Restoring Washington's Commitment to Great Public Schools
Despite the commitment of caring citizens across the state, 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. Washington's
numbers are simply shocking: Today, the stark reality is that
Washington's schools rank far behind most other states in the
country.
- Washington ranks 46th in the nation in class size.
We would need 12,778 more classroom teachers to match
the national pupil-to-teacher average.
- Washington ranks 45th in the nation in education spending.
Alabama and Arkansas spend more per student than we do here
in Washington.
- We have $2 billion less for schools this year because
of the decline in state funding that began two decades ago.
- We spend $548 less per student than we did in 1992
-- before education reform began in our state (and before most
people used the Internet).
- We are dead last in compensation among the five West
Coast states -- and well below the national average,
too.
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.
Now, imagine if we could put these bad numbers behind us
Each year, public schools compete for smaller and smaller pieces of the state budget pie, and every school district statewide is affected. Now, imagine if we could fund schools without leaving our kids vulnerable to the annual budget ax.
Imagine if schools had all the resources they needed to provide a world-class education . . . to make sure every child got the attention they deserved . . . that teachers didn't have to pay for school supplies out of their own pockets . . . that we had the technology and resources to give every child an equal shot at learning.
You can help our children take the lead
This year, the Washington Education Association has launched a new campaign for a more dependable way to adequately fund our public schools. It's called Take the lead. Restoring Washington's Commitment to Great Public Schools. The goal is to find a solution to put our schools back on top and keep them there. To build momentum for change, we must first build awareness of the funding crisis' real impact.
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 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.
We're reaching out to people all across the state, gathering stories that explain how the quality of funding affects our children's future, as well as ideas that will help restore our state's commitment to great public schools. Click here to share your personal story about the school funding crisis' impact on your family, or to offer your fresh idea for a more dependable funding solution.
Find out more by e-mailing: gbafia@washingtonea.org
or call 800-622-3393, Ext. 7077.
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