education reform

Olympia Update With Austin Jenkins

the conversation with ross reynolds — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:28:27 +0000

Washington state’s proposed marijuana rules were released yesterday, and critics are already weighing in. Plus, Republican legislators are pushing for education reform. David Hyde gets all the details from Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins.

Seattle Schools Chief Scales Back Controversial MAP Test

Ann Dornfeld — Tue, 14 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

The standardized test that inspired boycotts by teachers across Seattle School District will be scaled back next school year.

In a letter to district staff today, Superintendent Jose Banda announced that the Measures of Academic Progress test will still be required in kindergarten though eighth grade, but it will be optional at the high school level.

Should Principals Have Veto Authority Over Teacher Transfers?

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:04:19 +0000

State senate leaders plan to revive a bill in the upcoming special session that would allow school principals to veto teachers’ school assignments. Education “reformers” support the change. Teachers’ unions are opposed. Ross Reynolds interviews both sides.

Pass A Citizenship Test To Graduate?

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:15:57 +0000

It’s not just math anymore, students are falling behind in history and civics too. A new report by independent, non-partisan research organization — the Pioneer Institute — says the state of US history and civics education is so abysmal that it makes “reading, mathematics and science achievement seem robust by comparison.” Washington state’s record isn’t any better. The state received a D grade from educational excellence organization, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, for its quote “meager” US history standards.

To reverse this trend the Pioneer Institute report recommends a simple policy: require high school graduates to pass the US citizenship test. Ross Reynolds talks with Sandra Stotsky, professor of education reform and one of the authors of this report.

12 Wash. Districts File To Become Charter School Authorizers

Ann Dornfeld — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:35:03 +0000

Twelve Washington school districts have formally announced they’ll apply to become charter school authorizers. Bellevue, Highline, Kent, Tacoma, Spokane and Port Townsend are among the districts seeking the power to approve charter school applications in their regions. Those districts met the State Board of Education's April 1 deadline for notices of intent to apply for authorizer status.

Washington Charter School Commissioners To Be Announced This Week

Ann Dornfeld — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 02:11:05 +0000

The first members of Washington state’s new Charter School Commission are due to be appointed Wednesday. The commission will be able to approve some of the 40 charter schools allowed under the law voters passed last fall.

Wash. Teachers' Union President On How To Improve State K-12 Education

Ross Reynolds — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:00:00 +0000

This week we’ve been taking a closer look at the battle over how to improve state education. Today we get another perspective from Mary Lindquist, president of the state’s largest teachers' union, the Washington Education Association.

Are Republicans Washington's Mavericks In Education Reform?

Ross Reynolds — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 20:10:00 +0000

Former gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna supported charter schools, and some are arguing that his grand old party is leading the way on education reform while democrats in Olympia simply tout old policy. Ross Reynolds talks with Tacoma News Tribune columnist Peter Callaghan.

Reform Vs. Funding: Battle Shaping Up In Washington Legislature

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:04:58 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – One of the key battles shaping up in Olympia this year is over education reform. The Senate’s new majority coalition is proposing a series of measures aimed at getting better results in the classroom. Among the ideas: a state takeover of failing schools.

District Threatens Suspensions, Seattle Teachers Continue Test Boycott

Ann Dornfeld — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:45:14 +0000

The Seattle School District warned teachers Wednesday they face a 10 day suspension without pay if they refuse to give students the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. The announcement came nearly two weeks after the teaching staff at Garfield High School announced they were refusing to give students the district-wide MAP test.