Late this week, Governor Inslee addressed the Washington Student Achievement Council. The Governor shared with the Council his vision for education – early learning through graduate school.

Inslee opened with the recognition that pockets of excellence and innovation exist throughout the state and that it is his intention to spread these pockets to the entire state. To do this Governor Inslee put forth two primary goals for the Council.

The first is focused on alignment. The Governor asked the Council to work towards greater alignment within the education system to allow for the opportunity to take advantage of the new economy. In particular, to educate students so that they are equipped throughout their education with the skills necessary to take advantage of the new economy.

The second is centered on lifetime education. The Governor spoke to the need to shift away from focusing on one sector of the education system (i.e. K-12) and build a high quality lifetime education system at all levels. The intention is to create a system that allows Washingtonians to tap into education throughout their lifetimes and to recognize that education is changing every few years in fundamental ways.

The Governor also spoke about the opportunities that exist to partner with business to achieve the goals he identified.

Inslee followed his opening comments with the introduction of the newly appointed citizen board members to the board and shared with them and the other members of the Council that he believes there are challenges in education that are facing Washington, but that the culture of innovation in this state offers the chance to meet these challenges head on.

In closing the Governor highlighted his commitment to completion, closing the opportunity gap, and working to provide an education system that allows students to envision beyond high school their goals and dreams.  He closed by saying “no excuses, no exceptions, and excellence for all”.