The Crisis in Funding for Public Education: Your Child’s Future Is at Stake

Fall 2007 1

The Crisis in Funding for Public Education:

Your Child’s Future Is at StakeA presentation by

Washington State PTA2007

www.wastatepta.org

Fall 2007 2

Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2007

1 in 4 first-year students earn F'sMore than 1 in 4 Snohomish County high school freshmen failed …

By Eric Stevick, Herald Writer

Last updated June 8, 2007

Math scores still lag in WASLPreliminary test results releasedBy JESSICA BLANCHARDP-I REPORTER

Board UpdateApril 2007

Friday, September 1, 2006

248 schools in state fail U.S. goalsIn Seattle, students at 28 sites 'need improvement'

Inadequate numbers of students are being prepared to fill the state’s critical workforce needs, especially students with bachelor’s and advanced degrees in high-demand fields.

“A total of 15,921 high school students dropped out of school during the 2004–05 school year.”

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Job ForecastOver the next five to seven years, Washington State employers will need more workers with some form of postsecondary vocational training than any other educational level.Post Secondary Career and Technical Education Works 2006

By JESSICA BLANCHARDP-I REPORTER

Fall 2007 3

District officials will prioritize $3 million in suggested cutbacks to save $900,000 next yearBy Eric Stevick / Herald Writer

Published: Saturday, May 5, 2007

Marysville schools consider cuts

School cuts outlined Sports, libraries, cleaning could all be slashed

Local News: Friday, March 23, 2007

Seattle schools to find way to balance budgetLocal News: Saturday, February 10, 2007

Issaquah district seeks ideas on budget woes

Local News: Sunday, April 22, 2007

Renton schools face budget crunch

Published: Monday, December 4, 2006

Bus funds fall shortSchools pay when state doesn't, study saysBy Melissa Slager / Herald Writer

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Districts challenge special-ed financing

Coalition suing Washington state over school fundingJanuary 11, 2007

Sunday, July 29, 2007 Southeast Opinion

It's time to solve state's education-funding crisis

Sara Leaming Staff writerMarch 8, 2007

By Karen Johnson

Times Southeast Bureau

By Rachel TuinstraSeattle Times Eastside bureau

By Alex FryerSeattle Times staff reporter

By Skip PriestSpecial to The Times

By DAVID AMMONSTHE ASSOCIATED PRESSOLYMPIA

Fall 2007 4

Presentation Overview

1. As Funding for K-12 Education has Declined, Costs have Increased.

2. Insufficient K-12 Funds Affect All Students

3. Some School Districts are Worse Off

4. We Have a Legal Right to Basic Education

5. Many Problems in State Funding

6. What Can You Do About the Crisis?

Fall 2007 5Source: Based on OSPI data for General Fund revenues for school year 2005-06.

The State Contributes the Most to K-12 Education Funding

State70%

Federal10%

Local20%

1. Funding Declines while Costs Increase• K-12 Funding Include Local, State and Federal Funds

Fall 2007 6

Source: Education Week, Quality Counts 2006, based on per-pupil expenditures adjusted for regional differences in education costs (2003).

U.S. Average per pupil- $8,041

WA State per pupil - $7,252

1. Funding Declines while Costs Increase

Washington State’s per-pupil funding

ranks 42nd in the nation

Fall 2007 7Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, Digest of Education Statistics 2005, Table 167.

90%

92%

94%

96%

98%

100%

102%

'95-96 '96-97 '97-98 '98-99 '99-00 '00-01 '01-02 '02-03

U.S. Average Washington

• Washington State’s per-pupil funding has lagged behind the US national average since 1995.

1. Funding Declines while Costs Increase

Fall 2007 8

•The State’s student funding has not kept up with inflation since ’92.

Source: OSPI’s Five Year Strategic Plan 2002-07

1. Funding Declines while Costs Increase

Fall 2007 9

• Two different expert studies on the cost of a quality education

both say the state’s per-pupil funding is less than what’s needed.

Expert Source: See the notes for this slide.

Comparison of Actual and Experts Per-Pupil Funding in 2004-05

(Federal, State and Local Funds)

$7,876

$10,325$11,676

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

$14,000

Actual WLC EPIC

Pe

r-p

up

il F

un

din

g

1. Funding Declines while Costs Increase

Fall 2007 10

• More Students with Greater Needs

Source: OSPI Report Card

24%

26%

28%

30%

32%

34%

36%

38%

40%

Children in Poverty Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meal

9%

10%

10%

11%

11%

12%

12%

13%

13%

Special Education Students

4%

5%

5%

6%

6%

7%

7%

8%

8%

Bilingual Students

1. Funding Declines while Costs Increase

Fall 2007 11

These laws ADDED big costs, BUT have not been accompanied by any significant increase in

State or Federal funding.

