The Quality Education Council (QEC) was created by the Legislature in ESHB 2261, the major education reform bill passed during the 2009 session. Its purpose is to develop strategic recommendations for implementation of a new definition of Basic Education and the financing necessary to support it. Superintendent Randy Dorn chairs the Council.

In addition to guiding implementation of the bill, the QEC must also:

• Develop strategic recommendations and update those every four years.
• Identify measurable goals and priorities for a 10-year period for the educational system, including ongoing strategies to eliminate the achievement gap and reduce dropout rates.
• Consider the OSPI system capacity report.

QEC members include four state representatives and four state senators (with equal representation among Democrats and Republicans), the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Director of the Department of Early Learning, one appointee chosen by the Governor, and representatives from the State Board of Education and the Professional Educator Standards Board.

Meeting dates, agendas and materials can be found here.

The Council is expected to return its first report to the Legislature by January 1, 2010.

Learn more about the history of ESHB 2261 and link to members’ associated Web sites.