympia
Darby’s Cafe
211 5th Ave SE, Olympia
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Host: Approve 71 campaign
Tri Cities, Pasco
Out & About
327 W Lewis St, Pasco
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Host: Approve 71 campaign
For additional election night parties for King County and City of Seattle races, click here.
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Bellingham: Join us tomorrow night at an Early Learning Town Hall
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Frank.
You are invited to a special meeting with the Director of the Department of Early Learning, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Thrive by Five Washington.
Early Learning Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 4th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM
St. Luke’s Community Education Center
3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham 98225 (MAP)
Download the Event Flyer (PDF)
Email Frank at info@educationvoters.org to RSVP for this Early Learning Town Hall Meeting.
It’s a chance to have your voice heard by the leaders who have the power to affect the cost and quality of preschool, childcare and early learning for all children in Washington State, including your children.
Here are some questions to think about:
- Do you believe it’s time for preschool to be part of basic education?
- Is the cost of childcare going through the roof?
- Do you think full-day kindergarten is key?
Good, bad, funny, or sad–our leaders want to hear about it. Your feedback will help shape early learning recommendations for the 2010 Legislative Session. We need you to ensure Washington’s Early Learning Plan will help your children succeed in school and life.
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LIVE BLOG: QEC, day 2
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Heather.
We’re on TVW again, all day, LIVE. You may even catch a glimpse of me or George.
9:05am-9:10am
Update on Funding Formula Technical Working Group - Julie Salvi
[It happened, in 5 minutes, take away: group has more work to do]
9:10am-9:25am
Financial Outlook - Bryon Moore
>>Rep. Skip Priest brought up the Doran I and II court decisions, which coincided with the economic downturn of 1979-81/83. Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe asked if Mr. Moore’s office is presuming the stimulus funds will go away. Mr. Moore answered that they are presuming the federal stimulus will not be renewed and the state will probably face a $4-5 billion hole.<<
9:25am-10:45am
Early Learning Work Group Update - Dr. Bette Hyde
-Near-term policy priorities
- Early literacy
- All-day kindergarten
- Voluntary universal pre-K for 4-year-olds (mixed delivery)
- Birth-to-3 continuum
- Health insurance and medical home
- Strengthen partnerships with families
- Support and resources for QRIS
- Enhance/strengthen early learning system infrastructure
[Dr. Hyde described how doctors use books to assess development of children and the doctors' need for books. Sen. Curtis King mentioned a book program started by Dolly Parton. Rep. Bruce Dammeier looked up the actual name of the program, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn joked he could now get off the Dollywood site...Jokes! Before 10 a.m. even.]
>>Rep. Priest mentioned work by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy that found all-day kindergarten didn’t produce significantly greater results than half-day kindergarten. On the Basic Education Finance Task Force they wrestled with this; he asked Dr. Hyde her opinion. Dr. Hyde responded that studies have found that benefits of all-day K can peter out after 1st grade, which is why they want this to be a P-3 initiative, with supports in place through 3rd grade.
>>Rep. Pat Sullivan brought up that so many children coming to kindergarten are already behind, so it’s important to make an investment in 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as all-day kindergarten. Dr. Hyde agreed.
>>Mary Jean Ryan came out swinging in favor of a robust early learning program, with full-day programs for 3- and 4-year-olds, quality curriculum and trained/certificated teachers. She does not think a 300-hour program is adequate. Dr. Hyde does not disagree. Speaker Frank Chopp would like to have more cost information, since we’re currently serving 16 percent of eligible children, we need to know what it would take to serve all kids (by ramp up by quartiles).
>>Stephen Rushing agreed more or less with Ms. Ryan and made the point that the average elementary student is in school for 5 or 5.5 hours a day, but only receiving about 4 hours of instruction. We can do so much by investing in programs for 3- and 4-year-olds.
>>Sen. McAuliffe said she wouldn’t advocate one way or the other for including early learning in basic education, but does appreciate the work being done on the early learning plan. She also wanted to remind everyone about the one million children in our K-12 system, and too many of them are dropping out each year.<<
11:05am-12pm
Continued Workplan and Implementation Plan Discussion - Jennifer Priddy
Follow-up on questions/comments/need for clarification from yesterday
-Baseline/crosswalk: put into law? Consensus: Yes
>>Sen. McAuliffe would like it to be called a baseline. Speaker Chopp agrees.
