HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6136
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Education
Title: An act relating to removing concurrent enrollment requirement of algebra II for AP computer science courses to be counted as equivalent to high school mathematics.
Brief Description: Removing concurrent enrollment requirement of algebra II for AP computer science courses to be counted as equivalent to high school mathematics.
Sponsors: Senators Rolfes, Zeiger, Wellman and Hasegawa; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Education: 2/13/18, 2/15/18 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Santos, Chair; Dolan, Vice Chair; Stonier, Vice Chair; Harris, Ranking Minority Member; Muri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Johnson, Kilduff, Lovick, McCaslin, Ortiz-Self, Senn, Slatter, Steele, Valdez and Volz.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Hargrove and Stokesbary.
Staff: Katie Choate (786-7296) and Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:
For the class of 2019 and beyond, Washington requires public high school students to complete at least 24 credits to graduate. A student is required to take at least three credits of mathematics, three credits of science, and one credit of career and technical education.
The Advanced Placement (AP) program allows students to take college-level courses while still in high school. Students may earn college credit, advanced placement into upper-level college courses, or both, by earning qualifying scores on AP exams. Many colleges and universities recognize AP courses when making admissions decisions.
Each high school or school district board of directors must adopt course equivalencies for career and technical courses offered to students in high schools and skill centers. School boards must approve AP computer science courses, which are career and technical education courses, as equivalent to high school mathematics or science. In order for a school board to approve AP computer science as equivalent to high school mathematics, the student must be concurrently enrolled in or have successfully completed algebra II.
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Summary of Bill:
The requirement for a student to be concurrently enrolled in or have successfully completed algebra II for AP computer science to be counted as a career and technical course equivalent to high school mathematics is removed.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The bill provides equitable access to AP computer science classes. The intention of this legislation is not to suggest that AP computer science is equivalent to algebra I, and students will continue to be advised to take algebra II.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Shannon Thissen, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.