On Tuesday, we heard the sweet sound of 46 state senators voting in favor of a new teacher and principal evaluation system that makes how much students are actually learning in the classroom a major factor in hiring and firing decisions.  For the first time, new teachers who are rated unsatisfactory will be prevented from getting tenure.  Even more ground-breaking is the fact that tenured teachers who are rated unsatisfactory two years in a row will be taken out of the classroom.

This landmark legislation is a triumph for the 1,035,000 children in public school in Washington and for every person who knows that a dedicated teacher can change a struggling student’s life.  Only three senators voted against it.

“It makes a statement from the Legislature, a strong statement, that we understand the quality of the teacher is the most important thing that we can control,” said Rep. Bruce Dammeier (R-Puyallup).  Along with Sen. Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island), Dammeier was part of the five person negotiating team that developed this bipartisan compromise. Gov. Chris Gregoire, Sen. Rodney Tom (D- Bellevue), Sen. Dammeier, Sen. Litzow and Rep. Eric Pettigrew (D-Seattle) each deserve our heartfelt thanks for their sustained support for this historic measure.

The bill now moves to the House, where it is expected to pass. Please email your House representatives and ask them to pass HB5895.

Our executive director Shannon Campion took to the air waves to talk about why the measure is good for Washington kids and why we have much work left to do. Listen to her inspiring take on progress in Olympia on KUOW’s the Conversation with Ross Reynolds on Wednesday.