ࡱ>  bjbj *.hh    $1 "tMQ"S"S"S"S"S"S"$F$&nw"|||w""|vQ"|Q"V%!@!s< :e! =""0"q!xV',V'!V'!TL6,,X$w"w""||||V' : Basic Education Funding What is it? Why is it the Top PTSA issue? What can I do about it? Public schools across the state are funded with a combination of federal, state, and local dollars. It is expected that most of the funding should come from the state. In fact, in our state constitution, it is the Paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing in its borders and it calls for the Legislature to provide for a common and uniform system of public schools. Recognizing that tax payers might wish to provide enhancements over the basic education paid for by the state, local districts have the ability to enact local levies to supplement this funding. Sadly, over time, a mechanism intended for enhancements has instead become a vital and critical source of funding for essentials, as the state has failed to keep up with sufficient funding for basics. To overly-simplify a very complex, historical process, the state last defined basic education in the late 1970s. As you cast your mind back on the huge cultural and technological changes in 30+ years, it is not difficult to understand that a system which pays for a 5-period day in high school, and makes no allowance for technology, security, or the need for curriculum and teaching to advance to meet a 21st century standard, is vastly under-funded. The system is also plagued by severe and irrational discrepancies amongst school districts, due to grandfathering of levy lids and teacher salaries (a discussion for another day ( ), leading to gross inequities in allowable student funding. In addition, Education, in accordance with the Paramount Duty clause, once accounted for 50% of the state general fund. It is now receiving closer to only 35%. Yet costs are severely outpacing even that funding, resulting in cut programs and services. It is no exaggeration to say that our public school funding is in crisis. Supporting details for those that doubt can be found everywhere, but particularly on  HYPERLINK "http://www.fundingwaschools.org/" www.fundingwaschools.org And the impact on our students, who now compete in a global economy, is clear: In 2007, 50.4% of 10th grade students failed the math portion of the WASL, which tests concepts taught in the late 6th grade or 7th grade internationally. Only 1/3 of high school graduates are college-ready. About half of our graduates attending 2-year colleges require remediation in math. Only 23% of our students are at or above proficient level in the Grade 12 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Parents purchasing of outside tutoring and educational services rose by 340% from 1994 to 2004 It is the Paramount Duty of our state to provide a public education that prepares our students to succeed in the 21st century, and graduate ready for a four-year college, a community