Washington

 CLICK HERE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF AMERICA’S EDGE

Did you know that in Washington State:

 

  • 1.6 million children (under the age of 18) live in the state;
  • Almost 1 out of every 3 children live in a household with only one parent;
  • Approximately 11,600 children participate in the federally-funded Head Start program;
  • 60 percent of eighth graders are below grade level in math;
  • 66 percent of fourth graders are reading below grade level; and
  • 24 percent of high school students do not graduate on time with a high school diploma.

Click here for the complete Washington Fact Sheet.

 

Our 2013 Policy Priorities

 

In 2013, America’s Edge members will be urging their state legislators and Congressional delegation to do the following:

State Policy Priorities:

  • Create a Quality Rating Improvement System paid for by the state.
  • Seek proven improvements to the K-12 system.

2012 State Policy Legislative Summary:

AE-Washington was part of a potent coalition of organizations that successfully advocated for maintenance funding — $57 million per year — for the Early Learning and Assistance Program (ECEAP) which provides high-quality early learning programs for eligible 3-4 years olds in our state. This was a major accomplishment in a supplemental budget which reduced spending in the current biennium by $1.1 billion.

Federal Policy Priorities:

1.    Protect Access to High Quality Early Care and Education and Increase Quality of Programs by:

a)  Fighting against cuts, and where possible seek increases, for Head Start, Early Head Start and both the discretionary and mandatory funding streams of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG);

b) Working to improve the quality of Head Start/Early Head Start and CCDBG through the reauthorization of these programs;

c) Seeking to, at minimum, maintain the current investment in the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge program to enable States to build up the necessary infrastructure to increase access to high-quality early care and learning programs, especially for the most at-risk children.

2.     Strengthen our nation’s education system through federal education reform to:

  • Provide incentives for States to shift away from the traditional K-12 approach towards an educational system that incorporates early learning into the educational structure so kids are ready to learn and succeed when they enter kindergarten;
  • Support Career Academies, which can help vulnerable youth develop critical skills and be prepared for careers and/or post-secondary eduction;
  • Improve graduation rates measurement and accountability, including supporting both data systems that can serve as an “early warning system” for kids headed towards dropping out, as well as the use of evidence-based programs to keep kids in school and on the path towards graduation;
  • Provide the support of K-12 programs which enhance academic outcomes;
  • Creates a system of recruitment, professional development and retention for teachers so that more students – especially those most at-risk for adverse academic outcomes– have access to high-quality teachers; and
  • Ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, funds are directed toward evidence-based approaches in the highest-need communities.

Read about Career Academies here

 

 

America’s Edge Members Send Letters to Policy Makers

In January, 2013, 67 Washington business leaders sent a letter to Governor Jay Inslee urging him  to consider expanding investments in programs that will ensure businesses have a workforce with the 21st-century knowledge, skills, and abilities we need. The business leaders noted that high quality early learning programs will contribute significantly to Washington’s economic recovery, as well as ensure that at-risk children are on paths toward academic and life-long success.

Click here to view the letter.

On May 25, 2012, 42 Washington business leaders sent a letter to Senator Patty Murray asking her to maintain access to critical programs to protect America’s competitive edge in a global marketplace and build a foundation for sustained economic security through investments in quality early learning which benefit Washington businesses in both the short- and long-term.

Click here to view the letter. 

On May 5, 2011, 26 Washington business leaders sent a letter to Senator Patty Murray urging her  to consider several important reforms and investments that will ensure businesses have a workforce with the 21st-century knowledge, skills, and abilities we need. The business leaders focused on early learning as one key area of reform that could immediately boost Washington’s state economy.

Click here to view the letter.

 

America’s Edge Members meet with Senator Patty Murray

 

 

Three America’s Edge members – Mike Edwards, George LeMasurier and Kevin Washington -  met with Senator Murray to discuss the economic benefits on Washington businesses and the economy of investments in early care and education.

 

 

 

 America’s Edge Members Release Report in Seattle

 

Washington Members Susannah Malarkey, Executive Director, Technology Alliance; and Carl Bailey, Financial Advisor, AXA Advisors, LLC; hosted the report release

In early 2013, Washington business leaders released a report at a local education center showing that investments in high-quality early care and education provide significant short-term gains to Washington businesses, especially through increased worker productivity and attracting and retaining skilled workers and new businesses. (Read the report and see infographic.)

The business leaders urged Governor-elect Inslee and the new state legislature to increase funding for the state’s pre-k program to enroll more children and move closer to the goal of full enrollment.

Participating in the news conference at the Denise Louie Education Center in Seattle were: Susannah Malarkey, Executive Director, Technology Alliance; Carl Bailey, Financial Advisor, AXA Advisors, LLC; and Steve Leahy, Washington State Director, America’s Edge, a national, nonprofit business leaders organization. According to the report, Boosting Washington’s Economy: Short- and Long-Term Economic Gains through Quality Early Learning, 60 percent of children under age 6 in Washington have both or their only parent in the workforce—in

King County, that number is 62 percent.  Unfortunately, quality child care is not always available to these parents and this is hurting Washington businesses’ bottom lines. The report also shows that quality early learning helps to attract skilled workers and new businesses. Building on early learning’s short-term gains are the long-term gains – creating the foundation for skills that businesses will require in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Click here to read the report and see the infographic.

Previous Report Release

On February 17, 2011, America’s Edge members from Washington State released a report entitled “The Skills Gap: Reversing Washington’s Lack of Skilled Workers Through Early Learning.” The report generated an article on February 21, in the Skagit Valley Herald which ran an editorial showing findings from the report, and agreeing with America’s Edge members that investments in early education are important for Washington State’s economy.  Click here to read the editorial.

“Given the severe pressure on our state budget, it makes sense to invest our limited funds in programs that will help jump-start our economy and provide the greatest return on investment.”

–Larry Schorno, President, Schorno Agri-Business, Yelm, WA

America’s Edge in the News

  • On October 27, 2010, America’s Edge members from Washington State sent a letter to Governor Gregoire urging not to cut state funding to the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP.)  The letter highlights the short- and long-term economic benefits of investing in early childhood learning programs.  Click here to read the full letter.
  • On April 30, 2010. The Seattle Times published an op-ed by America’s Edge member Bob Watt asking Senator Patty Murray to consider funding early learning programs to jump-start Washington’s economy. Click here to read the article.

 *For more information, please contact Washington State Director, Steve Leahy.

Phone: (206) 790-3138

E-mail: sleahy@americasedge.org