The Roundtable works to effect positive change on public policy issues that are most important to supporting state economic vitality and fostering opportunity for all Washingtonians. That work includes sharing news and analyzing policy developments affecting our state.

Latest News

Ready Washington Video: North Hill Elementary

January 26th, 2016

The Ready Washington Coalition released a new video highlighting a local elementary school’s success in applying the Common Core standards in its classrooms. “Our school approached the Common Core by selecting three standards, one for English language arts and two for math,” said Nancy Melius, principal of North Hill Elementary. “And then we really just dug in deeper to understand what did that standard say,… Read more

Bill to Save Charter Schools Passes Senate

January 20th, 2016

Big news today in the Washington Legislature. SB 6194, a bipartisan bill to fix the way public charter schools are funded, passed the Senate with a vote of 27-20. The bill represents a solution to the state Supreme Court ruling in September that declared the previous funding mechanism for public charter schools unconstitutional. Washington’s eight public charter schools currently serve more than 1,100 students. Finding… Read more

Ed Boards: Save Washington’s Charter Schools

January 14th, 2016

Earlier this week, we talked about the need for the 2016 Legislature, now on its fourth day of the short 60-day session, to act on a fix for public charter schools. The previous funding mechanism was ruled unconstitutional last year by the state Supreme Court. It’s a high priority for us (as outlined in our 2016 Policy Agenda), for the 1,300 students currently enrolled in public… Read more

Seattle Times Ed Board: Legislature shouldn’t put charter schools on the back burner

January 12th, 2016

Two major education issues face the Washington State Legislature as it reconvenes this week for the shorter 60-day session — McCleary and public charter schools. Building off unprecedented new investments in public education in recent years, lawmakers still have more work to do to address the Washington Supreme Court’s McCleary rulings regarding education funding. In our 2016 Policy Agenda, we urge the Legislature to “address… Read more

Twitter

Washington Roundtable @waroundtable2 weeks agoLegislators are considering a bill that would open the door for schools to graduate students who lack core basic skills, leaving them ill-prepared to lead economically self-sufficient lives. Say no to HB 1308 as currently written. #waleg #waedu https://t.co/1dvkAEzOZQ
Washington Roundtable @waroundtable2 weeks agoWhat is College in the High School and what difference can it make for students? @ZSD_News HS Principal @JeffCharbonneau explains: https://t.co/yV7cgZ10qI #CredentialEssential #waleg #Pathto70 Please pass SB 5408!
Washington Roundtable @waroundtable2 weeks agoOut of the 100 students who complete US History through College in the High School in @ZSD_News, only about 30 can pay to receive the college credit. This is a problem, and @JeffCharbonneau explains how SB 5048 can fix it. https://t.co/yV7cgZ10qI #WAleg
Washington Roundtable @waroundtable2 weeks agoLegislators are considering a bill that would open the door for schools to graduate students who lack core basic skills in reading & math, leaving them ill-prepared to lead economically self-sufficient lives. Say no to HB 1308 as currently written. https://t.co/1dvkAEzOZQ
Washington Roundtable @waroundtable3 weeks agoThe common thread of all graduation pathways is a uniform, agreed-upon standard of minimum expectations in reading, writing and math. That thread is in danger of snapping. Say no to HB 1308 as currently written. https://t.co/bT9wmoj2zp #waleg #waedu https://t.co/CNIVRDAWSe