SEATTLE, April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- All over Washington state, education advocates, teachers, parents and community leaders are gathering to hear about an ambitious campaign to increase student learning and close the achievement gap so every student is prepared for success in work and life.
The A+ Washington plan was crafted by the Excellent Schools Now Coalition, a diverse alliance that includes the League of Education Voters, Partnership for Learning, Stand for Children and Teachers United.
Excellent Schools Now is non-partisan and does not endorse candidates, but is eager to work with anyone willing to help make A+ a reality and improve a system where one in four students don't graduate from high school on time. Attorney General Rob McKenna has already adopted the plan as part of his candidacy for governor, and U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee's education platform incorporates parts of the A+ plan.
"The voters and teachers of Washington state want this to change," said Chris Korsmo, executive director of the League of Education Voters.
Education reform is too often cast as a struggle between education advocates and hard-working teachers. But a poll conducted for A+ Washington shows that both teachers and the general public overwhelming support the core elements of A+ Washington, which include quality pre-kindergarten for every child, excellent teachers for all students, flexibility to transform schools and accurate measurements so schools and teachers can be held accountable for student performance.
"By the end of this decade, two-thirds of jobs in our state will require a post-secondary degree or training," said Jana Carlisle, Executive Director of Partnership for Learning, the education advocacy arm of the state's business community. "We want to see our students compete for and fill the thousands of quality jobs available here."
A+ Washington is conducting outreach across the state to inform and inspire parents, teachers and communities about the plan. For a list of upcoming events, or to read the plan, go to www.apluswa.org.
"A+ Washington offers solutions and big ideas that add up to a bright future -- where every student gets what they need to succeed in work and in life," said Shannon Campion, Executive Director of Stand For Children.
Contact: Karen Waters
206-334-0822
SOURCE A+ Washington
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article