March 2011
Research released in March, 2011 by Washington Policy Center, a non-partisan public policy think tank based in Seattle, provides key facts for the Lake Washington School District. Education budgets in Washington State are at historic highs, reaching $10,200 per student statewide.
Average teacher pay in this area (LWSD) is $58,981. Yet, only 59 cents of every education dollar reaches the classroom and public school students continue to lag in academic achievement.
Detailed research and ideas for reform are available in our study, “Eight Practical Ways to Reverse the Decline of Public Schools.” The following ared 2010 "Key Facts" for Lake Washington School District:
Schools and Students
• Number of students: 23,142
• Number of schools: 50.
Education Spending
• Total education 2009-10: $322.6 million
• Total per-student spending: $13,778
• Operations budget 2009-2010: $212.1 million
• Per-student spending, operations only: $9179
• Average teacher pay for ten-month work year: $58,981
• Average teacher pay with all benefits: $76,675
• Average administrator pay with all benefits: $143,603
• Superintendent’s pay without benefits: $211,098
• Number of employees paid over $100,000 a year: 73
• Education funds paid as dues to teachers’ union in May 2007-8: $1.7 million
Exam Results - 10 Measures of Student Progress and High School Proficiency
• 16% of fourth graders failed in reading
• 17% of fourth graders failed in math
• 19% of fourth graders failed in writing
• 17% of eighth graders failed in reading
• 38% of eighth graders failed in math
• 9% of tenth graders failed in reading
• 34% of tenth graders failed in math
• 7% of tenth graders failed in writing
• 28% of tenth graders failed in science
Lake Washington Schools Operating Spending per Pupil
2004 - 2005 $7419
2009 - 2010 $9180
Student Learning (Students in Washington state are entitled to 180 days of class time.)
• Number of full class days provided by Lake Washington Schools: 169
• High school on-time graduation rate: 92.6%
Summary of Key Facts about LWSD - http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/facts/key-facts-about-lake-washington-public-schools
Reported By: Kendra, Intern, Washington Policy Center, 3/4/2011
intern@washingtonpolicy.org
Washington Policy Center (WPC)
http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/
Do you want comment on this? Feel free. Or, send a Letter with your name and I'll post it. B.Y. redmondblog@gmail.com Republished in part. Edited by for brevity B.Y.
While the Washington Policy Center may be nonpartisan, it has an agenda for education that is reflected in how it presents this information. For example, rather than presenting the percent of students at standard on state tests, it focuses on the percent that did not pass. In addition, some of this information is not correct. For example, the district had 24,178 students in the 2009-10 school year and 24,330 in 2010-11. Total expenditures per student were $9289 in 09-10 and $9005 in 10-11. Teaching expenditures were 73% and 74% respectively. Number of classroom teachers was 1485 in 09-10 and 1518 in 10-11. That number includes specialists like music and PE teachers as well as librarians. The total number of teachers who taught core academic classes was 1340 in 2009-10 and 1339 in 2010-11.
ReplyDeleteA better source of information on the district is the Office for the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Go to www.k.12.wa.us and click on "State Report Card." You will be able to use the dropdown menu to find all of these statistics and more for every school district in the state.
Thank you, for your comments Ms. Reith. Occasionally, it's helpful to hear the test data presented from another, equally accurate point of view.
ReplyDeleteThe few numbers you quote as being incorrect don't appear too far off the mark.
I find this nonpartisan study serves a useful dialogue leading towards a truth we all seek.