History

Since the organization’s inception in 1983, the Roundtable has been highly engaged in efforts to improve public education and ensure every student is prepared for success in work, college and life.

Given the nature of the intensely competitive, global economy, the level of skills today’s young people will need to achieve that success is much higher than it was for past generations.  For this reason, the Roundtable is highly focused on policy efforts that will continue to improve the quality of public education, raise student achievement and ensure every child is work- and college-ready.

Priorities for 2007:

Strengthen public education to position Washington state as the standard for world-class quality.

• Create school readiness indicators and a uniform rating system to evaluate the quality of early learning settings and state funded providers.

• Maintain and expand upon WASL graduation standards to ensure students are prepared for college and work. 

• Improve teacher credentialing in math and science and reduce out-of-field placements.

• Increase requirements to ensure achievement of Algebra II at a minimum by the end of high school.

• Identify or create state-approved curricula in math with incentives for use, including aligned course materials and professional development. 

• Implement the Science Matters plan to engage students in effective and relevant K-12 science education.

• Provide all 11th graders access to the Washington Math Placement Test or a similar exam to assess readiness for college-level math and facilitate 12th grade course-taking decisions.

• Strengthen higher education to benefit students and the economy.

• Increase baccalaureate degree production in high demand fields, particularly in math, science and engineering.

• Improve state funding for higher education, including tuition flexibility.

• Enhance state investments and improve commercialization of university research.