lesser of two WASLs

The News-Tribune's Peter Callaghan explains why Randy Dorn isn't quite the candidate WASL foes hoped for. Which is no surprise, really; if Semler hadn't dropped out, Dorn wouldn't even be in the race. He was hardly anyone's first choice.

Rich Semler Quits OSPI Race

The Tri-Cities Herald has the story of how Dr. Semler is quitting the race because of health concerns involving his wife, Ginny. Political blogger Chris Mulick has additional commentary here; you can also listen to his last radio interview as a candidate, which is the post right before this one.

This is a shocker. He addressed the WEA Rep Assembly last week, talked to the State PTA the week before that, and seemed to be good to go the distance. Semler dropping out of the race leaves only PSE Executive Director Randy Dorn as a serious candidate; a candidate whose business website touts his experience as an entertaining motivational speaker. If you dig deeper his bona fides look good, but with three months to go until the primary can he get the message out effectively enough to take this race to a general election?

Could any other candidate join the race today and still be able to get enough of a statewide profile to make a difference?

I doubt it. I think that Terry Bergeson just won the OSPI race by default.

Rich Semler sounds good on the radio box

I caught Rich Semler's appearance [mp3, 20:00 in] on the Dori Monson Show (Frank Shiers filling in) on KIRO this afternoon, and was impressed by his good humor, quick wit, and overall amiableness. I liked how Semler stressed the difference between being anti-WASL and anti-assessment. We can use less expensive, just as reliable instruments to get the results we need.

In an important interchange, Shiers asked Semler how he'd reform the WASL. A few steps:

1. Smarter use of multiple choice.
2. Get it back to teachers in 2-3 days.
3. 2-3 hour test, instead of days.
4. Testing complex thinking without taking 12-14 questions per student.
5. "Mime" systems like Delaware's.

It didn't help so much that Shiers, who's otherwise well-versed in educational issues, wasn't aware that Terry Bergeson is actually in the running, which perfectly illustrates the primary problem Semler faces. The Superintendent of Public Instruction just doesn't register on the average voter's radar.

If Semler can overcome that hurdle--and here, the ongoing publicity efforts by the WEA should help--he has a decent shot at an incumbent whose popular support, such as it is, weakens daily.

Ryan endorses Rich Semler

Our own Ryan, that is.

In short, I think Richard Semler would make a hell of an SPI. I like the knowledge base he showed, I liked his specific suggestions for improving the system, and I think he can bring a perspective to the job that would benefit education as a whole.

Semler faces incumbent Terry Bergeson and a couple other challengers--David Blomstrom and Donald Hansler. So far, given the beating Bergeson's policies have taken lately, I like Semler's chances.

Rich Semler Website Up and Running

Richard Semler, the former Richland superintendent who is Terry Bergeson's main competition in the OSPI election this November, has gotten out with his website first at RichSemler.com. It looks good; I'm hoping they'll get more thoughts from Dr. Semler himself on the state of Washington education today.