• Certain federal and state laws require that all children must meet State Academic Standards

Federal No Child Left Behind Act WASL State Law+

1. Funding Declines while Costs Increase

Fall 2007 12

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Right now, our children’s

opportunities to learn

in public schools are limited.

In the future, our children’s career and college

opportunities may be limited.

Fall 2007 13

Declining Revenues and Increasing Costs

Districts can’t initiate new programs or expand existing ones.

Districts cut budgets.

Districts cut administrative programs.

Districts cut support services, maintenance.

Districts cut instructional programs.

Balanced budget, but inadequate services.

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Fall 2007 14

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Washington Learns researchers concluded that it was possible for all students to achieve the state’s academic standards, but not at the state’s current level of resources.

To improve performance, many school districts will have to adopt more effective, research-proven instructional strategies which will require the state to substantially increase its funding of schools.

Given this finding, districts that have already cut staff or resources are facing a steep, uphill climb.

Here are some examples of how our children’s education is shortchanged in this state.

Fall 2007 15

Classified Staff

Custodians

Maintenance Workers Security Guards Bus Drivers

Office Staff

2. Insufficient Funding

Affects All Students

Fall 2007 16

Enrichment Programs

Sports Arts

Band Music Programs

2. Insufficient Funding

Affects All Students

Fall 2007 17

Certificated Support Staff

Nurses

Instructional Coaches

Librarians

Counselors

2. Insufficient Funding

Affects All Students

Fall 2007 18

Instructional Supplies & Equipment

Lab Equipment

Classroom Technology

Paper

Textbooks and Student Materials

Computers

2. Insufficient Funding

Affects All Students

Fall 2007 19

Specialized or Advanced Courses

Career and Technical Education

World Languages

Advanced Placement

2. Insufficient Funding

Affects All Students

Fall 2007 20

Certificated Teaching Staff

ELL Teachers

Tutors

Core Classroom Teachers

Math & Science Teachers Special Ed Teachers

2. Insufficient Funding

Affects All Students

Fall 2007 21

Lack of Resources Linked to Low Math WASL Scores

Percent of 10th Graders Meeting Math Standards 1999-2006

33% 35% 39% 37% 39%44% 48% 51%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

'98-99 '99-00 '00-01 '01-02 '02-03 '03-04 '04-05 '05-06

10th Graders

Source: OSPI data from State Report Card

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Fall 2007 22

Schools struggle to prepare students for the workforce and postsecondary education.

Business & Marketing

Health & Human

Services

Technology & Industry

Agriculture

Universities

Community Colleges

Technical Institutes

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Fall 2007 23

Workforce Readiness Suffers

• Although about 34% of Washington’s 60,000 high school graduates go straight to work after graduation,

• Only about 20% of all graduates have completed a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in high school.

• Which is too bad, because:

• Businesses like CTE students and are more likely to hire them.

• Workers with CTE credits earn more than workers without.

• Workers with CTE credits are more likely to continue their education.

Source: Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, 2004 Report

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Fall 2007 24

Most Students Not Ready for College

Most Washington State Students Who Graduate High School Are Not Ready for College

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004

On Time Graduation Rates College Readiness Rates

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Fall 2007 25

Many high schools have low rankings in UW admit decisions

Drop in GPA From HS to First Year GPA at UW (2000-04)

WA State Public and Private High Schools Numbered from 1 to 232

-1.8

-1.6-1.4

-1.2

-1-0.8

-0.6

-0.4

-0.20

0.2

1 11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 91 101 111 121 131 141 151 161 171 181 191 201 211 221 231

Dro

p in

GP

A

Average Drop = -0.653 at #151

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Fall 2007 26

College Remediation Rates are High and Costly

• 42% of the students who graduated from public high schools in 2004 and attended a Washington state technical college, community college, or university enrolled in at least one remedial course.

• Families pay double; Students need more time to earn degree.

• Leading predictor of college dropouts is need for remedial reading.

