Gov. Gregoire Launches Education Reform Effort

Gov. Gregoire Launches Education Reform Effort

Gov. Christine Gregoire today chaired the first steering committee meeting for Washington Learns, an 18-month, comprehensive education study that will examine Washington's entire education system and recommend ways to improve it.

Gregoire said Washington Learns "will not be just another study. It will be an unblinking and thorough look at the state of our education system, and it will be followed by an action plan to strengthen our education system, including legislative proposals I will pursue aggressively."

At this first meeting, appointments were announced for advisory committees for early learning, K-12 and higher education. The members of the advisory committees represent many interests, including those of business, government, philanthropy, the education community, the Legislature and the public. The three advisory committees will analyze priority issues in each education sector and recommend options for the Washington Learns steering committee to consider.

"What I'm most pleased about today is seeing that our advisory committees are in place," the governor said, calling the newly appointed members "the critical link between the steering committee, the broad array of education interests across the state, and taxpayers who fund our education system."

The steering committee spent the morning adopting organizational procedures and hearing presentations on early learning, K-12 and higher education describing the current system, students and funding.

The afternoon included a presentation by Dr. Tim Waters, president and CEO of Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning, that focused on economic, social and other trends influencing the future of education.

"To create a better education system, we must understand the many factors that will shape the future," Gregoire said, "and we must be aware of past efforts to reform education."

The steering committee will begin its work by reviewing previous attempts and studies that sought to understand the issues facing education in Washington.

Washington Learns will answer three questions:
§ Is Washington using its existing education resources efficiently?
§ What defines the quality citizens want in early learning, K-12 schools and higher education?
§ What needs to change to achieve the quality we all want?

"This comprehensive review of our education system will show us what is working well and what is not," said Ann Daley, executive director of Washington Learns.

"There is no work more vital to the future of our state," Gregoire told meeting attendees.

Those who want to follow the progress and findings of Washington Learns will be able to do so through a special Web site, linked to the governor's Web site at www.governor.wa.gov .

http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=118&newsType=1