Fund our future.
More investments, more accountability.
Washington’s future depends on citizens demanding the excellent schools our children deserve — and, of course, on our willingness to fund them. Our state continues to run schools based on outdated expectations with below average resources. Transforming our schools will require overhauling outdated accounting and data management systems, which are essential tools to improving performance. It will require, as a measure of last resort, intervention in consistently under-performing schools. Our goal must be nothing less than the best public education system in the nation.
Improvements
- Voters passed EHJR 4204, a constitutional amendment that allows school levies to pass with a simple majority vote.
- I-728 was fully funded with dedicated funds from the Education Legacy Trust Fund.
- Basic Education Finance Task Force proposed a new K-12 funding model, including revisions to educator compensation.
- Legislature passed the Educational Data and Data Systems bill, requiring districts to report student data beginning in 2008-09.
- State Board of Education is developing a plan to address and turnaround struggling schools (contingent on funding).
No Change
- No change in reducing Washington’s class sizes.
- No significant change in reducing Washington’s student-counselor ratio.
Going Backward
- Gap between the national average and state K-12 per-student spending continues to grow.
- Increase in the number of school districts in financial distress.
- Widening gap between the national average and state teacher compensation (figures do not include TRI pay).
- Rank in academic research and development expenditures fell nine places, from 21st in 2003 to 30th in 2005.
Strategies
- Continue development of preschool through higher education longitudinal data system.
- Benchmark K-12 funding to Global Challenge States to ensure Washington competes with similar economies.
- Fund and implement additional recommendations of the Basic Education Finance Task Force.
- Reform compensation system for K-12 educators to attract, retain and reward the best educators.
- Fund new high school graduation requirements (CORE 24), including at least six periods in middle and high school to encourage art, music, career and technical education programs and world languages.
- Implement the State Board of Education’s System Performance Accountability plan to turn around struggling schools.
- Decrease class size, with a focus on K-3 and struggling schools.
- Reduce the student-counselor ratio in middle and high schools to provide more individualized guidance to students and reduce dropout rates.
Indicators
Higher Education Research & Development:
Washington ranked 30th in academic research and development per $1,000 of GDP in 2005, compared
to 21st in 2003. (National Science Board)
Teacher Compensation:
In 2005-06, Washington ranked 21st in average teacher salaries at $46,326 (national average: $49,026; best state: California, $59,825). (NEA)
Public Effort:
In 2005-06, Washington ranked 46th when public school financing was compared to personal income ($42.95 per $1,000 of personal income, 22 slots below the national average of $50.67). (U.S. Census Bureau)
Local Levy Support:
In 2008, 57 operating levies passed which would have otherwise failed because of voter approval of the simple majority constitutional amendment. (OSPI)
Student-Counselor Ratio:
Washington ranked 40th in student-counselor ratio in 2005-06 with 513 students per staff (best state: Rhode Island: 60; national average: 476). (NCES)
Student-Teacher Ratio:
Washington ranked 46th in student-teacher ratio with 19.3 students per certificated staff member in 2005-06 (best state: Vermont, 10.7; national average: 15.7). (NCES)
Data Collection & Analysis:
LEV Foundation has adopted the Data Quality Campaign’s criteria for identifying elements of a useful data collection system. Washington’s data system is still missing:
- A teacher identifier system with the ability to match teachers to students
- Student-level college readiness test scores (Data Quality Campaign)
