Gregoire to push education reform before Legislature

For Immediate Release: February 1, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire submitted her proposal to the Legislature to unify the state�s eight education agencies and 14 major education plans into a Department of Education. Gregoire�s proposal would focus all department activities on students and student learning from early learning to higher education. The governor will speak about her proposal before the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Committee on Wednesday at 8 a.m. in Senate Hearing Rm 1 in the J.A. Cherberg Building.

�Washington state does not have an education system but multiple agencies and plans that deal with education,� said Gregoire. �If students are going to succeed as they progress from early learning through higher education, then every level of education must work together from pre-school on up. We must reduce the gaps in math and science education as students progress from early learning to K-12 to higher education, so every student arrives ready to excel on the first day of class.�

A Secretary of Education would lead the department�s work to develop education policy, provide system-wide accountability and guide implementation of innovative student-centered services and practices. A single strategic plan will guide these efforts as the department works to unify early learning, K-12 and higher education.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction would collaborate and cooperate within the department unless the Legislature and voters approve a constitutional amendment to eliminate the statewide elected office. Gregoire�s bill contains provisions to create the department with or without an elected Superintendent. If the Legislature and public approve the amendment, the Superintendent�s duties would transfer to the department.

�The Legislature and voters will make decisions regarding the election of a state Superintendent, and I will support whatever option they choose,� said Gregoire. �Whatever choice is made, a unified Department of Education will better prepare students to succeed in school and life.�

The department would open its doors July 1, 2012.

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