‘Diverse coalition’ is harmful

I read The Times’ Sunday editorial for A+ Washington and was compelled to write. [“A+ Washington moves ed reform forward,” Opinion, May 6.]

I think people need to know what groups are part of this “diverse coalition of statewide education groups.” What gives them the authority to write education policy? I challenge the assertion that this is “backed by a majority of voters and public school teachers” in a survey. I took that survey, and as surveys can sometimes be arranged, it funnels answers to a predictable conclusion I assume was wanted by that “diverse coalition.”

There is plenty of research out there that suggests that ed reform as pushed by this “diverse coalition” won’t work and is actually harmful to public education and the students who go to public schools. I firmly believe that the interests of this “diverse coalition” is not to help student achievement at all but to privatize public education and break public employee unions.

Read Diane Ravitch; look at studies done on salary incentives. Your brand of ed reform doesn’t work. A+ Washington is not an advocate of public education or its students. It is a front for special interests, and The Seattle Times has drunk the Kool-Aid.

— John Sadzewicz, Mount Vernon

No source of revenue

Once again, The Seattle Times has put forth the need for “moving education reform forward,” but without any real sustainable source of revenue to even begin “expanding access to prekindergarten.”

Quality of life for everyone in a community is an indisputable asset. In this state, we lack the most progressive, sustainable and fair way to support that quality and provide the revenue necessary for extending educational benefits to all Washingtonians. Even “businesses and high achievers,” in being protected from contributing their fair share, may see their own success diminish over time.

— Rachael Levine, Burien