Comments for League of Education Voters

Comment on State House passes Race to the Top legislation by Gordon Macdougall

Gordon Macdougall — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:59:03 +0000

Race to the Top, so far in the first round, has given out half of its 4.4 billion, or 2.2 billion. 16 states “won” (which of course means 25 states lost funding…)
2.2 billion divided by 16 states = about 150 million, a one-time payment.
Washington’s education budget is well over seven billion.
So….for less that 1/40 of our states education budget, you want us to support massive and unproven reforms that target and demean teachers and other educators?
I don’t think so.
Who will pay for these “reforms” (charters, merit pay, union-busting, etc etc) NEXT year?
I don’t think so.
“Reformers” are nothing but mouthpieces (willing or not) for organizations that want to focus merely on teachers as “the problem,” ignoring root causes, ignoring the problems the economy brings to our communities….”Blame the teachers! Fire them all like we did in Rhode Island!”
I don’t think so.
Washington values education at the top of its list of “to-dos” in its constitution. And you want us to follow meekly along like little lap-dogs, wagging our tails for the fed’s little tid-bit?
I don’t think so.

Comment on Tune in tonight to watch the film Paramount Duty by Kelly Powers

Kelly Powers — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:13:01 +0000

The Seattle Channel posts links to its shows. Maybe they could post it on their website and then you could link directly to it?

Comment on 2010 supplemental budget proposals by Schools blog » Blog Archive » Education cuts are coming, no matter what

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:07:56 +0000

[...] I just found a great break-down of the potential impacts of the proposed House and Senate supplemental budgets on education. A brief synopsis is below, but to see charts for K-12, higher education and early education, created by the League of Education Voters, click here. [...]

Comment on LEV testifies on the proposed sales tax increase by Liz Piekarczyk

Liz Piekarczyk — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:41:34 +0000

Well done, George.

Comment on State House members urge governor not to appeal school-funding decision by Polly Lyle

Polly Lyle — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:39:55 +0000

Thank you to the legislators who signed this letter. It is important that the state not waste precious resources challenging this ruling. Please write to the Governor and your legislators as soon as possible and encourage them not to appeal the ruling. Encourage your friends to write letters also.

Comment on State House members urge governor not to appeal school-funding decision by Jaye Stover

Jaye Stover — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:34:19 +0000

Don’t procedure with litigation! Committ yourselves, House and Senate, Democrat and Republican, to funding schools on behalf of the welfare of our citizens.

Comment on State House members urge governor not to appeal school-funding decision by Gail Eisenberger

Gail Eisenberger — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:58:58 +0000

As the decision confirmed, education is the primary responsibility of the state. This decision should not be debated nor appealed. Thank you to each legislator who recognised the state’s legal obligation and the role of education in developing productive citizens and a healthy economy.

Comment on State House members urge governor not to appeal school-funding decision by Megan DeSantis

Megan DeSantis — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:46:26 +0000

Thank you legislators who urged the governor not to appeal school-funding decision by Judge Erlick! You are breaking your own laws by not funding basic education.

Comment on School levy and bond elections by Nancy Chamberlain

Nancy Chamberlain — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:27:20 +0000

Thank God for simple majority!

Comment on Huge victory for a million school kids! by Mike Sheehan

Mike Sheehan — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:50:45 +0000

I did not actually know that LEV stayed out of the lawsuit because of their stance on early learning. I commend that. I was happy with the ruling but felt that Judge Erlich was neglectful as his opinion did not conclude that this state is also out of compliance in terms of early learning. Section 168 stated:

“This court concludes that the word “all” in Article IX, §1 means what it says. It means “every” and “each and every one of”. It encompasses each and every child since each will be a member of, and participant in, this State’s democracy, society, and economy.”

The ruling even specifically cited the results of the Perry Preschool project as showing how quality early learning programs can positively effect a child’s education. Yet Judge Erlich seemed to ignore the fact that our current statutes specifically exclude children birth to five in terms of our Paramount duty.