Decrease pay for higher ed and K-12 teachers and staff.
Decrease pay for higher ed and K-12 teachers and staff. General government employees should not have to carry all the burden of pay cuts alone.
Browse Ideas with tag 'education':
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I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Add your comment for Idea: Decrease pay for higher ed and K-12 teachers and staff. -
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I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Eliminate School Buses
I suggest that school districts in Washington terminate their contracts with school bus companies. These companies are privately owned and cost tax payers millions. I work in the Seattle School District and I have learned that if we terminated our contract with "Student First" we would solve our entire budget deficit and have plenty of money left over to facilitate all kinds of new programs for students. The students ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Eliminate School BusesI suggest that school districts in Washington terminate their contracts with school bus companies. These companies are privately owned and cost tax payers millions. I work in the Seattle School District and I have learned that if we terminated our contract with "Student First" we would solve our entire budget deficit and have plenty of money left over to facilitate all kinds of new programs for students. The students have already been assigned to schools in their own neighborhood and should all (except for students with special needs) be able to get to school by walking or getting a ride with an adult. Of course, we would still need the special needs buses, but this would be only a fraction of the current high bus costs.
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I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Allow parents to save the state money with educational alternatives
Allow parents to save the state money by encouraging the use of educational alternatives such as homeschooling, online learning, and private schooling. The primary cost in the state budget is for public education, and yet there are thousands of parents with children currently in the public school system who would gladly save the state money by utilizing educational alternatives if there were a small incentive. My wife ...more »
2 comments for Idea: Allow parents to save the state money with educational alternativesAllow parents to save the state money by encouraging the use of educational alternatives such as homeschooling, online learning, and private schooling.
The primary cost in the state budget is for public education, and yet there are thousands of parents with children currently in the public school system who would gladly save the state money by utilizing educational alternatives if there were a small incentive.
My wife and I have home-schooled six children saving the state over $35,000 a year, and we did it without an incentive which is not easy because books and materials still cost money.
However, I believe that many more parents would be glad to do as we have done if there was some help in the form of a small credit on their property taxes or sales taxes.
Every new parent who utilizes an educational alternative would save the state budget something on the order of $4,500. And I think all the state needs to do is offer them a small credit on the order of ~$500 per child per year.
The program could be limited to new student withdrawals only for ten years to insure a positive impact on the budget and the public school system. That won't help me but that's OK.
If the state is not willing to allow a parent to save the state ~$4000, then I think they are letting their biases cloud their judgment and they are clearly not serious about reducing the state's budget deficit.
There may be details to work out, but the concept is a total win-win from a parent and state budget perspective and is fiscally sound.
Any opposition to the idea is likely to be more ideological than monetary, but we can't afford to let our biases stop us from saving money at this time.
Thank You,
Craig L. Williams
Vancouver, WA
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I disagreeThis idea is active.Student Achievement »Pubic Schools self-sustainable
Add your comment for Idea: Pubic Schools self-sustainableMake the public school systems food service industry self-sustainable. Schools would grown their own vegetables and livestock, double win for extra curriculum and sustainablity.
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9 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Choice in Education/Save
13 comments for Idea: Choice in Education/SaveAllow parents who are unhappy with their current public school to send their kids to a non-public school with a voucher worth 50% of what the state is currently paying to the public school. Gives parents options and saves the state money.
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38 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Student Achievement »Stop cutting funding for Higher Education
Add your comment for Idea: Stop cutting funding for Higher EducationIn our effort to balance the state budget, Higher Education has landed on the chopping block. I believe this is a gross mistake. Washington needs to continue to attract and retain the best and the brightest if we expect to sustain our economy for the future. Lets not become so short sighted in a time of economic crises as to threaten our future.
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I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Education, Prisons, Budget
Increase state spending to spur economic growth. Then raise taxes on the top income earners. Release all drug offenders from state prisons, and hire more teachers and mentors. Disband the current National Guard and create a smaller disaster relief force. Make Washington State the Nation’s first “free college tuition state”. Privatize all institutions, excluding the prisons. Finally go to a single payer health care system. ...more »
5 comments for Idea: Education, Prisons, BudgetIncrease state spending to spur economic growth. Then raise taxes on the top income earners. Release all drug offenders from state prisons, and hire more teachers and mentors. Disband the current National Guard and create a smaller disaster relief force. Make Washington State the Nation’s first “free college tuition state”. Privatize all institutions, excluding the prisons. Finally go to a single payer health care system.
