Volunteers for I-1351 Submit Over 325,000 Signatures Unprecedented effort is clear sign of momentum to reduce class sizes For Immediate Release July 2, 2014 Olympia – Yes on I-1351/Class Size Counts today submitted over 325,000 signatures to Washington’s Secretary of State to reduce class sizes for K-12 public schools across the state. Washington currently ranks 47th out of 50 states in the nation in class sizes. The signatures delivered today were gathered using volunteers, demonstrating clear momentum for the campaign. “Over 325,000 voters are delivering a clear message that large class sizes are unacceptable and we must give our kids the attention they need to succeed,” said I-1351 Campaign Manager Mary Howes. “As a former teacher and mother of four children, I know how important individual attention in the classroom is to our kids.” Supporters are confident I-1351 will qualify for the November 2014 ballot. The 325,000 signatures submitted by volunteers are nearly 32% more than the 246,372 signatures required to qualify – well above normal error rates for ballot measures in the state. I-1351 phases in new investments in our schools over the next four years, lowering class sizes for grades K-3 to 17 kids, and for grades 4-12, to 25 kids. Under I-1351, high-poverty schools will have even lower class sizes. “With class sizes that are 47th in the nation, how can we expect our kids to learn?” asked Desi Saylors, a science teacher at Komachin Middle School and mother of a 5th grader and 1st grader. “Yes on I-1351 finally gives every child a quality education -- no matter where they live or their economic background.” “I enthusiastically endorse I-1351 because our kids deserve better than being 47th in the nation in class size,” said Randy Dorn, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Reducing class sizes is at the heart of the Legislature’s constitutional responsibility to provide Washington students with a quality education.” Class Size Counts is a statewide, community-focused organization working to pass I-1351, to alleviate overcrowded classrooms across our state. Numerous studies conducted in multiple states show a direct correlation between smaller class sizes and increased student performance at every grade level. For more information, contact: Mary Howes mary@classsizecountswa
Posted on: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 21:31:26 +0000
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