Thursday, January 28, 2010

Not one voice . . .


In Olympia on Monday the response to SB 6696 was mixed with testimony both for and against when the bill was presented at hearings before the Senate Education Committee. This Seattle Times editorial shares some of the testimony and ends by painting WEA in a less than positive light.

On one political side sat Mary Lindquist, president of the Washington Education Association (WEA). Lindquist didn't come before the committee packing pistols or even a combative mood. No need for such theatrics, Lindquist simply reminded the senators that she controlled an 82,000-teacher union and — left unspoken but understood — an unrivaled political war chest. Guns in the holster.

Unfortunately, at a time when the various players in the educational community must come together we find ourselves in different camps. On one side we have Dorn lamenting the lack of charters. On another the Governor supporting the legislation while the Business Roundtable is saying it is not enough and not fast enough.

All this is taking place at the same time that Superintendent Dorn is asking for a delay in math and science graduation requirements. As with the legislation to support the RttT grant, his recommendation was met with mixed reviews and disagreement among the education establishment. Once again Dorn and the governor disagree on this proposal, HB 2915. AWSP and WASA support it, the state PTA supports part of it while the State Board of Education and League of Education Voters oppose it.

In addition to delaying the new language there is disagreement on whether the legislation lowers standards. Dorn says no while others suggest it does as described in the article.

“Do kids need more math and science? The answer is 'Yes,'" Dorn told the committee. "This is an alignment issue and a fairness issue. Do we lower our standards? I don't think so."

But one part of the House Bill 2915, sponsored by committee chair Dave Quall, D-Mount Vernon, does appear to lower the standards for statewide assessments in science and math.

It would give a passing grade to students who have a basic understanding instead of the current requirement, which is for students to be proficient to pass the comprehensive high school math and science tests.

For those familiar with the WASL, the bill would drop the science and math passing level from a score of three to a score of two.

The RttT grant requires collaboration. These two reviews suggest that we have a ways to go in this area.

1 comment:

Jonathan said...

The Seattle Times 'article' is an opinion piece, not a report of legislative procedure or discussion of education reform. There is no substance of any of the proceedings, just her impression of what she believes is going on in other's minds. This piece gives more insight into what is rattling around in her head than what's going on in Olympia. The article's author seems to favor discussing drama (showdown/politics as usual) over reporting any substanative account of the deliberations of educational reform.

Maybe we could have Tahoma take the lead, possibly starting with this blog, in framing the debate around the exciting developments in neuropshchological research, and our expanding understanding of human physiology, the advances in pedagogical practice, and sharing our own data of best practices, instead of letting political ideology and agendas drive the debate?