Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2008

WASL at core of pitched battle for public schools chief

By Kaitlin Manry
Herald Writer

 OLYMPIA -- Longtime state superintendent of public instruction Terry Bergeson faces one of her toughest challenges against Randy Dorn, a former legislator who has the backing of the state teachers' union.

Many experts expect this to be the closest school chief race in recent memory. An independent pollster found in mid-September that more than half the people surveyed were undecided, with Dorn leading Bergeson among voters who had made up their mind.

Dorn, executive director of the state's union for classified school employees, has spent much of his campaign criticizing the Washington Assessment of Student Learning test. As a legislator, he supported the formation of the standardized test, but he says that Bergeson developed an exam that's too long and doesn't accurately measure students' learning.

If elected, he said he'd shorten the test considerably and, like Bergeson, would hold off making the science WASL a graduation requirement.

Bergeson acknowledges that there have been problems with the WASL, but she recently shortened the test and believes it is now clearer and better at measuring knowledge. She believes graduates are better prepared for their future now that students need to pass portions of the WASL or an approved alternative.

She says Dorn is focusing too much on the WASL at the expense of scores of other issues important to schools.

Schools throughout the state are tightening their budgets, and both Bergeson and Dorn have plans to help struggling schools.

Dorn wants to change the way schools are funded to give more money to schools with high percentages of students from low-income families and students who are learning English as a second language. Currently the state gives school districts a set amount of money for each student.

Bergeson is also looking at plans to change the way education is funded. She wants to give teachers higher pay and move away from a reliance on property taxes to help fund schools.

The superintendent of public instruction works with the state's 295 school districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than 1 million public school students. The schools chief also makes budget recommendations to the Legislature, but does not control school funding or policy.

The position pays $121,618 a year.

Reporter Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292 or kmanry@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA