WA Senate Passes A-F School Grade Scale.....Members Of New Charter School Panel Announced.....WA Senate Oks K-12 Principal Hiring Power Bill


WA Senate Passes A-F School Grade Scale
The Washington state Senate has passed a measure to set up an A through F grade scale for K-12 schools. Under the bill approved Wednesday, the grading system would be set up as a pilot program in a handful of schools starting in the fall of 2013. After an evaluation, it would be implemented statewide the following year.
Bill supporters say that it should be made plain when a school is failing.
Opponents counter that it would be damaging and in many cases unfair to label schools as failures.
The measure passed by a 26-23 vote, with all but one Republican in favor and all but four Democrats opposed. It goes next to the House.
The bill is among several K-12 education reform measures that the state Senate is considering.
OLYMPIA (AP)
 
Members Of New Charter School Panel Announced
State leaders have announced their appointments to the new Charter School Commission.
Washington became the 42nd state to OK the independent public schools in November. Voters authorized the opening of up to 40 charter schools over five years. The governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House were each allowed three appointments to the commission, which were announced Wednesday.
Gov. Jay Inslee's appointments were Doreen Cato from Ocean Shores, Chris Martin from Spokane and Steve Sundquist from Seattle. Lt. Gov. Brad Owen's appointments were Kevin Jacka of Springdale, Cindi Williams of Bellevue and Larry Wright of Sammamish . House Speaker Frank Chopp's appointments were Trish Millines Dziko of Vashon, Margrit McGuire of Seattle and Dave Quall of Mount Vernon.
OLYMPIA (AP)
 
WA Senate Oks K-12 Principal Hiring Power Bill
The Washington state Senate has passed a measure giving veto power to principals over teachers assigned to their schools.
Under the bill approved Wednesday, teachers without a school assignment could be deployed as substitutes or used in non-teaching roles and could eventually be fired.
Bill supporters say it gives principals the ability to shape their staffs to the needs of students and to weed out problem teachers.
Opponents say that the state's teacher evaluation process, approved by the Legislature last year, should be allowed to run its course.
The measure passed by a 27-22 vote, with four Democrats joining all 23 Republicans voting in favor.
The bill is among several K-12 education reform measures that the state Senate is considering.
OLYMPIA (AP)

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