Leaders for quality public education from cradle to career
“Be excellent to each other” declares a smoothed skinned Abe Lincoln in the epic conclusion of one of my favorite childhood movies, “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” The theme of excellence weaves itself throughout the film, as the Wyld Stallyns, Bill and Ted, learn what it means to be excellent. For two seniors on the [...]
Traci lives in Puyallup, WA, is a mother to three, and works at the Bethel School District. She has her Masters of Teaching from University of Puget Sound. Budget cuts again. The teacher in me shudders. The mom in me is grateful to have been blessed with the children I have. Let me elaborate. In [...]
The following is prepared testimony given on Friday in the House Education Committee in favor of HB 2428, which would allow for transformation zones and public charter schools in Washington state. Written testimony sometimes varies from the spoken testimony, as panelists are dissuaded from reading from a script. Hello, my name is Christopher Eide and [...]
We know that every student deserves a great teacher, and every school deserves a great principal. But how do we make sure this happens for all kids? One way is to make sure that teachers and principals are evaluated using multiple measures that include student performance. And that performance is included in staffing decisions. Teachers [...]
Hope Teague-Bowling is a National Board Certified teacher at Clover Park High School in Lakewood, WA and a member of the LEV Foundation Board of Directors. In order to understand my perspective on the issue, it’s important to understand a few premises for my thoughts. 1. What’s best for students should be at the center [...]
From an editorial in the Tacoma News Tribune: Charter public schools are hardly the most important reform out there, but they do serve as a barometer of a state’s willingness to give every possible option to parents and children. The highly motivated educators who typically launch charter schools sign a contract – the charter – [...]
From The Columbian…. Now that the state Supreme Court has affirmed what the state constitution proclaims — that basic public education is the state’s paramount duty — proper pursuit of that goal requires innovative thinking. That’s one reason charter school projects elsewhere have been supported by Seattle’s Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. And that’s why [...]
Rep. Eric Pettigrew and Sen. Steve Litzow, flanked by parents, community members and educators, announced two major education bills Thursday that will seek to improve the learning and achievement for all students, especially those attending low-performing schools. “These bills would have impact right now,” Pettigrew said. These bills are one step in the right direction, [...]
This is a summary of a bill introduced to the state Legislature today focusing on excellent instruction. We’ll update when a bill number is assigned. A Bill to Promote and Support Instructional Excellence in Public Schools Bill sponsors: Rep. Eric Pettigrew (D-Seattle) and Sen. Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island) The single biggest in-school factor affecting student [...]
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