Wednesday, August 26, 2009

First meeting tomorow of ed reform group

Remember all the hullabaloo about the big ed reform bill we passed this last session?

Well, tomorrow is the first meeting of the Quality Education Council, the group formally charged with overseeing the implementation of all the reforms.

State Reps. Pat Sullivan and Skip Priest, the two main authors of the legislation, will serve on the council which is tasked with preparing initial recommendations for the Legislature by January 2010.

According to the QEC website:
The Council will submit an initial report by January 1, 2010 with recommendations, including: resolving issues or decisions requiring action during 2010 session, and determining the funding necessary to continue development and implementation of ESHB 2261.

The initial report also addresses:
- Consideration of how to establish a statewide beginning teacher mentoring and support system.
- Recommendations for a Program of Early Learning for at-risk children. - Recommended schedule for concurrent phase-in of changes to the instructional program of Basic Education established by ESHB 2261 and implementation of funding formulas and allocations to support it, with full implementation by September 1, 2018.
- Recommended schedule for phase-in of new pupil transportation funding formula, beginning no later than September 1, 2013.
The all-day meeting starts at 9 so grab some coffee and tune in or log on to TVW to watch the opening rounds of nitty-gritty education reform discussions.

Apture