Change the world. Change our schools.

It is time to pay attention to the State Board of Education.  This group, which used to be not very relevant, is now a force to be reckoned with.

I’d argue that their work and the work of the Basic Education Task Force (a.k.a the Grimm Commission) will profoundly impact class room realities and student outcomes for years to come.

The State Board members are thinking deeply (and soon they will be acting) about system reforms.  They seem to be united around the goal that all kids graduate from high school with maximum options to succeed in life.  They do not want to move to a system where there would be different kinds of diplomas for different kinds of kids.

Here is the short-hand version of where the State Board is headed:

1. Meaningful diploma
2. Multiple pathways
3. No unfunded mandates

Board members are listening hard.  Like me, several have become new, strong CTE (Career and Technical Education) converts.  The fact that they are looking ahead to implementation and resource issues is refreshing.

Education policy does matter.  If you go to the State Board website, you will find all kinds of presentations and meeting notes.

Know that the State Board is on a fast-track to drive some important system reforms.  Board members feel the same urgency that we do.  James Kelly, President of the Urban League, hit the nail on the head when he said “we need to do the right thing for kids; waiting is not the right thing.”

We will come back to you with a full report later this week, but I wanted to let everyone know about our busy week. This week both the Basic Education Task Force and State Board of Education meet. It is a dream come true for an education wonk like myself (sadly, I’m only half joking).

Basic Education Task Force: Today, March 24th in Olympia

Here is the agenda and a link to their website.

State Board of Education: Wednesday and Thursday, March 26th and 27th in Renton

Here is the agenda and a link to their website.

Both groups have a lot of ground to cover. Personally, I’m looking forward to hearing testimony on the content of the third year of math at the State Board of Education meeting on Wednesday.

We will have staff attending both meetings. Stay tuned for a full report.