Bipartisan group of legislators introduce bill to overhaul state's K-12 funding system

Lawmakers say legislation will deliver long-awaited improvements to state schools

For immediate release - January 26, 2009

[CORE NEWS FACTS]

·         A bi-partisan group of legislators from the Washington State Senate and Washington State House of Representatives introduced legislation being heard this week in the House and Senate that, if enacted, will result in the most sweeping changes in our state’s education system since the 1970s.

 

·         The legislation mirrors recommendations from a task force that spent nearly two years reviewing Washington’s definition of “basic education” and the funding structure to support it. The task force delivered its recommendations to the Legislature earlier this month.

 ·         The legislation does the following:

o    Redefines “basic education,” the legal definition that dictates the state’s constitutional obligation to fund kindergarten through 12^th grade. The new definition takes a “start with the end goal in mind” approach that links graduation requirements with the program of education necessary for children to have a viable opportunity to meet those requirements, and gain an education that helps them be college or work ready. The new definition also includes early learning for at-risk students;

o    Simplifies and modernizes the state’s K-12 funding system. The proposed finance system uses a much simpler formula based on service levels. In other words, instead of deciding to send a district $1 million for class size reduction (a number that doesn’t say much about how many students-per-class that translates to), legislators would decide to fund 25 students per teacher. This will make it much easier for administrators, parents and taxpayers to understand what the state is paying for, and see when school districts opt to spend the money in other ways;

o    Eliminates increases in teacher pay for obtaining degrees and instead rewards teachers for earning certification and demonstrating competence through a new peer evaluation system;

o    Creates a comprehensive mentoring program for new teachers;

o    Provides bonuses to schools that demonstrate growth in academic achievement;

o    Addresses district inequities by eliminating grandfathered salary differences and various levy lids;

o    Addresses the persistent achievement gap by providing resources so disadvantaged children will receive significantly more instructional time to help them catch up; and

o    Increases accountability by requiring districts to use common accounting and student information systems to be provided by the state.

[QUOTES]

Sen. Fred Jarrett, D-Mercer Island: “Our state’s future depends on giving our children the best educations we can. Those who wrote our constitution understood that. That’s why education is the paramount duty of the state. It’s up to us to walk the talk.”

Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina: “I’m proud of so many elements of this report, and all the work that went into putting it together. I think it’s great that it’s a bi-partisan report. It’s a bold solution to an entrenched problem in our society.”

Rep. Glenn Anderson, R-Fall City: “Our legislation is a good step toward ensuring that as we prioritize spending year after year that education is considered the ‘paramount duty’ of the state, fulfilling our constitutional mandate. Our children cannot wait any longer for the education the Legislature continues to promise them. This legislation, if approved, moves us in that direction and I am pleased to have been an integral part of the bill put forward today.”

Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina: “The most important element of this proposal is the new definition of basic education. For the first time the state will have a definition that ties what we expect from our students with what the students should expect from the budget. If we expect kids to get an education that prepares them to succeed in college or the world of work, then the legislature should provide for enough instructional time to make that possible.”

Rep. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way: “This is an incredible time for education. After 19 studies and countless hearings over the years, our legislation introduced today will finally ensure the Legislature funds the fundamentals of education, such as books, transportation, special education and classified staff. I am proud to be a part of this pioneering education reform.”

Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington: “If we’re serious about providing our students every opportunity to be successful, it starts with keeping our promise to provide them a quality education. For years we’ve recognized the need to change the way we fund our school system. This legislation doesn’t just change the way we fund our school system – it makes the entire system more transparent, more accountable, more effective. At long last, we will see the change our children deserve.

[LINKS AND REOURCES]

The final report of the Basic Education Funding Task Force can be found online here.

Legislators have prepared a summary that can be found online here.

Text for House Bill 1410 is here. Text for Senate Bill 5444 is here.