It’s national report card time for education, and where does Washington stand on the grading scale? Well, here’s a hint…average.

Yes, that’s right, Washington earned an overall “C” (75.2%). The nation was measured in several different areas in Quality Counts 2009, a report published by-Education Week, whose mission is to raise awareness about important issues in American education. The areas that were measured are listed below, and shown with Washington’s scores.

1. Chance-for-Success:  B- (80.3)
2. K-12 Achievement: C- (70.9)
3. School Finance: C- (72.3)
4. Standards, Assessment, & Accountability: B- (79.6)
5. Transitions & Alignment: C (75)
6. The Teaching Profession: C (73)

Each area in the list above also contains subcategories, which are pretty explanatory. But I am only going to look specifically at the highest area, Chance for Success-which received a B- (80.3). So, what does “Chance for Success” really mean?

Well, here is an excerpt:

“The EPE Research Center’s Chance-for-Success Index provides a unique cradle-to-career perspective on a state’s roles in helping young children get off to a good start, providing youths with a quality education during the schooling years, and offering adults significant opportunities for rewarding careers. While the nation as a whole receives a grade of C-plus, a state-by-state comparison reveals that an individual’s opportunities depend greatly on where he or she lives. For the second year in a row, Massachusetts ranks first in the nation, earning the only A for Quality Counts 2009. At the opposite extreme, four states received a D-plus, the same grades they were awarded last year.”

Washington scored higher than 27 states, and beat the National average 76.2 percent in this area. The number one spot went to Massachusetts, with a score of 94.6 percent. So, how can Washington improve its “Chance for Success”, and move up the list? Well, change has to occur.

For example, in the top three states, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut, at least 58 percent of three and four year olds are enrolled in preschool. In Washington, only 39.1 percent are enrolled. Increasing “proficiency” on the NAEP for 4th grade reading, and 8th grade mathematics would also help. Washington scored in the thirties in these areas, while the top two states scored in the forties and fifties. And raising the high school graduation rate, which is roughly 70% percent can’t hurt either.

Yes, Washington has some education work to do, and areas to improve, that’s no surprise. But on a National level, successful opportunity from the beginning of early schooling through work is more favorable than 27 other states around the country. And that isn’t too bad.