Quality Education

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Significance

Education that is high quality and culturally appropriate and allows each student to reach his or her full learning and career potential.

Equal access to education has troubled our nation for centuries. Education is a platform for future career success; however, many students, including low-income and students of color, face barriers to obtaining educational success. Low educational attainment correlates in many cases with decreased job opportunities, unemployment, and higher rates of poverty. Education access is necessary to sustain employment and improve economic opportunities that allow people to reach their full career potential.

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High Quality Education

Third Grade Reading Proficiency

Third grade is a significant time in education. Up until third grade, children are learning to read. After third grade, children are reading to learn. Third grade reading is a significant predictor of eighth grade reading proficiency. The struggle to attain new information while also improving reading comprehension contributes to the existence of the readiness gap. Through supporting early learning, the State can work upstream to get ahead of poor educational outcomes.

Fourth Grade Math Proficiency

Early learning competency in mathematics is an important preparation for Washington youth to successfully learn STEM skills and compete in the marketplace.

teacher stands at the front of a classroom full of children

Culturally Appropriate Education

English Language Learners (ELL) Making Progress Learning English

Making progress learning English is an important contributor to student success. Through improving student success in learning English, the State can increase the likelihood that English Learner students will be able to learn and succeed in all their courses.

Parent Perception of Cultural Responsiveness

Parent engagement is an important piece of student success. Engaging parents who come from non-dominant communities and identities in a way that is culturally responsive can boost critical relationships and help support student success. Lack of cultural relevance can be a barrier for parents who seek to engage and support their children’s education.

Learning Potential

On-Time High School Graduation Rates

Most living-wage jobs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. High school completion prepares students to go on to college, into the job market or to apprenticeship training programs. On average, high school graduates earn more than peers who did not complete high school or obtain an equivalent.

Dropout Rates

A high school diploma is increasingly a basic standard for employment; students who do not obtain a high school degree have significantly different lifetime earnings than those who complete further education. Students who drop out of high school are at a greater risk of being both unemployed and not connected to education, setting them on a course where it is difficult to achieve success. By reducing the number of students who drop out of high school, the State can impact graduate rates and student success.

Discipline Rates

Research shows that schools with higher rates of suspension and expulsion are likely to have lower graduation rates when compared to those schools with lower suspension and expulsion rates. Following this logic, students who are not in school cannot learn and are at higher risk for drop out.

Career Potential

Direct Enrollment

Not all students who complete high school enroll directly in college. Direct enrollment is a key part of the education to career pipeline. Those who complete college tend to have higher earnings and career success rates compared to those without a college degree.