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February 21, 2013

 

PFL RESOURCES

 

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If you have questions about education policy in Washington state, please contact us by email or by phone at (206) 625-9655.       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Friday Deadline Is Looming for Education Bills Still in Committee. 

The first deadline of the 2013 legislative session is Friday, as all bills must be passed out of policy committees in order to receive a fiscal hearing. 

 

On Thursday, the House Education Committee discussed and voted on 19 bills in order to meet the first session cutoff. The Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee will vote to move more bills forward (or not) today. Both committees will likely work up to the Friday deadline to decide the fate of specific bills. 

 

Partnership for Learning, with our new Website, has made it easier to track key education legislation we are following, committee agendas and bill deadlines with our 2013 Bill Tracker, updated weekly. Also, track daily education committee agendas using our legislative schedules page (updated daily).

 

The next bill deadline is March 13, the last day to consider bills from the house of origin. And as always, a bill is never truly dead until the final gavel of the session falls, so stay tuned.

 

WASHINGTON STEM 

Survey: Math, Science Help Students and Economy

Washington STEM released results from a statewide survey of 600 voters on issues related to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). More than 90 percent of voters said students with STEM skills will have more opportunities, and 83 percent believe STEM education will improve the state's economy. See this colorful infographic summarizing the poll results.

 

Also, 80 percent of poll respondents supported Common Core State Standards, a key priority for Partnership for Learning, which is partnering with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction on a statewide awareness campaign.

 

EXCELLENT SCHOOLS NOW 
Statewide Poll Results to Be Released Feb. 26  
Excellent Schools Now (ESN) will release statewide poll results Feb. 26 at its annual legislative luncheon in Olympia. Like last year, ESN surveyed 500 voters and 500 teachers to gather insight on health of K-12 public education in Washington and opinions on education reform issues.

 

Tuesday's luncheon will feature a panel discussion on funding, student achievement and system accountability.If you'd like to attend, please email ASAP as limited space remains.  

 

Also, Excellent Schools Now is accepting applications for an ESN Steering Committee Grant. The purpose of the grant is to expand the capacity of the ESN Steering Committee by adding new members. Two grants of up to $80,000 each will be awarded over a two-year period. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2013. Awardees will be notified by April 15.

 

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION 
Rules for WA's First Charter School Rules to Be Heard 
The State Board of Education has scheduled a rules hearing for Feb. 26 on the state's first public charter schools. The meeting, set for 1 p.m. in Olympia, will feature a briefing on the new rules, the approval process for charter school authorizers and public testimony. The rules are expected to be adopted at meeting's end.
   
ABOUT PARTNERSHIP FOR LEARNING
Partnership for Learning, the education foundation of the Washington Roundtable, is a statewide nonprofit organization that builds awareness, understanding and support for improving public education in Washington. As a trusted source of information, Partnership for Learning makes complex education issues accessible.