Transcript Slide 1

Washington College Access Network
Landscape of Education Reform in
Washington State
March 23, 2011
Partnership for Learning
Who We Are
What We Do
• Believe every student deserves a
quality education that prepares
them for college and work.
• Advocate for education reforms
that will improve student success
in the following areas:
• Standards
• Graduation Requirements
• Teaching and Leading
• Data Systems
• Accountability
• Innovation
• STEM
• Communicator
• Distribute research-based policy
briefs.
• Coalition Builder
• Collaborate with state
policymakers, business leaders and
community groups.
• Convener
• Inform and mobilize leaders and
communities.
League of Education Voters
Who We Are
• Work to create an educational system in which
every student has an equal and adequate
opportunity to succeed in college, work, and in life.
• Citizen-founded and citizen-funded.
• Advocate for education reforms:
• Making kindergarten the next step, not the first
step.
• Preparing kids so they have the opportunity to go
to college.
• Adequately funding our schools even in a
recession.
• Accountability to know that the system is
working. This includes having a data system and
proper evaluation of students, teachers and
administrators.
• Providing teachers with the support and
resources they need to make their students
succeed – and the coaching and mentors they
need to be more effective.
What We Do
• Grassroots Organizing
• Policy Research and
Analysis
• Political Engagement
• Communication
Agenda
Washington State Education Reform
What’s
Happened
So Far?
Where
Are We
Now?
What’s
Next?
Call To
Action
Education Landscape:
Where Are We Coming From?
Reflect on past
education reform
actions
Education Reform Timeline: 1993-2010
Limited Success in Education Reform Over the Last 17 years
Education
Reform Bill
(1993)
Washington
State
Legislature
passes the
Education
Reform Act
(HB 1209).
Bill calls for the
creation of
common
learning goals,
an assessment
system to
measure
student
progress in
meeting
standards, and
an
accountability
system.
Academic
Standards
(1993-1996)
Academic state
standards
developed in
reading,
writing, math,
social studies,
science, arts
and health and
fitness.
Graduation
Requirements
(1996-2010)
WASL administered
to tests students
proficiency in
reading, writing and
math (1996).
Legislature
approves new
graduation
requirements:
students must pass
WASL starting with
Class of 2008.
Legislative
Actions
(2007-2010)
Bill passes to phase
in all-day
Kindergarten (2007).
Bill passes that
redefines basic
education (2009).
WASL replaced with
MSP Exam (2010current).
Bill passes to allow
state to intervene in
low-performing
schools,
teacher/principal
evaluation and allow
alternative routes to
teacher preparation
programs (2010).
Graduation
requirement of
WASL/MSP delayed
from Class of 2008
to Class of 2013.
State Board of Education
proposes new, 24-credit
graduation
requirements (2010).
Federal
Education
Funding (2010)
Unprecedente
d federal
funding.
Race to the
Top:
• $3.4B
distributed to
11 states and
the District of
Columbia in
Race to the
Top
• Washington
ranked 32nd
out of 36
states with
score of 290
out of 500
points.
Our Role in Education Reform
Working to Improve Education Since 1993
1994
• In light of the landmark education reform bill passed in 2003, Partnership for Learning is created. Serve as
the business-communities voice in education.
• Partnership for Learning is focused on ensuring all students graduate from high school ready for college and
work. Emphasize the needs for standards, assessments and accountability in Washington’s education
system.
• Advocate for aligned high school graduation requirements and college entry requirements.
• Collaborate with state agencies to develop plan for implementation of math, science and reading graduation
1994-2007
assessments.
• Strong presence in Washington’s legislature.
2008
2009
2010
• Initiate initiative to improve science, technology, engineering and math achievement and increase
postsecondary graduates in the fields.
• Engage with State Board of Education on development of new graduation requirements.
• Strong presence in Washington’s legislature.
• Engage with The New Teacher Project, a national nonprofit dedicated to closing the achievement gap, on a
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) study to identify how to increase STEM
proficiency in Washington state.
• Strong presence in Washington’s legislature.
• Highly engaged in developing and strengthening Washington’s Race to the Top application:
• Work with state leaders to write Race to the Top application.
• Advocate for Race to the Top legislation, SB 6696.
Education Landscape Updates:
Where Are We?
Discuss education
policies and
reforms
happening in the
2011 legislative
session
2011 Legislative Session Landscape
Economic Issues Continue to Dominate Every Discussion and Decision
State Budget
Early
Learning
Higher
Education
K-12 Education
$5.1 billion
deficit
2011 Legislative Session: K-12 Education
Protecting Progress and Driving Innovative Policies, Even in Difficult Times
Math and Science Graduation Requirements: Holding the line on reform
• Several bills were considered this year that would impact current math and science
graduation requirements.
• A compromise on math assessments was reached in the House. The bill requires students in
the graduating classes of 2013 and 2014 to pass only one end-of-course assessment, moving
to two end-of-course assessments for the class of 2015.
• Efforts to delay to the science assessment graduation requirements did not pass out of
committee, but are likely to resurface later in session.
