The Echo

Text in RED is MINE :)

Published Online: January 5, 2011
Wash. Gov. Calls for New Education Department

Olympia, Wash.

Gov. Chris Gregoire is pushing for a major overhaul of the state's education system, proposing the creation of a state Department of Education that would take over duties handled by the voter-elected state school superintendent and other agencies, and establishing a secretary of education.  (Sounds a lot like Delaware's, huh?)

Gregoire announced the plan Wednesday, part of her efforts to streamline government during the economic downturn.


The Democratic governor said consolidating Washington's education efforts — "from preschool to the Ph. D." — would save time and money, and improve outcomes for students. (I think Gregiore just coined the next fad in edu-jargon. P to Ph.D.)

"Today in our state, we do not have an education system," Gregoire said. "We have a collection of agencies that deal with the subject of education."

But the plan is not without opposition. (Thank Goodness!  Vocal edu-critics are a minority in Delaware.  There are a few stalwart voices out there that are willing to critique and criticize the edu-policy and edu-fallacy that is spill't forth from our elected and appointed leaders; however, the majority of voters continue in silence. )


State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn issued a stern statement saying he reports to the people, not Gregoire.

"The governor can create any staff position she wants. Her proposal, however, would require the state superintendent to report to a new secretary of education," Dorn said. "I am an elected official: My boss is the people of this state, not the governor. That is state law, explicit in Article III of the state constitution." (That's right, Randy. Don't forget it!)

Under Gregoire's plan, a new Education Department would absorb responsibilities currently held by an array of officials, including Dorn, who oversees public K-12 education in the state. The department would supervise the state's entire schooling system and would be headed by a secretary, reporting to the governor.

The education secretary would work with a state Education Council, whose members also would be appointed by the governor, and a K-12 education ombudsman. (Ahhh, appointments.  Appointments at this level create an insulated caucaus that is easy prey to group think.  Group Think was at the root of the Challenger Disaster.   Don't believe me?  Google It.  There's quite a breadth of research supporting this assertation. And while I caution that not everything you read on the internet is true, Group Think is a sad, decontructive reality that frequently results in disaster.)

But questions about whether Gregoire's plan is constitutional will have to be answered as the bills are written and debated. The state constitution establishes the state superintendent's office, and it's unclear how that clause affects having an elected official reporting to a cabinet-level appointment.


Dorn was quick to point that out in his statement.

Dorn said he supports consolidating commissions and eliminating agencies, but he says funding is the primary issues affecting public schools.  (I would suggest Dorn get to work on his own plan for consolidation of duplicate commissions and agencies.  If Washington's legislature is anything like Delaware's, he sure to see his elected position vanish.)

The governor, though, said there's nothing in the state constitution that precludes a cabinet-level appointment from having authority over the superintendent.

The president of the state's largest teachers union said Wednesday she is concerned about several elements of the governor's proposal, including having someone who is appointed, rather than elected, head the Education Department.

"With 40 percent of state budget going to education, it should be an elected position," said Mary Lindquist, president of the Washington Education Association. "You want someone there who is directly accountable for what happens in education." (Absolutely!)

Lindquist added she recognizes Gregoire's proposal comes from a place of economic desperation. And she said she looks forward to hearing more details, especially if there's some potential for saving money.


Finish the story here: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/01/05/396029wgregoireeducation_ap.html?tkn=PMQFFdbbcUwWneVbu0%2BjH0IRKmIbzTwq2yLc&cmp=clp-edweek