Education

Washington State’s competitiveness rests on the cornerstone of a well-educated and technically competent workforce. Thus, it is imperative that Washington’s children be ensured a quality education.

Washington’s K-12 system is at a crossroads. Reading and writing achievement continues to improve, but concerns about student performance in math and science led the state legislature to delay until 2013 the graduation requirement in math and science. It is critical that the state maintain its commitment to and momentum in improving the K-12 system. To do so, this period must be used effectively to make substantial improvements in our state standards, graduation requirements, assessment and data systems, curriculum, teacher professional development, and instructional practices. Additionally, state performance standards only represent the baseline skills students should have when leaving high school and higher levels of preparation may be required depending on their post-secondary plans. The state’s commitment to standards-based education reform must be maintained to ensure that Washington schools give our students the knowledge and skills they need for whichever path they choose – entry into the job market, starting their own business, or postsecondary education.

In today’s world, the skills required for success in college are also the skills required in the workplace, and Washington’s economic competitiveness is based in large part on a highly successful system of higher education. Washington has established a commitment to higher education and research, but it is continually in jeopardy as other budget priorities, principally health care, erode our ability to fund these institutions. It is critical that a plan to support our economic success and global competitiveness provide for a successful system of higher education and associated research. The 2007 legislature saw great strides in the right direction. Commitments were made to fund high demand enrollments and investments in research for nanotechnology, global health, biotechnology, life sciences, and information technology.

Legislative Objectives