I first became aware of Terry Bergeson in 1993 when I was a parent PTA volunteer in the Yakima School District. I was invited by our then superintendent to participate in a series of meetings put together by the Washington State Commission on Student Learning. I was impressed that the state was interested in what a parent of young children might have to suggest regarding the creation of standards and accountability for improving schools.
During that conference, Terry Bergeson spoke to a large 
group of educators, business leaders, and other community members. I noticed how passionate she was about children and about the high expectations we should all have for their education. She didn’t hold back when laying out the responsibilities of communities and educators for making sure all students are successful. I knew then that she was a force to be reckoned with when it came to making hard choices and holding firm to a high standard for students and teachers. I admired her commitment and believed in her goals.
However, the feeling I had then is miniscule compared to my admiration for Terry Bergeson today. I don’t know her personally, but I have seen her impact on schools.
I am proud to be a Washington state educator. I believe that Terry Bergeson, in her three terms as Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state, has created a legacy of excellence in teaching and successfully helped reform schools, making a difference for thousands of Washington students. Her efforts to address the achievement gap are the most impressive. High expectations for ALL students is the goal. It means educators have to work really hard to reach our struggling and at-risk students. No excuses. Everyone needs to do their best.
The WASL test that everyone loves to hate, actually does measure (far better than an easy to grade multiple choice standardized test) whether students are able to communicate effectively and use their skills to demonstrate understanding in Math, Reading, Writing and Science. Terry Bergeson has taken a lot of heat for the WASL test even though it was envisioned, designed and is monitored by a wide range of education stakeholders. It seems to me that the reason many people are frustrated with the test is its punitive use by the National No Child Left Behind Act to label schools (and some students) as deficient even as they make progress toward the unrealistic dream of 100 percent student proficiency.
As a parent of students in the Washington public school system, as a teacher in that system, and as a community member with a vested interest in the quality performance of our schools, I want to thank Terry for championing quality teaching and learning in the state of Washington. Terry, you have made an amazing difference for kids.
Irene Smith is a guest blogger and teacher in the Yakima School District.
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