Here goes…my first blog as Partnership for Learning’s new Policy Manager. The source of my inspiration? The opening day of the State Board of Education’s (SBE) meeting at Highline Community College.

Board members opened the session by remarking on the historic outcome of the US Presidential Election last night, which handed Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) a decisive victory over challenger Senator John McCain (R-AZ). Come January, Obama will be our 44th President, the first African-American to lead our nation. On the campaign trail, Obama promised to be a bold advocate for improving public schools. We HOPE. Stay tuned…

SBE’s first order of business was to scope out the CORE 24 Implementation Task Force responsibilities. This 15-member body, scheduled to begin meeting in February, will be charged with mapping out a work plan and timeline to phase in the State’s new high school graduation requirements, beginning in 2013 through 2016. The 24 credits required under CORE 24 ensure that every high school graduate in WA will be eligible to apply for admission to a two- or four-year postsecondary degree program.

Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson (fresh from her own still undecided election night) noted CORE 24 “is the right thing to do for our students and the most significant education reform since House Bill 1029 called for statewide standards. We must ensure that school leaders and teachers feel ownership over CORE 24 and that adequate funding and time will be provided for implementation.”

On the sticky issue of funding in a tight budget climate, SBE Chair Mary Jean Ryan said, “We’re going to develop a sound implementation plan based on what is best for our kids and then advocate for the necessary funding. We’re not going to compromise our kids’ futures by scaling back, despite the current fiscal challenges facing our state and nation.”

SBE is scouting out current and retired educators to serve on the Implementation Task Force. If you are an educator who can dedicate your passion and experience to planning CORE 24’s rollout, please apply. Applications are available on the SBE Website.

In other SBE agenda items, a Baker Evaluation Research Consulting (BERC) team previewed their high school transcript study. BERC analyzed the Class of 2008’s course taking at 100 high schools from across the state. While the study is not yet completed, the preliminary results show we need to do more to help our students prepare to succeed after high school. Take note:

• Only 49 percent of last year’s high school seniors graduated with enough credits to apply to a four-year public college or university in WA. Fifty-one percent of 12th graders were ineligible to even apply.
• Advanced Math is the biggest gatekeeper when it comes to determining who “college is ready” and who is not. Only 33 percent of high school graduates completed the 3 years of Math required by our four-year colleges.
• Students who take more rigorous courses in Math and Science are more likely to meet standard on the WASL. Of 10th graders who met the WASL Science standard, 92 percent had already completed 2 Science credits, including one lab Science. In Math, 85 percent of 10th graders meeting standard had taken Geometry or above.

BERC will produce a final report once they complete the transcript study in December.

Okay, I survived my inaugural blog. Would love your feedback and any suggestions about topics you want us to cover in the future.