Education

WPC's Center for Education conducts objective research and makes practical policy recommendations to improve Washington State's ability to carry out its paramount duty to educate every child within its borders.

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What's New

Washington Policy Center's Education Reform Plan

Public education is in decline. Nearly one-third of Washington public school students fail to graduate, and another third graduate without the knowledge and skills necessary for college or the workplace.  Over half (52%) of public school students entering community or technical colleges must take remedial courses in math, English or reading to catch up. Eighty-four percent of employers say public schools are not doing a good job of preparing students to succeed in the workplace.

WPC's Public School Accountability Index

Washington Policy Center's Public School Accountability Index rates the quality of more than 2,000 public schools across the state. The Index is based on data compiled by the State Board of Education's 2011 Achievement Index.

Will Governor Gregoire force committee chair to allow a Senate vote on charter school bill?

February 03, 2012

Today the charter school bill introduced in the state Senate either proceeds or dies.  The Chair of that committee, Senator Rosemary McAuliffe (D-Bothell) is trying to block the vote on the bill.  Today the Everett Herald reports that the Governor has intervened. 

Achievement indices for SW Washington schools

The Columbian (Vancouver) February 03, 2012 in In the News
Source: 
The Columbian (Vancouver)
Date: 
February 2, 2012
Link: 
http://www.columbian.com/school-achievement/

On K-12 education, Washington Supreme Court makes itself a super-Legislature

Auburn Reporter February 02, 2012 in In the News
Source: 
Auburn Reporter
Date: 
February 2, 2012
Link: 
http://www.auburn-reporter.com/opinion/138603054.html

In Katrina's Wake, New Orleans' Schools Reinvent Themselves around Competition

Feb. 2, 2012 in Publications
By

Paul Pastorek

, February 2012

The Seattle Times published this column on February 1, 2012.

The Big Easy is about food, music and Bourbon Street, not about innovation, right? Wrong! New Orleans is at the center of an education revolution that is developing an "education system" that defies conventional wisdom.

Lifting the State Ban on Charter Schools

Feb. 1, 2012 in Publications
By

Liv Finne, Director, Center for Education

, February 2012

Introduction

Many Washington schools falling short

KXLY 4 News February 01, 2012 in In the News
Source: 
KXLY 4 News
Date: 
January 31, 2012
Link: 
http://www.kxly.com/news/30344574/detail.html

District seeks input on new Spokane schools chief

Spokesman-Review (Spokane) January 31, 2012 in In the News
Source: 
Spokesman-Review (Spokane)
Date: 
January 31, 2012
Link: 
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/31/district-seeks-an-innovator/