Gregoire vetoes sections on early learning, gifted students

Posted May 19, 2009

Flanked by a sizeable crowd of legislators and numerous education community representatives, Gov. Chris Gregoire today signed a landmark bill that commits Washington state to a major overhaul of its basic education financing system.

The bill – ESHB 2261 – sets out a road map for the state to follow in reshaping the way the state defines and pays for basic education.  The legislation represents the first major reform in K-12 funding since the 1977 Basic Education Act, which was adopted after the courts declared that the state had failed its “paramount duty” to make ample provision for the education of all children as required by the state constitution.

In approving the bill, Gregoire acknowledged that the bill does not include funding to support the restructured K-12 finance system it envisions. She said, however, that the measure puts the state on the right course for significant reform of its K-12 education system.

"While the bill isn't perfect," Gregoire said, "I am really quite encouraged that we are on the road toward an improved definition of, and support for the basic education of our children."

While the legislation does not immediately modify the state’s basic education finance structure, it does commit the state to making significant changes by the year 2018. These changes include revising and expanding the definition of basic education, providing new financing formulas, increasing high school instructional time and credit requirements, establishing teacher performance standards, creating improved data systems for educators and policymakers, and developing a K-12 performance accountability system.

"WSSDA recognizes that the adoption of ESHB 2261 resulted from a long process of study, debate and compromise, and that this legislation is a 'road map' rather than a finished product, said WSSDA President Martha Rice (Yakima). "While many difficult decisions and discussions lie ahead, we believe it is our collective responsibility to ensure the new system is established appropriately and that it is ultimately effective in fulfilling the goals of the standards-based education reform effort begun 15 years ago."

"We are pleased that WSSDA will have school director representation on the work groups established by the bill," said WSSDA Executive Director Martharose Laffey. "Since locally elected school boards are ultimately responsible for carrying out the Legislature’s direction, we appreciate the opportunity to be engaged in key decisions related to revenue, local levies, and compensation."

Gregoire vetoed a section of the bill to include early learning in the definition of basic education, and another section to create safety net for the Highly Capable Program.

"I am deeply and personally committed to providing quality early learning education to all children," Gregoire said. "Basic Education should be made available to all, while this language focuses only on one group of our 3 and 4-year-olds, and leaves behind the rest.”

Gregoire added she is asking Department of Early Learning Director Bette Hyde and Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn to lead the development of a 2010 legislative proposal for early learning services for all children birth to five.

#  #  #