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251 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Too Many Washington School Districts
Why does the State of Washington have 295 school districts! Why not use a model employed by other states - base school district boundaries on county boundaries for most counties and on student population for counties such as King County. It probably would not be prudent to combine Seattle School District with other districts, given its existing student population. As an example - Thurston County has 8 school districts ...more »
47 comments for Idea: Too Many Washington School DistrictsWhy does the State of Washington have 295 school districts! Why not use a model employed by other states - base school district boundaries on county boundaries for most counties and on student population for counties such as King County. It probably would not be prudent to combine Seattle School District with other districts, given its existing student population.
As an example - Thurston County has 8 school districts with School Superintendent salaries totaling $961,000/yr. (source: WA School District Personnel Summary Profiles - 2005–06 - Final) for a total county population of 251,000 (source: Wikipedia) across 727 sq. mi. (source: Wikipedia). In contrast - Washoe County School District, Nevada has one superintendent paid less than $200,000/yr. (source: preliminary estimate based on phone conversation with retired Nevada school administrator) serving a population of 410,000 (source: Wikipedia) across 6,551 sq. mi. (source: Wikipedia)
Both states rank similarly (i.e. dismally) nationwide on class sizes and amount spent per student.
I submit that, if Washington's current 295 school districts ( and educational service districts) were consolidated into perhaps 50 school districts, hundreds of millions of dollars could be saved annually.
The current paradigm is an artifact of the strong populist sentiments (keep control in local hands and don't place too much power in an entity) at statehood and of how difficult travel was.
May Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Governor display leadership by bringing this suggestion to the forefront for research and public discourse, especially in light of public education consuming 25% of the GF operating budget.
Terry Graham, Tumwater, WA
Edit – 7/27/2010 -- This recommendation is not directed at consolidating schools, rural or otherwise. It’s important to keep students in their neighborhoods or rural communities for schooling. I’m simply suggesting that district administrators and staff could be trimmed via district consolidation thus drastically reducing statewide school district expenditures for overhead and staff. I would also recommend redirecting some of the savings toward reducing class size and increasing amount spent/ student. Washington nationally ranks toward the bottom on both accounts – 48th for class size (Sources: NEA Rankings and Estimates, December 2009) and 45th for $$/student (Source: Education Week, January 2010).
Terry Graham, Tumwater, WA
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23 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Student loan as benefit of unemployment insurance
Add your comment for Idea: Student loan as benefit of unemployment insurancePart of unemployment insurance should be to qualify for a student loan to improve skills to reduce the chances of becoming unemployed again in the future.
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I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Semi-Privatize Education
Education makes up over 38% and $27 billion of the State's current budget. A quality education is also a common characteristic of high income earners and business leaders - those targeted for a potential state income tax in the fall. Utilize high-school and university students seeking internships (we're approaching fall semester) to solicit WA state individuals who fall into the proposed State income tax thresholds, ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Semi-Privatize EducationEducation makes up over 38% and $27 billion of the State's current budget. A quality education is also a common characteristic of high income earners and business leaders - those targeted for a potential state income tax in the fall.
Utilize high-school and university students seeking internships (we're approaching fall semester) to solicit WA state individuals who fall into the proposed State income tax thresholds, as well as all Statewide businesses, for contributions to a local school within the county of their residence.
Announce that you will be doing this along with eliminating an income tax proposition from the ballot.
Allow contributing companies to advertise (in moderation and watchdogged) within the schools and recognize the individual contributors in an honorable manner within the school regardless of donation size.
Invite contributors to tour the school and to PTA and school board meetings.
Run a telethon and promote this government changing event. Giving people ownership promotes pride. You will see individuals of all income levels contribute, and companies will compete to have their sponsored school recognized as having the most assets for the kids and supplying a wonderful environment to foster learning.
Include a B&O Tax easement or reduction for companies who make a school-changing contribution.
The interns will get an opportunity to develop their sales skills (a skill every independent business owner and job seeker needs). Corporations will see a small tax benefit, but feel an even greater sense of pride in their philanthropy, as well as impress favorably upon a future workforce, helping to groom the employees and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
No matter our income levels or ethnic backgrounds, I have yet to meet an adult who wouldn't give what they could to help a child. It's amazing how hard we solicit others for money come campaign time and how much is actually contributed. Imagine what we could do if the same type of effort and similar thought process was put in place for the education of our children.
Just imagine that...and getting $27 billion off the books.
