- Moved education reform forward. During the 2010 legislative session, we held lawmakers accountable to begin funding and implementing the landmark education reforms passed in 2009. We also worked with a broad coalition of parents, educators and business and community leaders to pass reforms that will improve Washington’s public schools and help our state win a federal Race to the Top grant.
- Expanded the debate to encompass early learning through higher education. LEV Foundation was an early voice calling for preschool through college (P-20) education reform. With support from advocates and policymakers, Washington is creating a more integrated, seamless education system by expanding access to early learning to increase school readiness, enhancing teacher education and professional development, improving college readiness, and increasing post-secondary opportunities. Focusing on the full spectrum of learning is the key to preparing all children for college, work, and life.
- Redefined basic education. LEV Foundation played a key role in redefining basic education based on the answers to one key question: what will it take to prepare all students for college, work, and life? The final Basic Education Finance Task Force’s proposal to the state legislature and subsequent legislation included many of LEV Foundation’s recommendations. (Read more…)
- Made the case that change is long overdue – and possible. LEV Foundation published its biennial Citizens’ Report Card on Washington State Education (2006, 2007, 2009), which grades the state’s progress in five key areas spanning early learning through higher education. These and other LEV Foundation reports have brought attention to the deficiencies in our system and demonstrated that hope lies in achievable reforms.
- Helped win simply majority for school levies, which have made critically needed funds available. With support from LEV, the Washington Education Association, the PTA, and others, the Washington State Constitution was amended in 2007 to allow school levies to pass by a simple majority vote. In 2008, 76 school levies passed that wouldn’t have otherwise, providing nearly $220 million in school funding and benefiting more than 156,000 students.
View LEV’s annual accomplishments that have helped improve academic achievement for thousands of Washington’s children.
Our Supporters
“Supporting public education is a fundamental part of building a healthy community, and we want to level the playing field for those who don’t have opportunities for a high-quality education. The work of the League of Education Voters Foundation is helping us make a difference in the lives of so many children in our state.”
Paul and Debbi Brainerd
The Brainerd Foundation
Annual Accomplishments
View LEV’s annual accomplishments that have helped improve academic achievement for thousands of Washington’s children.
Basic Education Reform
Find out how LEV helped lead a broad coalition in 2009 that pushed for bold education reform in Washington state.
Staff Awards
In 2008. George Scarola, LEV Foundation’s legislative director, and Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder and director of external affairs, were honored for their leadership:
- George and Lisa won the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle Spirit Award
- Lisa won the Municipal League Citizen of the Year Award and was named among Seattle Magazine’s 25 Most Influential People of the Year.
