Gov. Gregoire signs major education reform legislation into law

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2010

OLYMPIA � Today Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law a number of education bills to give all children access to a high-quality education, raise instruction standards and provide a focused approach to ensuring high student achievement.

�Today we take major steps to provide our children with the education that will allow them to compete in the global economy,� Gregoire said. �We are focused on skilled instruction, effective leadership and the funding to provide the education our children deserve.�

Gregoire approved K-12 education reform bills that will better position Washington state to successfully compete for federal Race to the Top funding. The law will ensure improvements are made at the state�s lowest-performing schools to boost student achievement, set better evaluation criteria for teachers and principals, encourage innovation by permitting the use of local funding to increase achievement in science, technology, engineering and math, and create new opportunities for high-quality teacher preparation.

�In these tough economic times, this is realistic, research-based reform that builds on our strong foundation of high-quality schools with dedicated professional educators,� said Mary Lindquist, president of the Washington Education Association. �This will help all of the professionals in our schools to grow and become more effective in providing a well-rounded, high-quality education for every student.�

In addition, Gregoire also signed into law bills that will:
� Improve early learning opportunities for children;
� Phase in a new funding system for basic education;
� Lift the levy lid and allow school districts to ask voters for additional funding; and
� Improve efficiencies in our two- and four-year colleges and universities.


�The enactment of this package of legislation is a major advance in our state�s reform agenda,� said Mary Jean Ryan of the Washington State Board of Education. �The people of our state can look forward to stronger accountability and improved student achievement as a result.�

Gregoire also signed into law a measure that will allow the Insurance Commissioner to set up a process to help businesses obtain flood insurance, particularly those in the Green River Valley.

In total, Gregoire signed the following bills into law:

� Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2560, relating to forming joint underwriting associations.

� Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 2617, relating to eliminating boards and commissions.

� House Bill No. 2621, relating to designating resource programs for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction in K-12 schools.

� Second Substitute House Bill No. 2731, relating to implementing a program of early learning for educationally at-risk children.

� Substitute House Bill No. 2776, relating to funding distribution formulas for K-12 education.

� Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 2782, relating to establishing the security lifeline act.

� Substitute House Bill No. 2801, relating to anti-harassment strategies in public schools.

� Second Substitute House Bill No. 2867, relating to early learning.

� Substitute House Bill No. 2893, relating to school levies.

� Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 3026, relating to school districts� compliance with state and federal civil rights laws.

� Substitute House Bill No. 3036, relating to nonvoter-approved school district debt.

� Substitute Senate Bill No. 6355, relating to expanding the higher education system upon proven demand.

� Substitute Senate Bill No. 6359, relating to promoting efficiencies including institutional coordination and partnerships in the community and technical college system.

� Substitute Senate Bill No. 6363, relating to the enforcement of certain school or playground crosswalk violations.

� Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6403, relating to accountability and support for vulnerable students and dropouts, including prevention, intervention, and reengagement.

� Substitute Senate Bill No. 6572, relating to eliminating accounts.

� Senate Bill No. 6593, relating to the transfer of the administration of the infant and toddler early intervention program from the department of social and health services to the department of early learning.

� Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6604, relating to flexibility in the education system.

� Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6696, relating to education reform.

� Substitute Senate Bill No. 6759, relating to a plan for a voluntary program of early learning.

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