Strengthening Washington's Public Schools

Welcome to WEA Ed Wire, a compilation of public education stories from around the state, found in countless media sources. The WEA does not endorse all opinions expressed. Clips below cover some of the Dec. 23, 2009 through Jan. 11, 2010 coverage. 

School funding & compensation

Editorial, WEA President Mary Lindquist
Education reform must begin with adequate state funding. Read more on The Seattle Times ...

$2.6 billion gap in state budget prompts Dems to look at taxes
As the Legislature starts work today to close a $2.6 billion budget gap, key lawmakers say tax increases may be inevitable. A coalition of union, education, environmental and other groups is urging the Legislature to consider tax increases to avoid deep cuts to services that they say would be destructive in the long run. Read more on The Seattle Times ...

Education key issue in session
Unlike most education advocates, Washington schools chief Randy Dorn doesn't get depressed thinking about the 2010 legislative session. Read more on The Olympian ...

Program cuts AND tax hikes -- or state goes broke
Lawmakers have to cut programs, raise taxes or do both to balance a budget that is $2.6 billion out of whack. If they don't -- quickly -- the state of Washington will be broke. Read more on the Seattle P.I. ...

Gregoire to Eyman: 'Run for office'
As she puts finishing touches on a proposed state budget that will include painful cuts along with "some revenue" increases -- the latter object of backstage negotiation with business -- Gov. Chris Gregoire displays little patience with professional initiative peddler Tim Eyman. Read more on the Seattle P.I. ...

School officials worry over education funding 
The gap between the haves and have-nots would grow if state levy equalization funds are suspended during the upcoming legislative session, according to a group of local school district superintendents. Read more on the Yakima Herald-Republic ...

County school districts fear Gregoire proposal will cost them 
More than $9 million may be stripped away from Snohomish County schools if the state ends its practice of attempting to spread tax dollars more equitably among the state's school districts. Read more on The Herald  ... 

Levy equalization may be axed
As Mid-Columbia school leaders ramp up their campaigns to pass district maintenance and operations levies in February, they're also worried about losing the state money they count on getting when those measures pass. Read more on The Bellingham Herald ... 

Legislators return to Olympia on Monday to find a way to bridge $2.6 billion shortfall 
Washington lawmakers aren't looking forward to returning to Olympia this year, where they'll have to untangle a financial knot that will leave many of their constituents unhappy with the results. Read more on The Bellingham Herald ...

Are you willing to pay for schools?
Thirteen South Sound school districts are banking on voter generosity despite a sputtering economy as they ask for approval of money measures in a Feb. 9 election. Read more on The News Tribune ...

School improvement & testing

New Wash. school improvement plan on its way
After three years of research and discussion, the State Board of Education on Monday approved a new way to identify failing schools and manage their improvement. Read more on the Seattle P.I. ...

Miscellaneous

Donorschoose.org: Where Kitsap Teachers Can Ask for Help With the Classroom Extras
Once reliant on the sale of baked goods, wrapping paper or their own bank accounts, local teachers are now tapping a national pool of donors' funds for all those extra supplies that enrich learning for students. Read more on the Kitsap Sun ...

Opinion

Guest column
Washington students deserve state's best shot at Race to the Top funds. Read more on The Seattle Times ...

Guest column
Race to the Top, but don't forget the parent part of the equation. Read more on The Seattle Times ...

Letter to the editor
Lower standards worst move ever. Read more on The Herald ...

Editorial
Education: looking back, moving forward. Read more on The Seattle Times ...

Editorial 
Despite crisis, move forward. Read more on The Herald ...

Opinion
True education reform starts with good teachers. Read more on The Columbian ...

Column
Thinking Anew About Teacher Tenure. Read more on Education Week ...