Washblog

...then you have to ask the question: where is the wea?

how is it that there are no commercials featuring kids who, as the story progresses, end up undremployed...or parents who talk about wanting better schools for their kids...or lab-coated economists (or fot that matter, bill nye, the "science guy") who point to bar charts showing that education dollars are wisely invested dollars...or telegenic moppets talking about how they aren't getting what they need at school?

if the gov and the lege won't step up, and taxpayers will not spontaneously arise to push for higher taxes, then it would seem to leave the wea as the one remaining entity that will not only benefit from additional school funding, but also has a responsibility to advocate for better education.

"...if you need a goat fu%#*@, cnn will do it..." --john oliver, "the daily show", 10/12/2009

by fake consultant on Sun Apr 19, 2009 at 01:01:32 PM PST

---

This one's for you:

In scouting around a line-item version of the Senate's budget, I found a footnote to . . .

ESSB 5414,

which calls for changes in WASL provisions, science and math standards and assessments, EARLs, and other education arcana.

A good place for looking at budget matters in your spare time is the LEAP website here.

Happy hunting . . .

by DWE on Mon Apr 20, 2009 at 07:05:03 PM PST

---

at least our little olympians can brag about doing something now ...

OF course,  

it isn't paid for, but ...

rmm.

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

by rmdSeaBos on Tue Apr 21, 2009 at 05:36:11 AM PST

---

as expected.

This from the P-I was interesting:

Lawmakers have not set aside money to pay for the new policies, which some officials have predicted could cost the state an additional $2 billion or more over a two-year budget cycle.

$2 billion more? That's the first I've heard of this figure.

My favorite blogger on education is Ryan at I Thought a Think. He doesn't mince words about the bill:

So the big fun brawl in the past few days has been between the WEA and the Washington State PTA over HB2261, the Basic Education Reform bill that stinks but has passed because, forgive them Father, they know not what they do.

The teachers I've talked to don't trust the legislature. That is something I think legislators should hear. They should hear that many teachers expect more unfunded mandates. This is a real concern with a history behind it. Some legislators, I'm told, think they're standing up to the WEA. But what I see is that teachers have a growing sense of alienation and distrust toward the governor and the legislature.

Legislators can come back from session and respond to teachers with defensiveness and arrogance. Or they can begin to listen and start mending fences.  Eventually, we're all going to have to work together for a tax package that will raise $2 billion a year for education alone. Of course, if, in the end, our legislators are just full of empty promises (again), then we'll find that out. We'll see.

by DWE on Tue Apr 21, 2009 at 05:21:05 PM PST

---

You make a very good point and I would add, how much is the cost for this 'working group' ? I've heard $3 million.
How many study groups, working groups and the like we have had over the years? many!
Seems this would have been the first step in the process of any reform.
Feel good legislation benefits no one. But they [Oly]are hoping this will make way for some stim money going to our state edu.
Oh and while you teachers are waiting, we are also going to take your COLA.
These folks are playing the ole shell game and we know it!

by monam on Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 11:46:39 AM PST

---

This bill is a setback for education in our state.

The content for the most part (what's in the bill) is not the issue. Most of us can agree with the content that is in there. The key flaw involves what is not in the bill and that is any detail on cost and funding. The easy vote on any legislation is for policy and the hard vote is for funding especially in these times.

This bill moved for all of the wrong reasons. In a year where almost no interest group was getting anything as result of the huge budget shortfall, this bill gave some reckless education advocates and some politicians seeking higher office a chance to pass something of political significance.

The key reason why DWE and the WEA are right on is, that it will now be much harder to EVER pass funding focused upon clear policy. All that is left is the tough vote for funding and this will be made more tough as result of the fact that their is no way all of the funding will be voted for and passed at one time. For our elected officials who in future sessions wish to fund those parts of this plan which can be afforded at that time, the reality is that their vote will inevitably be seen as a negative vote which does not fund other parts of the plan. This is a formula for gridlock and in the end will delay any positive change in our states funded education policy.
As for trashing the WEA for not being more bold or spending more money fighting this bill, all I can say is that leadership had/has an exceptional read on the factors at play as this bill moved through the legislature. In short, it could not be stopped.

by Particle Man on Thu Apr 30, 2009 at 11:02:05 AM PST

---