Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) • Jan. 15
Gov. Gregoire, addressing state legislators, gave herself high marks for overcoming budgetary difficulties and “creating a world-class, learner-focused, seamless education system that gives our kids a chance to get a good job” since taking office in 2005. She noted to the lawmakers that they have restored voter-approved programs to cut class sizes and increase teacher pay. The state has also helped school districts expand preschool and all-day kindergarten and provided incentives to teachers to earn national certification. Gov. Gregoire said the state’s Running Start for the Trades Program for high school students who do not plan to go to college has, in three years, doubled the number of apprenticeships in trades, to 14,500.
