Are We Really This Bad/Mediocre?
Thanks to reader, Greg Linden, for this link to GeekWire and their assessment that yes, Washington State does suck when it comes to K-12 and higher ed public education.
Technology Alliance Chair, Cheryl Vedoe - “It seems you can grow an innovation economy by largely relying on imported talent. And that’s what we are doing — relying on imported talent. The question for us to consider is as a state: Is that really what we want to do? Don’t we want those children who grow up here in Washington, our own citizens, to have a fair shot at the jobs that we are creating here?”
Meanwhile this is what Zillow co-founder, Rich Barton, has to say (GeekWire points out that he likes charter schools and supports a state income tax.) We are a high-tech state. We are a wealthy state, and I can’t believe that’s going on. And I don’t really understand why,” said Barton, referencing some of the charts shown during Vedoe’s presentation. “Many of the people in this room probably send their kids to private school, and that’s part of the problem. I do too. It’s bad. I am the product of great public schools in Connecticut. And I wish we had public schools here that could compete.”
Now, of course, if Mr. Barton knew anything about Washington State public education, he might know more. But I'd lay odds he's been told that our schools are bad and it's not true. It's a very mixed and underfunded bag. That he believes in a state income tax should tell him that.
Technology Alliance Chair, Cheryl Vedoe - “It seems you can grow an innovation economy by largely relying on imported talent. And that’s what we are doing — relying on imported talent. The question for us to consider is as a state: Is that really what we want to do? Don’t we want those children who grow up here in Washington, our own citizens, to have a fair shot at the jobs that we are creating here?”
Meanwhile this is what Zillow co-founder, Rich Barton, has to say (GeekWire points out that he likes charter schools and supports a state income tax.) We are a high-tech state. We are a wealthy state, and I can’t believe that’s going on. And I don’t really understand why,” said Barton, referencing some of the charts shown during Vedoe’s presentation. “Many of the people in this room probably send their kids to private school, and that’s part of the problem. I do too. It’s bad. I am the product of great public schools in Connecticut. And I wish we had public schools here that could compete.”
Now, of course, if Mr. Barton knew anything about Washington State public education, he might know more. But I'd lay odds he's been told that our schools are bad and it's not true. It's a very mixed and underfunded bag. That he believes in a state income tax should tell him that.
Comments
Too bad businesses in the Puget Sound area don't feel a similar responsibility toward their employees. It would help a great deal with the state legislature.
-SPS parent
Truth Speaker