or technical college, or a living-wage job. So, if the legislature hasnt done very much to fix this in 30 years, why are they going to do so now? Because bless Federal Ways little heart. They sued. They won. The Legislature must act. Will they do the right thing? Well isnt that the question! Enter the Basic Education Taskforce (BET), a bipartisan 16-person panel, whose recommendations on a new definition and a new model of financing are due to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2008. The BET is going to consider 5 proposals, from each of: a bipartisan subset of the Taskforce Legislators: see  HYPERLINK "http://www.WhatItTakesForKids.com" www.WhatItTakesForKids.com for a 3-page executive summary and a 27-page first draft. Note: I highly recommend this report!! This group has done incredible research and collaborative work. Their recommendations are visionary yet pragmatic. They are also expensive! We owe it to ourselves and our kids to understand the costs of implementing these changes, and equally important - the cost of not doing them. the Task Force Chair, Dan Grimm, which will be published shortly the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)  HYPERLINK "http://www.k12.wa.us" www.k12.wa.us the Full Funding Coalition (WASA, WSSDA, PSE, AWSP, WEA) see  HYPERLINK "http://www.wssda.org" www.wssda.org and others League of Education Voters  HYPERLINK "http://www.educationvoters.org/taskforce" www.educationvoters.org/taskforce The results will inform legislation created in the 2009 session. What can I do about having my voice heard? First, on November 4th vote for the candidates of your choice who you feel will advocate for our kids, for public education, and for adequate public education funding! Regular updates on the progress of the BET, invitations to public discussions, and calls to action will be published on Parent Organizer. As whatever legislation results from these recommendations begins to work their way through Olympia (there will be multiple bills) it may become essential to push for votes. Please sign up for the PTSAs Action Alerts, which will come over email, and ask you to phone or email your legislator at critical junctures. Simply email  HYPERLINK "mailto:support@wastatepta.org" support@wastatepta.org, ask to join the listserv Action Alert. This is the first of many articles on Basic Education Funding. This is an incredible milestone on a critical issue. Please bring your voice to the table to share what you think must be done and what we can afford as a state. Carol Stamper PTA Legislation Chair  HYPERLINK "mailto:Carol.stamper@comcast.net" Carol.stamper@comcast.net ]+ , 8 F  0 S _ ` 6 8 b e f g h l v { [YZ}+,D׻׷˷˫˷ۧh=c0J^J h=c^Jjh=cU^Jh=ch=c5h`#h=c jJhxmHnHuh JhHhHH*hHhH5hxhyhThhHhlhlhl5CJaJhlhl5hlhl5CJaJ3]^ g h [\Z[GH2i= $ & Fa$gdx$a$gdxDEG  in<= )EFdȾȲȬ٢ٞ}}}ujh`#UhZFhZFhZF5hZFh`#5h`#h`#5 h`#5h`#h`#h`#5^J hTh^Jh`#hTh5H*^Jh`#hx5^Jh`#hTh5^J hxhx h`#^JhxhxH*^J hx^J h=c^Jjh=cU^J,DEdeVWSTUVL$a$gdZF $h^ha$gdZF $^a$gdZF $ & Fa$gdZF$a$gdxOQRTy{FGj !4ACDERSTU&'(IJLNþߺߺߺ˺ߺ˺h%JhjhZFUjhZFUh_BhZF0Jj hZFUjhZFUhZF hTN6hZFhZF6 hZFhZF hZF6hZFh`#6h`#h_Bh`#0Jjh`#Ujh`#U2LMNef12gd\9gd%J$a$gd(>BEU?