Gov. Gregoire launches education reform effort

For Immediate Release: July 25, 2005

SEATTLE - July 25, 2005 - Gov. Christine Gregoire today chaired the first steering committee meeting for Washington Learns, an 18-month, comprehensive education study that will examine Washington�s entire education system and recommend ways to improve it.

Gregoire said Washington Learns �will not be just another study. It will be an unblinking and thorough look at the state of our education system, and it will be followed by an action plan to strengthen our education system, including legislative proposals I will pursue aggressively.�

At this first meeting, appointments were announced for advisory committees for early learning, K-12 and higher education. The members of the advisory committees represent many interests, including those of business, government, philanthropy, the education community, the Legislature and the public. The three advisory committees will analyze priority issues in each education sector and recommend options for the Washington Learns steering committee to consider.

�What I�m most pleased about today is seeing that our advisory committees are in place,� the governor said, calling the newly appointed members �the critical link between the steering committee, the broad array of education interests across the state, and taxpayers who fund our education system.�

The steering committee spent the morning adopting organizational procedures and hearing presentations on early learning, K-12 and higher education describing the current system, students and funding.

The afternoon included a presentation by Dr. Tim Waters, president and CEO of Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning, that focused on economic, social and other trends influencing the future of education.

�To create a better education system, we must understand the many factors that will shape the future,� Gregoire said, �and we must be aware of past efforts to reform education.�

The steering committee will begin its work by reviewing previous attempts and studies that sought to understand the issues facing education in Washington.

Washington Learns will answer three questions:
� Is Washington using its existing education resources efficiently?
� What defines the quality citizens want in early learning, K-12 schools and higher education?
� What needs to change to achieve the quality we all want?

�This comprehensive review of our education system will show us what is working well and what is not,� said Ann Daley, executive director of Washington Learns.

�There is no work more vital to the future of our state,� Gregoire told meeting attendees.

Those who want to follow the progress and findings of Washington Learns will be able to do so through a special Web site, linked to the governor�s Web site at www.governor.wa.gov .

Early Learning Council Members

Bob Watt, Co-Chair,Vice president of community and government affairs, the Boeing Company and member of Washington Learns steering committee

Regina Jones, Co-Chair, Governor�s office

Robin Denny, Makah social services and early childhood education manager in Neah Bay

Blanca Fernandez, Family services specialist for Big Bend Community College, Even Start, in Moses Lake (Mattawa site)

Nancy Gerber, Spokane small business owner/family child care provider

Cliff Lawrence, Spokane United Way; senior vice president and regional manager, Wells Fargo Bank

Debra Ren-etta Sullivan, Founder and president of Praxis Institute for Early Childhood Education

Jada Rupley, Assistant superintendent for children, youth and family services with Educational Service District 112 in Vancouver

Jennifer Sass-Walton, Child and family health supervisor, Skagit County Public Health Department

Greg Shaw, Director, Pacific Northwest Programs of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Kip Tokuda, Director of family and youth services for the City of Seattle

Gloria Trinidad, Child-care licensor with DSHS Division of Child Care and Early Learning in Bellingham

Maria Vera, Early learning consultant/trainer and former director of Family Support and Education Services for Catholic Family and Child Services in Pasco

Ex Officio Council Members/Technical Advisory Committee Co-Chairs (3)

Bridgett Chandler, Vice president and chief programs officer, Talaris Research Institute

Lonna Swanson, Director of early learning, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

One additional ex officio member has not been confirmed.

Legislative members appointed by their respective caucuses:

Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, Republican, Kirkland

Rep. Ruth Kagi, Democrat, Lake Forest

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Democrat, Seattle

Rep. Jan Shabro, Republican, Sumner



K-12 Advisory Committee Members

Terry Bergeson, Chair, Superintendent of Public Instruction

Idalia Apodaca, High school teacher of English language learners, Spokane School District

John Aultman, Executive director of New Market Skills Center, Tumwater

Phil Bussey, Vice president of regional and public affairs, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle

Marilyn Chu, Department chair, early childhood education and family life programs, Skagit Valley College, Mt. Vernon

O. J. Coates, Professor, Whitworth College and consultant to school districts on Native American education, Spokane

Richard Esparza, Principal, Granger High School

Anne Golden, Board member, Walla Walla School District

Athena Hightower, Parent of two children in Tacoma public schools

Bette Hyde, Superintendent, Bremerton School District

Tom Ikeda, Executive director, Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project, Seattle

Mike Merlino, Chief financial officer, Evergreen School District, Vancouver

Trise Moore, Family and community partnership advocate, Federal Way School District

Terry Munther, Superintendent, Educational Service District 101, Spokane

Andy Nydam, Materials and technology high school teacher, Olympia School District

Anitra Pinchback, Elementary teacher, Seattle School District

Paul Rosier, Superintendent, Kennewick School District

Kevin Teeley, Teacher on WEA and NEA Boards, Lake Washington

Jeff Vincent, Businessman, Laird Norton Company, Bainbridge Island

Tim Washburn, Recently retired from the University of Washington as executive director of admissions and records, Seattle

Four additional members have not been confirmed.

Legislative members appointed by their respective caucuses:

Sen Mike Carrell, Republican, Lakewood

Rep. Ross Hunter, Democrat, Bellevue

Rep. Rodney Tom, Republican, Bellevue

Sen. Brian Weinstein, Democrat, Mercer Island



Higher Education Advisory Committee Members

Roberta Greene, Chair,Vice president of Empire Ford in Spokane; vice chair, Higher Education Coordinating Board

Chris Alejano, Student, educational leadership and policy studies, University of Washington, and former kindergarten teacher, Seattle.

Bernal Baca, Faculty president, Yakima Valley Community College

Jim Bricker, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, board member

Phyllis Campbell, President/CEO of the Seattle Foundation

Roy Flores, Vice president of student affairs, North Seattle Community College.

Sharon Kinley, Northwest Indian College, Bellingham. Member of the Lummi Tribe

Ray Lawton, President/CEO, Lawton Printing, Spokane. Whitworth College trustee

Susannah Malarkey, Executive director, Technology Alliance, Seattle

Diana Mamerto Holz, Director of early childhood education, Green River Community College

Michael Miles, Manager of marketing and business development, Morrison International Construction, Tri Cities

Steve Mullin, Executive director, Washington Roundtable, Seattle

Michael Pavel, Associate professor of educational leadership and counseling, Washington State University. Member of the Skokomish Indian Nation


Michelle Reid, Assistant superintendent for curriculum, assessment and secondary programs, Port Angeles School District

Robert Segura, Student, Tacoma Community College

Jane Sherman, Associate vice provost, Washington State University, Pullman

Dave Spangler, Recently retired president of Saint Martin�s College

Tim Stensager, Director of technical and career education, Franklin-Pierce School District

Elizabeth (Libby) Street, Professor, department of psychology, Central Washington University, Ellensburg. Educational psychology, teacher preparation and professional development

Beth Thew, Secretary/treasurer, Spokane Regional Labor Council. Workforce Training and Education Board member

John Warner, Recently retired chief administrative officer at Boeing. Chair of Western Washington University board of trustees, Bellingham

Two additional members have not been confirmed.

Legislative members appointed by their respective caucuses:

Rep. Don Cox, Republican, Colfax

Rep. Phyllis Kenney, Democrat, Seattle

Sen. Cheryl Pflug, Republican, Issaquah

Sen. Craig Pridemore, Democrat, Vancouver

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