Barack Obama offers hope and change!

Sen. Barack Obama brings a message of hope that’s been missing from the Oval Office in recent years: He promises to improve school funding and fix George Bush’s so-called No Child Left Behind act.

Barack Obama on adequate school funding:

“We need to invest in our public schools and strengthen them, not drain their fiscal support.” (NEA questionnaire)

Barack Obama on the so-called NCLB:

“No Child Left Behind has done more to stigmatize and demoralize our students and teachers in struggling schools than it has to marshal the talent and the determination and the resources to turn them around. That’s what’s wrong with No Child Left Behind, and that’s what we must change in a fundamental way.” (Campaign speech, 11/22/07)

WEA-PAC recommends Gov. Chris Gregoire for re-election. Like Barack Obama, Gregoire has a strong public education record. “We’ve been amazing partners,” Gregoire told WEA members earlier this year.

As governor, Chris Gregoire:

• Restored the voter-approved I-732 COLAs for K-12 and community/technical college employees. (Dino Rossi wrote the budget that suspended I-732.)
• Restored the voter-approved I-728 funding for smaller class sizes and professional development. (Dino Rossi wrote the budget that suspended I-732.)
• Funded all-day kindergarten.
• Increased educator pay beyond the COLA.
• Supported National Board certified teachers.

WEA-PAC supports Secretary of State Sam Reed for re-election because he is a strong supporter of public education.

WEA-PAC recommends State Rep. Jim McIntire for State Treasurer because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his WEA-PAC interview he committed to:

• Maximizing the return on investments for the State Investment Board which oversees the pension funds in Washington.
• Working with the school districts and the State Investment Board to provide additional funding for school construction needs.
• Addressing the funding shortfall for the education in Washington.

WEA-PAC recommends Brian Sonntag for reelection as for state Auditor because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students.

WEA-PAC recommends Peter Goldmark for state Commissioner of Public Lands because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview with WEA-PAC he committed to:

• Working to ensure that the trust lands have sustainable management
• Keeping our public lands as a long-term resource, to keep Washington’s forests and fields healthy.
• Maximizing the return on investment for funds generated from the management of the public trust lands which fund 12 percent of school/college construction costs.

WEA-PAC recommends Randy Dorn for state Superintendent of Public Instruction because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. Dorn told WEA-PAC:

• “We need to eliminate the WASL and implement an assessment that is a less time-consuming test, simpler to administer, diagnostic in nature and that provides tutorial opportunities for students in the areas they need help.”
• “We need to be honest with the public about the need for additional funding. What we need now is action and leadership.”

WEA-PAC recommends Mike Kreidler for reelection as state Insurance Commissioner because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students.

WEA-PAC supports Justice Mary Fairhurst for re-election.

WEA-PAC supports Justice Charles Johnson for re-election.

WEA-PAC supports Justice Debra Stephens for re-election.

Safe quality care for seniors.

More traffic, less money for schools.

WEA-PAC supports Judge Robin Hunt for re-election.

The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education recommends reelecting Congressman Jay Inslee to the U.S. House of Representatives because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview he stated his education priorities:

• Supports fully funding ESEA and changing accountability measures to use more options for testing student learning.
• Supports affordable accessible health care for educators

The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education recommends reelecting Congressman Rick Larsen to the U.S. House of Representatives because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview he stated his education priorities:

• Alternatives to standardized testing.
• Fully funding the so-called NCLB and IDEA.
• Reducing class sizes.
• Expanding the Pell Grant Program, so more students can afford college.

The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education recommends reelecting Congressman Brian Baird to the U.S. House of Representatives because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students.

The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education recommends reelecting Congressman Norm Dicks to the U.S. House of Representatives because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview he stated his education priorities:

• Supports reforming the so-called NCLB so that it works better for students and educators.
• Ensuring that students have access to college by doing a better job of making college affordable for more students.
• Strengthening career and technical education, so students have access to job training.

The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education recommends reelecting Congressman Jim McDermott to the U.S. House of Representatives because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview he stated his education priorities:

• Improving teacher salaries to keep good teachers.
• Expanded funding for pre-K programs, i.e. Head Start.
• Reducing class sizes.
• Expanding access to college.

The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education recommends reelecting Congressman Dave Reichert to the U.S. House of Representatives because he is a supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview he stated his education priorities:

• Supports funding of ESEA and changing the accountability measures to allow states to measure growth over time instead of one-day testing.
• Increased funding for PELL grants, to help restore purchasing power and reduce students’ reliance on loans to pay for college.
• Supports reducing class size.