@Siklh#rh\90J h\9h\9jh\9Uh\9haUh#rh\90J5hh\95 h\95jh\95UhhH* h%J5hh5h%Jh*(/ =!"#$%  DyK www.WhatItTakesForKids.comyK ^http://www.whatittakesforkids.com/yX;H,]ą'cDyK www.k12.wa.usyK Dhttp://www.k12.wa.us/yX;H,]ą'cDyK www.wssda.orgyK Dhttp://www.wssda.org/yX;H,]ą'c#DyK "www.educationvoters.org/taskforceyK jhttp://www.educationvoters.org/taskforceyX;H,]ą'c^ 2 0@P`p2( 0@P`p 0@P`p 0@P`p 0@P`p 0@P`p 0@P`p8XV~_HmH nH sH tH @`@ NormalOJQJ_HmH sH tH DA`D Default Paragraph FontViV  Table Normal :V 44 la (k (No List 4U@4 =c Hyperlink >*phPK![Content_Types].xmlj0Eжr(΢Iw},-j4 wP-t#bΙ{UTU^hd}㨫)*1P' ^W0)T9<l#$yi};~@(Hu* Dנz/0ǰ $ X3aZ,D0j~3߶b~i>3\`?/[G\!-Rk.sԻ..a濭?PK!֧6 _rels/.relsj0 }Q%v/C/}(h"O = C?hv=Ʌ%[xp{۵_Pѣ<1H0ORBdJE4b$q_6LR7`0̞O,En7Lib/SeеPK!kytheme/theme/themeManager.xml M @}w7c(EbˮCAǠҟ7՛K Y, e.|,H,lxɴIsQ}#Ր ֵ+!,^$j=GW)E+& 8PK!Ptheme/theme/theme1.xmlYOo6w toc'vuر-MniP@I}úama[إ4:lЯGRX^6؊>$ !)O^rC$y@/yH*񄴽)޵߻UDb`}"qۋJחX^)I`nEp)liV[]1M<OP6r=zgbIguSebORD۫qu gZo~ٺlAplxpT0+[}`jzAV2Fi@qv֬5\|ʜ̭NleXdsjcs7f W+Ն7`g ȘJj|h(KD- dXiJ؇(x$( :;˹! I_TS 1?E??ZBΪmU/?~xY'y5g&΋/ɋ>GMGeD3Vq%'#q$8K)fw9:ĵ x}rxwr:\TZaG*y8IjbRc|XŻǿI u3KGnD1NIBs RuK>V.EL+M2#'fi ~V vl{u8zH *:(W☕ ~JTe\O*tHGHY}KNP*ݾ˦TѼ9/#A7qZ$*c?qUnwN%Oi4 =3ڗP 1Pm \\9Mؓ2aD];Yt\[x]}Wr|]g- eW )6-rCSj id DЇAΜIqbJ#x꺃 6k#ASh&ʌt(Q%p%m&]caSl=X\P1Mh9MVdDAaVB[݈fJíP|8 քAV^f Hn- "d>znNJ ة>b&2vKyϼD:,AGm\nziÙ.uχYC6OMf3or$5NHT[XF64T,ќM0E)`#5XY`פ;%1U٥m;R>QD DcpU'&LE/pm%]8firS4d 7y\`JnίI R3U~7+׸#m qBiDi*L69mY&iHE=(K&N!V.KeLDĕ{D vEꦚdeNƟe(MN9ߜR6&3(a/DUz<{ˊYȳV)9Z[4^n5!J?Q3eBoCM m<.vpIYfZY_p[=al-Y}Nc͙ŋ4vfavl'SA8|*u{-ߟ0%M07%<ҍPK! ѐ'theme/theme/_rels/themeManager.xml.relsM 0wooӺ&݈Э5 6?$Q ,.aic21h:qm@RN;d`o7gK(M&$R(.1r'JЊT8V"AȻHu}|$b{P8g/]QAsم(#L[PK-![Content_Types].xmlPK-!֧6 +_rels/.relsPK-!kytheme/theme/themeManager.xmlPK-!Ptheme/theme/theme1.xmlPK-! ѐ' theme/theme/_rels/themeManager.xml.relsPK]  .DL+D  DR'I?kXXXXXXX8@0(  B S  ?N+<)N+|%N+|)O+)O+)8 MMA  TT:*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsStreet8*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsCity;*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsaddress9*urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttagsplace q #SJ2  23333BB]] j SJN(>BEU T SJ?G24ґ1TNJ _ ^j ^`OJPJQJ^Jo(-^`OJQJ^Jo(hHopp^p`OJQJo(hH@ @ ^@ `OJQJo(hH^`OJQJ^Jo(hHo^`OJQJo(hH^`OJQJo(hH^`OJQJ^Jo(hHoPP^P`OJQJo(hH ^`OJPJQJ^Jo(-^`OJQJ^Jo(hHopp^p`OJQJo(hH@ @ ^@ `OJQJo(hH^`OJQJ^Jo(hHo^`OJQJo(hH^`OJQJo(hH^`OJQJ^Jo(hHoPP^P`OJQJo(hH^`OJQJo(hH^`OJQJ^Jo(hHo  ^ `OJQJo(hH  ^ `OJQJo(hHxx^x`OJQJ^Jo(hHoHH^H`OJQJo(hH^`OJQJo(hH^`OJQJ^Jo(hHo^`OJQJo(hH ^G24TNJDTq        DTq                 HZF%JTNaUThx Jy:;`#l=c\9@ `@UnknownG*Ax Times New Roman5Symbol3. *Cx Arial;Wingdings?