Washington House Democrats

April 9, 2007

OLYMPIA—With just two weeks until the scheduled end of the 2007 legislative session, the state House turned their attention to a package of education bills intended to implement several of the governor’s Washington Learns recommendations, and address key issues related to education funding.

“From day one of this year’s session, legislators have been talking about how we can properly fund education and strengthen the WASL,” said Rep. Patricia Lantz (D-Gig Harbor).  “The package of bills passed today takes a bold step down that path.”

“I think you would have a hard time finding any politician who is against education,” said Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor). “But it is important that we actually look for solutions, not just sound bites.”

“The state needs to step up to the plate and meet its obligation to our local school districts, our children and the taxpayers who are footing the bill. Not everyone might agree with every proposal but we can’t afford to sit idle – we need to move forward.”

Legislation passed on Monday would set the stage for several achievement-focused initiatives that stemmed from the Washington Learns recommendations. The main components include:

• Phasing in all-day kindergarten for schools with the highest poverty rates and strengthening the links between early learning, K-12 and higher education. (SB 5841)

• Creating a new funding formula for student transportation. Currently, districts are reimbursed on an "as the crow flies" basis rather than for real miles traveled. The result is that most school districts have been experiencing increasing shortfalls in reimbursement for transportation. (SB 5114)

• Providing support to school districts to help boost student achievement, particularly in math and science. A public-private partnership will result in a new School District Leadership Academy which will provide professional development for principals and superintendents. The legislation also directs the adoption of new standards for teacher certification in math and establishes a grant system to help schools improve instruction in math, science and reading. (SB 5955)

• Creating a data-tracking system to track a wide range of issues such as whether there’s a disproportionate concentration of nationally board certified teachers in certain districts, whether a recent transfer student has already passed the WASL, or how many teachers are certified in certain subjects. (SB 5843)

Included in the package of bills was Senate Joint Memorial 8011, which calls on Congress to fully fund No Child Left Behind. NCLB is up for reauthorization this year and state lawmakers have been struggling to help districts pay for the enormous administrative costs associated with fulfilling the bill's numerous requirements.

All of the bills have been amended since passing their house of origin, and must be agreed to by lawmakers in both the House and Senate before going to the governor's desk for signature.

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For interview:

Rep. Patricia Lantz (360) 786-7964

Rep. Larry Seaquist (360) 786-7802

For more information: Derek Baker, (360) 786-7697

Link to Rep. Patricia Lantz’s website:

http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/lantz/

Link to Rep. Larry Seaquist’s website:

http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/seaquist/