Keep our best teachers? It's a "no-brainer."

Partnership for Learning and Stand for Children have sponsored a radio ad in support of HB 1443 that is running on radio stations across the state starting today, Wednesday, April 20. Listen to the ad here and read the text below. Also, read an op-ed in Publicola by Washington Roundtable President Steve Mullin.

Most important, call your legislators and tell them to stand for children. Urge a yes vote for HB 1443. 

Here's the text of the radio ad:

Our schools face some difficult choices: budget cuts and teacher layoffs.

 What do you think matters most when deciding which teachers to lay off?

Seniority or excellence?

It's a no-brainer, right?

Wrong.

When it comes to layoffs and teachers, excellence should trump seniority. But in Washington schools today, pink slips go to teachers with the fewest years in the classroom-regardless of their performance.

And guess what? Students suffer.

Our leaders in Olympia are listening. We say "thank you" to senators from both parties who voted to keep our most effective teachers in the classroom. And we urge House members to vote yes on HB 1443.

Because excellence in our classrooms should matter more than seniority.

Visit GreatTeachersWA.org to learn more and contact your legislators.