= *Cx Courier NewA BCambria Math"1h I 'I '!242QHP ?l2!xxBasic Education FundingiAlisonJane   Oh+'0   ( 4@HPX`Basic Education FundingiAlison Basic Education Funding 101[1]Jane2Microsoft Office Word@F#@s<@s<IGVT$m D|&" WMFCv lVT$m EMFN  +    Rp@"Arial O>c xO>c w&f x&fX3.*Cx Arial&fX<j:fxxyfdv% % %   TXeUU@۶@L|Basic Education FundingTAA!A!NGGAA&!GG!FGGG!GHTTfXUU@۶@fLP ARp@"Arial O>c xO>c w&f <x&fX3.*Cx Arial.&fX<j:fxxyf<dv% % %  TT<UU@۶@*LP .Rp@"Arial O>c xO>c w&f \x&fX3.*Cx Arial.&fX<j:fxxyf\dv% % %  T=AUU@۶@CLWhat is it? Why is it the Top PTSA issue? What can I do about it?_=8!7!=_=58!!=8===C=DE88=8=_=8!88===8===!!=TTB=yUU@۶@BLP 8Rp@"Arial O>c xO>c w&f |x&fX3.*Cx Arial.&fX<j:fxxyf|dv% % %  TTUU@۶@LP - T oUU@۶@^DLPublic schools across the state are funded with a combination of fed7./***...*.*.**..*......./.<..*.F./......T ,oUU@۶@ ^!Leral, state, and local dollars. ..*../...*/./.* T<tlUU@۶@(LIt is expected that most of the funding *.*/.*....G.*...../..Txmty UU@۶@mL\should */./.Tz t UU@۶@z Lhcome from the *.G.-G..Tx t UU@۶@ L\state. *..TT t UU@۶@ LP - TT.UU@۶@LP -Rp @"ArialO>c xO>c w&f |x&fX3.*Cx Arial&fX<j:fxxyf|dvdv% Rp@"ArialwUYwr`6X[w%`22Cx 6#;ߩvH~2B6H{2Hl|2n2 ߩ`4v}-[wUYwXw!#;#2n2nov#26v$vdv% ( Rp @"ArialwUYwrؕ66#;ߩvH~2B6[w%`227 jvH~2HXw mߩWv2Xvc m`vXw!ߩ m`vѲXv)vx!xv$vdv% ( Rp@"Arial27 jvH~2H[w%`22`8 jvH~2HXXw` ߩWv2Xvc ``vXw!ߩ `vѲXv)v`x!xv$vdv% ( Rp @"Arial2`8 jvH~2HX[w%`229 jvH~2HXw nߩWv2Xvc n`vXw!ߩ n`vѲXv)vx!xv$vdv% ( % ( % % %  % % % T2xUU@۶@|"LIn fact, in our state constitution..*...*..*..*./.TTy2UU@۶@y|LP,TT2UU@۶@|LP T2UU@۶@| Ldit is the  *..% % % T/} UU@۶@|LhParamount duty7/ .J33333-% % % TT~ 2 UU@۶@~ |LP T, 2UU@۶@ |%Lof the state to make ample provision ...*...G.+-.G....)*.. T UU@۶@@Lfor the education of all children residing in its borders&  and ......*./...*./...*/..&" WMFC q.*../.*T...T`  UU@۶@ LTit T0 UU@۶@ &Lcalls for the Legislature to  provide *.*...../*...../).. TPg NUU@۶@=+Lfor a common and uniform system of public s..*-FG...../..G+'*.G....**T|h  NUU@۶@h =L\chools .*../*TT  NUU@۶@ =LP - TTSUU@۶@LP - TxUU@۶@L\Recogni<.*../T UU@۶@ Lzing that tax payers might wish)/.$..%.*$//(0*#G..%<*.TTUU@۶@LP $TUU@۶@5Lto provide  enhancements over the  basic education .$./)./$.../.*.G..*$.).$./$..**$./.*../ Td mUU@۶@\;Lpaid for by the state, local districts have the ability to ...+.+/(+..+*/.,.+.+/***+..*.+/.+./(,.+Tle 0 mUU@۶@e \LXenact/..*TT1 [ mUU@۶@1 \LP +T \ mUU@۶@\ \ Llocal levies to supplement this .*.,/).*+/+*....G..+/) T<rUU@۶@(Lfunding. Sadly, over time, a mechanism ..../7..(/).G..G.*...*FTrO UU@۶@ L`intended ../...T|P r UU@۶@P L\for enha..../T$ rUU@۶@ $Lncements has instead become a vital .*.G..*..*.*../..*.G-.)/ % % % Thi ,UU@۶@/Land critical source of funding for essentials, ...**/*..*.........**...*% % % Tj -UU@۶@j 3Las the state has failed to keep up with sufficient /.3....3....33...334B3.3..3 % % % T.UU@۶@{Lpfunding for basics333333 3....