Education Task Force Report is Available!

The Washington Legislature's Joint Task Force Report on Basic Education Funding has been completed and it is endorsed by the Washington State PTA. This isn't a Woodinville or Northshore report - it impacts every school district in Washington, but I am posting it here to help keep the active and caring parents in the Northshore School District up to date. We escaped a school closure last year, but we don't know what will happen this year that will impact next year. Keep up to date and make sure your voice is heard!

Definition of Basic Education

• Includes the implementation of Core 24.
  Which is an increase in the number of courses required to graduate from the current 19 to 24. These 24 courses are deemed required to enable all students to graduate from high school ready for post-secondary education, apprenticeship programs or other job training.

• Includes the programs required to enable all students to achieve the higher goal of Core 24. Including pre-school for children from low-income families, specialized instruction for English language learners and students with disabilities, and extra time and teaching for struggling students.

Task Force Recommendations:

• Revised System of Funding Allocation-that will provide (1) smaller class sizes, (2) additional days for teacher development, (3) increased funding for counselors, teacher-librarians, other specialist professionals, classified staff, school administration and other costs. Allocations to be based upon the number of students served.

• Early Learning program to be funded based upon the federal Head Start model.

• Demographic adjustments for funding based upon % of students in a school that come from low-income families at the school. The funds will then be utilized to serve all students who need the extra help, regardless of family income.

• New system of teacher Compensation where increases in pay is tied to increases in classroom effectiveness - residency, professional and master teacher categories. Additional salary will be allocated for mentoring of new teachers by master teachers, a regional leveling to non-education salaries, school-wide bonuses for improvement in student learning and special incentives in subject shortage areas.

• New system of teacher preparation and a new career ladder.
  

• Simplify and Standardize Funding. Requirement for all schools districts to use a new common fiscal accounting and budgeting system, new statewide student data system, and simplifications in the allocation models that are currently very complicated.

• Continued use of local levies to enhance education - but with limits and equalization to ensure basic equity across the state.

• Timeline: Phase in over 6 years.

For your reference, here is the link to the full report

by Michelle Blue
Your Guide to Woodinville Real Estate, Community & Neighborhoods!
www.WoodinvilleGuide.com