McKenna Speaks on Public Education
Over at The Stranger Slog, they gave over several threads to the McKenna campaign to discuss various issues. (This is incredibly generous of The Stranger and I give them full credit.)
Here's his education thread entitled "A New Direction for Washington's Public Schools" wherein he recites tired ed reform phrases and yet says absolutely nothing specific about what he would do.
He says this:
At the same time, we cannot spend more money on existing public school programs that are underperforming without first reforming them. Washington is regarded nationally as an education reform backwater, coming in near the bottom in the President's Race to the Top competition, and only one of handful that does not authorize charter schools. This failure is utterly unacceptable in a state which generally is considered innovative. We must learn from our failures, fix what is broken, promote competition, and move forward rapidly to catch up to, and then surpass, our sister states.
Here's his education thread entitled "A New Direction for Washington's Public Schools" wherein he recites tired ed reform phrases and yet says absolutely nothing specific about what he would do.
He says this:
At the same time, we cannot spend more money on existing public school programs that are underperforming without first reforming them. Washington is regarded nationally as an education reform backwater, coming in near the bottom in the President's Race to the Top competition, and only one of handful that does not authorize charter schools. This failure is utterly unacceptable in a state which generally is considered innovative. We must learn from our failures, fix what is broken, promote competition, and move forward rapidly to catch up to, and then surpass, our sister states.
I-1240 Debate Featured in Tomorrow Night's Forum
One of the wider-ranging discussions of I-1240 tomorrow night is sponsored by the League of Women Voters. They are having a number of events and this one features 1240, R-74 (marriage equality) and the tax initiative. I will be the speaker against 1240 and Tim Ceis, the former deputy mayor of Seattle under Nickels will be representing the yes side.
What is interesting is that the LWV has decided to devote nearly an hour to discussion of I-1240. I was told that this is because it is a complex issue (and indeed it is). So this should be interesting.
It will be taped so it will be available for viewing as well (I'll put a link afterwards).
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the discussion of I-1240 up first at 7 p.m.
Seattle First Baptist Church
1111 Harvard Ave
Seattle
This Is What I Am Talking About with I-1240
From Publicola, a thoughtful op-ed from former Thurston County legislator, Brendan Williams, on why he opposes I-1240 and the creation of a charter school system. He has some choice lines like:
Our schools are inadequately funded because Washington has the most regressive tax system in the nation.
I-1240 is no grassroots movement: Thurston County, where I live, has accounted for just $40 of its funding.
How will charter schools not dilute soup that is already mere broth?
In Oregon, districts are looking to save schools by converting public schools to charters, paid for with federal grants and exempt from many state and district regulations. That’s survival, not innovation.
I-1240 is a social science experiment funded by the 1% that the 99% will ultimately pay for, and a distraction from real school funding issues.
Our schools are inadequately funded because Washington has the most regressive tax system in the nation.
I-1240 is no grassroots movement: Thurston County, where I live, has accounted for just $40 of its funding.
How will charter schools not dilute soup that is already mere broth?
In Oregon, districts are looking to save schools by converting public schools to charters, paid for with federal grants and exempt from many state and district regulations. That’s survival, not innovation.
I-1240 is a social science experiment funded by the 1% that the 99% will ultimately pay for, and a distraction from real school funding issues.