The document discusses education reform and funding in Washington state. It notes that while student achievement has improved in recent years and graduation rates are up, the state's funding levels remain inadequate compared to other states and fail to meet constitutional obligations. The document outlines current issues like testing, Common Core implementation, and charter schools. It summarizes progress made but also notes an opportunity gap remains.

1. WHERE WE
STAND
Education Reform and Funding
in Washington State

2. Where do we really stand?
Today’s focus on improving education is welcome,
but sometimes this debate can be misleading.
• The truth is student achievement has improved in
recent years, and the graduation rate is improving too.
• Washington has made great progress on the
major reforms many states are debating.
• But our funding levels are inadequate, compared to
other states, and fail to meet our constitutional
obligation.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 2

3. Current issues in education
• Measuring student success: kindergarten
readiness, 3rd grade reading, 8th grade math
• Mandatory tests as part of graduation
requirements
• Implementation of Common Core State Standards
• Charter schools
• Improved evaluations: teachers and principals
• State intervention in struggling schools
• Funding
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 3

4. MEASURING STUDENT SUCCESS

5. Testing types
• State testing: Measurement of Student Progress,
High School Proficiency Exams, End-of-Course
tests
– Measure progress against the Essential Academic
Learning Requirements.
– Single point in time.
– Also check of system and curriculum.
• National Assessment of Educational Progress
• AP/SAT/ACT
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 5

6. State testing:
Reading scores have risen since testing began
100
Percentage of students meeting standard
90
80
70
60
Gr. 4
50
Gr. 7
40
Gr. 10
30
20
10
0
'98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12
Source: OSPI, School Report Card
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 6

7. State testing:
Math scores have risen since testing began
100
Percentage of students meeting standard
90
80
70
60
Gr. 4
50
Gr. 7
40
Gr. 10
30
20
10
0
'98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12*
* 2011 and 2012 scores are for Year 1 of End-of-Course exams
Source: OSPI, School Report Card
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 7

8. NAEP: 4th-grade reading
Slightly above national average
230
225
220
Scale score
215 US
Washington
210
205
200
'94 '98 '02 '03 '05 '07 '09 '11
Source: NAEP
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 8

9. NAEP: 4th-grade math
Slightly above national average
245
240
Scale score
US
Washington
235
230
'03 '05 '07 '09 '11
Source: NAEP
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 9

10. SAT results
• In 2012, Washington tied for highest in nation for
combined average score (1545), in states that test
at least 45 percent of students (24 states + D.C.):
– Highest in math (528)
– Tied for second in writing (500)
– Third in reading (517)
• Washington has had highest combined average
score in the nation for past 10 years, in states
that test at least 50 percent of students.
Source: College Board
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 10

11. SAT participation
Students taking at least one SAT test
40000 • Increase of 17.9%
from 2002 to 2012
38000
• For Hispanic
36000
students, 274% increase
34000
• For African-American
32000 students, 127% increase
Source: College Board
30000
2002 2012
Year
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 11

14. Graduation rates are increasing
85%
Percentage of students graduating
80%
75% On-time
Extended
70%
65%
'04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11
Source: OSPI, Graduation and Dropout Statistics, published annually
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 14

15. Conclusions
• Washington scores better than average,
nationally.
• Washington’s students are learning.
• Test scores are generally rising.
• Graduation rates are improving.
• But the opportunity gap remains too wide.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 15

16. PROGRESS ON
ACCOUNTABILITY AND REFORM

17. Graduation testing
• Washington is one of 24 states that include
testing as part of the graduation requirements:
– One state (Washington) requires 5 exams to graduate.
– Nine states require four.
– Four states require three.
– Nine states require two.
– One state requires one.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 17

18. Graduation testing
• Washington students must pass five exams:
– Reading and writing High School Proficiency
Exams.
– End-of-course tests in Algebra, Geometry and
Science.
• Superintendent Dorn is proposing three tests
instead of five. Our state will still have some of
the most rigorous graduation requirements in
the nation.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 18

19. Common Core State Standards
• New standards in math and English language arts
• State-led initiative
• Developed by experts from all over the country
• Emphasize deeper understanding over
memorization
• Supt. Dorn adopted in July 2011
• Standards rolled out to teachers in 2012-13
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 19

