WSPTA END OF SESSION REPORT 
2007-2009 BUDGET
April 30, 2007

MATH AND SCIENCE

  • Approximately $6.6 million is provided for three programs designed to increase the number of math and science teachers:  Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification Program, estimated to produce around 400 new teachers in math, science, special education, or English as a Second Language; Pipeline for Para-educators Program, which will increase the  number of para-educators eligible for the alternative routes program; and,  creating the Retooling To Teach Math and Science Program, to produce an estimated 300 new teachers in those areas.
  • The final budget includes approximately $39.5 million for professional development in math and science.  $30.5 million for secondary level, and almost $9 million for elementary level.  At the secondary level, the funds will be used to provide three professional development days for each of middle and high school math and science teachers.  In addition, the funding will be used for specialized training for one math teacher and one science teacher in each middle and high school to develop building-level expertise on the new math and science standards.  The elementary dollars will be used to support additional professional development focused on math and science instruction in the 4th and 5th grades.
  • $3 million is provided for after school grants.  OSPI shall award grants pursuant to SB 5841 (enhancing student learning opportunities).  Priority for the grants will be given to requests that focus on reading and mathematics proficiency for students who attend schools that have been identified on the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
  • Almost $5.4 million is provided for math and science instructional coaches.  The funds will allow for 25 math instructional coaches for both school years of the biennium and 25 science instructional coaches for the second year of the biennium.  In addition, the coaches will receive five days of training at a coaching institute prior to each being assigned to serve two schools.
  • $6 million is provided to expand Learning and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) programs to reach additional classrooms each year.
  • $4.6 million is provided for projects to strengthen curriculum development and standards alignment in math and science.  The funding will be used to: recommend new math standards aligned with international standards; to identify mathematics basic curricula, diagnostic, and supplemental materials that align with the new international math standards; to evaluate current science textbooks, instructional materials and diagnostic tools to determine the extent to which they are aligned with international standards;  support the development of state standards in science that reflect international content  and performance levels; and, develop science WASL knowledge and skill to improve student performance.
  • $10.7 million is provided for the funding of SB 6023, regarding alternative assessments.  The funds will be used to review, develop and implement approved alternative assessments, to develop and pilot end-of-course examinations, and to provide funding to school districts for the administration of diagnostic assessments. 
  •  $5 million is provided to support additional professional development through a specialist in mathematics and a specialist in science in each of the nine educational service districts. 

COMPENSATION

  • The budget includes $64.2 million additional compensation dollars for all state-funded staff in school districts that historically have received lower salary allocations from the state. Also known as district salary equity. 
  • $7.4 million is provided to increase the annual bonus for teachers obtaining their National Board certification, to cover the assessment fee for an estimated 1,000 National Board recipients, and to provide an additional $5,000 annual bonus for National Board certified teachers working in high poverty schools. 
  • $379 million is provided for salary cost-of-living adjustments as provided under Initiative 732.  The COLAs are 3.7% for year one and 2.8% for year two for state-funded certificated instructional staff, administrators, and classified staff.
  • $4.3 million is provided for HB 1432, which allows educational staff associates such as nurses, guidance counselors and speech/language pathologists, to receive credit on the state salary schedule for up to two years of prior work experience in settings other than public schools.

I-728/Class Size

·        $140 million is provided under Initiative 728 to increase per pupil allocation rates to $450 per student in year one and $459 in year two. These dollars are to be used to reduce class sizes, create extended learning opportunities for students, provide professional development for teachers, and to provide early childhood education programs.

·        $26 million is provided to enhance the classified staff ratio in the general apportionment formula for school districts.  Currently, the formula allocates one classified staff for every 60 students enrolled. The new formula will allocate classified staff at a rate of 1 per 59 students.

·        $3 million is provided for K-3 Demonstration Projects.  This will be used to increase the number of certificated instructional staff funded by the state in grades K-3 in three schools.  With this increase, the ratio will be about 1 teacher for every 18 students.  The demonstration schools will use the funding to implement best practices in developmental learning in K-3, for  instructional coaches, and for six additional professional development days for teachers.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

$60 million is provided for increases in special education funding.  The special education funding formula is changed to be consistent with the funding formula for birth to 3-year olds.  3 and 4-year olds will be excluded from the calculation of the 12.7% funding cap and the funding multiplier applied for these students is moved to the 1.15 multiplier used for K-12 special education students.  In addition, a new category within the safety net is created for school districts located in communities that draw a large number of families in need of special education services. 

CAPACITY/CONSTRUCTION

·        The Capital Budget will fully fund the maintenance level request for school construction assistance grants ($880 million); provide funding for Vocational Skills Centers projects ($74 million); and continue funding of the Small Repair Grant program ($4 million).

·        $6.2 million is also provided to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs so they can complete the final phase of the school mapping program. 

EARLY CHILDHOOD

·        $34 million is provided for the Early Childhood and Education Assistance Program (ECEAP)

·        $85 million for child care provider subsidy rate increases

·        $2 million to expand the Early Reading Initiative

·        $6 million to develop an Early Learning Information System

·        $5.0 million for a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

·        $2.0 million for parent, family and caregiver support

·        $3.5 million for home visitation services

·        $1.7 million for Child Care Resource and Referral.

·        $51 million is provided to phase in a full day kindergarten program, beginning in the state’s highest poverty schools.  Funding is estimated to support a full day program for approximately 10% of the kindergarten enrollment in 2007-2008 and 20% during the second school year of the biennium

OTHER

  • $5.0 million is provided for the “Building Bridges for Dropout” program (HB 1573) to support OSPI’s efforts to create, administer and monitor a grant program for local partnerships of schools, families, and communities to address dropout prevention, intervention, and retrieval. 
  • $2.4 million is provided to increase the enrollment cap for highly capable students from 2.0% to 2.3% of district enrollment.
  • $12.1 million is provided for expansion of the Promoting Academic Success (PAS) program.  The funding is to be used to include 12th grade students who have not yet passed the WASL. 
  • $16.8 million is provided for the Learning Assistance Program.  This is a 10% increase designed to allow schools to provide additional opportunities for struggling students.
  • $4.8 million is provided to eliminate the breakfast and lunch co-pays.  The breakfast program is a continuation – the lunch program is new and will start by eliminating the lunch co-pay for students in grades K-3. 

BASIC EDUCATION

$400,000 is provided to fund SB 5627.  This bill requires a review of basic education funding.  It would form a joint task force with the Washington Institute for Public Policy to review the current definition of basic education and funding formulas and develop a new definition and funding structure that aligns with the Washington Learns report and the basic education provisions in current law.

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