The 2009 scores for the 4th and 8th grade Reading portion of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (aka NAEP, the nation’s report card) were released today. Overall, Washington students performed relatively well compared to their peers. Our 4th graders fell within the national average, and our 8th graders scored slightly higher. Even so, the proficiency rates [...]
2010 special session will end…
March 23, 2010 By
Who knows when. The original 7-day deadline came and went Sunday with little fanfare (although Gov. Chris Gregoire did strongly urge the Legislature to wrap things up). So now we wait. Rep. Jeff Morris tweets [I think I am the only person not on Twitter] his predictions on how long the special session will go. Yesterday he thought [...]
Make our lawmakers think about our kids
March 17, 2010 By
As state lawmakers are working on the budget during a special legislative session, we need them to think about our kids. We know cuts are coming–that’s why we need to send hundreds of messages to Olympia on behalf of our kids to protect critical education programs. LEV has joined together with teachers, parents and community [...]
SBE meeting March 17-18 at Highline
March 16, 2010 By
The State Board of Educationis meeting tomorrow and Thursday at Highline Community College. The agenda and all meeting materials can be found here. Meeting highlights include updates on: Common core standards High school graduation requirements and CORE 24 Accountability framework 2010 legislative session Race to the Top Statewide assessments
Schools eligible for federal improvement grants released
March 12, 2010 By
Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn released the names of 47 schools identified as “persistently lowest-performing schools” as identified by federal guidelines. The identified schools will be eligible for additional Title I funds and must choose one of four intervention models to receive the funds. The four intervention models are: Turnaround model. Replace the principal, [...]
Lawmakers reach agreements on key education bills
March 12, 2010 By
Parents, educators and students have a lot to celebrate this morning. On the final day of the 2010 legislative session, lawmakers reached agreements on key education bills. Thank you to legislators and especially parents and education advocates who worked so hard on behalf of kids this legislative session. Basic education funding bill Lawmakers took the [...]
Oh what a night!
March 11, 2010 By
Today, the last of the 60-day 2010 legislative session, was a big day for education. First, in the late afternoon, Senate Bill 6759 passed both chambers. Then, this evening we had rapid final passage of three other bills, Senate Bill 6696, House Bill 2776 and House Bill 2731 (last of the night). Together, these four [...]
To CORE 24 or not to CORE 24?
March 11, 2010 By
Mark Mansell, superintendent of La Center School District, is the author of the following guest blog post on the new CORE 24 high school graduation requirements. He is also a member of the State Board of Education’s CORE 24 Implementation Task Force. The next Task Force meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 15th (agenda). Guest [...]
Education advocates send letter to Sen. Brown and Speaker Chopp
March 10, 2010 By
More than two dozen parents and education advocates sent a letter today to Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and Speaker Frank Chopp urging them to work together to pass critical education bills. The full letter is below. ——————————- To: Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown House Speaker Frank Chopp CC: Senator Rosemary McAuliffe, Chair, Early Learning [...]
Draft Common Core standards released
March 10, 2010 By
The National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers released the draft K-12 Common Core standards this morning. NGA and CCSSO are asking for feedback, so those interested should have at it. Education Week coverage here. Press release below: DRAFT K-12 COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT NGA Center, CCSSO Release First Official [...]
