education funding

New Washington K-12 Standards Prove Challenging For Students – And Teachers

Ann Dornfeld — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:12:17 +0000

This fall, some classes may get harder for public school students — and teachers — across Washington. That's when many districts will roll out new, more rigorous language arts and math standards, known as the Common Core. Washington is one of 45 states that have adopted the same set of K-12 standards.

Some Washington teachers have already started using them. At Sylvester Middle School in Burien, teacher Christy Bowman-White read a poem about a nail-biter basketball shot to her honors language arts class on a recent school day.

Highline District Offers Free Full-Day Kindergarten To All Students

Ann Dornfeld — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:23:20 +0000

Highline School District plans to offer free, full-day kindergarten to all students next school year.

Currently, half-day kindergarten is the norm: two and a half hours a day. Most Washington parents have to pay tuition if they want their kids in full-day kindergarten.

Washington House Democrats: Extend Taxes, End Tax Breaks To Fund Schools

Austin Jenkins — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:09:57 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington House Democrats have unveiled a proposed two-year budget that looks a lot like Governor Jay Inslee’s. It would renew expiring tax hikes, close several tax exemptions and put the new money into public schools.

House Democrats would actually spend a tad more than the governor. But their approach is very similar.

What Happens In Washington If Student Loan Interest Rates Rise?

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:00:16 +0000

The interest rate on many student loans is scheduled to double on July 1, to 6.8 percent from 3.4 percent. That was expected to happen last year, but Congress voted to extend the lower rate. If the student loan interest rate does increase it will be way above loans for cars or even homes. Ross Reynolds talks with The Chronicle of Higher Education's chief Washington reporter, Kelly Field about the potential impacts of rising student loan interest rates.

Two Seattle Head Start Programs Deemed Low-Quality, Lose Funding

Ann Dornfeld — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 23:54:32 +0000

Two Seattle Head Start programs have lost their federal funding after they failed to meet quality standards. It's the first round of contract terminations in the new push by the Obama administration to improve the early learning programs for low-income kids.

Washington Governor Shifts Emphasis To Sell Tax Package For Schools

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:46:20 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – On the campaign trail, Washington Governor Jay Inslee talked about financing education by growing the economy. Now the Democrat proposes to raise $1.2 billion for schools by extending some tax increases and ending some tax breaks.

In Spokane last June I moderated the first gubernatorial debate between Jay Inslee and Rob McKenna.

Washington Governor Eyes Tax 'Loopholes' For Elimination

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:51:05 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Hopes for a rosier budget outlook in Washington are dimming. Expected savings in Medicaid haven’t materialized. And many state lawmakers expect this week’s quarterly revenue forecast to show a downward slide. Add to that, a Supreme Court ruling that requires more funding for schools.

In response, Democratic Governor Jay Inslee is expected to announce soon a list of tax “loopholes” – as he calls them – he wants to eliminate to fund schools.

Summer School Back In Seattle Public Schools

Ann Dornfeld — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 00:49:12 +0000

Summer school will be back in session on a limited basis in Seattle Public Schools after it was cut from the budget two years ago.

Sequester Slashes Washington Head Start, K-12 Funding

Ann Dornfeld — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 01:49:55 +0000

At least 1,000 children could be kicked out of Head Start programs in Washington due to the automatic federal budget cuts that began today.

Spend A Dollar, Save Seven? What Is The Math Of Early Education Funding In Washington?

Producer — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:04:00 +0000

The president’s proposal to improve quality and accessibility of preschools includes a cost-sharing partnership with all 50 states. Federal funds would go to expand high-quality public preschools, open to low- and moderate-income four-year-olds from families at or below 200 percent the poverty level.