The Legislature and Education Bills; Here's Where They Stand

Thank goodness for The Olympian; they really keep up-to-date on the Legislature.   Here's the latest on education measures:

Passed and gone to the Governor for her signature:

Collaborative schools: A proposal for universities to work with school districts to assist low-performing schools cleared the Legislature. The pilot project would implement instruction models and other strategies in chosen elementary schools.

This is a bill I supported - HB2799 - in place of the charter school bill.  I think it's a great start to helping low-performing schools find better academic outcomes with the help and support of our universities. 

Failed:

All day kindergarten funding: Legislation to fund all-day kindergarten by removing the sales tax exemption for out-of-state residents failed to get the necessary two-thirds vote to pass, which is required to raise taxes.

Signed into law by the Governor:

Teacher evaluations: Gregoire also signed an overhaul of the teacher evaluation system. It uses student test score improvements as a factor in the evaluations, and expands on a four-level pilot system started in 2010.

The article also states:

Heading into special session, Gov. Chris Gregoire says it’s time for lawmakers to focus on the budget and put other business behind them. While budget-related matters are still on the table for special session, the governor told reporters that she doesn’t “want to bring up every random conceivable bill.”

So is the charter legislation dead for this term?  Maybe especially since 2799 completely addresses some of the exact schools the charter legislation alleged it would help. 

But again, I don't think Senator Tom moved to the Republican side of aisle for a photo op.  So it's not over until it's over.