% % % TX1UU@۶@{LP. TT1UU@۶@{LP - TTUU@۶@LP - TKM UU@۶@< L`To overly4. .).'TTLgM UU@۶@L< LP-TdhM UU@۶@h< YLsimplify a very complex, historical process, the state last defined  basic education in +G.'!.!).( +.G..* .*.*/ ..*.** .. */.!.* /.... ..+* ...*//. . TTQ  UU@۶@ LPtT|Q  UU@۶@ ]Lhe late 1970s. As you cast your mind back on the huge cultural and technological changes in .... ../.*7*!(/.*/* (..G../.*+.... ....+... ... .*././.*.+../..*. TX I UU@۶@ LP30..TTJ y UU@۶@J LP+0TTz  UU@۶@z LP %T - UU@۶@ ILyears, it is not difficult to understand that a system which pays for a 5(..*##*#./#.*.#.#....*./.#./#.#+'*.F#;.*.$.0'*#.#.#.TT. I UU@۶@. LP-TJ  UU@۶@J Ltperiod day in high ....#//(#.#../ T l UU@۶@[ BLschool, and makes no allowance for technology, security, or the ne**..../.G-+.).../<..*...*...//(&" WMFC Q*.*/(.../.T  l UU@۶@ [ Led for curriculum and teaching ee...*.*..F.....*../Rp@"Arialܩ ߩݩO>cߩxܩ ݩdߩO>cߩxܩ w&fxܩߩ x&fX3.*Cx ArialH{2PET|2ܩj:fܩܩyfݩdv% % % % % %  % % % Tq j UU@۶@ L|to advance to meet a 21ee../)/.*./G.....% % % TXk`  UU@۶@k LPst% % % TTq  UU@۶@ LP eeTq \ UU@۶@ !Lcentury standard, is vastly underee+...(*./...**.*(/...TT\ q w UU@۶@\ LP-eeTxx q UU@۶@x L\funded.ee..../T` q UU@۶@ LT eeTT q UU@۶@ LP eeTT q  UU@۶@ LP ee- TT , UU@۶@ LP ee- Td0  UU@۶@z LTThe 4..T0  UU@۶@z L`system is +'*.G)Tl0  UU@۶@z LXalso ee.*.T|0  UU@۶@z L\plagued .././.T`0  UU@۶@z LTby /(T0  UU@۶@z BLsevere and irrational discrepancies amongst school districts, due *.*....../...**....+.*.G...***-../***../Rp@WingdingsO>cxO>c w&f x&fX ;Wingdigskg,<j:fxxyf dv% % %  % % % T UU@۶@ 8Lto  grandfathering of levy lids and teacher salaries (a.../......./*(.*/....*/.*...*/TT UU@۶@ LP erT  UU@۶@ Ldiscussion for another day Co.**.**./../....0)% % % TT " UU@۶@ LPJriF% % % TT# > UU@۶@# LP riT?  UU@۶@? Lh), leading to ./.../ T` c K UU@۶@: .Lgross inequities in allowable student funding...**./...*../<...*../..././TTd K UU@۶@d : LP ea- TTP  UU@۶@ LP HP- T|  UU@۶@ ]LIn addition, Education, in accordance with the Paramount Duty clause, once accounted for 50% RE../../7/.*..../**....*.;./.7..F...=.(*..*/..*..**.../....J T  k UU@۶@Z BLof the state general fund. It is now receiving closer to only 35%.,..,*..-../..,../,,,*,./<,.*.)..,*.*.,.,./(,..KTT  2 k UU@۶@ Z LP.TX3  k UU@۶@3 Z LP ,-TX  k UU@۶@ Z LPYe7.T  k UU@۶@ Z Lxt costs are severely ,*.+*,..,*.)..( To UU@۶@ DLoutpacing even that funding, resulting in cut programs and services.../.*.//)......./..*./..*.....G)...*.)*.*TT o UU@۶@ LP - TT *UU@۶@LP - % % % T.UU@۶@x"LIt is no exaggeration to say that *...*/..../..*0)..% % % T0+u UU@۶@x&Lour public school funding is in crisis33 333./.333333&" WMFC 133.3. ..% % % Tv .UU@۶@v xL. Supporting details for 7/../.././*. T UU@۶@>Lthose that doubt can be found everywhere, but particularly on ..*...../.*...../../).(</.././.*/.(..Rp@ Arial(  O>c pO>c w&f "x&fX3.*Cx Arial&f@j:fyf"dv% % % % % %  T UU@۶@ L|www.fundingwaschools.org<<<.././<.**/..*./'% Ld  !??