SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6201

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 Senate Committee On:

Early Learning & K-12 Education, January 29, 2018

Title: An act relating to the openly licensed courseware.

Brief Description: Making the open educational resources project permanent.

Sponsors: Senators Liias, Zeiger, Carlyle and Palumbo.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/25/18, 1/29/18 [DP-WM].

Brief Summary of Bill

Removes the June 30, 2018, expiration date of state law relating to the library of openly licensed courseware.
Changes the standards to which the library must be aligned from Common Core standards to K-12 learning standards.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Rolfes, Vice Chair; Zeiger, Ranking Member; Billig, Hawkins, Hunt, Mullet, Padden, Pedersen and Rivers.

Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)

Background: Openly Licensed Courseware. Openly licensed courseware refers to teaching and learning materials that exist in the public domain or have been released to the public under an open license. These materials may be distributed, used, and modified without permission and free of charge.

In 2012, the Legislature tasked the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with identifying and developing a library of openly licensed courseware. The courseware library must be aligned with the Common Core State Standards, and registered in a way that allows authors or creators to retain the copyright.

OSPI is required to advertise the availability of openly licensed courseware to school districts, as well as provide professional development programs that support, and instruction regarding the usage of, open courseware. OSPI must report on the program to the governor and the education committees of the Legislature on a biennial basis, beginning December 1, 2013, and ending December 1, 2017.

The provisions of law concerning openly licensed education courseware expires on June 30, 2018.

Educational Learning Standards. OSPI is required under RCW 28A.655.070 to develop learning standards and oversee assessment based on these standards. In 2010, the Legislature authorized OSPI to adopt the Common Core State Standards. In the 2014-2015 school year, OSPI implemented the Washington State K-12 Learning Standards, which incorporated Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics.

Summary of Bill: The provision that the library must align with Common Core standards is removed, replacing it with K-12 Learning Standards. In addition, the expiration date for the chapter and the end date of the program reporting period are removed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Openly licensed courseware promotes educational access to all students. Decreased costs for courseware has led to districts being able to use funds elsewhere. The elimination of the expiration date will allow for increased development of the program. The openly licensed courseware project should be made permanent to continue cost savings.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Marko Liias, Prime Sponsor; Barbara Soots, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.