Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Children, Youth & Families Committee
SSB 5553
Brief Description: Providing data regarding early STEM metrics in the STEM education report card.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Wilson, C., Das, Hasegawa, Lovick, Nguyen, Nobles, Randall and Wellman).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Requires the existing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Report Card to include data regarding early STEM metrics that is publicly available through the Early Learning Advisory Council and ongoing Department of Children, Youth and Families reports.
Hearing Date: 2/16/22
Staff: Lena Langer (786-7192).
Background:

In 2013 the STEM Education Innovation Alliance (Alliance) was established to advise the Governor and provide vision and guidance to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education initiatives, as well as other current or proposed programs and initiatives, from early learning through postsecondary education.

 

The Alliance was directed to develop a STEM Education Report Card to monitor progress in increasing learning opportunities and aligning strategic plans and activities to prepare students for STEM-related jobs and careers, with the longer-term goal of improving educational, workforce, and economic outcomes in STEM.  The report card must include certain information such as recent data of STEM indicators and measures and data regarding current and projected STEM job openings in the state.

 

The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) advises the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) on statewide early learning issues.  The ELAC and the DCYF must partner with nonprofit organizations to collect and analyze data and measure progress.

 

Beginning September 15, 2021, and each odd-numbered year thereafter, the DCYF must submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature outlining the availability and quality of services available to early learning providers and children from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and from low-income neighborhoods and communities.

 

Beginning September 15, 2022, and each even-numbered year thereafter, the DCYF must submit a report on the availability of supports to providers and their effectiveness at improving quality.
Summary of Bill:

In consultation with the DCYF, the Alliance must provide in the STEM Education Report Card data regarding early STEM metrics including outcomes data that is already publicly available through the ELAC and ongoing DCYF reports that address availability and quality of early learning services and supports for providers.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.