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Welcome to our "Math News"You will find news and information here. If you are looking for historical information visit our "Archives" page. Please support Randy Dorn for 2008 WA State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Full Funding for Basic Education For years we have been studying and arguing about school funding. The situation has deteriorated to the point that school districts are now threatening to sue over inadequate funding. I will be a forceful advocate, reminding the legislature it is their paramount duty to fully fund a basic education rather than relying on local levies. But a first step is to spend current funds wisely, and the current SPI has grievously failed to do so. Meaningful & Workable State Education Standards Challenging, clear, and measurable standards are the critical foundation of a successful education system, because they set the bar for both teaching and assessment. The math standards created and used by OSPI for the last decade were graded an "F" by the respected Fordham Foundation. Fordham also graded other OSPI-created standards as defective: English "F", U.S. History "F'", World History "D", and Science "C". We should not accept anything other than "A" standards for all subjects so Washington students are ensured of receiving a world-class education. Replacing the WASL For over a decade, OSPI has clung to the test it created—the WASL—which is currently a bureaucratic, exorbitant waste of taxpayer dollars providing no useful information to teachers, students or parents. I will overhaul the assessment system to make it cost effective, less wasteful of precious class time, and capable of providing timely results that aid effective instruction and provide a national comparison of our students' performance. The new system will focus first on improving student learning and the money saved will be put back into the classrooms where it belongs. Bringing Sense Back into Our Math Curriculum The incumbent's 12-year legacy leaves half of our 10th graders failing a math test that is at an 8th grade level. Her policies have widened the gap in math education, hurting minority, low-income, and ELL students the most. It is time to stop making excuses for this failure and take a new course. A decade of over-emphasis on WASL-aligned inquiry-based math, which promotes writing about math at the expense of mastering basic skills, has resulted in a generation of math illiterate students who are unable to make change, let alone succeed in a college career in engineering or computer science. I promise to ensure that math competency returns to the classroom. True Accountability at OSPI I will change the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to make it accountable in how it makes policy and spends money. For too many years Terry Bergeson has blamed the students, teachers, parents and legislature for her failed education policies and wasted billions of state and taxpayer money without any significant improvement to our educational system. Now it is time for a new Superintendent to enact programs that produce success for our students and are fiscally responsible. It is time for true accountability. Restoring Trust with Legislature Over the past 12 years, OSPI's irresponsible behavior has resulted in a complete loss of trust by the Washington Legislature. There is no longer a functional relationship between your legislators and OSPI, with devastating results for our children: millions of taxpayer dollars and countless hours being wasted on programs never intended by your lawmakers. My experience as a State Representative and as chair of the K-12 House Education Committee will enable me to quickly and effectively rebuild the critical OSPI-legislature relationship so that OSPI works constructively for our children as intended by legislature and the citizens of Washington.
Headlines:SEATTLE TEACHER REFUSES TO ADMINISTER WASL TEST TO STUDENTS! Washingtonians - Math WASL Will Be History By 2014
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