Washington State
Our 2012 Policy Priorities
In 2012, America’s Edge members will be urging their state legislators and Congressional delegation to do the following:
State Policy Priorities:
- Create a voluntary, universal pre-kindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds (the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program – ECEAP). Click here to read more about ECEAP.
- Create a Quality Rating Improvement System paid for by the state.
- Seek proven improvements to the K-12 system.
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 the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (Previously known as “No Child Left Behind”):
- 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.
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
- 34 percent of high school students do not graduate on time with a high school diploma.
America’s Edge Members Send Letter to Senator Murray
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.
America’s Edge Members Release Report in Olympia
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.” Mike Edwards, director of Thurston First Bank, Sue Krienen, refinery manager of Shell Oil Products USA in Anacortes, and Pat Beehler, senior professional land surveyor with David Evans and Associates, said that despite a terrible economy, thousands of jobs are not being filled in Washington State because of the skills gap, a problem that has been accelerated by the recession.
Also attending the press conference was a bi-partisan group of prominent state legislators including Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, Sen. Steve Litzow, Rep. Roger Goodman and Rep. Maureen Walsh. Speakers at the press conference highlighted the ability of State investments in quality early learning programs to give kids the skills they need to be successful in today’s workplace.
On February 21, the Skagit Valley Herald 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.
- June 21, 2011 The Olympian op-ed “Early childhood education is a key ingredient for success of businesses”
- April 27, 2011 The Olympian letter to the editor by Larry Schorno, “State must invest early in education.”
- March 16, 2011 The Olympian letter to the editor by Patrick Beehler, “Rewards of early education.”
- March 3, 2011 The Olympian op-ed by Mike Edwards, “Cutting early learning programs is not good for state economy.”
- On March 2, 2011, The Seattle Times op-ed by Bob Watt, “Invest now in early learning for better lives and a better workforce.”
- January 18, 2011 Yakima Valley Business Journal op-ed by Michael Broadhead, “Skills needed for the 21st century marketplace.”
- November 10, 2010 The News Tribune op-ed by George Le Masurier, “Scoop du jour: Let’s invest in early childhood education.”
- September 4, 2010 Skagit Valley Herald op-ed by Sue Krienen, “Childhood education – the earlier the better.”
- July 9, 2010, Puget Sound Business Journal op-ed by America’s Edge member Mike Sotelo, “Fund early education for a strong future.”
- March 29, 2010, The Olympian op-ed by America’s Edge member Larry Schnorno, ”Business leaders across the state should support early learning programs.”
- February 22, 2010, The Olympian op-ed by America’s Edge member Michael Edwards, “Investments in early learning pay off.”
*For more information, please contact Laura Wells at (206) 664-7110 or lwells@AmericasEdge.org.