We2.0 Washington Education Association Volume 50, Number 3 – Summer 2012
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we2.0 Washington Education Association Volume 50, Number 3 – Summer 2012 2012 ELECTION A vote for our future “His first opportunity to get involved in politics started as a parent in the Selah School District to fight for education. … If you compare Jay Inslee to the other candidate who is running, he understands people. He understands fighting for and allowing us to preserve our collective bargaining rights. … Who’s going to be able to protect our bargaining rights and be able to allow us to fight for kids?” Kendell Millbauer Middle school social studies teacher Richland Summer 2012 1 am an optimist. I think I inherited my glass- Our compensation, up for discussion next half-full tendencies alongside the educator legislative session, is a good illustration of the geneI that runs in my family. And I have to say, it’s linkage between funding and policy. Back in 2009, come in handy lately. I’ve been working in public the Quality Education Council set the road map education for 42 years, and I’ve never experienced a for education policy and funding in motion. It From year quite like this — the pace has accelerated, the was reaffirmed by the Legislature in 2010, and the demands are high, the issues relentless. McCleary decision cites these steps as legislative intent regarding funding. Mary I know you feel it too. As I’ve been out visiting with councils Meaning money and reforms and members this fall, everyone ‘We care so much are linked, and how those play has been talking about Chicago, forward relies on the people we “Won’t Back Down,” the about this election elect. We need people at the table election, reform, charters and, who know us, understand us and let’s not forget, the kids! The because of what respect us. This issue of We 2.0 new school year brings in fresh describes our endorsements of faces and new demands. happens after it. the people we know to be friends Mary Lindquist WEA President of public education and who My optimism may be genetic, That’s why it is will look out for us on these and but you as members of WEA critical for us to other issues such as health care have reinforced it this fall, by and our right to bargain. attending building meetings, and be a strong and volunteering to knock on doors We care so much about this and make phone calls to support organized union.’ election because of what pro-public education candidates. happens after it. That’s why it is critical for us to be a strong and This election is perhaps the organized union. That is why we most important one we’ve faced in Washington are organizing meetings in every building across state in decades. Look at the issues coming at us in the state. These meetings are a return to our past 2013 and you begin to understand why: McCleary and a commitment to our future. We are using and education funding, class size, compensation, them to share information, engage in conversation evaluation, health care and benefits. and motivate educators from all walks of life to get involved in our future and reclaim our profession The McCleary decision: It’s simple. The state has as educators. until 2018 to fully fund the schools. As the state takes on more education funding, it will have a Building meetings ensure that the strength of our greater say in education policy. And you can bet message can be matched by the power of our voices that education policy (reform) and funding will speaking together. That’s why you’ll be seeing be linked together and be more influenced by more of them in the months ahead. Attend. Learn. Olympia than ever before. Contribute. Act. It is the optimistic thing to do. Governance and Administration: We 2.0 (ISSN 1544-5283) is published quarterly by the Mary Lindquist, WEA President Washington Education Association, 32032 Weyerhaeuser Way S., Washington Mike Ragan, WEA Vice President Federal Way, WA 98001-9687. Subscription cost of $0.80 is Education John Okamoto, WEA Executive Director included in annual membership dues. Separate subscription Association price: $15.50 annually. WEA Communications Staff: Dale Folkerts, Brooke Mattox, Linda Mullen, Eddie Westerman, Linda Woo and Rich Wood Copyright 2012 by the Washington Education Association. We are interested in your feedback and ideas. Reach Editor Linda Woo Periodical nonprofit postage paid at Auburn, WA, and at [email protected], by mail at P.O. Box 9100, Federal Way, WA additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send Scan with your smartphone 98063-9100, or 253-765-7027. address changes to We 2.0, P.O. Box 9100, Federal Way, to stay connected to WEA. WA 98063-9100. 