School advocates and legislators gathered at the Governor's Hotel in Olympia for the Race to the Top Legislative Luncheon.
Education leaders today presented a legislative agenda to strengthen education in Washington state and compete for a share of the $4.35 billion Race to the Top federal grants at a luncheon in Olympia.
Keynote speaker Bill Gates Sr. noted that too few high school graduates in Washington state have the skills to fill jobs that require a two or four-year college degree. He urged lawmakers to seize an “unprecedented opportunity for significant federal money to improve student achievement and give our kids a great future.”
Bill Gates Sr. gave the keynote speech.
Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of LEV, followed with a brief overview of what Washington must do to be competitive for Race to the Top.
A panel later discussed three of the four criteria in Race to the Top: preparing students for success in college and the workplace; recruiting, developing, retaining and rewarding effective teachers and leaders; and turning around the lowest performing schools.
Pat Erwin, principal of Lincoln High School
Pat Erwin, principal at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, spoke about giving principals more flexibility in meeting the needs of their students.
The governor’s education policy adviser, Judy Hartmann,provided a preview of legislation that will better position Washington for Race to the Top., which is detailed in this Associated Press story.
