Local Representatives Propose Early Childhood Development Bill

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By Chelsea Kopta

Summary

During the 105-day legislative session in Olympia, Republican Representatives Larry Haler and Shirley Hankins, from the 8th Legislative District, plan to propose a bill about early childhood development.

Story Published: Dec 15, 2006 at 6:46 PM PST

Local Representatives Propose Early Childhood Development Bill
The controversial WASL test will face the glare of state representatives next month. During the 105-day legislative session in Olympia on January 8, Republican Representatives Larry Haler and Shirley Hankins plan to propose a bill about early childhood development.

Haler and Hankins, representatives from the 8th Legislative District, said the bill will drastically change the way students are assessed for learning during standardized tests. Rather than taking the WASL test, Haler and Hankins are proposing an open-ended test that complies with international testing standards. Haler said the legislation is a model from a Delaware bill.

"Our education budget is our first priority," said Representative Larry Haler.

Both Democrats and Republicans are pushing for better education. Governor Christine Gregoire is pushing to spend millions more on math and science learning, but Representative Haler said it's a step tied to WASL, what he calls "a misguided test."

"W'e're the only state in the union that punishes our children for learning and the WASL is an instrument of punishment," said Haler. "That's what I'm hearing from parents."

Hankins said the key is not in the calculator - it's in the books. In Kennewick schools, when kids are taught to read at an earlier age their math skills grow equally.

"If kids can read, they can do just about anything there is," said Representative Shirley Hankins.

Haler holds the seat as the newly appointed leader of the Early Learning Children Services Committee. Statistically, early development children leaves grow ten to fifteen percent, according to Haler. It's a bill given the green light from last term that Haler wants to see permanently implemented now.

"I think we have something very positive to bring back to this district," said Haler.

The local representatives said they have a big job ahead of them. They have to convince 146 other legislators to pass the bill.

The legislature is scheduled to convene for the 2007 regular session on January 8, 2007 at noon.