Campaign for Student Success launched today to urge an equitable McCleary fix
/A coalition of Washingtonians are banding together to ensure that the solution to McCleary is a solution for all students, including those our state typically overlooks.
Launched today, the Campaign for Student Success (CSS) invites all Washingtonians to participate in sharing their vision for an education system that prepares every child to be career- and college-ready. The coalition has pledged to collaborate with Washington legislators and Governor Jay Inslee to ensure that this vision becomes a reality.
So far, the growing list of member organizations includes the Equity in Education Coalition, Washington Roundtable, League of Education Voters, Stand for Children Washington, Statewide Poverty Action Network, Treehouse, School’s Out Washington, Thrive Washington and the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition.
Sharonne Navas, co-founder and executive director of the Equity in Education Coalition, addresses the crowd at today's Campaign for Student Success launch event.
From the CSS press release:
“In McCleary, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that because the state government is not providing sufficient education funding, it is violating the state’s constitution. Further, the Court found that inadequate funding from the state is leading to inequalities and disparities between wealthy and poor school districts. McCleary is a unique opportunity to reimagine – and bring fairness to – Washington’s public education system.”
That’s a promising start. I completely agree that we need to use McCleary as an opportunity to forge a bold new beginning for our public schools.
“We cannot afford to miss the opportunity presented to us by McCleary,” said Sharonne Navas, co-founder and executive director of the Equity in Education Coalition, at today's CSS launch event. “The choice is simple—will we meet the constitutional obligation by dumping money into an unfair system, or take the time to reimagine and reshape our education system into one that puts the needs and assets of children first and works for each and every child in our state? Our coalition has come together to fix a system that is inherently unfair by ensuring that every kid has access to equal opportunity. And it’s not just about the kids. The economy of our state and our way of life depend on a well-educated and diverse workforce.”
The Campaign for Student Success will function according to three key policy pillars:
- Funding & Fairness: “Sufficient funding must also be equitable and fair, meaning we must support those students who need it most;”
- Talent: “Educator compensation must be funded with a focus on equity, growing the pipeline of excellent educators and matching them with students who need the most help;”
- Accountability: “Funding and talent must be accompanied by a robust accountability system that sets clear goals, tracks progress over time, and provides appropriate supports and programs for under-performing schools and struggling students.”
“The Campaign for Student Success is giving voice to every parent in Washington,” said Regina Elmi, a mother in the Renton School District. “As a parent, I’m thrilled to be asked to be a central part of the conversation because my two daughters are counting on our legislators to get it right. As parents, we need to make sure our voices are heard in Olympia.”
I see so much to love about this campaign. I trust the leadership and the intention. Let’s hope they get the help they need to make equitable education funding a reality in our state.