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I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Utilize cost-effective, community-based organizations
Add your comment for Idea: Utilize cost-effective, community-based organizationsFocus state funds to priviate, community-based, non-profits, like the WA St. Child Care Resource & Referral Network, who can administer locally relevant and critical services without heavy bureaucratic costs. These agencies are able to use business-like practices to meet unique needs for their community and leverage local resources, yet they rely on government funding for the capacity to do the work.
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I disagreeThis idea is active.Student Achievement »Computers for Students, Textbooks for Recycling
Drop textbooks completely from K thru college. Give every child their own laptop, like the laptops from One Laptop Per Child (http://laptop.org) and use cloud computing & the internet. They could be Ipads, laptops, netbooks - anything that they can access the internest with. Set up a partnership with ereader companies (eg Amazon, B&N etc) so that any textbooks needed can be accessed in e-format. Every 3 years, the ...more »
5 comments for Idea: Computers for Students, Textbooks for RecyclingDrop textbooks completely from K thru college. Give every child their own laptop, like the laptops from One Laptop Per Child (http://laptop.org) and use cloud computing & the internet.
They could be Ipads, laptops, netbooks - anything that they can access the internest with. Set up a partnership with ereader companies (eg Amazon, B&N etc) so that any textbooks needed can be accessed in e-format.
Every 3 years, the kids get a new computer, an upgrade after they turn in their old one.
Computers promote interactivity with assignments as well as cutting down on the cost of physical books and the cost of trees.
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18 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Fund and Support Worksource/WorkForce
1 comment for Idea: Fund and Support Worksource/WorkForceFully support the WorkForce Training Board, and the related WorkSource programs. Both of these are essential to ensuring our economic future by training people for the jobs in their community.
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86 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Student Achievement »Return Failing Running Start Students to High School
3 comments for Idea: Return Failing Running Start Students to High SchoolForce failing running start students to return to high school. Currently running start students can essentially register for classes and "drop out" as long as they register each quarter while the state picks up the tab for their tuition plus part of the support at the high school, these students are expensive and they're tying up limited seats at the community college.
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I disagreeThis idea is active.Student Achievement »Graduate High School after 11th Grade
4 comments for Idea: Graduate High School after 11th GradeCut Grade 12 in our public schools. With all of the AP classes offered in WA state, many students are ready for college. Grade 12 for most students is a year to have fun and enjoy being a teen. It is also something we should look at to save money.
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I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Four Day School Week
Millions, if not billions, of dollars could be saved by running schools on a four day system. The one day cut would be made up by extending the school day by one to one and a half hours. By the state forcing all school districts to cut one day a week out of their school schedules, huge savings would be seen by not running school buses one day a week for thirty six weeks. Other savings would be noted in the reduced cost ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Four Day School WeekMillions, if not billions, of dollars could be saved by running schools on a four day system. The one day cut would be made up by extending the school day by one to one and a half hours. By the state forcing all school districts to cut one day a week out of their school schedules, huge savings would be seen by not running school buses one day a week for thirty six weeks. Other savings would be noted in the reduced cost of electric, heating, and water bills, reduction in the cost of purchasing food would also be significant over a 36 week period times every school district in the state. Adjustments would have to be made to schedules, such as, sporting event times but, I believe the inconvenience is far out weighed by the cost savings.
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10 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »eclectic laundry list from an average guy
Require honesty and full disclosure -- especially in court -- by the AG office and all state employees when they are opposing the citizens. Start with parenting/CPS proceedings. This would shorten the proceedings immensely by not having to fight off the lies and misrepresentations and omissions of the AG and DSHS. Ask the Colville prosecutors about this. Give the police all police powers. End CPS which doesn't know ...more »
2 comments for Idea: eclectic laundry list from an average guyRequire honesty and full disclosure -- especially in court -- by the AG office and all state employees when they are opposing the citizens. Start with parenting/CPS proceedings. This would shorten the proceedings immensely by not having to fight
off the lies and misrepresentations and omissions of the AG and DSHS. Ask the Colville prosecutors about this.
Give the police all police powers. End CPS which doesn't know how to handle the power. Law enforcement needs the funds not the AG civil office.
Require L&I to reply to claimant questions and to READ THEIR OWN FORM RESPONSES -- Require L&I to require employers to COMPLETE all their forms and require L&I to use the information available to them instead of playing a waiting game through a year or more of services and proceedings because the information is missing.
