Performance data for our public schools

OLYMPIA – You cannot manage what you do not measure. It’s a long-standing business principle that Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, wants to bring to our public school system.

“Imagine trying to manage your car’s performance without a speedometer, gas gauge or oil monitor,” said Oemig. “That’s the situation we face with our public school system. We are driving blind.”

Today, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Oemig that would direct the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to study the establishment of a statewide student-teacher performance data system.

“In our public schools, one example of where we are failing is math,” said Oemig. “But we can’t even answer questions like: How many math teachers are there? What are their certifications? How many kids are in class? How many minutes of math class do kids have in a week?

Senate Bill 5843 would set up a pilot program to collect and study thorough educational data from two participating school districts.

“This bill will start us down the road of really understanding what our education dollars are buying,” said Oemig. “That’s good accountability to taxpayers, but it’s also good for policy. It’ll help us to buy more of the things that work and cut the things that don’t.”

The bill was approved by the Senate with only a single dissenting vote. It now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

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