% (  TTUU@۶@LP TTUU@۶@LP - TTJUU@۶@9LP - T OUU@۶@NLAnd the impact on our students, who now compete in a global economy, is clear:7....G..*../.*./..*;/.//;*.G......../.*/..H'**/.TTOUU@۶@LP -Rp@WingdingsߩLO>cLD0O>cLD w&fDL $x&fX ;WingdigsCޕ@+&fxj:fyf$dv% % % Rp @"Arialߩ LO>cLD 0O>cLD w&fDL 'x&fX3.*Cx Arial{Jcxj:fyf'dv% % %  % % % TT UU@۶@LP&% % % TT UU@۶@LP p% % % T8 UU@۶@LtIn 2007, 50.4% of 10.../....J...% % % TX9eUU@۶@9LPth% % % TTf UU@۶@fLP T UU@۶@@Lgrade students failed the math portion of the WASL, which tests ./..*../.*.....G.........S77.;/*..**!"  % % % TiUU@۶@XLpconcepts taught in*..*..*/.../TTiUU@۶@XLP eeT+iUU@۶@X L`the late 6.//..% % % TX,X9UU@۶@,.LPth% % % TTYoiUU@۶@YXLP eeTp iUU@۶@pX L`grade or 7../...% % % TX  9UU@۶@ .LPth% % % TT / iUU@۶@ XLP eeT0 6 iUU@۶@0 XLxgrade internationally../..../././(TT7 c iUU@۶@7 XLP ee-!"  % % % TTnUU@۶@LPee&% % % TTnUU@۶@LP eep% % % T\n UU@۶@-LOnly 1/3 of high school graduates are collegeeeA.(./../.**.././....*..*//..TT n UU@۶@ LP-eeT| n UU@۶@ L\ready. .//(TT n UU@۶@ LP ee-!"  % % % TT)UU@۶@LPee&% % % TT)UU@۶@LP eep% % % Tl)UU@۶@LXAboutee7./.TT )UU@۶@LP eeT  )UU@۶@ !Lhalf of our graduates attending 2ee/...../....*./.....TT  )UU@۶@ LP-eeTT )UU@۶@ ,Lyear colleges require remediation in math. (/.*../.*../..G......G..TT@)UU@۶@&" WMFC LP ee-!"  % % % TT.UU@۶@xLPee&% % % TT.UU@۶@xLP eep% % % T.UU@۶@xBLOnly 23% of our students are at or above  proficient level in theA.((./J'.'..'*../.+'..'/'.(../)/'..*/.'/)/(/'./TT.8UU@۶@xLP ee'T9.UU@۶@9xLpGrade 12 National A../'./(<.../!"  TD UU@۶@)LAssessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)ee7**.*)G...7..*../.7...**<877TT  UU@۶@ LP ee-!"  % % % TTHUU@۶@7LPee&% % % TTHUU@۶@7LP eep% % % TXHUU@۶@7WLParents purchasing of outside tutoring and educational services rose by 340% from 1994 ee7../*..*..*.....*../.../.....*/../*.)*.*.*./(./.J.G....!"  TxM/UU@۶@L\to 2004ee.././TT0M\UU@۶@0LP ee-!"  TTUU@۶@LP ee- % % % T $ gUU@۶@VILIt is the Paramount Duty of our state to provide a public education that ee*..7..G...=.(...*..../).././.*...*.....% % % T% hUU@۶@% V L`prepares ee4 .3/ ..T hUU@۶@V Lhour students ee33 .33.3.T` hUU@۶@VLTto ee3Rp @"Arialܩ ߩݩO>cߩxܩ ݩdߩO>cߩxܩ w&fxܩߩ <)x&fX3.*Cx Arialީ fީfܩj:fܩܩyfݩ<)dv% % % % % %  % % % TTiUU@۶@LPsee.TiUU@۶@Llucceed in the 213../.3.3.3....% % % TXZUU@۶@LPst% % % TTiEUU@۶@LP ee.TxFiqUU@۶@FL\centuryee..33 .% % % TprlnUU@۶@rLX, and .....Tol UU@۶@o L`graduate ee./.....T l` UU@۶@ Llready for a four..0).......TT` l{ UU@۶@` LP-T| lUU@۶@| Lyear college, a community or (...*../....*-FG..'/. T'UU@۶@Ltechnical college, or a living.*..*/*//....)./TT'UU@۶@LP-T'UU@۶@ L`wage job. ;/.../TT'UU@۶@LP - TT,UU@۶@vLP -% % % Rp  @"ArialO>c xO>c w&f <x&fX3.*Cx Arial&fX<j:fxxyf<dvdv% Rp @"ArialwUYwrX5X[w%`22Cx <ߩvH~2B<H{2Hl|2n2 ߩ`4v}-[wUYwXw!#2n2nov#2<v$vdv% ( Rp  @"ArialwUYwr@5<ߩvH~2B<[w%`22`=NvH~2HXXw` ߩWv2Xvc ``vXw!ߩ `vѲXv)v`x!xv$vdv% ( Rp @"Arial2`=NvH~2HX[w%`22>NvH~2HXw" ߩWv2Xvc" `vXw!