-Ending values/2018 values: Recommendations or set?
>>Sen. King has concerns over setting concrete values, ranges may be better. Rep. Sullivan thinks that the QEC’s recommendations need to be bold; there is an expectation that the QEC will show leadership on this. Dr. Hyde would also like to have the end picture, but not all of the subgroups will finish their work in the next month, so can’t set the 2018 values yet.
>>Sen. Eric Oemig thought this to be meaty and may be better to flag those issues without consensus and come back to them. Supt. Dorn pushed back, saying the QEC needs to make bold recommendations.
>>Sen. Joseph Zarelli asked if the QEC has yet defined prototypical schools. He understood the crosswalk idea, but wasn’t clear on the specifics. Sen. Oemig explained the model school formula (base shell) and the prototypical schools (with numbers filled in). Sen. McAuliffe said they need to create a QEC proposal to make sure the numbers in the proposal reflect the values of the QEC, and that is a task for 2010.
>>Speaker Chopp asked when the QEC would get to setting the 2018 values. Sen. King said, for him, it’s after the QEC gets reports back from all the subgroups. Speaker Chopp said the baseline report from the Funding Formula Technical Working Group will be given at the end of the month, but the QEC should move up other work groups and get to work on determining end values. Sen. King pushed back that he, again, doesn’t think they can set the values until they have all the information from the other groups.
>>Rep. Priest said some prototype model values are clear, while others will require more work. QEC can’t waste more time “chatting,” but need to get other parts going so the QEC can keep moving. Dr. Hyde said she agrees there are things they “can do, and they should do them,” while continuing to work on other areas. Ms. Ryan asked if that is what Reps. Priest and Sullivan were advocating for in their proposal. Reps. Priest and Sullivan said “yes,” there are certain things the QEC can recommend the Legislature put in statute in 2010, and other things the QEC needs to keep working on.
>>Sen. Oemig joked “so much for tabling this.” He went on to cite the expected budget shortfall in the next year, and expressed caution. Rep. Dammeier reaffirmed his commitment to the effort, and said he doesn’t think anyone is expecting the QEC to figure it all out by December. However, they do need to keep moving forward, and certain items are ready for action/implementation/phase-in now. He would also like to see the Compensation and Local Finance work groups start earlier. The QEC can do certain things now, but he is not ready to vote on 2018 values. Sen. King said there are certain things he feels comfortable moving forward on - transportation, MSOCs, baseline for prototypical model - but not 2018 values.
>>Supt. Dorn asked Reps. Priest and Sullivan to flesh out their proposal more and have it ready for distribution in the next two weeks, allowing QEC members to comment and discuss at the December meeting. Sen. Zarelli said he still has questions about LAP, ELL, all-day kindergarten and early learning. He does think increasing MSOCs makes sense, but other things they don’t know enough about.
>>Rep. Priest said they’ve learned a lot in the past two days, their proposal presented yesterday was a draft and they do plan to get a revised proposal out soon.
>>Sen. McAuliffe said she appreciates the work of Reps. Priest and Sullivan, but would like a larger subgroup to make recommendations and for at least two other people to join them. Supt. Dorn said he views everyone as in the group and everyone is free to make proposals, etc.
>>Mr. Rushing expressed concern that too much time is passing and the QEC needs to take positions or offer feedback to the FFTWG so the subgroup can complete its work. Dr. Gutting said she feels a little bit better because they have a meeting scheduled for early January, and impressed by the members of the subgroups. Dr. Hyde agreed that she would like to spend more time talking to one another rather than having more people talk at them. Mr. Rushing added that the discussion over early learning today teased out some concerns, and the QEC hasn’t discussed other important issues and they need to.<<
Lunch break…
1:05pm1:40pm
Continued Workplan and Implementation Plan Discussion - Jennifer Priddy
-CORE 24
>>Questions over how CORE 24 fits in with ESHB 2261. Ms. Ryan explained that certain parts of CORE 24 are already in motion, namely the Algebra II requirement. And while other parts do still need action, 2261 seemed to support CORE 24 by saying high school should prepare students for post-secondary life. Ms. Priddy along with legislative staff clarified that 2261 has language that will go into effect in 2011 (including increase in instructional hours), but doesn’t mandate there be a implementation plan attached. However, the QEC’s January report is required to have an implementation recommendation.
