Sen. Christine Rolfes of Bainbridge Island has been appointed to serve as a member of Washington’s Education Accountability System Oversight Committee and the Quality Education Council.

Rofles, a 23rd District lawmaker, is currently serving a second term in the state Senate.

“We need to make sure that all children, across the state, are getting the quality education that our state constitution mandates,” said Rolfes (D-Kitsap County).

“As a member of these committees, I look forward to working with my colleagues to identify and fund proven, sustainable solutions for improving achievement for all students,” she said.

The Education Accountability System Oversight Committee will monitor the effectiveness of the state’s system of support, assistance and intervention in improving persistently low-performing schools and student achievement. The committee makes recommendations as necessary and submits a progress report to the Legislature every two years.

“In the past few years, we have enacted several significant education reforms in our state, yet we still have schools that are not able to escape the downward spiral they have fallen into,” Rolfes said. “I believe in our public school system, and that it is the Legislature’s responsibility to work with local communities to improve struggling schools.”

The Quality Education Council was created after the Legislature passed major education reforms in 2009. The council develops strategic recommendations for the implementation of a new definition of Basic Education and the financing needed to support it.

The council also identifies measurable goals and priorities for Washington state’s educational system over a 10-year period and produces ongoing strategies to help eliminate the achievement gap and reduce dropout rates.

“We need to make sure that our students and schools are receiving the support, funding and guidance they need to improve,” Rolfes said. “Both of these committees are working to ensure all Washington’s students have every opportunity to be successful and I’m excited to play an expanded role in legislative discussions.”

Rolfes said she will continue to play a leading role advocating for ample school funding and proven reforms through her positions on the Joint Select Committee on Article IX Litigation (the McCleary decision), and as assistant ranking member of the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee.