Washington exports college students – a trade deficit that we cannot afford
The Seattle Times reports that Washington sends more students out of state for a college education than come here to attend school. [Bjong “Wolf” Yeigh, chancellor of the University of Washington Bothell,] was analyzing the data this year and was surprised to learn that Washington experiences the opposite effect. In fact, it’s one of only 11 states with a net loss of first-time college […]
August 13 , 2014 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Initiative 1351 Class Size Reduction: A $4.7 Billion Unfunded Mandate with Dubious Educational Merit
In a new policy brief, we look at Initiative 1351, which will be on the ballot in November. I-1351 would reduce class sizes for kindergarten through 12th grade. Below are a few main points about the initiative, which are fleshed out in the brief. It would increase state K–12 spending by $4.7 billion through 2019—over […]
August 11 , 2014 - Emily Makings
Fiscal impact of class size initiative, and other budget complications
The Office of Financial Management released its fiscal impact statement of I-1351 today. The initiative would lower class sizes for grades K-12 but contains no dedicated funding source. According to OFM, if approved by voters, I-1351 would increase state spending by $4.7 billion over 5 years ($2 billion in 2015-17 and $2.7 billion in 2017-19). […]
August 05 , 2014 - Emily Makings
Various and sundry links
“Cancelling Washington R&D Incentives Will Erase Success,” by Tom Ranken and Eric Viola of the Washington Clean Technology Alliance, in Xconomy: “Before the programs, Washington tax law was punitive to R&D growth—and the job growth that goes with it.” (Here’s our policy brief on the R&D incentives: “Supporting Research and Development with Responsible Tax Policy.”) […]
July 24 , 2014 - Emily Makings
Cost effective education spending includes charters
How is education like baseball? When money is no object, cost effectiveness is less important. Patrick Wolf of the University of Arkansas links education and Moneyball in a post for EducationNext: The cost of public education is largely ignored by both the media and education policymakers. Many people think it is awkward, complicated or destroys […]
July 23 , 2014 - Emily Makings
The "shortsightedness" of "pay it forward" college financing
Via the University of Washington’s Office of Planning and Budgeting blog, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) has a new report on the “pay it forward” (PIF) higher education funding idea that has received a lot of play around the country recently. (Including in Washington, as a Washington Business Alliance blog post […]
July 09 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Class size Initiative 1351 hides costs, consequences
My column today compares and contrasts Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1325 with the Washington Education Association’s Initiative 1351. The former failed to qualify for the November ballot; the latter apparently did. Eyman’s sales tax reduction would have cost the state about $2 billion over the two-year budget cycle without specifying what programs and services would be […]
June 13 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
State Supreme Court orders lawmakers to explain why they should not be held in contempt on school funding
The Court’s has long signaled its impatience with the legislature’s slow progress toward meeting the McCleary obligation to fund basic education. Wait until next year wasn’t going to work again. Yesterday’s action – an order to appear at a show cause hearing – steps up the pressure. The state’s response to the order is to be […]
May 27 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Expanding access to higher education: online learning, improving transition from 2-year to 4-year institutions
Two good articles on higher education were published today. One theme they share: we need to focus on increasing access while keeping tuition affordable. In the Columbian, Don Brunell writes of the success being experienced by WGU Washington (that’s Western Governors University). The university serves working adults and the 950,000 state residents who have started […]
May 14 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Filing week begins: Quiz candidates on education funding, transportation, and the skills gap
This is the filing week, when candidates declare their intent to run in the 2014 elections. This year’s ballot includes all 10 U.S. House seats, including the open seat in the 4th District in Eastern Washington where Doc Hastings is retiring, the secretary of state’s office said. Also on the ballot are all 98 members of […]