The first of how many legislative proposals . . .

The State Board of Education has sent to the legislature a new process for identifying failing schools and supporting their improvement. In this Seattle Times article we learn that for the first time districts with schools in the lowest performing 5% as measured by reading and math scores and graduation rates will have a required performance audit and mandatory improvement process. Prior to this, school improvement efforts were optional in our state.

While I do not see this having an impact on our system it is interesting in the bigger picture of reform and positioning for a RttT state grant. States that do not have a mandated process for improving low performing schools will not be positioned for a successful federal grant under the identified guidelines. I don’t know if the proposed process, however, goes far enough to meet the intent of the grant because it does not include a state takeover when improvement is not seen. We see this in many other states and I believe it is part of what those in the federal government see as a necessary step to protect students in failing schools.

In the article it suggests that the chances of passage by the legislature are unknown. I believe that it will pass this session, though we might see amendments to the process. It will be one of many proposals before legislators this session to better align state practices with requirements for this grant opportunity. Look for conversations about charters and other options, teacher quality and evaluation, and data tracking systems. The pull of big dollars is to great to ignore.