Thursday, February 6, 2014

E-Wire for February 6th!

Good Afternoon!

The E-Wire got the chance to caucus with President Gillette and Director Krainick this morning to chat about next steps in the legislative forum and to review the parameters for our Legislative Alert which should arrive in people’s inboxes tomorrow afternoon.  After that meeting, we got the chance to have face time with Washington’s favorite cynic, Peter Callaghan of the News Tribune.  Catch Peter’s byline on Education funding here - http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/02/06/3031115/sometimes-a-bill-in-the-legislature.html

At the time, Peter and the rest of us were cooling our jets waiting for the House Appropriation’s Subcommittee on Education to return from caucus.  After which, they plan a marathon release of bills from committee.  For a list of the bills we expect to fly out of committee, look here - http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/APPE/Pages/Agendas.aspx.  Plan on a lot more coming out of various House and Senate committees in time for Legislative Cut-off. 

And with that brief update, the E-Wire!

We’re seeing a lot about this in the press and it bears following.  Drop-out rates are falling in urban areas nationally, but rural schools are struggling to keep their kids engaged.  Note this article from Oregon - http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2014/02/oregon_graduation_rate_barely.html#incart_river – and this one from Ed Week - http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/02/05/20hill.h33.html



We’ve been seeing a lot of Anti-Levy Messaging this year – this is one example
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140206/OPINION03/140209468/States-help-should-reduce-local-tax - note that many districts are going out to the voters with these questions soon - http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2022845926_eastsideschoolbondsxml.html - and speaking of funding basic education, Governor Inslee talks more about his jumpstart to Education Funding here - http://www.bothell-reporter.com/news/243855781.html while Seattle Schools grapple with the lack of adequate funding for School Transportation here - http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2014/02/seattle-school-board-approves-plan-to-save-3m-in-busing-costs/ and Skagit Schools receive support from a great editorial for next week’s vote - http://www.goskagit.com/opinion/editorials_and_columns/schools-asking-for-necessities-of-modern-life/article_3d7a93a3-6ec1-5c28-8bbc-a37af61fa829.html

The Changing Face of Kindergarten

Dr. Gene Sharratt from the Washington Student Achievement Council visited with the Longview Daily News

Senator Roach has been an outspoken advocate for foreign language options in early education for years – this article probably made her day - http://blogs.seattletimes.com/educationlab/2014/02/06/new-preschool-will-teach-children-in-vietnamese-and-english/

Anacortes High School Flips Homework with School Work

The bill will die in the House, but be advised Eyman has a plan

And finally, this one bears watching


The E-wire is written and developed by staff and edited by WA State PTA Legislative Director, Sherry Krainick.  If you have a posting or a topic you would like us to research or cover – please let us know.  You can contact Sherry directly at PTALegDir@wastatepta.org

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