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ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2261
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State of Washington61st Legislature2009 Regular Session

By House Education Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Sullivan, Priest, Hunter, Anderson, Maxwell, White, Quall, Liias, Dammeier, Rodne, Wallace, Pedersen, Kelley, Goodman, Springer, Hope, Nelson, Miloscia, Carlyle, Hunt, Morris, Morrell, Probst, Pettigrew, Eddy, Simpson, Kenney, Moeller, Smith, Condotta, McCoy, Kagi, Chase, Rolfes, Clibborn, Ormsby, Haler, and Cox)

READ FIRST TIME 03/03/09.   



     AN ACT Relating to education; amending RCW 28A.150.200, 28A.150.210, 28A.150.220, 28A.150.250, 28A.150.260, 28A.150.390, 28A.150.380, 28A.150.315, 28A.230.090, 28A.305.130, 28A.160.150, 28A.160.160, 28A.160.170, 28A.160.180, 28A.160.190, 28A.150.410, 28A.165.005, 28A.165.015, 28A.165.055, 28A.180.010, 28A.180.080, 28A.185.010, 28A.185.020, and 28A.225.200; adding new sections to chapter 28A.150 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.410 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.305 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.655 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.500 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.79 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.160 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW 28A.150.030, 28A.150.060, 28A.150.100, 28A.150.040, 28A.150.370, 28A.155.180, and 28A.150.205; and providing effective dates.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   INTENT. (1) In enacting this legislation, the legislature intends to fulfill its obligation under Article IX of the Washington state Constitution to define and fund a program of basic education for children residing in the state and attending public schools. This act defines the educational opportunities that school districts shall provide and for which the state shall allocate funding.
     (2) The legislature also intends that the policies and allocation formulas in this act fulfill the legislature's obligation under Article IX to establish a general and uniform system of public schools. The legislature finds that in some instances providing general and uniform educational opportunity requires tailoring basic education allocations to reflect certain needs and circumstances of each school district, including district size, certain student characteristics, and regional labor market differences. It is the intent of the legislature that these allocation formulas address these differences in order to promote equity and uniformity of educational opportunity.
     (3) Public education in Washington State has evolved since the enactment of the Washington basic education act of 1977. Student demographics, educational technology, data, and standards-based learning and assessment are only a few examples of factors affecting education that have changed in the last thirty years. Decisions by the courts have played a part in this evolution, as have studies and research about education practices and education funding. The legislature finds ample evidence of a need to redefine the program of basic education that is funded by the state and delivered by school districts to better align with the stated goals of a basic education and to improve the transparency and accountability of how the state meets its constitutional obligation under Article IX.
     (4) For practical and educational reasons, wholesale change of the program of basic education and the funding formulas to support it cannot occur instantaneously. Financial experts must develop the details of the funding formulas. New systems of educator certification, evaluation, mentoring, and compensation must be developed and implemented. Data and accountability systems must be created. Significant increases in resources for staffing and class size reduction will have detrimental impact on student learning if school districts hire unprepared teachers and lack facilities to house them. The legislature intends to adopt a schedule for the concurrent implementation of the redefined program of basic education and the resources necessary to support it, beginning in the 2011-12 school year and phased in over a six-year time period.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   INTENT TO MAKE NECESSARY CORRECTIONS. It is the intent of the legislature that the policies and allocation formulas adopted under this act, including the implementation schedule for these formulas, constitute the legislature's definition of basic education under Article IX of the state Constitution. It is the further intent of the legislature that these policies, formulas, and schedules should not be revised or delayed other than for educational reasons. The legislature intends, however, to continue to review and revise the formulas and schedules and may make revisions for technical purposes and consistency in the event of mathematical or other technical errors.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   STEERING COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE IMPLEMENTATION. (1) The basic education steering committee is established to monitor and oversee implementation of the new definition of basic education. The steering committee shall be composed of the following members:
     (a) Four members of the house of representatives, with two members representing each of the major caucuses and appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (b) Four members of the senate, with two members representing each of the major caucuses and appointed by the president of the senate; and
     (c) One representative each from the office of the governor, office of the superintendent of public instruction, state board of education, professional educator standards board, and department of early learning.
     (2) The chair or cochairs of the steering committee shall be selected by the members of the committee.
     (3) The steering committee shall monitor and oversee the following technical working groups:
     (a) The finance and compensation working group under section 112 of this act;
     (b) The early learning working group under section 113 of this act; and
     (c) The achievement gap working group under section 4 of this act.