ߩ" `vѲXv)vxhfvhfvv$vdv% ( Rp  @"Arial2>Nv&WMFCH~2H[w%`22`?NvH~2HXXw` ߩWv2Xvc ``vXw!ߩ `vѲXv)v`x!xv$vdv% ( % (  TUU@۶@_L So, if the legislature hasn t done very much to fix this in 30 years, why are they going to do ro733..3..3 .4..4333./.!-J4.33.3.3/....!.B3..!.3/-3333333 Tx?GUU@۶@5L\so now?.333B2TT@mGUU@۶@@5LP . % % % TTLUU@۶@LP - TRUU@۶@LxBecause bless Federal 7.*..*...**3.../TSUU@۶@SCLWay s little heart. They sued. They won. The Legislature must act.R-(*....4./(*./.4./(<./4.../.*...G-*.*TTUU@۶@LP - TT fUU@۶@ULP - Rp  @ ArialUfv`l&f E,+&f w&f \+x&f2d 3. +,+Cx Arial@@yfh\+dv% % Rp @"Arialt XO>c @O>c w&f |-x&fX3.*Cx ArialP>c(P>cj:f@@yfh|-dv% % % % % 666666666666666666666666666666666666 6 66 6  6 66 6  6 66 6  6 66 6  6 66 6 66666666666666666666  d.@"Arial--- .2 UZcBasic Education Funding       2 Uc @"Arial--- 2 aZc @"Arial---p2 oZCcWhat is it? Why is it the Top PTSA issue? What can I do about it?    2 oc @"Arial--- 2 {Zc q2 ZDcPublic schools across the state are funded with a combination of fed =2 !ceral, state, and local dollars. rG2 Z(cIt is expected that most of the funding 2 cshould  2 #ccome from the  2 ecstate.  2 c  2 Zc  @"Arial-@"Arial- @"Arial-@"Arial- @"Arial-------->2 Z"cIn fact, in our state constitution 2 c, 2 c 2 cit is the --- 2 cParamount duty --- 2 `c C2 d%cof the state to make ample provision n  k2 Z@cfor the education of all children residing in its borders and  2 hcit tD2 p&ccalls for the Legislature to provide L2 Z+cfor a common and uniform system of public s   2 !cchools. 2 Cc  2 Zc 2 ZcRecogni.:2 czing that tax payers might wish  2 c [2 5cto provide enhancements over the basic education d2 Z;cpaid for by the state, local districts have the ability to 2 ]cenactn 2 vc ;2 { clocal levies to supplement this  G2 Z(cfunding. Sadly, over time, a mechanism   2  cintended 2 <cfor enhaA2 b$cncements has instead become a vital  ---R2 Z/cand critical source of funding for essentials, ---X2 !3cas the state has failed to keep up with sufficient n---&2 Zcfunding for basics---2 c.  2 c  2 Zc 2 Z cTo overly 2 c-2 Ycsimplify a very complex, historical process, the state last defined basic education in    2 (Zct2 (]]che late 1970s. As you cast your mind back on the huge cultural and technological changes in  2 4Zc30 2 4ec+ 2 4kc y2 4oIcyears, it is not difficult to understand that a system which pays for a 5  2 4c-(2 4cperiod day in high n2 ?ZBcschool, and makes no allowance for technology, security, or the ne :2 ?ced for curriculum and teaching @"Arial---------.2 KZcto advance to meet a 21---2 Fcst--- 2 Kc =2 K!ccentury standard, is vastly undera 2 K\c-2 K`cfunded.a2 Kc d 2 Kc  2 Kc  2 VZc 2 bZcThe 2 bo csystem is 2 bcalso d2 bcplagued 2 bcby gn2 bBcsevere and irrational discrepancies amongst school districts, due @Wingdings------_2 mZ8cto grandfathering of levy lids and teacher salaries (a 2 mKc 42 mNcdiscussion for another day --- 2 mcJ--- 2 mc  2 mc), leading to P2 yZ.cgross inequities in allowable student funding. 