With the balance of power in the state Legislature appearing to swing back to the Democrats, state Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe hopes to regain the top spot on the Senate Education Committee.

The Washington Education Association has told its 76,000 members that the Bothell Democrat is likely to be named chairwoman of the committee, a post she held before Republicans took control of the Senate two years ago.

“She is one of public education’s staunchest allies in Olym-pia,” WEA leaders wrote in a post-election newsletter.

McAuliffe would take over at a critical juncture for education in Washington. While the state faces up to a $1 billion budget shortfall, many education groups and lawmakers, including McAuliffe, argue that the Legislature will need to invest more money into ensuring that students have the knowledge to pass rigorous state exams.

As it stands, the class of 2008, this year’s freshmen, will need to pass Washington Assessment of Student Learning reading, math and writing exams in order to graduate.

“We have to have the resources we need to get there,” McAuliffe said.

She also wants to see the state offer alternative assessments to WASL exams for some students, or lower the threshold for passing.

Rep. Dave Quall, D-Mount Vernon, chairman of the House Education Committee, said he looks forward to working with McAullife.

“I think we are both looking at the issue of high-stakes testing being a major issue,” he said.

Quall wants to see what assessment options the state superintendent of public instruction comes up with during the upcoming legislative session.

“I’m not in favor of waiting until (2008) or even (2007) to make a decision,” he said.

Education funding will be a hot issue during the session, others predict.

“It’s the most important time since education reform got started in 1993,” said Jennifer Vranek, executive director of the Partnership for Learning, a business-backed organization that monitors the state’s education reform efforts.

“Sen. McAuliffe, perhaps more than the last time she was chairwoman, is really going to have to work with the Ways and Means chair and the majority leader,” Vranek said. “She is going to have to make the most persuasive arguments as to why education is the No. 1 priority in the budget.”

McAuliffe said the state will need to invest more into improving education, including fully paying for Initiatives 728 and 732, passed in 2000 and which were meant to improve student achievement and increase teacher salaries.

Facing a budget shortfall two years ago, the Legislature suspended cost-of-living raises for teachers and restricted how much money would go toward smaller class sizes and extra tutoring for struggling students.

“We can’t continue to cut school district funds and not fund 728 and 732,” McAuliffe said.

McAuliffe was first elected to the Senate in 1993 and is the ranking member on the Senate Education Committee. She served on the Northshore School Board from 1977 to 1991.

Before the Nov. 2 general election, Republicans held a 25-24 majority in the Senate. With election results due to be certified on Wednesday, Democrats are leading in 15 of the 28 races. If the trend holds, they would have a 26-23 majority, paving the way for control of the Senate’s 17 committees.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.