Last year, there was a lot of lip service paid to nominal improvements to Washington's public schools just to qualify for Race to the Top federal grants. What we really need is genuine student-focused education reform before another generation of kids falls through the cracks.

The evidence is indisputable. Just within the last few weeks, both U.S. Department of Education and the Washington-based League of Education Voters released data demonstrating our lack of progress. As a state, it looks like we are just barely hanging on. And we are losing ground on graduation rates, college attendance and proficiency in critical STEM subjects.

In the worst news of all, Washington is one of only nine states in which the achievement gap is actually increasing.

What is going on?!?  

Other states have managed to close the gap by coupling hard work with innovation. They changed the paradigm and tried new things, all in the best interest of the students they serve.

Our state is home to some of the world's most innovative companies, yet when it comes to public education, we act as if we're afraid of the word. Innovation - defined as introducing something new or making changes to an established idea - is the very thing we need in our state to reverse the devastating trends we are seeing.

Instead, innovation is shoved to the side because there may be "unintended consequences." Superintendents, principals and teachers who want to innovate are hamstrung by outdated policies and legislation.

Innovation by its very nature brings some uncertainty. When it comes to our students, we must clearly identify the risks and outline mitigation plans. What we cannot do is throw up our hands and hide behind "unintended consequences."   

Two recent developments give me hope. I urge you to pay attention to two moves at the state level that might actually get the job done:

1. Governor Gregoire's decision to consolidate education policy into a single cabinet-level Department of Education.  The current education system is too fragmented. There is no clear line of accountability.  As Lisa MacFarlane of the League of Education Voters says, "Washington has the strongest constitutional language in the country regarding education; the person running the state should have authority over his or her paramount duty."
2.  House Bill 1546. Just this week, I attended a hearing to get more details and offer my input, but I think this is the strongest move yet to inject real innovation into the public school system.

Who are YOU waiting for to make a change in public education? Take action by joining us at the 10th Annual Leadership Breakfast on March 15. Or if you can't, stay tuned for more ways you can support our mission.