2 Washington Education Association the clear choice for educators Jay Inslee the clear choice for kids Jay Inslee supports a continued voice for educators and middle class workers by preserving contract rights and collective bargaining. He applauds existing innovative schools in Washington and believes these programs should be expanded. He does not advocate for charter schools. He says higher standards should apply not just to classroom educators, but all partners. He wants to focus more resources on early learning programs and on high-needs schools to boost graduation rates to 90 percent by 2020. He would increase state funding by getting the state economy back on track and closing tax loopholes. And these are just a few of the reasons why Inslee is the right – and only – choice for governor of Washington. CHARTER OUR MERIT PAY and LISTENING SCHOOLS RIGHTS TEST SCORES TO OUR VOICES 37 percent of charter schools New governors in Wisconsin, Student achievement and perform significantly worse Ohio and Michigan teacher effectiveness cannot JAY INSLEE than comparable public immediately launched be reduced to standardized Interviewed with our schools.* Only 17 percent attacks on our right to test scores. WEA-PAC Board perform better, and many of bargain in 2010 and 2011. and addressed 1,000 them exclude higher-need JAY INSLEE members at our state students.** JAY INSLEE Rep Assembly in May. “I fundamentally JAY INSLEE Was a parent levy believe in one’s volunteer and a strong Opposes charter “I am not right to collectively ally in Congress. schools in favor bargain.” 1 of directly ROB McKENNA “I won’t turn schools ROB McKENNA linking educator pay to Refused to meet with us over to private groups “During the conversation, student performance.” 1 or to be interviewed for without accountability McKenna said public endorsement. to local school boards schoolteachers’ collective ROB McKENNA Has courted and and local communities.” 1 bargaining agreements received endorsements from groups promoting ROB McKENNA and salary rules in some charter schools and Supports charter instances can hinder “We’re going merit pay. schools 2 education. He also said rising health care costs to begin “This is a tool we ought for state employees are linking to have.” 3 ‘cannibalizing’ the money student achievement to Washington should be teacher compensation.” 2 spending to improve its education system.” 2 *Stanford University Center for 1 Jay Inslee’s 2012 WEA-PAC 1 Jay Inslee’s 2012 Research on Education Outcomes, election questionnaire, WEA-PAC election questionnaire, http://credo.stanford.edu www.ourvoicewashingtonea.org/ www.ourvoicewashingtonea.org/ **Wall Street Journal, June 19, 2012 wp-content/uploads/ wp-content/uploads/ and GAO study 12-543, 6/12/12 2012/01/WEA_Questionnaire_FINAL_ 2012/01/WEA_Questionnaire_ 1 113011.pdf FINAL_113011.pdf Speaking to the WEA Representative Assembly on May 22, 2012; video 2 “Gubernatorial candidate McKenna 2 www.robmckenna.org available on Spokesman-Review website. talks education in visit to Vancouver,” 2 www.robmckenna.org The Columbian, 4/16/2012, reposted on www.robmckenna.org 3 www.seattlepi.com 6/12/12 Summer 2012 3 Why we endorse who we endorse s the political season nears the election-day finish line, we often get questions from Hans Dunshee membersA about why we endorse who we endorse. Some people think we only endorse Democrats. LD 44, House Pos. 1 Some are unhappy that the Association’s views don’t match their personal views. Given that Hans Dunshee will continue to be a strong voice this issue of We 2.0 is devoted to political for public education and a strong economy. This endorsements, we thought it would be a good time last legislative session to provide a refresher about how the Association Dunshee voted and chooses the candidates it supports. supported educators on key measures, including WEA makes its political endorsements through reforms of the state WEA-PAC. The process begins before the primary pension plan, education election, when we send all candidates for office funding and school a written questionnaire on issues important to employee benefits. education and the union. We ask about their “Throughout the positions on topics likely to be addressed in years, Hans has upcoming legislative sessions, which include supported a sensible education funding, collective bargaining rights, approach to education reform, while helping fight teacher pay and evaluations. The questions only the attacks against public education and teachers,” touch on education or union issues. says Glacier Peak High School math teacher Kevin Judkins. “He has consistently supported After receiving the survey responses, WEA legislation to rein in state testing, lower class size invites viable candidates to participate in a follow and fully fund education.” up interview. Councils interview legislative candidates in their districts and forward Continuing budget stress requires commitment their recommendations to the WEA-PAC to reform and willingness to work across the aisle, Management Board. The WEA-PAC Board Dunshee says. Collective bargaining, he notes, is — made up of teachers, ESP members, “akin to the constitutional right of free speech.” Democrats, Republicans and members from both sides of the mountains — conducts “If we believe that education matters, as we tell interviews for statewide offices, and makes students, then we ought to compensate for it,” the final endorsement for all candidates.