2 y c  2 Zc 2 Z]cIn addition, Education, in accordance with the Paramount Duty clause, once accounted for 50%   n2 ZBcof the state general fund. It is now receiving closer to only 35% 2 c.2 c 2 cYe+2 ct costs are severely q2 ZDcoutpacing even that funding, resulting in cut programs and services.  2 c  2 Zc --->2 Z"cIt is no exaggeration to say that ---D2 &cour public school funding is in crisis---42 c. Supporting details for h2 Z>cthose that doubt can be found everywhere, but particularly on @ Arial------ /2 lcwww.fundingwaschools.org- @ !yl-  2 c  2 c  2 Zc 2 ZNcAnd the impact on our students, who now compete in a global economy, is clear:    2 c @Wingdings---@"Arial- - - --- 2 lc- - - 2 pc ---)2 ~cIn 2007, 50.4% of 10 ---2 cth--- 2 c k2 @cgrade students failed the math portion of the WASL, which tests   ,c'---&2 ~cconcepts taught in 2 c 2  cthe late 6---2 cth--- 2 c 2  cgrade or 7---2 0cth--- 2 6c ,2 8cgrade internationally. 2 c ,c'--- 2 lc- - - 2 pc ---O2 ~-cOnly 1/3 of high school graduates are college 2 Fc-2 Icready.  2 kc ,c'--- 2 lc- - - 2 pc ---2 ~cAbout. 2 c =2 !chalf of our graduates attending 2r 2 *c-M2 .,cyear colleges require remediation in math.   2 c ,c'--- 2 lc- - - 2 pc ---n2 ~BcOnly 23% of our students are at or above proficient level in the  2 c &2 cGrade 12 National ,c'I2 &~)cAssessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2 &Fc ,c'--- 2 1lc- - - 2 1pc ---2 1~WcParents purchasing of outside tutoring and educational services rose by 340% from 1994  ,c'2 =~cto 2004  2 =c ,c' 2 HZc ---y2 TZIcIt is the Paramount Duty of our state to provide a public education that l ---2 T cprepares 2 T cour students 2 Tcto 2@"Arial- - - - - - --- 2 _Zcs#2 __cucceed in the 21- - - 2 Zcst--- 2 _c 2 _ccentury ---2 _c, and 2 _ cgraduate #2 _0cready for a four 2 _|c-72 _cyear college, a community or  82 kZctechnical college, or a living 2 kc-2 k cwage job.  2 kc  2 vZc --- @"Arial- @"Arial-   @"Arial-  @"Arial-   @"Arial-  - 2 Z_cSo, if the legislature hasnt done very much to fix this in 30 years, why are they going to do 2 Zcso now?  2 c --- 2 Zc ,2 ZcBecause bless Federal p2 CcWays little heart. They sued. They won. The Legislature must act.   2 c  2 Zc   @ Arial- - @"Arial- - - "System??????????????- - ccccccccccbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbaaaaaaaaaaaa՜.+,D՜.+,D hp|  '  Basic Education Funding Titlep 8@ _PID_HLINKSA(*b!mailto:Carol.stamper@comcast.netbRmailto:support@wastatepta.orgIZ )http://www.educationvoters.org/taskforceF http://www.wssda.org/[Xhttp://www.k12.wa.us/<6#http://www.whatittakesforkids.com/W_!http://www.fundingwaschools.org/ !"#$%&'()*+,-./012356789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~Root Entry Fis<Data 1Table n'WordDocument*.SummaryInformation(4@DocumentSummaryInformation8CompObjy  F'Microsoft Office Word 97-2003 Document MSWordDocWord.Document.89q