of the Democratic Party of the State of Washington.
It states clearly the direction we think should be taken, which is not the same one he is proposing.
http://wa-democrats.org/pdf/Washington%20State%20Democrats%20-%20Platform%20-%20080614.pdfWashington State Democrats Platform – 06/14/2008
Page 5 of 20
1 5. Education
2
3 We believe that an excellent, quality public education, preschool through post-secondary, with
4 equal access for all is fundamental to maintaining a healthy democracy. “It is the paramount
5 duty of the state to make ample provisions for the education of all children.” The Washington
6 State Constitution – 1889
7
8 We call for:
9
10 Affordable access and full funding of all basic, gifted, vocational, technical, alternative,
11 special education, ELL (English Language Learners), and other state/federal programs
12 and mandates;
13 Certificated and classified employees’ salaries, cost of living increases and retirement
14 and health care benefits equal to those of other professionals of similar experience and
15 backgrounds to attract/retain quality public school employees;
16 Funding for smaller class sizes (P-12);
17 Conflict resolution programs that prevent violence, bullying, harassment, and
18 retribution from staff and students;
19 Full inclusion of all students into the school environment regardless of race, ethnic
20 origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status or disability;
21 School counselors, librarians, and nurses sufficient to serve the needs of every student
22 throughout the school day;
23 Full funding of Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assisted Programs
24 (ECEAP);
25 Affordable access to Post-Secondary education;
26 Including Fine Arts and Physical Education in the Basic Education Act;
27 A curriculum that is scientifically accurate;
28 Math instruction that includes both arithmetic fluency and critical thinking skills;
29 Instructional freedom that is student-centered within the approved P-12 curriculum;
30 Simple majority to pass school bonds;
31 Public education employees’ rights to organize, engage in collective bargaining, and
32 strike without fear of reprisal or replacement;
33 A new, stable funding formula for public schools and capital projects;
34 Abandoning the WASL as a mandatory high school graduation requirement;
35 Parental participation that supports student learning;
36 Full funding for school transportation.
37
38 We oppose:
39
40 Charter Schools and vouchers;
41 The commercial exploitation of students;
42 Linking military recruitment to educational funding;
43 Organized prayer in public schools;
44 “No Child Left Behind”;
45 Basing teacher pay on student test scores.