2014 Resolution on the Federal ESEA Waiver Teacher Evaluation Requirements
Adopted on March 6, 2014
WHEREAS the Washington State Board of Education has been following with interest the discussions in the Legislature regarding how best to satisfy the requirements of the U.S. Department of Education’s flexibility waiver application relating to provisions of the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, commonly known as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB); and
WHEREAS the State Board of Education discussed this issue at its meeting on March 6, 2014; and
WHEREAS the State Board of Education is very concerned about a potential loss of the present Federal waiver and a consequent return to NCLB requirements, which would mean, among other impacts on public schools and students in Washington, a loss of decision-making authority by local school districts of how best to use 20% of the Title I funds that are intended to help disadvantaged students from low income families; and
WHEREAS a return to Federal NCLB requirements would be detrimental to the interests of the more than one million K-12 public school students in the State of Washington, especially those students from low income families whose districts and schools receive Title I funds, and would run counter to many of the initiatives adopted by the State Board of Education in recent years; and
WHEREAS a return to the Federal NCLB requirements would impact implementation of the revised school accountability system required under Senate Bill 5329 (2013), and the revised Achievement Index adopted by the State Board of Education; and
WHEREAS the State Board of Education recognizes the leadership of Washington State in developing an exceptional teacher and principal evaluation system that should be preserved; and
WHEREAS the State Board of Education recognizes that differing points of view exist within the Legislature, the educational community, and among members of the public on how to approach and resolve this issue.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Board of Education calls upon the Legislature to resolve the issue of the student growth component of teacher and principal evaluations in a way that will allow the State of Washington to continue to receive a U.S. Department waiver of the requirements of No Child Left Behind while preserving the innovative Teacher and Principal Evaluation Program.
About the State Board of Education: The State Board of Education provides advocacy and strategic oversight of public education. The board is comprised of 16 members: five are elected by school board directors, seven are appointed by the Governor, two serve as student representatives, and one serves as a private school representative. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is also a member.