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

Ideas to improve schools are coming from moderates in the center and on the right

February 6, 2013 in Blog

Peter Callaghan has an insightful article in the Tacoma News Tribune on the state of education reform today. Interestingly, Callaghan notes that at first Democratic governors led efforts to challenge the status quo of mediocre public schools back in the 1980s. Yet today, as reactionary unions remain the primary obstacle to reform, the most exciting education ideas are now coming from coalitions of concerned people from the center and the center right.

2013 Legislative Briefing

Dann Mead Smith, Paul Guppy and the full research team from Washington Policy Center presented their findings and key issues this Legislative Session on government reform, small business issues, environmental policy, health care and education reform to over 100 legislators, key staff and WPC supporters at our 2013 Legislative Briefing, held at the Capitol in Olympia on Monday, February 4.

Liv Finne responds to critisim re: Education Funding

February 3, 2013 in In the News
770 KTTH (Seattle)
Source: 
770 KTTH (Seattle)
Date: 
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Link: 
http://kiroradio.com/listen/9951721

Dr. Roza says more money can help schools, but need to spend it smarter

January 28, 2013 in Blog

Professor Roza responds below to my blog post about her valuable testimony before the Senate K12 Education Committee.  She provides a link to it.  Her full presentation is well worth watching.  --Liv

More money doesn't help school children, says UW professor

January 28, 2013 in Blog

A single data chart caused a big stir last week when Professor Marguerite Roza of the Center for Reinventing Public Education at the U.W. presented her findings to the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. Professor Roza's presentation only happened because the Committee is under new leadership. Senator Steve Litzow (R–Mercer Island) is allowing committee members to see briefing materials and consider bills that were previously blocked under the chairmanship of Senator Rosemary McAuliffe (D-Bothell).

Why the District is failing the MAP test

January 22, 2013 in Blog

The education policy world is abuzz with news that teachers at four Seattle schools are refusing to give their students the mandatory Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test.  See Linda Shaw’s latest here. 

The New Openness in Olympia - Blocked Education Reforms Get a Hearing

January 18, 2013 in Blog

Wednesday afternoon a blast of cold, fresh air blew through a Senate hearing room in Olympia.  New ideas for improving public schools were allowed a hearing.  Under the leadership of Senator Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island), the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee convened its first meeting.  Former Chair of the Committee, Senator Rosemary McAuliffe (D-Bothell), looked on as ideas she had blocked for years were openly discussed. 

Allow parents and communities, not state bureaucracies, to take over failing schools

January 15, 2013 in Blog

Seattle Weekly reports House budget Chairman Rep. Ross Hunter is considering a state takeover of schools that are denying children access to a quality public education. I admire Rep. Hunter’s concern for children trapped in failing public schools, and his willingness to do something about it, but I think this proposal moves in the wrong direction.

Garfield High teachers refuse to use MAP test

January 11, 2013 in Blog

Well-connected Melissa Westbrook breaks the story that teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle have unanimously refused to comply with the Seattle School District’s mandate to administer the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test.

Kris McBride, The Academic Dean and Testing Coordinator at Garfield, explains:

Seattle Times urges union to drop lawsuit against charter schools

January 10, 2013 in Blog

Yesterday the Seattle Times posted a well-reasoned, well-written editorial about the state teachers union (WEA) plan to file a lawsuit to prevent Washington school children from attending charter schools.

You can the full editorial here.