Brief Description: Requiring a revision of essential academic learning requirements and grade level expectations for mathematics.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Pflug, Holmquist, Zarelli, Swecker, Clements, Stevens, Roach, Hewitt, Delvin and Parlette).

Hearing Date: 3/20/07

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

In 1993, the Legislature directed the Commission on Student Learning (Commission) to develop the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs), which describe what students should know and be able to do in eight content areas, including mathematics. The EALRs in mathematics were initially adopted in 1995 and revised in 1997. The Commission also established performance benchmarks in the content areas at grades four, seven, and ten. The Commission completed its work in 1999 and was then dissolved. Current law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to periodically review the EALRs.

In 2002, the SPI began development of Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) for grades kindergarten through ten. The SPI released a refined version of the mathematics GLEs in September 2006.

As part of a Joint Mathematics Action Plan adopted in December 2006, the State Board of Education (SBE) has issued a Request for Proposals for a national consultant to conduct a review of the mathematics EALRs to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the current standards. The consultant will also recommend an appropriate methodology to benchmark Washington's mathematics performance to international standards. The SBE is also seeking interested individuals, including mathematics teachers, faculty, K-12 curriculum directors and administrators, parents, and business and community leaders, to serve on a panel that will assist the consultant.

Summary of Bill:

By September 2007, the SBE will recommend to the SPI revised EALRs and GLEs in mathematics. The recommendations will consider clarity, rigor, and coherence of standards; study of national and international standards and those in other states; and information presented during public comment. By January 2008, the SPI must revise the EALRs and GLEs and present them to the SBE and the legislative education committees. The SPI must adopt the revisions unless otherwise advised by the Legislature in the 2008 session.

The SBE will be aided by an expert consultant retained by the SBE and a Mathematics Advisory Panel (Panel). The Panel is appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House from a list of names submitted by each of the four caucuses. The Panel must have representatives from academia, business, and industry; educators in mathematics or science-related fields; parents; and at most two additional persons with specialized experience. The panelists must have no conflicts of interests and are compensated and reimbursed for travel expenses. School districts must be reimbursed for the cost of substitutes for the educators on the Panel. Panel members employed by public institutions of higher education must be provided time away from regular duties without loss of benefits and privileges.

By May 2008, the SPI must present to the SBE no more than three mathematics curricula with appropriate diagnostic and supplemental materials for elementary, middle, and high school grade spans that align with the revised EALRs and GLEs. The SBE must provide official comments to the SPI on the recommended mathematics curricula by June 2008, and the SPI must seek advice on the curricula from the Panel. Subject to appropriations and availability, at least one of the curricula in each grade span must be available to schools and parents on-line at no cost to the school or parent.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 15, 2007.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.