FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5823

C 132 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Repealing student improvement goals.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senator McAuliffe; by request of Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission).

Senate Committee on Education

House Committee on Education

Background:  In 1998 the Legislature required school districts to establish three‑year performance improvement goals to increase the number of students meeting or exceeding the reading standard on the fourth grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL).  At a minimum, the districts were required to adopt goals to decrease, by at least 25 percent, the number of students who did not meet the fourth grade reading standard.

In 1999 the Legislature added statutory goals in fourth and seventh grade mathematics.  By December 15, 2001, school districts were required to adopt goals that, by the 2003‑04 school year, would reduce by at least 25 percent, the number of students in those grades who did not meet the state's mathematics standards.

In 1999 the Legislature also gave the Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission the authority to adopt and revise, in rule, performance improvement goals in reading, mathematics, writing, and science.  In 2001 the commission adopted in WAC 3‑20‑100 three‑year goals in reading and mathematics for grades four, seven, and 10.  The commission retained the minimum decrease of 25 percent in the number of students who did not meet the state standards in those subjects.

Summary:  The current statutory performance improvement goals for fourth grade reading and fourth and seventh grade mathematics are repealed.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate425

House930

Effective:  June 13, 2002