Eide says passage of simple majority ‘tremendous victory’ for education

OLYMPIA – Sen. Tracey J. Eide, D-Federal Way, the long-time sponsor of legislation that brought the issue of simple majority for school levies to voters this month, says voter approval of the measure was a watershed moment for Washington’s education system. more>>>

Free trip to Mars

OLYMPIA – Want to sample an exciting career? Looking to learn more about science or engineering? Interested in meeting new people? Or just want to beef up a college application? more>>>

Take another look at education funding

In 1977, Washingtonians were watching "Laverne & Shirley" and paying thousands of dollars for computers that today's $100 cell phone can outperform. Also in 1977 -- 30 years ago -- the state took a comprehensive look at the way we finance our K-12 education system. It hasn't been done since. more>>>

Tom honored for his efforts to make school lunches affordable for all

OLYMPIA – Millions of American children depend on reduced price school meals, but some families struggle to cover the co-pay. To help ensure more children have access to nutritious, affordable meals while at school, Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, worked this session to eliminate the burdensome co-pay for some Washington families. more>>>

New formulas coming for school funding

No task is more thankless than trying to cut the fat from an already lean budget. But that's just what Spokane Public Schools and other districts around the state are doing yet again this year.  more>>>

Measuring performance in our public schools

OLYMPIA – “We have to learn what our education dollars are buying,” said Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland. Today at the Seattle Science Center, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law Senate Bill 5843, which directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to pilot a statewide student-teacher performance data system. more>>>

Rockefeller: Safer schools mean safer kids

OLYMPIA – Acknowledging the harsh reality of violence in schools, Gov. Christine Gregoire today signed legislation to improve school safety procedures and better protect Washington’s children. more>>>

Senate Democrats’ Washington Learns bills signed into law

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today signed five Senate bills to implement the recommendations of Washington Learns, an 18-month study aimed at revolutionizing public education in Washington. On hand were some of the senators who sponsored the legislation. more>>>

Rockefeller’s college bound scholarship signed into law

OLYMPIA – With the stroke of a pen, Washington is on its way to improving college participation rates for low-income students. Today, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5098, prime sponsored by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County, to create the college bound scholarship for qualified applicants. more>>>

Statement from Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe on WASL bill signing

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, today released the following statement regarding Senate Bill 6023¸which she sponsored to revamp WASL graduation requirements and help more students meet standard through alternative assessments: more>>>

Legislators reach compromise on WASL changes

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, today announced a consensus among legislative leaders to create new pathways for students to demonstrate their knowledge in math and science, and expand existing alternative assessments for all portions of the WASL. more>>>

Jacobsen’s message heard: Legislature provides $4.2 million for Seattle schools

OLYMPIA – The Senate today passed a budget providing $4.2 million dollars to the Seattle Public School system over the course of two years, a major victory for children in Sen. Ken Jacobsen’s district. more>>>

Governor gives green light to Rockefeller’s student transportation bill

OLYMPIA – School districts all over Washington rely upon state funding to underwrite the transportation students depend on to get to and from school each day. Unfortunately, those funds are allocated using a mileage formula based on “how the crow flies” instead of “how the bus drives,” leaving many school districts short-changed. more>>>

Sen. Hobbs: Invest in opportunity for our children

OLYMPIA – Smart investing means directing your limited resources where they pay the greatest dividends. And there is simply no investment smarter than education. more>>>

State lawmakers make final push for stronger school safety legislation

OLYMPIA – State lawmakers are pointing to the recent murder-suicide at the University of Washington and yesterday’s tragedy at Virginia Tech University as evidence of the necessity for school safety legislation that is suffering an uncertain fate during the final week of the legislative session. more>>>

Eide’s persistence pays off with simple majority

OLYMPIA – After 14 years, the Legislature passed a companion to the resolution by Sen. Tracey J. Eide, D-Federal Way, to place a measure on the ballot to amend the state constitution allowing school levies to be approved by a simple majority, or 50 percent plus one vote, instead of the current 60 percent supermajority. more>>>

Getting the WASL right: It's all about the standards

The Washington Assessment of Student Learning is not just about passing a test – it’s about helping Washington students demonstrate their ability to meet academic standards, and earn a meaningful diploma. more>>>

Tipping the balance in favor of fairness

OLYMPIA – Stripping an 80 year-old provision in the constitution has long been a top priority for the state’s education community. Educators believe the local school levy rules are unfair to students. more>>>

Statement from Sen. McAuliffe regarding House passage of WASL bill

OLYMPIA – Today Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, chair of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, released the following statement on Senate Bill 6023, which she sponsored to help more students meet academic standards, and passed the House today: more>>>

Two wins for Rockefeller: House passes Puget Sound Partnership, College Bound bills

OLYMPIA – The House of Representatives today passed two bills prime-sponsored by Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County, to establish a new agency to protect the Sound and to provide hope to college bound students. Both bills are expected to be signed into law by the governor. more>>>

Bill to improve school safety receives overwhelming Senate support

OLYMPIA – Nothing is more important to parents than knowing their child is headed to a safe place when they send them off to school every morning. The Senate passed a bill yesterday to improve school safety measures to protect our children. more>>>