The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education recommends reelecting Congressman Adam Smith to the U.S. House of Representatives because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview he stated his education priorities:

• Supports reforming the so-called NCLB and fully funding it.
• Increased funding for education, including teacher salaries.
• Greater emphasis on school to work, so students had the skills needed in the job market.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Al O’Brien because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, O’Brien:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Mark Ericks because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Ericks:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Tom Campbell because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Campbell:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Alex Wood because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Wood:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Timm Ormsby because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Ormsby:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends John Driscoll because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview with WEA-PAC, Driscoll committed to:

• Increases in state funding focused on educators and the classroom
• Indexing teacher salaries to similarly educated professionals. Starting salaries need to be increased to “better attract new teachers.”
• Replacing WASL with a broader and more focused assessment tools that measure student progress across learning styles.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Larry Haler because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Haler:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Zach Hudgins because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Hudgins:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Bob Hasegawa because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Hasegawa:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Mike Armstrong because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Armstrong:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Bill Grant because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Grant:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Tim Probst because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview with WEA-PAC Probst noted that he:

• Supports reduced class sizes.
• Champions college affordability.
• Wants to ensure a great public education for every child.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Deb Wallace because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Wallace:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Dean Takko because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Takko:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away
• Funded all-day kindergarten

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Brian Blake because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Blake:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away
• Funded all-day kindergarten

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Mary Helen Roberts because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Roberts:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away
• Funded all-day kindergarten

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Marko Liias because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature Liias:

• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Supports improved funding for public schools.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Brendan Williams because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Williams:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Supported National Board certification programs.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Sam Hunt because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Hunt:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Sherry Appleton because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Appleton:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Christine Rolfes because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Rolfes:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Kevin Van De Wege because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Van De Wege:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Lynn Kessler because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Kessler:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Bruce Dammeier because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview with WEA-PAC Dammeier committed to:

• “I plan to support efforts to re-examine and revise the Basic Ed funding model.”
• “I will work hard to build support for increased salaries, but it should be done in the context of a new Basic Ed funding model.”
• “I have significant concerns about the costs, both direct and indirect of administering the WASL text. We lose far too much class time when the WASL is conducted and with the advent of NCLB, have to offer it far too frequently.”

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Dawn Morrell because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Morrell:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Larry Seaquist because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Seaquist:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Dennis Flannigan because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Flannigan:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Support National Board certification programs.
• Supported all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Jeannie Darneille because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Darneille:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Troy Kelley because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Kelley:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Tami Green because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Green:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Steve Conway because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Conway:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Steve Kirby because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Kirby:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Mark Miloscia because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Miloscia:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Chris Hurst because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Hurst:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Maralyn Chase because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Chase:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Ruth Kagi because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Kagi:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Tina Orwall because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In an interview with the WEA-PAC, Orwall supported WEA’s positions.

• “Our state needs to explore a new, stable funding formula that explores revenue options.”
• “I think we need to provide greater investments in the salaries of teachers beyond the cost of living increases. Also, the entry level salaries are much too low for this profession and need to be adjusted.”
• “I strongly support class size reductions. This is clearly a best practice in education.”
• “Overall, I think that here has been an overemphasis on test taking and that we need to give our teachers the tools and training they need to make sure our kids are critical thinkers so they can compete in this new global market.”

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Dave Upthegrove because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Upthegrove:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Eileen Cody because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Cody:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Sharon Nelson because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature Nelson:

• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Supports improved funding for public schools.
• Supports better compensation.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Kathy Haigh because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Haigh:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Frederick Finn because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the interview with WEA-PAC, Fred stated he:

• Supports class size reduction.
• Wants to find stable, ample funding for education.
• Supports removing WASL as a graduation requirement.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Dickerson:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Tomiko Santos:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Erick Pettigrew because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Pettigrew:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. John McCoy because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, McCoy:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Mike Sells because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Sells:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Dave Quall because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Quall:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Jeff Morris because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Morris:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Marcie Maxwell because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Judy Clibborn because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Clibborn

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Kelli Linville because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Linville:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Jamie Pedersen because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Pedersen:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Frank Chopp because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Chopp:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Hans Dunshee because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Dunshee:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Supported National Board certification programs.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Roger Goodman because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Goodman:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Larry Springer because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Springer:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Scott White because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In his interview with WEA-PAC White made the following commitments:

• The state must fully fund education as mandated by our constitution. “The state needs to consider new and dedicated funding sources for education.” Implement progressive tax reforms to provide new revenue.
• Supporting a salary schedule that will bring teachers’ salaries up to the West Coast market rates.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Phyllis Kenney because she is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Kenney:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Geoff Simpson because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Simpson:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Supported National Board certification programs.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Pat Sullivan because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Sullivan:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.

WEA-PAC recommends Rep. Ross Hunter because he is a strong supporter of public schools, staff and students. In the state Legislature, Hunter:

• Supported the simple majority for school levies.
• Helped restore the educator COLA that Dino Rossi took away.
• Funded all-day kindergarten.