College and Work Ready Agenda: An agenda for Washington's future

1. Strengthen the quality of early learning programs:

Develop school readiness indicators.
Strengthen regulatory oversight and implement a uniform rating system to evaluate the quality of child care and early learning programs.
Increase access to training opportunities for providers through college-based programs.

2. Improve math and science education and alignment:

Increase high school graduation requirements to four years of math, including achievement of a minimum of Algebra 2.
Approve a limited number of state math curricula, including professional development for teachers, and provide incentives for use.
Make the Washington Math Placement Test available to all 11th grade students as a tool for assessing progress and informing course-taking decisions.
Expand the successful Washington State LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform) program to enable schools to implement inquiry-based science curriculum and provide core instructional materials and professional development for teachers and school leaders.
Improve teacher credentialing in math and science and reduce out-of-field placements.

3. Increase production of bachelor’s degrees in high demand fields:

Fill existing capacity for the 2007-2009 biennium in high demand, high impact fields: computer science, engineering, life sciences, medical research, nursing and secondary teaching.
Expand capacity to produce 8,000 new degrees by 2010, and increase to 10,000 new degrees by 2020.
Study capital needs beyond current capacity and implement a public awareness campaign to help inform students, parents, and educators of opportunities in high-demand fields.

4. Enhance support for public university research and graduate education:

Preserve the commitment of public funds to the Life Sciences Discovery Fund.
Target additional investments to increase commercialization of academic research and attract leading scientists to our public universities.
Strengthen graduate degree programs in science and engineering.

Supporters of the College and Work Ready Agenda: American Electronics Association, Association of Washington Business, Columbia River Development Council, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance, Partnership for Learning, Prosperity Partnership, SIRTI, Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace-IFPTE 2001, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, Technology Alliance, Tri-City Development Council, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association, Washington Roundtable, WSA and Washington State Labor Council.

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