Is there anything I can say or do that would help you see the importance of your setting aside something right now so you can get a couple friends to join you in asking the governor for help???!
Our message to Governor Gregoire:
"Please veto Sec 9 of ESHB 2065. This will allow flexibility to enact policy changes in ALE (Alternative Learning Experience) programs in ways that support students and save state dollars."
1. Go to: http://www.governor.wa.gov/
Cut and paste the message? or just type in the message:
If you wish, add something positive, polite and personal.
2. Call the fast, free "hotline" where a friendly operator is waiting for your call.
1-800-562-6000
Give you name and address so the operator can deliver the message.
Read the message to the operator.
Add something positive, polite and personal about online learning, if you like.
Please don't just read this and leave it up to someone else to do. Your email or hotline call could be the one that tips the scale for the governor to do the right thing for our kids!
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Background, if you want it?
Section 9 of ESHB 2065 is the section of law that directs OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) to cut 10% to 20% of the basic education funding for all students enrolled in ALE programs, including our children. The budget writers are counting on $41 million in "savings" from ALE programs.
We are proposing that they get those savings by restoring one hour/week of face-to-face teacher-student contact time for non-online ALE programs. Before 2005, students in all ALE programs were required to spend five hours/week contact time. In 2005 highly accountable online programs were funded. Online programs are now mandated to be individually approved and accountable to OSPI. As you know, there are many additional layers of accountability for every student enrolled in an online public school program.
If the governor vetoes Section 9, OSPI can make a rule change to re-establish limited contact time for non-online programs. Some ALE programs reaching part-time homeschool students from outside their school districts may not be able to provide time with a teacher for out-of-district students. If a certain percentage of families return to full-time home-school education for their children, OSPI reported that the savings to the state could restore full basic education funding to students in all ALE programs. They budgeted for other students to enroll in tradtional programs, if they wish.
Note: It's truly a sad day when any student in a public school program has funding for their basic education threatened to be cut, yet the reality is here. Tens of millions of dollars WILL be cut from the basic education funding for ALE students unless Governor Gregoire vetoes Section 9 of ESHB 2065 Wed.
We need to have our voices heard to preserve basic education funding for our online students while re-establishing teacher contact time for all other ALE programs. The governor has announced she will "be taking action" on ESHB 2065 on Wed at 2:30 in her office in Olympia. You message needs to be sent today to be read before she makes a final decision to sign or veto the legislation. She can't know what we're thinking, if we don't tell her. NOW! Please ask your friends to join you in sending messages to her TODAY!
