Message from the Chair and Vice Chair

Governor Gregoire and the Legislature brought a significant change to Washington's K–12 system by reconstituting the State Board of Education.

Previously the board's focus was administrative including boundary adjustments, school construction, and accreditation. The new board's mandate has been expanded to provide broad leadership in education.

	Provide advocacy of public education and strategic oversight.
	Implement a standards-based accountability system to improve student academic achievement.
	Provide leadership in the creation of a system personalizing education for each student and respecting diverse cultures, abilities, and learning styles.
	Set high school graduation requirements.
	Promote achievement of the goals of the Basic Education Act.

All of us respect the hard work by educators, students, and many others to improve our educational system.

Our children are moving into jobs where mathematics and reading skills are essential to get a job, contribute, survive AND thrive in a global economy.

We will accelerate progress on improving schools and showing results. We are stepping up outreach efforts to hear from everyone with a stake in education.

We will hold meetings in several places throughout Washington, please watch for notices and participate.

Sincerely,

Mary Jean Ryan, Chair


Warren T. Smith Sr., Vice Chair

Washington State
Board of Education
PO Box 47206
600 Washington St. SE
Olympia, WA 98504-7206
360-725-6025