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                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6157

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                                        AS AMENDED BY THE FREE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

 

                                                                            C 256 L 88

 

 

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

 

By Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senator Bailey)

 

 

Read first time 1/20/88.

 

 


AN ACT Relating to student learning objectives; and amending RCW 28A.58.090 and 28A.58.085.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

        Sec. 1.  Section 1, chapter 90, Laws of 1975'76 2nd ex. sess. as last amended by section 9, chapter 505, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.58.090 are each amended to read as follows:

          Every school district board of directors, being accountable to the citizens within its district as to the education offered to the students therein, shall((, based on the timeline established by the superintendent of public instruction, develop)) include as part of the self-study procedures required under RCW 28A.58.085, the development of  a program identifying student learning objectives for their district in all courses of study included in the school district programs:  PROVIDED, That each school within the district, as a part of the self-study process, shall review the district learning objectives for each course of study and may identify additional or special learning objectives which are applicable to the particular school.  ((The school district must evidence community participation in defining the objectives of such a program.  The program of student learning objectives shall assure that the district's resources in the educational program, such as money, facilities, time, materials and personnel, are used so as to provide both economies in management and operation, and quality education in all subject areas and courses.  The learning objectives shall be measurable as to the actual student attainment; student attainment shall be locally assessed annually.  The student learning objectives program shall be reviewed at least every two years.  However, a school district may instead provide for the periodic review of all or a part of its student learning objectives program in accordance with the time schedule the district has established for the periodic review of curriculum or the periodic review and selection of textbooks, or in accordance with the time schedule for self-study as provided under RCW 28A.58.085, if and to the extent the curriculum or textbook review processes include the review or self-study of the district's student learning objectives program.  Periodic review shall take place at least every seven years.  In developing and reviewing the learning objectives, districts shall give specific attention to improving the depth of course content within courses and in coordinating the sequence in which subject matter is presented.

          The superintendent of public instruction  shall review implementation of the learning objectives law biennially.

          The state board of education shall examine the programs in each school district in the state for reasons of program approval as required in accordance with RCW 28A.41.130, as now or hereafter amended.

          School districts may obtain assistance in carrying out their duties under this section from the educational service district of which they are a part.)) In developing a program to identify student learning objectives, or in reviewing a student learning objectives program already established, districts are encouraged to consider the activities, developments, and results of the work of the temporary committee on the assessment and accountability of educational outcomes pursuant to the provisions of RCW 28A.100.010 through 28A.100.026.

 

        Sec. 2.  Section 2, chapter 349, Laws of 1985 and RCW 28A.58.085 are each amended to read as follows:

          Each school district board of directors shall develop a schedule and process by which each public school within its jurisdiction shall undertake self-study procedures on a regular basis:  PROVIDED, That districts may allow two or more elementary school buildings in the district to undertake jointly the self-study process.  Each school may follow the accreditation process developed by the state board of education under RCW 28A.04.120(((4))) (6), although no school is required to file for actual accreditation, or the school may follow a self-study process developed locally.  Whatever process is used must focus upon the quality and appropriateness of the school's educational program and the results of its operational efforts.

          Any self-study process must include the participation of staff, parents, members of the community, and students, where appropriate to their age.

          Emphasis throughout the process shall be placed upon:

          (1) Achieving educational excellence and equity;

          (2) Building stronger links with the community; and

          (3) Reaching consensus upon educational expectations through community involvement and corresponding school management.

          The initial self-study process within each district shall begin by September 1, 1986, and should be completed for all schools within a district by the end of the 1990-91 school year.

          The state board of education shall develop rules and regulations governing procedural criteria.  Such rules and regulations should be flexible so as to accommodate local goals and circumstances.  Rules and regulations may allow for waiver of the self-study for economic reasons and may also allow for waiver of the initial self-study if a district or its schools have participated successfully in an official accreditation process or in a similar assessment of educational programs within the last three years.  The self-study process shall be conducted on a cyclical basis every seven years following the initial 1990-91 period.

          The superintendent of public instruction shall provide training to assist districts in their self-studies.

          Each district shall ((annually)) report every two years to the superintendent of public instruction on the scheduling and implementation of their self-study activities.


                                                                                                                          Passed the Senate March 10, 1988.

 

                                                                                                                                       President of the Senate.

 

                                                                                                                          Passed the House March 10, 1988.

 

                                                                                                                                         Speaker of the House.