Deb and Dave talk education

Rep. Dave Quall (fondly called "Coach" by many in Olympia) chairs the House Education Committee. Rep. Deb Wallace chairs our House Higher Education Committee.

The two of them took some time last week to chat about education, how K-12 and higher ed overlap in many ways, and how the two of them are tackling critical education issues in light of the state's budget challenges.You can listen here.

Their conversation is one of many in a series of Capitol Ideas podcasts. Capitol Ideas is a way to let House Democrats chat informally and personally about their work in Olympia.

It's civics, stupid

Okay, so no one really called anyone stupid, but today on the House floor, Rep. Dave Quall did plea with fellow legislators to support more civics education in our classrooms.

Legislators voted unanimously to pass Quall’s HB 2132 which essentially calls on the State Board of Education to require an additional half-credit of civics coursework in order to graduate high school. (The Board is currently reworking high school graduation requirements and is considering increasing the Social Studies requirement from 2.5 credits to 3.0 credits. Quall’s bill would only go into effect if the Board adopts that change.)

You can hear Quall’s brief but forceful floor speech here.

Yesterday's Higher Ed hearing drew quite a crowd

Yesterday’s public hearing on HB 1706, the bill to extend eligibility for state financial aid to some undocumented high school students, sparked some of the most intense debate seen so far in the session.

The legislation essentially allows undocumented students who are graduating high school, have lived here for more than three years, and have indicated an intent to seek citizenship access to State Need Grants. The State Need Grant program helps low-income students receive higher education. Undocumented students already qualify for in-state resident tuition rates, but currently do not qualify for financial aid.

You can read about the hearing here and here. You can also hear Rep. Dave Quall, sponsor of the bill, in his own words. He spoke to Dave Ross on KIRO 710 this morning.