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Education
reforms move forward
Measure would update definition of 'basic
education' and restructure K-12 funding formula
The state House of
Representatives this week passed House Bill 2261 to implement the
education reform recommendations of the Basic Education Finance Task
Force.
Rep. Skip Priest, who served on the task force,
co-authored the proposal that will now be considered in the Senate.
"The two-year task force studied, listened to and acted on the solutions
and ideas brought forward by education experts - parents, teachers,
superintendents and legislative leaders," said Priest, ranking
Republican on the House Education Committee. "We have to ask ourselves
if we do not act now to address the challenges our education system
faces, when will we?"
House
Bill 2261 was a bipartisan compromise proposal that combined
elements of the original measure, House Bill 1410, and recommendations
from public testimony. The final measure includes many of the finance
task force recommendations, including the updated definition of "basic
education" and a phase-in of a restructured funding formula for K-12
education.
One of the key elements of the bill, Priest explained, is the emphasis
on early education for at-risk students. Ensuring children living at or
below the poverty line and English-language learners are better prepared
for Day One of kindergarten was one of the task force's main
considerations.
"If we truly believe that 'all means all' with regard to educating our
children, we must have early childhood intervention in our education
system, attract the best and brightest teachers, fund the fundamentals
of education and involve parents in the accountability of our schools,"
said Priest, R-Federal Way.
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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