20. Smarter Balanced Assessment
• Will test Common Core.
• Piloting will occur in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
• Testing will be entirely online.
• All students in grades 3-8 and 11 will be
assessed beginning in 2014-15.
• 11th-grade tests will show how college and
career ready students are.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 20

21. Charter Schools: Initiative 1240
• Will establish up to 40 charter schools
during a five-year period.
• Requires that charter schools be free and
open to all students.
• Requires that funding be based on
enrollment, just as with existing schools.
• Gives Washington Charter School Commission
the authority to approve charter schools.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 21

22. Superintendent Dorn’s position
• Initiative 1240 creates a governance
structure that eliminates any public
oversight via elected officials, including SPI.
This is unconstitutional.
• Superintendent Dorn is willing to work on
changes to I-1240 to correct the flaws in
governance and create public accountability
for these new schools.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 22

23. New legislation will increase accountability
for student achievement
• Bills passed in 2010 and 2012 change how
teachers and principals are evaluated and how
schools are held accountable:
– 2010: SB 6696, a sweeping education reform bill
– 2012: ESSB 5895 adds specificity to regulations
outlined in SB 6696
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 23

24. SB 6696
• Part of our state’s Race to the Top application:
– Revises evaluation criteria (not done in 25 years).
– Requires four-tiered evaluations (most districts
were doing two: “satisfactory” and
“unsatisfactory”).
– Increases the length of provisional contracts for
new teachers to three years.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 24

25. ESSB 5895
• Requires OSPI to identify up to three
frameworks to support new evaluations.
• Beginning in 2015–16, evaluations become
one factor in personnel decisions.
• Requires yearly evaluations.
• Student growth data must be a “substantial
factor” in evaluation.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 25

26. State intervention in
struggling schools
• Recent legislation and federal grants have created
additional support for struggling schools:
– 2009: HB 2261 directed State Board of Education to
create an accountability framework.
– 2010: SB 6696 required OSPI to identify persistently
lowest-achieving schools.
• OSPI has provided active assistance to struggling
schools.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 26

27. Required Action Districts
• Identified as having at least one persistently
lowest-achieving school, low math/reading
scores and not enough improvement.
• Districts to get federal funds to help them
implement an improvement model.
• Every school identified as “failing” is required
to implement a turnaround plan. The status
quo does not ensure student success.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 27

28. FUNDING

29. Per-pupil funding
Washington well below the national average
Adjusted for regional cost differences
2008 2009 2010
1. Wyoming $17,114 1. Wyoming $18,068 1. Vermont $18,924
2. Vermont 17,050 2. Vermont 17,847 2. Wyoming 18,814
3. New Jersey 15,598 3. Alaska 16,147 3. D.C. 17,020
U.S. Average $11,223 U.S. Average $11,665 U.S. Average $11,824
40. Colorado $9,541 40. Florida $9,576 40. Florida $9,572
41. Mississippi 9,498 41. Oklahoma 9,369 41. Oklahoma 9,430
42. Oklahoma 9,137 42. Washington 9,329 42. Colorado 9,306
43. California 8,852 43. Colorado 9,155 43. Washington 9,145
44. Washington 8,722 44. North Carolina 9,024 44. Texas 8,882
Source: Education Week, Quality Counts, published every January
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 29

30. Funding levels are unconstitutional
• McCleary v. Washington
– Decision released in January 2012.
– Held that the State must fully fund basic
education without the use of local levies.
– Also held that the plans being developed by the
Quality Education Council are the remedy.
– Gives state until 2018 to come up with adequate
funding solution.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 30

31. 2013 PRIORITIES

32. Supt. Dorn’s 2013 legislative priorities
1. Fund at least phase 1 of the QEC
recommendations: full-day
kindergarten, MSOC, transportation, lower class
sizes in K–3.
2. Improve our student assessment system.
3. Fund OSPI recommendations for graduation
success and teacher/principal evaluations.
4. Implement Common Core by hiring experts to
assist teachers in understanding new English
language arts standards.
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 32

33. Conclusion
• We are moving forward on a number of
education reform topics.
• We know we have a lot of work to do,
especially with opportunity gaps.
“The key to our success is to fund education –
without local funds – so all students have the
opportunity for quality education in the 21st
century.” – Randy Dorn
Where We Stand | Education Reform Slide 33