-Instructional hours: 1,000 in elementary, 1,080 in secondary
>>Mr. Rushing asked what is considered “instructional.” Ms. Priddy said administrative code (WAC) lists what type of activities can be counted, and they will make that available. Sen. King asked if there are cost estimates for increasing instructional hours. Ms. Priddy said the increased instructional hours are meant to provide the opportunity for students to earn 24 credits in high school, and the baseline will be helpful in answering that question.
>>Dr. Hyde asked if the proposed accountability framework will be implemented without funding. Ms. Ryan said she hopes the State Board of Education can present on its work (CORE 24, accountability) at the December meeting to help people understand how it all comes together.
>>Ms. Ryan suggested that the QEC work with the proposal from Reps. Priest and Sullivan, make strong recommendations in January and then spend 2010 perfecting values. She also hoped the FFTWG could not dissolve, as the QEC is going to need technical guidance as they move forward. Rep. Sullivan said that if they want to move up other subgroups’ timelines, they can certainly include language to maintain the FFTWG.<<
1:40pm-1:55pm
Pupil Transportation - Isabel Muñoz-Colon
>>Sen. Zarelli asked why the cost went up. Ms. Muñoz-Colon said it did because the initial cost estimate did not include a transportation GIS analyst. Sen. Oemig asked if regulations around things like bus stop locations can be relaxed or loosened.
>>Supt. Dorn said the Legislature can decide to build the new transportation system whenever it has $806,000 to implement those changes. Funding the new system will come down the road.<<
1:55pm-2pm
Question Follow-Up - Isabel Muñoz-Colon
>>Sen. Zarelli asked if they can look at funding with salaries and benefits separated out, along with student-teacher ratio. Sen. Oemig asked if they can find out how many support staff are employed in other states.<<
2pm-2:50pm
Public Comment
Pat Montgomery, Auburn parent volunteer - clarifying earlier testimony, advocating for equity of opportunity for all students
Marie-Anne Harkness, librarian in Federal Way - thank you for keeping teacher-librarians in formulas, please implement increases sooner rather than later
Philip Mosely, high school science teacher in Fife - important to fully fund any program increases so schools don’t have to cut other offerings; reduction in class size is important
George Scarola, League of Education Voters - proposal from Reps. Priest and Sullivan is a good start, gets implementation started, recognizes three distinct cost categories (compensation, fundamentals, and program); like the investment in early learning, LAP/ELL programs, Beginning Education Support Team program, CORE 24; QEC should adopt 2018 values
Kim Howard, WA PTA - QEC needs to adopt crosswalk; need to consider how to phase-in new model as allocations with evidence of new programs
>>Sen. Zarelli asked a follow-up question about the allocation versus categorical issue. Ms. Howard said the end goal is to have a allocation model, but until the system is fully funded any increases may need to be categorical.
Lorraine Hirakawa, teacher in Puyallup - need to attract quality people to teaching
John Traxler, chemistry teacher - worried about use of National Board certified teachers as evaluators of other teachers
>>Dr. Hyde asked if he would be willing to serve as a coach or mentor. Mr. Traxler said he currently serves in that role and is happy to do it.
Molly Prater, teacher in Snoqualmie Valley - paraeducators are valuable in classrooms
Jim Kainber, Stand for Children - support adoption of crosswalk; appreciates inclusion of BEST program in proposal from Reps. Priest and Sullivan
Anne Melgaard, 3rd grade teacher in Snoqualmie Valley - teacher collaboration is important
>>Dr. Hyde asked if Ms. Melgaard is advocating for common planning time, or for teachers to not evaluate other teachers. Ms. Melgaard said she agreed with Mr. Traxler that teachers should not evaluate other teachers. Speaker Chopp asked if any teacher supports the idea of teachers evaluating other teachers. Answer from the audience: “no.”
