In 1993, the Washington State Legislature passed the state's landmark education reform bill. Realizing these monumental efforts to raise expectations for all students would require a much higher level of community support and engagement in order to be successful, then-Lt. Gov. Joel Pritchard and former Boeing Company Chairman and CEO Frank Shrontz created Partnership for Learning in 1994.

 

For the past 15 years, the Partnership has worked to communicate the need to better prepare all students for college and work. In particular, the organization has emphasized the need for standards, assessments and accountability in Washington state's K-12 education system. The Partnership leverages a focused strategic agenda, builds and leads coalitions, and engages a far-reaching network of business, education and community leaders to deliver high-quality communications and advocacy.

 

The Partnership's efforts have been critical in maintaining support for Washington's standards-based reforms; the groundbreaking success of the Class of 2008; the action by the State Board of Education to adopt college and work ready graduation requirements; and the development of statewide plans to increase the supply of high-quality math and science teachers.Dateline: January 11, 2010, 1:46 pm