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Fall 2007 27

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Fall 2007 28

Our Children’s Opportunities and Financial Security Are at Stake

Source: U.S. Census 2004. Cited by Edfund. Learn and Earn Chart 2005

Learn and Earn: Income by Education Level

$20,180

$22,939

$30,766

$35,714

$37,605

$49,889

$59,508

$79,403

$95,699

Less than 9th grade

High school dropout

High school graduate

Some college

Assoc./Voc. degree

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

Professional degree

2. Insufficient Funding Affects All Students

Fall 2007 29

3. Some Districts Are Worse Off Than Others

WA has 295 Individual School Districts

Fall 2007 30

Seventeen districts have very low per-pupil funding

County District

Adjusted* Total

Funding Per Pupil

Amount Below

Average Funding Per

Pupil 1 King Federal Way $5,851 $1,055 2 Snohomish Granite Falls 5,982 924 3 King Kent 6,059 847 4 King Auburn 6,063 842 5 King Renton 6,099 807 6 King Snoqualmie Valley 6,155 751 7 Snohomish Mukilteo 6,163 743 8 Snohomish Sultan 6,167 739 9 Snohomish Stanwood-Camano 6,183 722

10 Snohomish Lake Stevens 6,205 701 11 Snohomish Arlington 6,240 666 12 King Highline 6,254 652 13 King Issaquah 6,257 648 14 Kitsap South Kitsap 6,269 636 15 King Tahoma 6,273 633 16 Snohomish Snohomish 6,290 615 17 Yakima Grandview 6,291 615

State Average $6,906 + $577, School Year 2001-02 The 17 districts accounted for 171,106 students, about 17 % of state’s total student population.

3. Some Districts Are Worse Off

Fall 2007 31

County District

Adjusted1 Total Per-Pupil Funding Rank County District

Adjusted1 Total Per-Pupil Funding Rank

1 Benton Kiona-Benton $6,866 112 34 Pierce University Place $6,733 1292 Clallam Sequim $6,558 148 35 Pierce Sumner $6,635 1383 Clark Evergreen $6,771 127 36 Pierce Puyallup $6,563 1444 Clark La Center $6,581 141 37 Pierce Orting $6,503 1505 Clark Ridgefield $6,578 142 38 Pierce Bethel $6,481 1536 Clark Battle $6,475 154 39 Pierce Franklin Pierce $6,399 1567 Cowlitz Kalama $6,650 136 40 Skagit Mount Vernon $6,834 1178 Grant Royal $6,865 113 41 Snohomish Lakewood $6,832 1189 Grays HarborMontesano $6,804 125 42 Snohomish Everett $6,678 134

10 Island Oak Harbor $6,681 133 43 Snohomish Marysville $6,561 14711 King Bellevue $6,815 120 44 Snohomish Edmonds $6,543 14912 King Vashon Island $6,732 130 45 Snohomish Monroe $6,414 15513 King Shoreline $6,692 132 46 Snohomish Snohomish $6,290 15914 King Northshore $6,585 140 47 Snohomish Arlington $6,240 16415 King Enumclaw $6,577 143 48 Snohomish Lake Stevens $6,205 16516 King Riverview $6,561 146 49 Snohomish Stanwood-Camano $6,183 16617 King Lake Washington $6,492 152 50 Snohomish Sultan $6,167 16718 King Tukwila $6,357 157 51 Snohomish Mukilteo $6,163 16819 King Tahoma $6,273 160 52 Snohomish Granite Falls $5,982 17320 King Issaquah $6,257 162 53 Thurston Tumwater $6,868 11121 King Highline $6,254 163 54 Thurston Yelm $6,796 12622 King Snoqualmie Valley $6,155 169 55 Yakima Union Gap $6,863 11423 King Renton $6,099 170 56 Yakima Highland $6,847 11524 King Auburn $6,063 171 57 Yakima Toppenish $6,844 11625 King Kent $6,059 172 58 Yakima Yakima $6,827 11926 King Federal Way $5,851 174 59 Yakima Selah $6,812 12127 Kitsap South Kitsap $6,269 161 60 Yakima Naches Valley $6,727 13128 Lewis Toledo $6,562 145 61 Yakima Wapato $6,652 13529 Okanogan Brewster $6,874 110 62 Yakima East Valley $6,650 13730 Pierce Fife $6,811 122 63 Yakima Zillah $6,623 13931 Pierce White River $6,809 123 64 Yakima West Valley $6,499 15132 Pierce Peninsula $6,804 124 65 Yakima Grandview $6,291 15833 Pierce Eatonville $6,757 128 *Study included 174 districts & school year 2001-02 data.

Rank of the 65 Districts* that were below the avg. $6,906 per-pupil funding

3. Some Districts Are Worse Off

Fall 2007 32

4. We Have a Legal Right To A Fully Funded Basic Education

Fall 2007 33

Why Focus on Basic Education? State’s Basic Ed Is the Biggest Piece of Pie!

Basic Education Programs(State is Legally Required to Fund)

• General Apportionment

• Special Education

• Vocational Education

• Learning Assistance Program

• Some Pupil Transportation

• Juvenile Detention Center & State Institution Ed programs

4. Our Legal Right to Fully Funded Basic Ed

Fall 2007 34

State Courts

Judicial decisions in 1978 and 1983 have held that:

• The State must define and fully fund basic education.