Reductions-in-Force and Mutual Consent Hiring: Hiring and retaining the very best
• Legislation was introduced that would allow for mutual consent hiring between a teacher and
principal and would require that in reductions-in-force, performance evaluations will
determine which teachers are laid off, not seniority.
Principal Pathways: Expanding the pool of outstanding leaders for our schools
• Legislation would enable individuals with professional leadership experience outside the education
sector to receive principal certification.
• Candidates must meet same certification requirements; optional for districts.
Policy Updates: K-12 Education
Protecting Progress and Driving Innovative Policies, Even in Difficult Times
Education Governance: Three approaches to creating a more
streamlined system
• Governor’s Proposal: Establishes a single, cabinet-level P-20 Department of
Education, led by Secretary of Education. Consolidates several agencies and
education boards.
• Senate’s Proposal: Establishes a single, cabinet-level P-12 Department of Education,
led by Secretary of Education. Consolidates several agencies and education boards.
• House’s Proposal: Establishes a 23-member education council to offer
recommendations about the best form of governance for Washington. The House
passed the bill and it will now be heard in the Senate.
Innovative School Zones: Allowing schools and districts increased
flexibility
• Legislation supporting the creation of innovation schools and innovation zones in
school districts gained momentum this legislative session.
• The legislation authorizes innovative schools and districts to waive some state
programs and laws.
Policy Updates: Higher Education
Protecting Progress and Driving Innovative Policies, Even in Difficult Times
Tuition-Setting Authority: Allow universities to set tuition levels as to
counter the state funding depreciation.
• Two pieces of legislation address tuition-setting authority:
• Higher Education Task Force: Initiates tuition-setting authority in 2011, establishes financial
aid endowment as non-profit, adds STEM degree production to performance metrics.
• Rep. Carlyle: grants tuition-setting authority to baccalaureates for four years only, does not
create endowment fund for financial aid
• Discussions occurring about combining the two into a single bill.
• Higher Education funding bills are deemed necessary to implement budget and will remain
alive throughout session.
Financial Aid: Keep college affordable for low- and middle-income
students.
• Maintain funding financial aid programs:
• State Need Grants: Enables students from low- and moderate-income families to pursue
college and work training by providing assistance with tuition costs.
• Work Study Program: Provides part-time work opportunities for low- and moderateincome students pursuing post-secondary education.
Education Landscape Updates:
What’s Next?
Build political will
for key reforms
and proven policy
solutions for the
future
Excellent Schools Now
Excellent Schools Now is a coalition of education, business and
community-based organizations in Washington state working to
achieve meaningful education reforms that increase student
achievement, close the achievement gap and prepare students to
be college and career ready.
Steering Committee: Partnership for Learning, League of Education
Voters, Stand for Children and the Governor’s Commission on
African American Affairs.
ESN has now grown to more than 30 organizations statewide
Learn more at www.excellentschoolsnow.com
Washington STEM
Washington STEM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing innovation,
equity, and excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM education).
• Washington STEM mobilizes education, business and civic leaders to fulfill our shared
responsibility to accelerate improvements in STEM instruction throughout the state.
Washington STEM officially launched March 7-10, 2011.
$2.4M in inaugural investments announced around the state.
• Portfolio Investment Awards made to Bellevue School District, Teach for America,
Technology Access Foundation and Washington MESA
• Entrepreneurial Investment Awards made to several school districts across the state
• Intent of the awards is to accelerate discovery and scaling of effective practices, and
prepare and inspire underserved students in STEM to ensure they have great
opportunities for the future
Learn more at www.washingtonstem.org
The People’s Education Reform Plan
Building Public Demand and Political Will for Key Reforms
Bold Plan: Coalesced groups around a shared vision.
• Unsatisfied with state reform efforts and Washington’s performance in Race to
the Top, Excellent Schools Now (ESN) Coalition developed an education reform
plan that will:
• Rapidly close growing achievement gaps in Washington;
• Implement successful research and efforts working in other states.
• ESN completed an initial draft of the plan in early January.
What’s Next: Deepen, diversify and mobilize support.
• Engage stakeholders and gather feedback through a statewide listening tour,
beginning in late Spring.
• Launch plan and vision for education reform statewide at the end of 2011.
Call to Action
Engaging in Washington’s Education Reform
2011 Legislature needs to hear from you!
• Contact with your local Representatives and Senator to voice your concerns.
• www.leg.wa.gov
Become an Excellent Schools Now Coalition member.
• Coalition of education, business and community-based organizations in Washington state
working to achieve meaningful education reforms that increase student achievement,
close the achievement gap and prepare students to be college and career ready.
• Steering Committee: Partnership for Learning, League of Education Voters, Stand for
Children and the Governor’s Commission on African American Affairs.
• ESN has now grown to more than 30 organizations statewide.
Engage with your local school and school district.
Learn more from education reform organizations in Washington state.
• www.partnership4learning.org
• www.educationvoters.org
• www.stand.org
Questions?
Anne Luce
Policy Manager, Partnership for Learning
[email protected]
206-625-9655
Heather Cope
Senior Policy Analyst, League of Education Voters
[email protected]
206-728-6448