SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5069

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 of January 18, 2019

Title: An act relating to increasing access to state career and technical course equivalencies.

Brief Description: Concerning access to state career and technical course equivalencies.

Sponsors: Senators Zeiger, Wellman, Conway, Wilson, C., Kuderer and O'Ban; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/21/19.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires that school districts provide high school students with the opportunity to access at least one career and technical education course that is considered a state equivalency framework by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

  • Requires that beginning September 1, 2021, any course determined to be a state equivalent course by OSPI must be offered by districts for academic credit.

  • Permits OSPI to adopt rules establishing the criteria for waivers from equivalency requirements.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)

Background: CTE Equivalency Courses. As defined in statute, career and technical education (CTE) is a planned program of courses and learning experiences that begins with an exploration of career options and supports basic academic and life skills. Each high school or school board in Washington is required to adopt course equivalencies for CTE high school courses, where the credit for CTE courses is determined to be equivalent to an academic course. Each school board must develop a course equivalency approval procedure, and must provide students the opportunity to access at least one CTE course that is considered equivalent to a mathematics or science course as determined by OSPI.

CTE Curriculum Frameworks. Current law also requires OSPI to develop curriculum frameworks for a selected list of CTE courses whose content is considered equivalent, in full or in part, to courses that meet high school graduation requirements. These frameworks are required to be developed in consultation with technical working groups and with public comment.

Equivalency Course Waivers. Beginning January 1, 2019, districts with fewer than 2000 students may apply to OSPI for a waiver from provisions relating to CTE course equivalencies. The State Board of Education is authorized to adopt rules establishing the criteria for evaluating these waivers.

Summary of Bill: Course Equivalences. School districts must provide high school students with the opportunity to access at least one CTE course that is considered a state equivalency framework, as determined by OSPI. Each high school or district may additionally adopt local course equivalencies for CTE courses that are not on OSPI's list of approved courses.

Beginning September 1, 2021, any course determined by OSPI to be a state equivalent course must be offered for academic credit.

Waivers. OSPI may adopt rules establishing the criteria for waivers from CTE equivalency provisions, as opposed to the State Board of Education.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 11, 2019.

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

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