• Excess levies can not be required to fund any part of basic education.

• The Legislature is required to continually review, evaluate, and revise basic education funding formulas as the education system evolves and changes.

The State Constitution

“It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders…”

4. Our Legal Right to Fully Funded Basic Ed

Fall 2007 35

The State Legislature

•The Basic Education Act of 1978 originally defined basic education and developed the staff-per-student ratios used in funding formulas.

•The Education Reform Act of 1993 significantly changed the definition of basic education and for the first time established high academic standards for all students.

4. Our Legal Right to Fully Funded Basic Ed

Fall 2007 36

But the Legislature has not revised the funding

formulas for basic education since 1978!

Think how much educational needs have changed regarding:

• Computers, classroom technology and internet access

• Counselors, nurses and social workers

• Specialists in reading and math

• ELL teachers, audiologists and other professional therapists

• Highly trained teachers for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs

4. Our Legal Right to Fully Funded Basic Ed

Fall 2007 37

5. Many Problems in State School Funding

1. Inequities in State Salary Schedule

2. Not Enough Funding for Student Needs

3. Not Enough Funding For Facility Needs

4. Not Enough Funding for Staff

Fall 2007 38

• Inequities in State Salary ScheduleGave Rise to Geographical Variation

Source: LEAP Document 12E Salary Allocations for the 2006-07 School Yearhttp://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/budget/leapdocs/k12docs.asp

Starting Salaries for School Employee Groups

2006-07 Salary Schedule

Certificated Instructional Staff Salary

Administrative Staff Salary

Classified Staff Salary

Highest District $33,377 $77,924 $33,970Lowest District $31,386 $46,485 $22,454

5. Many Problems in State School Funding

Fall 2007 39

Research:

Programs for students in poverty cost at least twice as much (100% more) as regular education.

Washington State:

Programs for students in poverty provide only

an additional 7% to 17%.

• Not Enough Funding for Student Needs

5. Many Problems in State School Funding

Fall 2007 40

9 students who require extra attention….

without extra staff, the burden falls on classroom teacher.

Lack of funding for student needs affects all students.

5. Many Problems in State School Funding

Fall 2007 41

The 20 School Districts with the Highest Poverty Rates

County School District Enrollment Poverty %1 Douglas Orondo 234 100%2 Klickitat Lyle 379 100%3 Grant Soap Lake 455 100%4 Douglas Bridgeport 748 98%5 Benton Finley 987 96%6 Okanogan Brewster 959 96%7 Douglas Palisades 39 95%8 Yakima Toppenish 3,324 94%9 Klickitat Roosevelt 26 92%10 Yakima Granger 1,372 90%11 Ferry Keller 45 89%12 Yakima Wapato 3,406 89%13 Yakima Mabton 937 88%14 Grant Wahluke 1,882 87%15 Yakima Mount Adams 1,039 84%16 Yakima Sunnyside 5,853 84%17 Yakima Grandview 3,354 81%18 Grays Harbor Lake Quinault 228 81%19 Grant Royal 1,424 77%20 Walla Walla Prescott 258 77%

20 District Total 26,949STATE 1,026,540 37%

Source: OSPI Data for School Year 2005-06

5. Many Problems in State School Funding

Fall 2007 42

School District Enrollment Poverty %1 Yakima 14,995 75%2 Highline 17,614 55%3 Tacoma 31,694 52%4 Spokane 30,950 49%5 Kennewick 14,919 41%6 Seattle 46,070 41%7 Mukilteo 14,332 40%8 Auburn 14,185 39%9 Vancouver 22,415 39%

Nine Districts 207,174STATE 1,026,540 37%

Nine of the State's 20 Largest Districts have Above-Average Poverty Rates

Source: OSPI Data for School Year 2005-06

5. Many Problems in State School Funding

Fall 2007 43

As Poverty Rates Increase, WASL Math Scores Decline

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

School District Poverty Rates 2006

Per

cen

t o

f 10

th G

rad

ers

Mee

tin

g

WA

SL

Mat

h S

tan

dar

d

Source: OSPI Data for School Year 2005-06

• Not Enough Funding for Student Needs

5. Many Problems in State School Funding

Fall 2007 44

• Not Enough Funding for Facility Needs

Utility costs are for electricity, heating, and water/sewage.

