OLYMPIA – Students in about one-quarter of the state’s school districts will spend fewer than the mandatory 180 days in class this coming school year, according to statistics from the state Board of Education.
School administrators say the cuts – meant to give teachers more planning and training time – will help students learn more.
“A better-prepared staff has more potential for student impact,” said Pat Eirish, state Board of Education research and assistance program manager.
The 69 school districts that have requested or received a waiver to cut class time are part of an increasing trend, according to a state Board of Education report.
“Districts are recognizing the value of planning time. As long as students learn what they’re supposed to, it doesn’t matter if they did it in 175 days as opposed to 180,” said Larry Davis, state board executive director.
At least 90 school districts have taken advantage of the exemption in the past decade – one-third of the districts in the state.
Associated Press
Washington: More kids being vaccinated
Immunization rates for toddlers are rising in Idaho and Washington, public health officials said.
Both states saw a 2 percent increase in immunizations since 2003, according to statistics from the 2004 National Immunization Survey. More than 80 percent of Idaho children and more than 77 percent of Washington children received the standard series of immunizations, according to the study.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare uses a statewide electronic immunization registry, designed to remind parents when it is time to have their children immunized. Washington state is promoting a similar program.
Associated Press
Bangor: 19 arrested during protest at base
Nineteen demonstrators were arrested Monday at the Navy’s Trident submarine base here when they blocked a road leading into the base to commemorate the 60th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during World War II.
The protesters were arrested for investigation of disorderly conduct and failure to disperse, said Deputy Scott Wilson of the Kitsap County sheriff’s department. They were released after the arrests, and if past incidents are an indication, they are unlikely to be prosecuted, he said.
The demonstrators, from the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, typically stage demonstrations at the base at least a couple of times a year, to protest the U.S. nuclear arsenal, but notify the sheriff’s office in advance and essentially coordinate their own arrests, Wilson said.
Nobody was hurt in Monday’s demonstration. It began about 5:30 a.m. and involved dozens of people, and for about half an hour slowed traffic trying to get onto the base.
Associated Press
Elma: Burglars strike at UPS warehouse
A UPS warehouse in Elma was burglarized sometime over the weekend and a cargo van was stolen, said Chief Criminal Deputy Dave Pimentel with the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office.
Numerous packages were torn apart, and it’s unknown what is missing because the main computer was stolen, Pimentel said. The inventory was documented on the computer.
A brown 1985 GMC cargo van, license A92674J was also stolen.
The Daily World
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