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Education Publications
The Finnish education model: Highlights, resources and research
11.30.2012
| Finnish students are among the best in the world. Their success has come through a system that would seem unorthodox here in the United States: no standardized testing, no private schools, fewer hours in school, teacher autonomy, full national funding, and equality in education, among other things. This document highlights some of the distinguishing characteristics of the Finnish education system, in hopes of catalyzing further conversation and exploration.
Pay It Forward: Refinancing Higher Education to Restore the American Dream
10.26.2012
| Growing numbers of Washington’s high school
graduates are losing their shot at the American
Dream, as the long-term decline in state funding
for higher education pushes tuition costs out of reach for middle-class
families. It is time to radically rethink how Washington state finances
its public colleges and universities, so the American Dream stays within
reach of every student willing to put in the time and effort to succeed
in school.
As costs rise at Washington’s public universities, students and families are “Losing by Degrees”
07.27.2009
| Washington State is falling behind in the effort to build a world
class education system as continued cuts in state funding and the corresponding
tuition hikes mean fewer, more expensive slots at public universities
and colleges for Washington families. “Sticker shock” is likely to
drive down applications from low-income and minority students despite
increased financial aid, while middle-income graduates take on more
debt to pay for school. With public funding for state higher education
at a 30-year low, Losing
by Degrees calls on state leaders to identify new sources of public
revenue to increase public investment in higher education in order
to build a more competitive economy, and warns of lost economic security
and decreased business competitiveness if no action is taken.
Washington State education funding and tax reform
05.01.2009 | Washington State must ensure public investment in education keeps up with the needs of today's students and tomorrow's economy. A more modern tax system that is fair to middle-class families will fuel long-term economic growth and keep the doors to personal opportunity open for everyone. Presented by Marilyn Watkins, Policy Director, Economic Opportunity Institute at the Washington PTA State Convention.
| Part One | Part Three | Part Five |
| Part Two | Part Four | Part Six |
A Failing Grade: "High-Tuition/High-Aid"
04.08.2009
| In the face of impending budget cuts to higher education, Washington
policymakers are considering adopting a “high-tuition/high-aid” model
that significantly increases tuition, partly offset with more financial
aid. The assumption of this approach is that students who can afford
it pay more; those students who cannot, benefit from larger financial
aid packages. But the experience of universities that have adopted
this model shows that high-tuition/high-aid preserves neither access
nor quality.
The Full Story on Full Day
07.01.2007
| Despite evidence that full-day kindergarten helps to enable the success
of our children and families and enhance the state's economic vitality,
availability of full-day kindergarten in Washington is limited and
funding remains inadequate.
Full Report
»
Strategic Pathways Toward Statewide Universal Pre-Kindergarten and Full-Day Kindergarten in Washington State
07.01.2004 | The evidence is in on the benefits of high-quality early learning programs, but Washington State has yet to create an integrated system of pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten with well-trained teachers and adequate public funding. This brief reviews successful, promising models in the state and lays out possible routes for secure public funding to make universal pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten a reality. Full Report »
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Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License
from the Economic Opportunity Institute. Liquid layout thanks
to Matthew James Taylor.