But the WASL itself is not education reform. Rather it is a tool that highlights those areas that the state, schools, teachers, students and their parents must work on. And because education reform has an accountability element that is being implemented, educators are motivated to improve their performance to meet standards. Parents and others also are stepping up to the challenge. In November, Washington voters handily approved a school-funding initiative that gives schools more money for programs designed to improve school performance.
Education reform is a long and seemingly too slow process.
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