Janice Trabin, Seattle parent - does not want the QEC to delay implementing ESHB 2261; fully fund gifted/talented education; budget cuts are limiting course offerings, decreasing counselors
Heidi Bennett, Seattle parent - basic education is underfunded, Washington students can’t get into state public universities; embarrassed by funding disparities between districts; high school graduation requirements are not adequate, need CORE 24
Deb, citizen from Pierce County - please include feedback from parents
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Education news for November 3
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Katrina.
Did you VOTE today?
Former Apple executive to lead U.S. Ed-Tech Office
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What’s at stake for kids this election day?
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by Bonnie.
A lot.
First: 1033 would lock us into a recession budget that is bad for kids.
Washington’s revenues were severely impacted by the worst recession in memory. State revenue for the biennium dropped by $9 billion and the Legislature was forced to cut K-12 by $1.8 billion, and higher education by $618 million and make even deeper cuts to health care and public services. Eyman’s 1033 would reset the base for the state budget, locking us in to these drastically reduced budget levels.
By locking us into today’s low revenues, and restricting revenue growth thereafter to inflation plus population, this measure would effectively prevent the state from making new investments in education required by basic education reform legislation (HB 2261) passed this session.
Beyond basic education reform, Washington would not be able to progress in early learning or higher education. For example, I represent LEV at the Department of Early Learning’s Early Learning Plan creation (draft to be released on December 1st). Over 120 stakeholders have taken part in this, adding their best ideas to create an implementation plan for early learning over the next ten years. If 1033 passes, this plan will not materialize. What does that mean for kids? Over half of Washington children will continue to arrive to kindergarten unprepared and one quarter of these children will not be reading by grade 3.
Finally, some costs borne by government increase faster than general population, like the number of students, and faster than inflation, like health care for teachers and fuel costs for school buses. This measure would force further budget cuts just to meet current obligations.
Put simply, 1033 won’t allow us to pay for what we currently do and won’t allow us to change our schools to give kids the skills we know they need.
Second: R-71 would affirm the domestic partnership legislation that gives individuals and families the legal protections they need.
Despite the depressing budget situation last session, the Legislature and Governor took a bold step in the right direction by extending 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.
This legislation is not just another law. This law supports a family with young children, protects a young gay student currently bullied at school, and ensures an older couple can take care of one another in their final years. This law is about Washington families and children and it needs to stay.
We believe 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, or the children of gay and lesbian parents, from these protections, responsibilities and benefits, designed to promote family stability.
Additionally, an estimated 3 to 5 percent of students identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, or struggle with their sexual identity. In spite of growing levels of acceptance, sexual minority youths are overrepresented in the numbers of young people who are reported with mental health and substance abuse issues, who are victims of bullying, and who commit suicide. Removing discrimination based on sexual orientation from the law sends a profound message of hope and acceptance to those youths.
R-71 will ensure that all families and individuals have protection, a critical step towards changing our world and changing our schools.
Third: Rep. Laura Grant needs to go back to Olympia to continue working hard on behalf of Washington’s children.
Laura Grant knows what is happening in schools today. How? She’s a teacher. In fact, she’s the only current teacher in the Washington State Legislature. Laura is also a mother of three and a former school board member.
When it comes to schools, we can count on Laura to vote for the best interests of students. Last session, Laura voted for ground-breaking reform of our basic education laws that will boost support for schools and classrooms over the next decade.
Let’s send this education champ back to Olympia!
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Make your vote count!
Posted on 03. Nov, 2009 by George.
Washington’s kids and schools are counting on you to vote and postmark your ballot by today–Election Day.
Here’s what the League of Education Voters recommends on two statewide ballot measures that will have a tremendous impact on Washington’s children and families.
On Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033, the League of Education Voters urges a resounding NO vote.
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.
Click here to learn why you should APPROVE Referendum 71.
Ballots must be postmarked today for your vote to count.
For questions about voting, contact your county auditor’s office.
You may also drop off your ballot at these locations:
- King County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Pierce County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Snohomish County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Spokane County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Thurston County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Clark County Ballot Drop Boxes
- Whatcom County Ballot Drop Boxes
