Dori: Masks on school buses? Sad test scores? Data disagreements with state superintendent

Mask mandates continuing on public school buses in Washington state, but ending in school buildings? Results from 2021 student test scores? Tracking youth suicide in Washington?

Their data may differ, but neither Dori Monson or Chris Reykdal, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction, back down from an opportunity to spar about the most painful and challenging issues facing today’s kids and families.

Dori: Despite pushback, Washington students’ COVID mask-less ‘walk-ins’ go viral

Gov. Inslee announced this week that the statewide indoor mask mandate that requires students to wear masks will be lifted March 21. But during a Friday interview, Dori asked Reykdal: “Why not on school buses? Where is the logic?”

Meanwhile, school boards in Richland (part of the Tri-Cities) and Kettle Falls (at Columbia River’s upper reaches near the Canadian border) said they would not wait for the mask drop. Both announced plans this past week to dismiss on-campus mask mandates one month before Inslee’s statewide timeline — though Richland’s school board has since voted to match the March 21 date.

And the abysmal results from math and English proficiency test scores the state revealed last week? “What’s up with that?,” Dori asked.

Dori cited results showing only 30% of Washington students in grades 4-11 met math proficiency in Washington between 2019-2021; during that same period, 52% met state English standards.

Reykdal disagreed with the influence Dori claims Black Lives Matter plays in the classroom. Dori stood firm against Reykdal’s claim that racial and social justice aren’t overtaking lessons in English, social studies, and math classes.

“Dori Monson listeners everywhere, listen to me: I am Chris Reykdal, superintendent of public schools. There is no place spending bell-to-bell on this issue. They might infuse it, because racial justice is history,” the superintendent countered in his rebuttal to Dori’s argument.

“Your characterization is simply not true,” he said to Dori.

“Yes, the words ‘Black lives matter’ are an undeniable truth,” Dori retorted. “But the organization that wants to disrupt our nuclear family? Do we believe that disrupting the nuclear family is a good thing?”

“You always leave me at a loss for words,” Reykdal responded. “None of this is part of the system in our public schools.”

Listen to Dori’s entire interview with Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal:

Listen to the Dori Monson Show weekday afternoons from noon – 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.