Education Funding 101. In fall 2005, a coalition of organizations committed to education advocacy put together a presentation providing an introduction to Washington State Education Funding. We have subsequently taken this presentation (click here for presentation)  to over forty PTAs and other groups in the Seattle area.

As you look through these slides, remember: citizens can make a tremendous difference. The challenges are huge, but the truth is that people (individually and collectively) can make a difference. You do not need to be a financial analyst or a school finance expert. You do need to be willing to work hard, you need to recognize what you do not know, and you need to be passionate about learning more. Come up with good ideas and people will take you seriously - fast. 

But for the majority of people that have not done politics before, we remind them: lots of good ideas do not get traction. At the end of the day, what wins is not necessarily the best idea. What wins is the idea that gets a majority vote: on the Seattle School Board that means 4 votes, at the City Council that means 5 votes, and in Olympia that means 75 votes. (Unless it is a school levy or bond, then you need a super majority of 60% to win!)

This presentation will give you some basic facts about Education Funding in the State of Washington and how it relates to funding realities in Seattle (including the upcoming February 6, 2007 Levy/Bond vote) so that you can become a more effective advocate for all students. You can make a difference!

Lisa Macfarlane, League of Education Voters