Utility Costs Increase Faster than Reimbursement Rates

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

2003-04 2004-05 2005-06

An

nu

al R

ate

of

Incre

ase

% Increase in Districts'Utility Costs

% Increase in StateReimbursement Rate

Source: OSPI, State Summary, General Fund Expenditures by Activity and State Apportionment Summaries

5. Many Problems in State School Funding

Fall 2007 45

• Not Enough Funding for Enough Staff

5. Many Problems in State School Funding

Fall 2007 46

• Not Enough Funding for All Staff

22% paid by Locals

78% paid by State

60,907

State-wide

Instructional Staff

State Legislature

Mandates Pay or Benefit Increase for State’s Instructional Staff

Local Funds

State Funds

5. Many Problems in State School Funding

Fall 2007 47

6. What Can You Do About the Crisis?

1. Vote Nov. 6th ’07 for a Simple Majority to Pass School Levies.

2. Advocate for the Redefinition and Full Funding of the State’s Basic Education Program.

Support On-Going Initiatives

+

Fall 2007 48

1. Vote for a Simple Majority for School Levies to:

• Preserve a critical part (16% avg) of WA K-12 Funding• Keep local dollars for local schools• Make your Yes vote count as much as a No vote

6. What Can You Do About The Crisis?

Local Property Taxes Contribute 16% to K-12 Revenues

10%

70%16% 4%20% Federal

State

Local property tax

Local non tax

Fall 2007 49

2. Advocate for the Redefinition and Full

Funding of State’s Basic Education

• Governor to appoint a Task Force charged with revising Basic Ed & developing new funding formulas for education system.

• In Sept. 2008, Task Force will recommend a phase-in plan for new K-12 funding and formulas.

6. What Can You Do About The Crisis?

Fall 2007 50

State Progress in Funding K-12 Ed

Even though the state increased K-12 budget by $1.7 billion,

• $841 million is needed to maintain current level of services and

• $902 million is for new investments, of which most (58%) is to improve the pay and benefits of existing teachers, classified staff and administrators.

The state still needs to add more staff and more resources!

K-12 Budget 2007-09 $13.5 billion

K-12 Spending 2005-07 -- $11.8 billion

Increase in K-12 Funds = $1.7 billion

6. What Can You Do About The Crisis?

Fall 2007 51

Who Advocates?

People are advocates! Individuals Local Units Councils Coalitions

6. What Can You Do About The Crisis?

Fall 2007 52

Where To Advocate?

Within your own normal circles – • your friends and peers• your school and PTA groups• your school board• your district administration• your unions• your local governments and agencies• WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS

– House Representatives– Senator

6. What Can You Do About The Crisis?

Fall 2007 53

Steps To Take Now

• Become informed– Enroll in PTA’s Action Alerts: You’ll receive PTA

emails in the legislative session, each with background info and a requested action on a specific issue.

– Read PTA’s Weekly “Grassroots Connection” weekly during legislative session, and the Bill Status Summary,

Go to www.wastatepta.org - Click on “Legislation”

• Educate others– Present this Ed Funding PowerPoint to your PTA group– Invite an Ed Funding PTA speaker to your next PTA

meeting

6. What Can You Do About The Crisis?

Fall 2007 54

Steps To Take Now

• Lend your support– Write or email your legislative representatives:

• Go to www.leg.wa.gov - Click on “Find Your Legislator”

– Write letters to the editors of local newspapers,

– Vote! Especially for a Simple Majorityon Nov. 6, 2007!

• Support WSPTA – Appoint a Local Legislative Chair for your PTA unit,

– Send the Local Legislative Chair or any interested member to PTA’s Legislative Assembly in October.

6. What Can You Do About The Crisis?

Fall 2007 55

Thank You

• For learning more about the funding of K-12 public education

• For understanding how the underfunding of Basic Ed has pervasive effects on our children’s opportunities

• For becoming more attentive to all education funding issues

• For speaking up and speaking out – share your new knowledge with everyone

• For taking action – to be aware, to ask questions, to be active, and to give more -- to participate in the solutions!

Thank you for letting us share this presentation!

www.wastatepta.org

6. What Can You Do About The Crisis?

Fall 2007 56

Sources & References

To Comment or Ask Questions Contact:• Your PTA Council or Local Legislative Chair

• A WSPTA Region Director, found at

www.wastatepta.org/regions/regions.htm

• WA State PTA Legislative Director [email protected]

• Washington State PTA at [email protected]

Additional Information Is Available From

• WSPTA Web Site: www.wastatepta.org/legislation.htm

Ver.1.0 w/o Narration - Billinghurst & Shutz - 09/06/2007

Fall 2007 57

Citations of information presented in this slide show

are available from the presenters.

Citations are in the PowerPoint notes& the “How-To” doc.

Sources & References