Gov. Gregoire announced today her intention to create a single, cabinet-level Department of Education that will unite eight state education agencies. The new department will have full authority over the state’s entire education system -- from early learning to K-12 to higher education. In charge of it all will be a new Secretary of Education, appointed by the governor.
According to the governor’s office, the aim of the proposal is to cut down on the time the various agencies already spend trying to align their work and priorities.