The Blog

Governor Chris Gregoire

03/15/11

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers will dominate the knowledge economy. Today, many students struggle with their studies in these areas, and Washington state can’t afford to fall behind in these critical disciplines. Our economy and prosperity depends on our students’ success.

Today’s structure isn’t working: Just look at the numbers. Many students fail to meet grade-level math and science standards in school. Last spring, 62 percent of our 3rd graders and 52 percent of our 8th graders met the state math standard. Among 10th graders, only 42 percent met the math standard and only 45 percent met the science standard.

Even with initiatives to boost student achievement, we have not seen improvements across all grades. In order for this to occur, we must develop a systemwide, coordinated plan with expectations and accountability.

A Department of Education can help: Increasing student achievement in math and science and the number of college graduates with STEM degrees means launching a systemwide effort to emphasize these subjects in every grade level from early learning to higher education. A child who masters the foundational skills to learn math and science in early learning arrives in grade school ready to learn the skills necessary to succeed in STEM coursework in middle and high school and, ultimately, in college.

A single Department of Education would have the authority to systematically lead improvements across every level of education and would be held accountable for students’ success. The focus would be kept on the students, not the bureaucracy. Students, teachers and schools at all levels would work together in an integrated, cohesive system. And a single, systemwide plan would guide education and the department.

For more information about Governor Gregoire’s proposals to reform education, please contact her office or visit her website.