Between a Rock and a Hard Place

By Tom

We learned recently that Governor Gregoire decided to postpone Washington's application for the Federal Government's Race to the Top grants. The first round of applications is due in January. The second round is due in June. So the question is, what's the next move?

As I see it, there are two choices.

She can try to use the upcoming legislative session to change Washington into a contender. Which means any or all of the following:

1. Give the OSPI more teeth, allowing it to move in and take over so-called failing schools. As it stands now, those schools have the option of taking or refusing Olympia's help.
2. Change the laws that prohibit charter schools. Washington allows "alternative schools" which are run by districts, and are still subject to the same collective bargaining agreements as other district schools. 
3. Tie teacher pay to student performance. There is currently no provision for this. The closest thing Washington currently has is a bonus for National Board Certified Teachers.

Or, she can use the winter and spring to continue trying to convince Education Secretary Arne Duncan that Washington really is on the cutting edge, despite the fact that we don't have the afore-mentioned conditions. So far he hasn't been very impressed.

The trouble with the first choice (Let's call it "The Rock") is that it would also involve taking on the teachers' union. They're dead-set against all three conditions. They also spent a ton of money helping Gregoire get elected.

The trouble with the second choice (And let's call this "The Hard Place") is that it probably won't work. Duncan has been clear from the start in regards to how he'll pick the winners. Gregoire can describe our education system in whatever language she chooses, but it won't change the fact that we don't have what Duncan wants. 

We'll have to see what Gregoire decides to do. She's extremely bright, with keen political instincts. Unfortunately, I don't see a way to get the money. And man, could we use it. Next year's budget is supposed to be even more brutal than this year's.

Comments

[Mark]

How much will it cost, and how much resistance must be overcome, how many opponents must be courted, in order to change the system to "maybe" get that cash?

[Tom]

Mark, I think I might agree with you in principle, but that's a lot of money to pass up. (probably 300-400 million!) I agree that we have a lot of good things going on in the state, but one thing we don't have right now is enough money to support the kind of education system our kids deserve. If it means changing the system to pay for the system, I'd probably go along.

[Mark]

There is a piece of me that really wants Gregoire to say "Sorry Arne, we've decided not to play your way." I think there are some really positive movements going on in our state regarding education reform, and to make changes to the system just to "maybe" get some stimulus money doesn't seem like what we ought to do.

Sure, we could use it, but it also takes money to make money. I think of the hours, effort, and money it would take to adjust the present system to Arne's liking, and wonder if it's really worth it. I think not, ultimately.

I like it here, we have our problems, but I like what's going on in this state right now in terms of long-term education policy. So many other states allow only one teacher voice: the union. We have much more complex needs than even the most well meaning union can address and advocate for. The fact that the state of Washington seems to be really listening to teachers, not just the union, is an enviable position to be in when it comes to ed policy. It is not the case everywhere.