"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The state's definition of basic education and the corresponding funding formulas must be regularly updated in order to keep pace with evolving educational practices and increasing state and federal requirements and to ensure that all schools have the resources they need to help give all students the opportunity to be fully prepared to compete in a global economy. The work of the Washington learns steering committee and the K-12 advisory committee provides a valuable starting point from which to evaluate the current educational system and develop a unique, transparent, and stable educational funding system for Washington that supports the goals and the vision of a world-class learner-focused K-12 educational system that were established in the final Washington learns report.
     This act establishes a joint select committee of the legislature to address the details necessary to develop new comprehensive K-12 finance formulas that will provide Washington schools with stable and adequate funding as the expectations for the K-12 system continue to evolve.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The joint select committee on basic education finance is established, with members as provided in this subsection.
     (a) The president of the senate shall appoint four members from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate and shall designate one member to serve as cochair.
     (b) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint four members from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives and shall designate one member to serve as cochair.
     (2) To address specific tasks in the committee work plan, the joint select committee may convene ad hoc work groups that include representatives of state education agencies and organizations, school district staff, business and community members, and others. The ad hoc work groups shall report to the joint select committee.
     (3) Staff support for the joint select committee shall be provided by the senate committee services and the house office of program research, with assistance as requested from the legislative evaluation and accountability program, the office of financial management, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and the Washington state institute for public policy.
     (4) Members of the joint select committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Members of ad hoc work groups are not entitled to expense reimbursement.
     (5) The joint select committee shall expire on January 1, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The purpose of the joint select committee established under section 2 of this act is to review the definition of basic education and all current basic education funding formulas and recommend for consideration by the full legislature, options for a new funding structure and all necessary formulas, along with a new definition of basic education, that is realigned with the new expectations of the state's education system as established in the November 2006 final report of the Washington learns steering committee and the basic education provisions established in this chapter.
     (2) The joint select committee shall first develop a work plan that identifies, in an ordered sequence, the aspects of the funding structure and funding formulas to be addressed by the committee and includes reporting timelines. At a minimum, the committee shall present a progress report by December 1, 2007, and a final report by December 1, 2008, to the education and fiscal committees of the senate and the house of representatives. The reports shall contain the joint select committee's recommended options for the funding structure and funding formulas addressed under the work plan during the previous year. The joint select committee may revise the work plan as necessary.
     (3) For each funding formula addressed, at least one of the options recommended by the joint select committee must be a redirection and prioritization within existing resources based on research-proven education programs. The options must also include projections of the expected effect of the investment made under any new funding structure.
     (4) In developing its recommendations, the joint select committee shall review and build upon the following:
     (a) Reports related to K-12 finance produced at the request of or as a result of the Washington learns study, including reports completed for or by the K-12 advisory committee;
     (b) High-quality studies that are available; and
     (c) Research and evaluation of the cost benefits of various K-12 programs and services developed by the Washington state institute for public policy as directed by the legislature in section 607(15), chapter 372, Laws of 2006.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The options developed by the joint select committee under section 3 of this act shall take into consideration the legislative priorities in this section, to the maximum extent possible and as appropriate to each formula.
     (2) Funding structures should reflect the most effective instructional strategies and service delivery models and be based on research-proven education programs and activities with demonstrated cost benefits. In reviewing possible strategies and models the joint select committee shall, at a minimum, consider the following issues:
     (a) Professional development for all staff;
     (b) Whether the compensation system for instructional staff shall include pay for performance, knowledge, and skills elements; regional cost-of-living factors; elements to recognize assignments that are difficult; recognition for the professional teaching level certificate in the salary allocation model; and a plan to implement the pay structure;
     (c) Voluntary all-day kindergarten;
     (d) Optimum class size, including different class sizes based on grade level and ways to reduce class size;
     (e) Focused instructional support for students and schools;
     (f) Extended school day and school year options; and
     (g) Health and safety requirements.
     (3) The recommendations should provide maximum transparency of the state's educational funding system to assist parents, citizens, and school personnel in Washington in understanding how their school system is funded.
     (4) Funding structures should be linked to accountability for student outcomes and performance.
     (5) The joint select committee shall also consider:
     (a) The role of the K-12 education system in building a world-class, seamless P-20 education system for Washington;
     (b) Providing students with an opportunity to acquire mathematics and science skills to meet international standards;
     (c) Creating personalized learning opportunities for students; and
     (d) Emphasizing student outcomes.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately."