Education 

Running Start, AP testing, and four-year degrees are expensive, and it’s time to rethink our college model.

 

Under WAC 250-61-100, many bachelor’s degrees require 180 credits for graduation, but many degree programs require only 40 to 90 credits within the major itself. Washington’s public colleges and universities should consider reducing the graduation requirement to 135 credits. That would allow students to complete a degree in three years, with three quarters per year and 45 credits per year. That would save students money and allow more students to move through each institution.

 

Washington should also subsidize specific degrees that serve major public needs, including homelessness, addiction, and mental health. For example, a social work degree could be free for students who commit to working in the field for five years.

 

High school education has changed dramatically. In the 1970s, an advanced student might take trigonometry, but today students take AP Calculus, AP Statistics, and other advanced courses. But AI has changed the nature of education, and it’s time to move in a new direction. Education should fit the needs of the student, not just mandates from Olympia.

 

School districts should have more authority to set seat-time requirements and graduation standards based on their local demographics and student needs. The state should reduce unnecessary academic requirements for the masses and expand internships, apprenticeships, private-sector partnerships, and on-the-job training. Aviation programs, trade programs, truck driving schools, and the state ferry system are examples of areas where stronger partnerships could help students move directly into real careers.

 

Central school district administration should be reduced. Too many positions exist without a clear enough purpose. Districts should reassign employees where possible and allow attrition to reduce administrative numbers over time.

 

Schools should be fully funded. That includes bus service, construction, the arts, heat, insurance, computers, special education, and other essential needs. Local levies should also be reduced.

 

Classrooms also need to be protected from chronic disruption. Students who repeatedly disrupt schools, skip class, or refuse to learn should be moved to late-afternoon or evening school at the same location. Full-time teachers who teach in these programs should receive a special stipend.

 

Teachers with large classes, lab courses, and heavy composition workloads should receive additional honorariums for that extra work.

 

Rather than creating a voucher-style program, districts should go one step beyond “choice schools” and create independent schools within the district. This approach would protect district funding and give families access to alternative educational options.

The Governor Should accept the  $1700  Federal grant  program, " Washington School Choice Scholarships"  It benefits both the donors with a 1-1 tax credit  and both private and public.   This does not effect state funding for public schools. 

Some suggested uses of the funds for students and familys