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Governor Gregoire Commends Washington Learns; Governor's Legislative Accomplishments In Line With Committee's Interim Report

For Immediate Release: March 13, 2006

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today commended the Washington Learns team members, specifically Senator Dave Schmidt, Senator Rosemary McAuliffe, Representative Glen Anderson and Representative Bill Fromhold, for their collaborative, commonsense approach to answering the question, �what is best for our students?�

�When we evaluate our educational system, we need to go toe-to-toe with the systems in Japan, Germany, Ireland, and the top schools in India,� said Governor Gregoire. �After the wins for education this legislative session, we are on our way to doing just that.�

The Washington Learns Interim Report recommended streamlining early learning, investing in focused academic support for high school students and a public-private partnership focused on supporting parents of early learners. The report also highlights the need for career pathways that lead to apprenticeships after graduation and a program for secondary schools that match students with an adult mentor.

Governor Gregoire�s Education Accomplishments
2006 Legislative Session


$935 million in savings for future needs. Won passage of 2006 supplemental budget to invest in vital education, health care, environment and economic development programs � while providing for a stable pension system. Saving $935 million will help meet projected needs in the 2007-2009 Budget Biennium.

Streamlined Early Learning. With strong bipartisan support, consolidated more than a half-dozen child care and early learning programs. This new department will be the focal point to work with the �Thrive by Five� public/private partnership.

Provided additional help to struggling students to help meet academic standards. Created a new program of intensive instruction to help students meet graduation standards.

Increased opportunities to earn four-year college degrees. Expanded bachelor-of-arts programs to four Washington technical and community colleges, and provided assistance to community colleges to bring regional universities to campus.

Advanced life-sciences research at the University of Washington. Helped to fund the operating costs of UW�s South Lake Union biomedical research facility.


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