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Governor Gregoire Creates P-20 Council to Hold State Government Accountable for Education Goals

For Immediate Release: May 21, 2007

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today signed an executive order that creates a council to hold state government accountable and measure progress toward ten long-term goals for a world-class education system, established by the Washington Learns committee.

�A world-class, learner-focused and seamless education system in Washington requires excellent communication and coordination between all levels of education,� said Governor Gregoire. �To achieve this, we need to be ambitious but we must also be honest about our progress and be accountable for the Washington Learns goals.�

The P - 20 Council will be responsible for driving progress toward the ten-year goals proposed by Washington Learns in November 2006. The council must also improve student success and transitions within and among the early learning, K-12 and higher education sectors and, beginning in 2008, issue an annual report to Washingtonians, Governor Gregoire and the Legislature.

Ten-Year Goals for a World-Class Education System:

  • Parents will be their children�s first and best teachers and will have the support they need to help their children �learn to learn� in their first years of life;
  • Families will have access to high quality, affordable child care and early education programs staffed by providers and teachers who are adequately trained and compensated;
  • All children will enter kindergarten healthy and emotionally, socially and cognitively ready to succeed in school and life;
  • All students will transition from third grade with the ability to read well and do basic math and with the ability to actively participate in a learning environment;
  • All students will transition from eighth grade with demonstrated ability in core academic subjects, citizenship skills and an initial plan for high school and beyond;
  • All students will graduate from high school with an international perspective and the skills to live, learn and work in a diverse state and a global economy;
  • All students will complete a rigorous high school course of study and demonstrate the abilities needed to enter a post-secondary education program or career path;
  • All Washingtonians will have access to affordable post-secondary education and workforce training opportunities that provide them with the knowledge and skills to thrive personally and professionally;
  • Washington will have a well-trained and educated workforce that meets the needs of our knowledge-based economy; and
  • Academic research will fuel discoveries and innovations that allow Washington businesses to compete globally.


The P-20 Council will be composed of:

  1. The Governor or the Governor�s designee;
  2. Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee;
  3. The director of the Department of Early Learning;
  4. The chair of the State Board of Education;
  5. The chair of the Professional Educator Standards Board;
  6. The chair of the Higher Education Coordinating Board;
  7. The chair of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board;
  8. The chair of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges;
  9. The chair of the Council of Presidents;
  10. The chair of the Independent Colleges of Washington; and
  11. One representative of tribal education programs from a federally recognized tribe, appointed by the Governor.


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