Stop paying forensic evaluators etc. in medical and social services cases. Just pay client choice of a Dr. for a less costly visit and get the records. Use half the saved funds for real help not biased forensic "services" which are actually only services to the AG building the case.
Stop DSHS from scheduling and mailing out (or not) all
their frequent forms of medical renewal, etc. to clients. Just have DSHS require that a Dr. who is paid by their programs sends in records on a set schedule. Let
the Dr. know the requirements for the program (e.g. check this person or that disease every 3 months).
REQUIRE the state to provide or at least consider
learning ability/disability evaluations or evidence (client can provide) in all proceedings where any form of competence is an issue or a citizen must defend
against government action. Not limited to CPS /L&I / medical denials, but certainly a good start.
Turn off LIGHTS and lower the heat in government buildings. Especially at night - do we really need the Capitol lit so long?
Stop paying private out-of-state outsourced education online services. On the other hand, use the College Board tests instead of reinventing the wheel for assessment. Assessment should be nationally standardized; teaching should be local and personal.
Stop education from competing with homeschoolers. For heaven's sake, home education is free to the state. Stop legislating more and more schooling for younger ages. It's not scientifically backed and what you have is not consistently served anyway.
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34 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Tax Vouchers/Charter Scools
3 comments for Idea: Tax Vouchers/Charter ScoolsPut Competition in School System. Parents should have the Right to say which Schools get to have their Kids Tax Funding. Result would be Better Schools and Less Unions holding the States Education Hostage with Strikes. Current Attitude of Schools is "Yeah well, what are ya gonna do about it? Nothin cuz you have no choice".
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22 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Start Highschool 1/2 to 1 hour later in the morning.
Move school starting time up a half hour to a hour. Studies have shown that teens at this time of human development have their internal clocks shift forward (naturally stay up later in the evening) but still need the same amount of sleep, so starting the classes even a half hour later would be of great help. This will improve attendance (lower rates of kids saying there sick when they are just actually tired) and higher ...more »
3 comments for Idea: Start Highschool 1/2 to 1 hour later in the morning.Move school starting time up a half hour to a hour. Studies have shown that teens at this time of human development have their internal clocks shift forward (naturally stay up later in the evening) but still need the same amount of sleep, so starting the classes even a half hour later would be of great help. This will improve attendance (lower rates of kids saying there sick when they are just actually tired) and higher grades from being rested.
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41 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Student Achievement »Cut the Principal/Superintendent Intern Program
Add your comment for Idea: Cut the Principal/Superintendent Intern ProgramThe budget has $530,000 to provide grants for school employees looking to become principals and superintendents. These are people who already have a job--this money should be going into workforce development, not giving time off for people who are already drawing a paycheck.
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59 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Student Achievement »No More Leadership Academy for Principals
1 comment for Idea: No More Leadership Academy for PrincipalsThe fact that we're allocating $900,000 to make principals better while cutting teachers and parapros who are closest to the kids is unreal. This program is the classic example of fat in the budget, and maintaining it while Rome burns is absolutely unacceptable.
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10 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Student Achievement »Eliminate the Navigation 101 Program
2 comments for Idea: Eliminate the Navigation 101 ProgramNavigation 101 is a nice enough program, but when we're talking about things as drastic as cutting levy equalization even nice programs need to go. Nav101 can come back later, when things get better. Right now, they ain't better. This would save $3.2 million dollars per year.
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23 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Student Achievement »Don't Appeal the School Funding Lawsuit
1 comment for Idea: Don't Appeal the School Funding LawsuitThe McCleary lawsuit established that we're not funding education the way we should. The state is clearly violating the paramount duty clause of the constitution; appealing the decision is a fool's errand that will cost $950,000. Drop the appeal and work on actually making progress.
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14 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Student Achievement »Call a Time Out on Ed Reform
Add your comment for Idea: Call a Time Out on Ed ReformImplementing the most recent education reform bills (6696 and 2261) will cost billions that we don't have, but we're already spening millions on commissions, meetings (hi, Quality Education Council), and paperwork. Suspend all that activity until we have the money to actually do something about it.
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20 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »State Evaluation of Community Colleges
3 comments for Idea: State Evaluation of Community CollegesHave the U of W or WSU accredit the community colleges. The current system does not evaluate the quality of education at these facilities, but how well administrators can meet their own goals. This system would mean that the community college faculty could actually get real feedback on our instruction from those who are qualified to give it. It would also mean we could stop paying for these worthless evaluations.
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