2007 Report to Citizens: Education
People with higher levels of education are more likely to live healthier, self-sufficient lives and contribute to the vitality of the state’s economy.
Listening to citizens
- The high-school graduation rate is the most important measure of our performance in education.
- Students need to be prepared for jobs of the future so that we can compete in the global economy.
Taking action
- Expanded innovative programs such as Navigation 101 to prevent dropouts and encourage students to graduate from high school.
- Lowered class sizes so that children get the attention they need to learn more successfully.
- Reward outstanding teachers and provide incentives for the best teachers to teach in schools where students need the most help.
Getting results
- More than 90 percent of high school seniors met key reading and writing graduation requirements by passing the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.
- Almost 10,000 new enrollments available in higher education, including 3,700+ for high-demand fields such as engineering, math and science education, nursing and other health-care occupations.
Challenges
- Closing the achievement gap, or the difference in educational performance between groups of students, is a persistent challenge.
How we measure our progress
Source: Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Rate of graduation from high school in 4 years remains stable |
Source: Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction The achievement gap between all students and low-income students is relatively stable |
Do you like this report? Do you believe it should include any other information? Please let us know by contacting accountability@gov.wa.gov.