Washington Learns

1. Washington Learns Overview for Shoreline Operations November 20. 2006 Norma Goldstein

2. What is Washington Learns? • Initiative and report on WA State’s entire education system, early learning, K-12, post-secondary and workforce training. • Its goal is a world-class, learner-focused, seamless education for 21st century.

3. Current system • Less than 50% children enter ready to learn • Only 74% of 9th graders graduate from high school. • Only 60% Black and Hispanic students graduate high school with their peers. • WA imports educated workers, leaving less stable jobs for people educated in the state.

4. Current system • 1/3 adult population has only a high school diploma or less. • Younger working age population is less educated than their older counterparts. • ¼ employers report difficulty finding qualified applicants.

5. World-Class Education System • We will increase opportunities for everyone to get post-secondary education. • Investments in workforce training will educate the next generation of mechanics, nursing assistants and technicians. • At the same time, our colleges and universities will provide Washingtonians with the advanced degrees, such as computer science and engineering, that are in high demand by local employers. (p. 6)

6. Bring Creativity into the Classroom People who are creative and imaginative will thrive in the knowledge economy. …WA’s creative talent shows up in high-tech, research, arts … Project-based learning, applied learning, career and technical education and exposure to the arts are all ways to involve and challenge students, giving them the tools to be creative and innovative throughout their lives. (p. 7)

7. 4 Areas of Immediate Action • Improving early learning programs and resources for parents • Supporting high school students to meet state’s academic requirements • Reducing the high school dropout rate • Developing a statewide student information system (p. 17)

8. Early Learning: A Smart investment • Create cabinet-level Department of Early Learning • Public-private Thrive-by- Five partnership with $9 million for parent education, projects, etc. • Expand early learning teacher training to produce more child care providers/teachers • Phase in voluntary all-day kindergarten • Implement kindergarten readiness assessment tool

9. Math & Science: Competitive Edge • Increase high school graduation requirements • By December 2007, State will adopt international performance standards for math and science (p. 25) • By July 2008 for math and July 2009 for science…development of curricula with the new standards

10. Teacher training • Expand training in math and science for teachers who need foundation knowledge for the new state curricula. • Expand Future Teacher’s Scholarship and Loan Repayment Program. • Expand alternative routes to Teacher Certification.

11. Personalized learning • Additional learning time • Better use of time they have • Specialized programs for dropouts • Use technology to personalize/expand learning • Create career academies in WA high schools with curricula aligned with local colleges (p. 31)

12. Personalized learning • Create training programs for mentors, instructional coaches (initial focus on math coaches) • More professional development for cultural competence • Focus on special education students • Public-private campaigns to promote creativity and innovation

13. College & Workforce Training • Assess high school students if ready for college-level courses, with one online college readiness test in 11th grade. (p. 35) • Align high school graduation requirements with college admission standards. • Create statewide web-based advising system that tells what is needed to complete certificate or degree.

14. College & Workforce Training • Expand access to workforce training for adults, low income, limited basic skills, and limited Eng. proficiency • Expand I-BEST (Integrated Basic Skills & Training) • Expand State Need Grant to low income working adults • Invest in high demand apprenticeship, certificate & degree programs (like nursing) • May invest in private institutions if public colleges cannot meet demand (p.37)

15. College & Workforce Training • CCs and TCs, unions, business—more collaboration to meet regional workforce gaps • TRAIN—financial aid for low income adults in a one-year high demand occupational program (p.37) • Degree and Certificate Production will be key measure of success for producing skilled workers

16. Quality & Accountability • Create P-20 Council to track progress • Benchmark performance and funding against Global Challenge States (pp. 16-17) • Develop professional preparation and pay system • Expand/upgrade professional development for educators • Establish a school and district leadership academy • Outcomes-based performance measures for each district • Cap on annual tuition increases (no more than 7%)

17. Quality & Accountability • Performance agreements for colleges and universities (retention of low income students, degrees produced in high demand programs, time to degree, building utilization) (p. 42) • 10-year plan with emphasis on increased degree production in high demand fields • Plans to meet demands for baccalaureates in Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties (p.43)

18. Quality & Accountability • Restructure HECB • Develop incentive-based accountability system • Redefine a basic education • Develop 10-year implementation strategy

19. How does WA Learns relate to SCC? • “Not everyone needs 4 years of college. • Research shows that even one additional year of college or workforce training can result in a higher paying job in the new economy.” (p. 5)

20. How does WA Learns relate to SCC? • Early childhood educator & paraeducator training • Math & Science training/professional development • Participate in college readiness test development • Leadership academy development • Leadership training • Workforce training • IBEST and low-income career training programs • More one-year certificates and degree completions

21. Quality & Accountability • Stable and increased funding is required to support the evolving needs of our education system.