Today, the state Senate passed E2SSB 6696, the Race to the Top bill.  While a step forward in education reform and towards garnering millions in federal education money, it still falls short in a few significant ways.

The state Senate decided not to adopt several amendments that would have strengthened the bill and improved Washington’s application for RTTT funds.  One amendment would require student achievement data as part of teacher evaluations and the other would require OSPI to develop the teacher evaluation system, as opposed the 295 school districts as prescribed in the bill now.

You can read about this bill here: 

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6696&year=2009

The Washington Education Association opposed these changes.  While the WEA is seeking to protect its members, their actions continue to prevent needed reform from moving forward.  There is no denying that their political power was instrumental in stopping these amendments.

The bill now moves to the state House, where it is hoped that the bill can be improved.  You can find your legislator at the legislature’s website:  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Please contact your House members and ask them to vote for SB 6696 with the student data and OSPI evaluation amendments.