Restoring Washington’s Commitment to Great Public Schools

Despite the talent, energy and passion of Washington's public school employees, two decades of steady and widespread decline in education funding have put our schools behind in the areas that hurt most -- class size, spending per student and employee compensation.

Today, the stark reality is that Washington's schools rank far behind most other states in the country.

Washington’s schools have fallen way behind

• Washington ranks 46th in the nation in class size
• Washington ranks 45th in the nation in education spending
• Washington's average classroom teacher salary rank drops from 5th to 20th
• Washington is dead last in average compensation among West Coast states
• Increases in Washington's 4-year college faculty average salaries fall short
• Education support professional salaries lag behind per capita income growth

We’ve fallen behind, even though our state’s constitution declares education funding to be Washington’s “paramount duty.”

We’ve fallen behind, even though the demand for greater student achievement grows every year.

We’ve fallen behind, even though the funding shortage leaves its mark on every classroom, hallway, gymnasium, lunchroom, teacher’s office, and public school facility across the state.

We’ve fallen behind, even though opinion research consistently confirms that the public believes strengthening communities, preserving our quality of life, and economic prosperity depend on improving public education in the state.

"Making do" only goes so far

Behind these shocking numbers are thousands of personal stories -- public school employees admirably "making do" through resourcefulness, creativity and self-sacrifice despite lack of time and money. These stories inspire, but they will break your heart, too. Individual passion and commitment can only go so far when the funding crisis compromises our mission every day.

We encourage you to read some of the stories -- stories that include "personal numbers" conveying the everyday impact of the funding crisis.

You'll find something else in them, too: For all the setbacks these stories express, the amazing truth is that so many of Washington's public education employees simply won't give up.

They love their jobs too much, and they believe too much in the mission of public education to leave it behind.

But we can't "make do" forever -- at some point we'll fall too far behind to ever catch up -- and that, of course, is wholly unacceptable.

A campaign to permanently increase funding for Washington's public schools

The Washington Education Association has begun a statewide campaign to permanently increase funding for public education -- from K-12 through higher education.

It's called: Take the lead. Restoring Washington's Commitment to Great Public Schools.

Take the lead will make the public aware of how far our schools have fallen behind and how each child's future is short-changed by the consequences.

Take the lead will campaign for a solution at a whole new level -- not simply fighting for specific budget issues or focusing on one specific policy area. The whole system is falling behind, and we need a wholesale, permanent and sustainable funding solution to catch up to the nation's leading states.

Take the lead will challenge the governor, the Legislature, local elected officials, policy-makers, opinion leaders, business leaders, parents, taxpayers and citizens to join together in new thinking to bring school funding back to the level our children deserve.

Take the lead will encourage public school employees and citizens across the state to be the campaign's leading edge -- helping to make people aware both of the impact of the funding crisis on our children's futures and of the potential to make our schools great again.

Take the lead begins with you. Click here to share your personal story behind the numbers.

Find out more by e-mailing WEA@WashingtonEA.org.