With all the discussion of the two gun measures on the November ballot, and the 4th. District Congressional Race,  this initiative isn't getting a large amount of attention.  But one notable group says it won't fulfill it's purpose.

Initiative 1351, or I-1351, proposes to reduce class sizes in Washington state public schools down to no more than 17 students kindergarten through 3rd, and no more than 25 4th through 12th. grade.  It would also require districts hire over 25,000 new staffing positions to fulfill these reductions, but the bill doesn't have any funding tied to it.

The idea behind reducing class sizes is tied by supporters of the bill, to better student performance.  Opponents say WA state already ranks nearly the highest in average money spent per student (over $11,000 annually) but test scores and performance have not necessarily improved.

The Washington Policy Center is an independent, non-partisan (political) group "dedicated to making sound policy decisions based upon free market (non-governmental) solutions" according to their website.   The WPC  has engaged in numerous debates and forums around the state, and believe I-1351 won't achieve it's lofty goals.  According to the Center:

*I-1351 would cost new teachers an extra $1,000 a year.   State law says public school teachers must pay the union, the Washington Education Association (WEA) or be fired.  If the initiative passes, all new teachers hired after it goes into effect would pay this 'fee.'  Paying union dues or fees is a condition of employment for public school teachers.

*I-1351 contains no funding provisions, so the WPC says school districts would have to divert money from other programs to hire additional staff to reduce class sizes.   Money would be taken from smaller classes to compensate for larger ones.   If a tax were enacted to pay for it,  economists say the state sales tax would have to rise from 6.5% to 8.0%.   It's estimated it would, on average, cost each household about $1,600 annually.

*The WPC says reducing class size doesn't make a "bad" teacher a better one.   According to Chris Cargill, Eastern Washington Executive Director of  the WPC and other experts, supporters of I-1351 are using outdated information when they say Washington ranks 47th worst in class size.  The Center says these figures don't include legislative  money already appropriated the last two budgets for more teachers, to reduce class sizes.

*Based upon the $1,000 new teacher fee paid annually, the WPC says the WEA would reap an extra $7.4 million each year, on top of the $33 million they already receive.   WPC officials say that's why WEA leaders are spending about $3.5 million dollars to try to get it passed.

The WPC has gone as far to suggest the primary reason behind I-1351 is to actually provide more financial benefit to the powerful teachers union, the WEA.

 

 

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