Superintendent Reykdal’s Vision & Measures of Progress

In Washington, different entities have oversight of the K–12 education system. The State Legislature adopts laws and sets school funding levels, while local school boards adopt school district budgets, hire school staff, adopt local policies, and select classroom curriculum. 

OSPI is responsible for creating an accountability framework for schools, setting standards on what students should know and be able to do at each grade level and in each subject, providing technical assistance and training to educators, distributing funding, certifying teachers, enforcing student civil rights laws, analyzing and publishing data on student performance, and more.

Measures of Progress

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal has a clear vision for educational excellence, and a clear set of expectations for student achievement that OSPI measures. To support student success, Superintendent Reykdal advocates for a variety of evidence-based supports.

Students show their learning and progress in school through a variety of measures. These research-based steps in a student’s journey are critical building blocks for successful students and schools:

  • Kindergarten readiness
  • 4th grade reading
  • Access to accelerated learning programs
  • 8th grade reading
  • 8th grade math, including access to Algebra I by 8th grade
  • Passing all classes in 9th grade
  • Participating in dual credit and earning college credit while in high school
  • Attending school regularly
  • Graduating from high school on time

Priority Areas

To create ongoing student achievement in a rapidly changing world, we have to rely on the Governor and Legislature to fund the evolving needs of young people, eliminate requirements that don’t lead to success, and add policies that will enhance opportunities for students. OSPI monitors student progress on the measures above and regularly recommends policy and budget changes to the Governor and Legislature to further improve student achievement. 

Among others, OSPI will advocate for the Legislature and Governor to support the following priorities over the next few years:

  • Fully funding the constitutionally required basic education that all Washington students are guaranteed. 
  • Restricting student access to mobile devices in our schools for the duration of the school day, with certain exceptions.
  • Strengthening postsecondary preparedness by requiring a Senior Year Launch Course, fully funding the statewide High School and Beyond Plan, and requiring seniors to register to vote and apply for financial aid.
  • Investing in professional learning opportunities for elementary teachers to improve their skills in teaching math.
  • Becoming a national leader in early childhood education by funding universal access to pre-K for every 4-year-old in Washington.
  • Ensuring each school has access to a qualified librarian to support students in learning media and information literacy.
  • Providing two years of tuition for postsecondary education and training at no cost to support students in completing degrees and earning industry credentials.

Washington state must commit —fully—to investing in our young people. We can be a state that lifts up each and every student, regardless of their background and circumstance, and gives them the tools and opportunity to meet their lifelong goals.