A statewide essay contest this fall gives Washington's public high school students the opportunity to share their views about the quality of their education and its success in preparing them to live and work in a global economy.

Winning essays will earn $100 each for the students and their schools in each of the state's 49 legislative districts, plus $250 for one overall statewide winning essay.

Sponsored by the nonprofit Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS), the contest - which is detailed online at the NEWS Web site, www.waschoolexcellence.org - asks students to write a maximum 500-word essay on the following two-part question:

Washington's Constitution states that it is "the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children..."

In order to prepare you to live, work and compete in the global economy of today and tomorrow, what do you believe this education should include, and why? How well are our state's public schools succeeding - or not succeeding - in delivering the kind of education you need to be successful in life?

Entrants must be in grades nine through 12 and attending a public high school or public alternative high school in Washington state.

Deadline for receipt of essays is Friday, Oct. 24.

A panel of NEWS judges, education, civic and community leaders will select the top essays, which will be published on the NEWS Web site, submitted to the winner's local community newspapers for possible publication, and delivered to statewide and local elected officials.

To enter, or for more information, visit the web site at www.waschoolexcellence.org, email news@waschoolexcellence.org, or contact Moore Ink., 206-721-9540.

The Network for Excellence in Washington Schools is a coalition of community organizations, school districts, education associations, teachers and parents who believe the children of Washington State deserve a first-class, K-12 education.

Led by organizations like the Washington State PTA, the League of Women Voters, the Seattle Urban League, large and small school districts, and a broad base of other civic and education organizations, NEWS was formed when it became clear that action was needed to force the State to make good on its constitutional promise to each and every child in Washington.

A lawsuit filed by NEWS to reform K-12 funding is scheduled for trial in June.