State Supreme Court says State hasn't met duty to pay for public educationThe Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state isn't meeting its constitutional obligation to amply pay for basic public education, but the justices gave an endorsement to the reform work the Legislature has already started.
The 85-page opinion said, however, that the judiciary would keep an eye on lawmakers to make sure they fully implement education reforms by 2018.
Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/05/1970299/state-supreme-court-says-state.html#storylink=cpy
Try the Budget CalculatorTry to balance the State budget Gap at the League of Education Voters Budget Calculator:. I am able to without touching education except for the 10% reduction of levy equalization for wealthy areas. See my take on it at: http://bit.ly/tbYWu5.
2011 Legislative AssemblyThe 2011 Washington State PTA Legislative Assembly was held October 14th and 15th in the SeaTac Washington Marriott Hotel with over 220 PTA Legislative Representatives and PTA Board Members attending from across the state. We had two full days to hear about, lobby for, and debate the new six issues. In all, everything passed or stayed the same that you voted for. Assembly SummaryOn the first evening the School Zone Signage issue was passed and will be added to the Safe and Nurturing Environments for Children and Youth legislative principles. The next morning we passed Juvenile Justice to be added to Health and Well-Bring of Children principles. Early Learning passed with possibly just one or two dissenters in the room. This was followed by a debate on Highly Capable which also passed. Both will be added to the Public Education Polices and Funding principles. The debate over Public Charter Schools was contentious and required extending the debate period two times. The vote was counted and narrowly passed with just 19 votes over the no’s. Achievement Gap and Educational Opportunities was passed with a much wider margin. The Proposed amendment to the New Model for Teacher Compensation was amended during the debate. The Amended Amendment passed, but failed to win against the original wording passed in 2010. HighlightThe highlight of the weekend came from a Common Core Standards presentation by Alan Burke, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). All Opstad students will come under the new High School testing requirements. Please check back in the near future as I will provide a link or some of the detail as it become available. Next StepsMy next task is to review Governor Gregoire’s proposed 2011-13 budget and recommend to our State representatives where I prefer to see cuts made prior to touching education funding as well as ensure funding for full day kindergarten in 2018. How Can I Help?
Teacher /Principal Evaluation PilotThe Teacher/Principle Evaluation Pilot (TPEP) consists of eight pilot districts and a consortium of eight small districts in ESD 101. They are tasked with developing and piloting a new four-tiered evaluation systems for teachers and principals during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years. To learn more go to: http://tpep-wa.org.
2011 Opstad PTA Legislative Assembly Survey Results
 Thank you for taking the time to complete the Opstad PTA Legislative survey for the 2011 State PTA Legislative Assembly. We ranked the results using the Very Important and Important voting numbers. Your votes ranked Charter Schools first with 31%, followed by both Highly Capable and Opportunity Gap second with 18%. Third was Juvenile Justice with 15% and Early Learning with 10%. I will do my best to advocate for your top issues. With a 51% majority you voted to not amend the New Model for Teacher Compensation (priority #6) from 2010.
Click here to view the WA State survey totals.
2011 Opstad PTA Legislative Assembly Survey
Dear Opstad PTA/PTSA members, What is most important to children in our community?
We need to know your thoughts so we can represent you. All PTA and PTSA members in the state are part of the Washington State Parent Teacher Association, and collectively we lobby for the well-being and education of all Washington youth. Each fall the association prioritizes issues by asking each local PTA and PTSA, as well as the councils, to send delegates to an assembly to discuss and vote on a legislative platform.
Platforms last for two years, and delegates decided on the current top issues last fall. This fall, Washington State PTA is looking at adding six issues as “also supported” and will consider amending a priority issue. New issues: Early learning; juvenile justice; opportunity gap; school zone signage; charter schools; and highly capable. Possible amendment: New model for teacher compensation. Click here for the 2011 Issue Guide.The current platform prioritizes: Following up on reform efforts; math and science instruction; literacy screening and instruction; reduction in force policies (layoffs); fund education first; and new model for teacher compensation. Also supported are improving food quality in breakfast and lunch programs, and making Physical Education/Health a core subject.
|
2011 PTA PrioritiesIn the 2010 Legislative Assembly, the following priorities were voted on for 2010-2011.
Click Here to get a list of Washington State Education related Bill information.
Click Here for Common Core State Standards information and resources.
Quality Education Council (QEC)
The Washington State Quality Education Council Final Report to the Legislature is now available. The Quality Education Council (QEC) was created by the Legislature in ESHB 2261, the major education reform bill passed during the 2009 session. Its purpose is to develop strategic recommendations for implementation of a new definition of Basic Education and the financing necessary to support it.
|
|
|
eScrip
|
legislative-news |