Two independent peer reviews commissioned by Governor Christine Gregoire's office have sharply criticized the work completed by the consultant for Washington Learns.

Both reviewers concluded that the $800,000 study is based on insufficient and poor quality evidence, that its recommendations are not likely to improve student achievement, and that it lacks accountability mechanisms to ensure effective and efficient spending.

Eric A. Hanushek of Stanford University and James R. Smith of Management Analysis & Planning, Inc., were asked by the governor's office to review the study drafted by Lawrence O. Picus and Associates (Picus). The study was part of the legislation (E2SSB 5441) that created the Washington Learns initiative and it forms the basis for many of the Washington Learns K-12 policy recommendations.

Among Hanushek's and Smith's findings:

1. "The evidence presented by [Picus] is simply not sufficient to guide policy. The research relied on by [Picus] is on average of low quality. It is also very selectively chosen from available work, apparently to make the expected outcomes look large." (Hanushek)

2. "The consultants set no priorities for which interventions may offer the highest payoff or the most 'bang-for-the-buck.' They appear to assume that any intervention associated with potentially improved outcomes should be implemented regardless of cost." (Smith)

3. "Unfortunately, were Washington to implement these recommendations, there is little reason to expect student achievement to improve measurably. The only outcome that could be expected with any certainty is that expenditures would dramatically increase." (Hanushek)

In a written response, Lawrence O. Picus and Allen Odden defended their report, in part, with the statement: "We were not asked to identify an accountability system. Had we been asked to do so, we would have recommended very strong accountability structures. This strategy would have included incentives for schools that increased student performance and consequences for schools and teachers that did not. We also would have proposed more school choice as part of trying to create a more competitive environment."

Prominent members of the Washington Learns initiative, including Governor Gregoire, have made accountability a key talking point. The original bill passed by the legislature requires the Washington Learns study to include a comprehensive review of "specific issues facing schools," including "assuring program accountability."

In a letter to the Washington Learns Advisory Committee Chairs dated July 14, Governor Gregoire specifically asked the Committee to identify the highest priorities for current education dollars and "the key elements of an effective accountability system that can track results."

A review by staff of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation did not find any discussion of these issues in the Washington Learns meeting minutes that followed, nor does the state contract with Picus and Associates require any development of accountability measures to ensure that current and new education policies and spending result in improved student achievement.

The total cost to taxpayers for the 18-month Washington Learns review that culminates in November is $1.7 million.

The fact that this process seems to be a waste of two million dollars is unsettling, but the real tragedy is the cost to students. We've been promised a world-class solution to our broken public school system and it looks like all we're getting for our kids is more of the same at a higher cost. We've had enough commissions. It's time to do what we know works.

The Evergreen Freedom Foundation believes parents and students should be empowered to choose the schools that best meet their individual needs and abilities (public, private or other), and that public dollars should follow students into those diverse schools.