Improving education, strengthening the economy
Opportunity Washington recently pointed out fascinating research (summarized here) which indicates: “that national average student performance at age 15 on an internationally standardized mathematics test is predictive of that nation’s future economic growth.” It’s yet more proof that a good education is not only empowering and life-changing for individual students, but for entire nations as well. It raises […]
August 18 , 2015 - Mary Strow
90 Seconds Podcast: The McCleary series
We're starting a series of 90 Seconds podcasts specifically on the McCleary ruling (in 2012 the state Supreme Court ruled that the State of Washington is unconstitutionally failing to fully fund K-12 basic education; that decision and all subsequent McCleary filings and rulings are here). Given the importance of McCleary, and the amount of time […]
August 18 , 2015 - Mary Strow
Policy Today podcast: Analyzing the latest McCleary order
Last week the state Supreme Court ordered a $100,000-per-day penalty against the state for not producing a plan to reach full K-12 basic education by 2018. Lawmakers have made significant progress, but have a highly complex task ahead of them.
August 14 , 2015 - Mary Strow
McCleary roundup
Big day yesterday with the state Supreme Court “impos[ing] a $100,000 per day penalty on the State” for not producing a plan to achieve, by 2018, full state funding of basic education (as laid out in Article IX, Section 1 of Washington’s constitution – the famous “paramount duty” provision). The court ordered the amount of the […]
August 13 , 2015 - Emily Makings
WA Supreme Court finds that Legislature hasn't done enough on K-3 class size or compensation, imposes sanctions
The state Supreme Court has unanimously imposed sanctions on the Legislature for failing to comply with the Court’s order to submit a plan showing how the Legislature would fully fund basic education. (For background on the filings in the McCleary case since the end of the session, see here.) The Legislature will have to pay […]
August 06 , 2015 - Mary Strow
Manufacturing Jobs: Lots of openings, not enough skilled workers
The Puget Sound Business Journal recently brought together a panel of Puget Sound manufacturers to discuss the problem, verging on crisis, of finding skilled workers. In a nutshell: “Manufacturers can’t find workers to fill open positions.” And these are good-paying blue-collar positions. Things have gotten so bad that several manufacturers, tired of waiting for educators […]
August 04 , 2015 - Mary Strow
July 29 , 2015 - Mary Strow
July 28 , 2015 - Emily Makings
McCleary filings and the stubborn problem of I-1351
Last year the state Supreme Court found the Legislature in contempt for failure to provide a complete plan showing how it would comply with McCleary and implement its program of basic education. The Court held off on imposing sanctions until after the 2015 sessions. Yesterday the Legislature submitted its 2015 report to the Court on […]
July 23 , 2015 - Mary Strow