Budget

90 Seconds podcast: Class-size reduction & Initiative 1351

Governor proposes $2.3 billion education package, doesn't fund I-1351 class size reduction

Gov. Jay Inslee launched his extended budget rollout by focusing on education. This is, of course, the fun part of the rollout, talking about what the new spending will buy before having to get to the grit of new taxes. It’s, well, let’s just use the governor’s own characterization, Inslee proposes boldest new efforts in […]

Battle over education waivers continues here; Oklahoma waiver reinstated. Higher education fighting back.

The Associated Press reports that the coming legislative session will likely feature a continuation of the No Child Left Behind battles that cost districts control of some $38 million in federal funding. Here’s the crux: At issue during the 2014 legislative session was whether to require that student scores on statewide tests be used as one […]

Making the most of education investment: maintain standards, target early learning, scrap 1351

The headline summarizes some recent editorial observations. And nicely comports with budget realities. The News Tribune takes a strong editorial stand in support of academic accountability. At a time when the world is demanding more of high school graduates, Washington’s public schools shouldn’t be demanding less. Washington and many other states are phasing in the […]

Voters delivered a sensible message: What it means for 2015

In my column yesterday I assessed last week’s election, finding parallels between the national and Washington state outcomes. Using national trends to interpret our state elections can be risky. We’re different out here and proud of it. But last week showed some unmistakable signs that the wave sweeping most of the country splashed us as […]

Teachers' union promotes class size initiative for fall ballot

The Washington Education Association formally endorsed Initiative 1351, another unfunded mandate to reduce class sizes. The union describes it this way. The initiative reduces class sizes for all grades. For example, I-1351 would fund class sizes of 17 students per class in K-3, and 15 per class in high-poverty schools. The initiative would also will […]