"What Will It Take"
Project for a Quality Education Model

The Rainier Institute undertook a study to research Washington’s basic education funding formula and create a quality education-funding model. The state formula, last modified in 1977, is outmoded because of significant changes in classroom technologies, stepped-up state and federal government performance standards, greater student complexity and increased social and security issues in the student population.

The Washington Quality Education Model is the culmination of a year of work by policy experts and stakeholders, including representatives from 18 statewide organizations including the Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission, Washington Education Association, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Association of Washington School Principals and Washington State Parent Teacher Association. The author of the “What Will It Take” report is Dr. David Conley, founder of the Center for Educational Policy Research at the University of Oregon; William Freund, an economist formerly with the state legislature, conducted and compiled financial research.

Designed as a policy development tool, the “What Will It Take” report is a data-dependent, scholarly work that is useful for any level of educator, researcher, and student interested in public education reform.

The "What Will It Take" report is available online only upon request.

Please note the file is 7.4 MegaBytes.

News Release

Rainier Institute to announce new vision of public school funding for Washington State

Executive Summary

"What will it take" Quality Education Model

In the Media

• Report says billions more needed to make schools adequate

  Article Appeared in the Seattle Post Intelligencer - April 4, 2003

• Study: $1.7 billion in additional spending needed for ideal school

  Article Appeared in the Seattle Times - April 4, 2003

• "What will it take"

  Audio Clip by KPLU's Jennifer Niesen - April 4, 2003

• Washington Quality Education study recommends $1.7 billion more for schools

  Article on the "Advocacy for Children's Success with Standards" Web Site

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