Education Reform in Washington State

Steve Scher
08/12/2009 at 9:00 a.m.

While the nation is focused on health care, major education reform is already underway. A Federal program called "Race to the Top" has $4 billion behind it. That's funding that could really help Washington schools. To qualify, Washington State must develop common education standards, create high quality assessment tests and allow charter schools. Securing "Race to the Top" money is a priority for Governor Gregoire. Is Washington state up to the task?

Guest(s)

Robert Manwaring is a senior policy analyst for Education Sector, a Washington DC education think tank.

Randy Dorn is Washington state superintendent of public instruction.

Robin Lake is the associate director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education at the University of Washington. She is also executive director of the Center's National Charter School Research Project.

Mary Lindquist is the president of the Washington Education Association, the state's teacher's union.