Posted November 13 , 2006

Education is the most important investment we can make in our economy, our state and our future. An essential part of The Next Washington plan, Washington Learns is a comprehensive review of our entire education system, from early learning through K-12, higher education and workforce training. The goal is to educate more Washingtonians to higher levels.

Since July 2005, the Washington Learns steering committee, which I personally chaired, and advisory committees, composed of 75 state and local leaders, educators, and business and community representatives, have been studying our education system. Today I am releasing a final report with strategies and recommendations for a ten-year plan to create a world-class, learner-focused, seamless education system for Washington. You can find the report at www.WashingtonLearns.wa.gov.

The final report focuses on five major initiatives: the early learning years, math and science, personalized learning, college and workforce training, and accountability. Washington Learns recommends that we invest in early learning so that children start off as lifelong learners; improve math and science teaching and learning so that our citizens have a competitive edge; personalize learning so that every student has the opportunity to succeed; offer college and workforce training for everyone; and hold ourselves accountable for results.

I understand the urgency of improving our education system if Washington is to remain competitive in the global economy. We have set forth a ten-year plan. Some recommendations can be acted upon immediately, some will need to be phased-in, and, for some, we will need to collect more information before fully implementing them. We will work to do as much as we can, based on sound evidence, as soon as we can. Our commitment is to deliver real results within a decade.

I’ve heard your voices and ideas on education. In September 2006, we received public testimony from nine communities on a draft report. Public hearings were held in Olympia (with live video links to Wenatchee, Grays Harbor and Yakima), Spokane, South Seattle, Vancouver, Mt. Vernon and Pasco. Over 1,500 people attended the six public hearings and we received over 1,000 written comments by mail or online. A telephone survey of 600 citizens statewide was also commissioned. All of this public input was considered in crafting the final report and I appreciate all of your time and interest in improving education for every Washingtonian.

I want to thank you for your dedication and hard work, for your contributions to your communities and for your commitment to our children and our state’s future. I look forward to working with you to create a world-class, learner-focused, seamless education system for Washington.

Sincerely,


Chris Gregoire
Governor

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