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Key Findings
- In 2018 state Superintendent Reykdal replaced the School Achievement Index with a weaker measure called the Washington School Improvement Framework (WSIF).
- Families can no longer use the School Achievement Index to determine whether the school their children attend is rated as Exemplary, Very Good, Good, Fair or Underperforming.
- The new WSIF categorizes schools by the level of funding school officials believe schools should receive, as requiring “Foundational Supports,” “Support Tier 1,” “Support Tier 2,” or “Support Tier 3.”
- State spending on public education in Washington has doubled in eight years, rising from $13.5 billion in 2013 to $27.3 billion in the current state budget, while the number of students has only increased by about 10 percent.
- Nevertheless, results on the WSIF show no overall improvement in school rankings.
- The WSIF does show continuing, persistent school failure; about 250 schools in Washington fail to provide their 55,000 students a quality education.
- Ironically, the WSIF reveals the failure of the idea that more money improves the schools.
- As an accountability measure to improve schools, WSIF, has failed.
- The better approach is to increase school choice for families by opening more public charter schools, and by offering tax credit scholarships and vouchers to private schools.
- Parents are in the best position to find schools that meet the learning needs of their children.
Introduction
In 2009 the Legislature directed state officials to create a rating system for schools to inform the public and ensure that children attending public schools are receiving a good education. The Legislature said:
The SBE [State Board of Education] has responsibility for implementing a statewide accountability system that includes identification of successful schools and districts, those in need of assistance, and those in which state intervention measures are needed.
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