Gregoire steers education group toward changes

Full-day kindergarten for all students. Higher starting pay for child-care teachers and public-school teachers. More scholarships for prospective math and science teachers. Longer school days and a longer school year.

These are some of the ideas for improving education put forth by a closely watched panel headed by Gov. Christine Gregoire.

The group, Washington Learns, set out last summer to undertake the first comprehensive review of education in Washington in at least two decades — covering preschool through college.

Many are watching its deliberations closely, in part because Gregoire is taking an active role, well beyond making an appearance at one or two meetings. She chairs the steering committee and spent two full days last summer at its retreat.

To many, the group represents the best chance in a long time to win what they see as long-needed changes in education funding and structure.

"This is the basket we have put all of our eggs in and asked our members to support," said Barbara Mertens, assistant executive director of the Washington Association of School Administrators.

In the wings, however, a group of school districts and the Washington Education Association — the state's largest teachers union — stand ready to file a lawsuit if Washington Learns doesn't go far enough to correct what they see as the state's failure to fully fund a "basic" education for students, which the state constitution requires.

Information

Draft report: See a copy of the Washington Learns draft report at www.washingtonlearns.wa.gov

• 1-5 p.m. today, in Seattle South Seattle Community College, Olympic Hall

6-9 p.m. Tuesday, in Vancouver Washington State University, Lecture Hall 110, Student Services Building

• 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, in Mount Vernon

Skagit Valley College, McIntyre Hall Conference Center

• 1-5 p.m. Sept. 21, in Pasco Columbia Basin Community College, CBC Theatre in Performing Arts Center

Written testimony will be accepted through Sept. 25. It can be submitted at the hearings, through the group's Web site at www.washingtonlearns.wa.gov or by mail. The address is: Washington Learns Public Comment, P.O. Box 43113, Olympia, WA 98504-3113.

The 13-member steering committee already has warned education advocates not to expect too much too soon. They have spoken of asking the Legislature to approve a "down payment" this year, with the rest phased in over the next decade. But Gregoire also has stressed accountability over how any new dollars are spent.

The steering committee says it has eight "big, bold" ideas, but it really has many more than that, grouped under eight headings: early learning; math and science; technology; investments; access to college and work-force training; partnerships; accountability; creativity.

All-day kindergarten, for example, is one of the strategies under "early learning." A longer school day falls under "investments," as does the idea that teacher salaries should reflect the cost of living in different areas of the state.

So far, reactions to Washington Learns vary. Some in early-childhood education are pleased that Gregoire has focused on early learning, as well as K-12 and higher education.

Gregoire "is willing to shake up the current silos and sacred cows and say, 'Everything is on the table,' " said Elizabeth Bonbright Thompson, executive director of the state Child Care Resource & Referral Network. "What she's doing is really, really dramatic, and it's also very brave."

In higher education, James Sutton, executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, said there is excitement about eliminating barriers between early learning, K-12 and college.

"As you look around the country, you will see almost every single state wrestling with how to do this," he said.

The K-12 sector, however, doesn't feel that Washington Learns has gone far enough in tackling funding issues.

Charles Hasse, president of the Washington Education Association, wants more specifics on what's needed to adequately fund public schools.

"We believe in an emphasis on early learning," he said. "We believe in access to higher education. We are inspired with the idea of making Washington the creativity state. ... It's just that we also need to be honest about what is the necessary investment [in public schools] and not try to pull any punches with that."

Linda Shaw: 206-464-2359 or lshaw@seattletimes.com