Senate gives A+ to Rockefeller’s bill giving hope to college-bound

OLYMPIA – Students and families who may be ruling out college because of cost concerns were given hope today with the passage of Washington’s College Bound Scholarship. more>>>

WASL ‘pathways’ bill makes the grade in state Senate

OLYMPIA – The Senate tonight passed Senate Bill 6023 to create new alternative assessments for students so they can demonstrate their ability to meet the academic standards assessed on the WASL and graduate from high school. more>>>

Washington Learns bills clear Senate

OLYMPIA – The Senate last night passed four bills to implement the Washington Learns report, which recommended innovative improvements to revolutionize early learning, K-12 education, educator preparation, and math, science and technology education. more>>>

Performance data for our public schools

OLYMPIA – You cannot manage what you do not measure. It’s a long-standing business principle that Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, wants to bring to our public school system. more>>>

Senate on the right road: Student transportation bill approved

OLYMPIA – The Senate today passed a bill to give assistance to schools struggling to keep up with the increasing costs of transporting students to and from schools. more>>>

Senate approves Kilmer bill to help academic winners with travel expenses

OLYMPIA — Students who excel in academic competitions may find it easier to attend higher levels of competition, thanks to a bill passed unanimously today by the Senate. more>>>

Throwing sticks and stones in cyberspace

OLYMPIA – “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

These words weren’t true when Baby Boomers uttered them decades ago on playgrounds across America, and are no more accurate now. Instead, there are more ways for today’s youth to intimidate each other, through cell phones and the Internet, with instant messaging, text messaging and setting up imposter Web sites. more>>>

McAuliffe education bills earn passing grade in state Senate

OLYMPIA – The Senate approved two education bills by Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, aimed at revamping Washington’s education funding formula, and preventing high school students from dropping out. more>>>

Kauffman bill to protect tribal children sails through Senate

OLYMPIA – Native American children in Washington would be protected from convicted criminals who apply for jobs in tribal schools under a bill passed by Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D- Kent. The Senate today passed Senate Bill 5382. more>>>

Senate honors civics educators

OLYMPIA – Two Highline-area educators have been honored by the Washington State Senate with Outstanding Civic Educator awards at the state Capitol. The awards were made as part of the inaugural Civic Education Day on Feb. 21 to recognize the need for civic education in the state and honor those who teach it. more>>>

Fight continues for school finance reforms

Ben Franklin had it right: Public servants are results-driven. Sometimes it’s easy. Last year, we passed a bill giving health-care benefits to the families of police officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty. That legislation went to the governor without a dissenting vote. more>>>

Kilmer bill would assist academic winners with travel expenses

OLYMPIA — When Jonathan Dentler’s AP Government class won a recent state competition testing their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, the honor brought mixed rewards. On the one hand, the Gig Harbor High School student had reached a level of excellence shared by few of his peers. On the other, traveling to Washington, D.C. for the national “We The People” competition this March presented Jonathan and his 20 classmates with the challenge of raising $25,000 for travel and lodging. more>>>

Sen. McAuliffe introduces WASL pathway bill

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, has introduced a bill that would create an alternative assessment pathway for students who have not yet met standard on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. more>>>

One step closer to ‘walking’ with classmates

OLYMPIA – In just a few short months, high school seniors across Washington will enjoy a rite of passage they’ve looked forward to for most of their lives — graduation. more>>>

School districts to provide employees with a supplemental cost-of-living salary

OLYMPIA – In an effort to support teachers, the backbone of Washington’s educational system, Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, wants to ensure that any additional funding that comes from regular property tax levies for schools is used to provide collectively bargained regional cost-of-living salary supplements to school district employees. more>>>

Murray offers school board fix

OLYMPIA – School closures, million dollar budget shortfalls and leadership challenges at the superintendent’s position are just a few of the struggles facing school districts today. Parents are eager for solutions, yet patience is running thin. more>>>

It's hard to learn on an empty stomach

In a Leave-It-to-Beaver world, families would have breakfast together every morning before going their separate ways (“School meal is poor substitute for home-cooked involvement,” Jan. 10). more>>>

School bus bill would give districts a full tank of gas

OLYMPIA – Hoping to give assistance to schools struggling to keep up with the increasing costs of transporting students to and from school, Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County, has proposed a bill that would update the current transportation funding formula. more>>>

Eide accepts appointments to two education-related boards

OLYMPIA – A longtime champion of public education, Sen. Tracey J. Eide, D-Federal Way, has been appointed to the board of directors of two local organizations serving youth. She will join the newly organized advisory board of the Federal Way Education & Communities in Schools Foundation. That group creates and supports programs that increase opportunities for children, youth and adults in the community. more>>>

Students encouraged to “blast off” with the Washington aerospace scholars program

OLYMPIA – The Washington Aerospace Scholars program, sponsored by the Museum of Flight, is seeking high school juniors interested in math, science, computer science and engineering for a one-week internship opportunity to help plan a mission to the planet Mars. more>>>

Rockefeller’s goals for higher requirements for safety in schools is necessary

OLYMPIA – Schools must remain one of the most secure places for our children and the Legislature is taking a step to ensure their protection. Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County, is proposing legislation to improve school security. more>>>