     (4) Each of the working groups shall submit a preliminary report to the steering committee by November 15, 2009, and a final report by September 1, 2010. The steering committee may also request updates and progress reports from the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education, the professional educator standards board, and the department of early learning on the implementation of this act. The steering committee shall also monitor and request updates and progress reports from groups or agencies developing comprehensive education data systems.
     (5) The steering committee shall submit an initial report to the governor and the legislature by January 1, 2010, detailing its recommendations based on analysis of reports from the working groups and state agencies, including recommendations for resolving issues or decisions requiring legislative action during the 2010 legislative session, and recommendations for any funding necessary to continue development and implementation of this act. The initial report from the steering committee shall also contain a recommended schedule for the concurrent phase-in of any changes in the instructional program of basic education and the implementation of the funding formulas and allocations to support the instructional program of basic education. The objective of the schedule is to assure that increases in funding allocations occur concurrently with increases in program and instructional requirements.
     (6) The steering committee shall submit subsequent reports to the governor and the legislature by November 15, 2010, and annually thereafter, ending November 15, 2016.
     (7) Staff support for the basic education steering committee shall be provided by the state agencies with representatives on the committee, the senate committee services, and the office of program research of the house of representatives. Legislative members of the steering committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.
     (8) This section expires June 30, 2017.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   ACHIEVEMENT GAP WORKING GROUP. (1) The legislature finds compelling evidence from five commissioned studies that additional progress must be made to address the achievement gap. Many students are in demographic groups that are overrepresented in measures such as school disciplinary sanctions; failure to meet state academic standards; failure to graduate; enrollment in special education and underperforming schools; enrollment in advanced placement courses, honors programs, and college preparatory classes; and enrollment in and completion of college. The studies contain specific recommendations that are data-driven and drawn from education research, as well as the personal, professional, and cultural experience of those who contributed to the studies. The legislature finds there is no better opportunity to make a strong commitment to closing the achievement gap than in legislation affirming the state's constitutional obligation to provide opportunities to learn for all students without distinction or preference on account of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or gender.
     (2) An achievement gap working group is created to provide oversight and accountability in the development of policies to close the achievement gap. The working group shall synthesize the findings and recommendations from the 2008 achievement gap studies into a single implementation plan that recommends specific policies and strategies to address the academic achievement gap in at least the following areas:
     (a) Supporting and facilitating parent and community involvement and outreach;
     (b) Enhancing the cultural competency of current and future educators and the cultural relevance of curriculum and instruction;
     (c) Expanding pathways and strategies to prepare and recruit diverse teachers and administrators;
     (d) Recommending current programs and resources that should be redirected to narrow the gap;
     (e) Identifying data elements and systems needed to monitor progress in closing the gap;
     (f) Making closing the achievement gap part of the school and school district improvement process; and
     (g) Exploring innovative school models that have shown success in closing the achievement gap.
     (3) The achievement gap working group shall be composed of three members appointed by the superintendent of public instruction and twelve members appointed by the governor, with two governor-appointed members to represent each of the following groups: African-Americans, African-American immigrants, Asian-Americans, Pacific Islander Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. The chair or cochairs of the working group shall be selected by the members of the group. Staff support for the working group shall be provided within available funds by the office of the superintendent of public instruction through the center for the improvement of student learning.
     (4) The achievement gap working group shall be monitored and overseen by the basic education steering committee under section 3 of this act.

PART I
PROGRAM AND FUNDING OF BASIC EDUCATION

Sec. 101   RCW 28A.150.200 and 1990 c 33 s 104 are each amended to read as follows:
     PROGRAM OF EDUCATION. ((This 1977 amendatory act shall be known and may be cited as "The Washington Basic Education Act of 1977." The program evolving from the Basic Education Act shall include (1) the goal of the school system as defined in RCW 28A.150.210, (2) those program requirements enumerated in RCW 28A.150.220, and (3) the determination and distribution of state resources as defined in RCW 28A.150.250 and 28A.150.260.
     The requirements of the Basic Education Act are
)) (1) The program of basic education established under this chapter is deemed by the legislature to comply with the requirements of Article IX, section 1 of the state Constitution, which states that "It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex," and ((are)) is adopted pursuant to Article IX, section 2 of the state Constitution, which states that "The legislature shall provide for a general and uniform system of public schools."
     (2) The legislature defines the program of basic education under this chapter as:
     (a) The instructional program of basic education the minimum components of which are described in RCW 28A.150.220;
     (b) The program of education provided by chapter 28A.190 RCW for students in residential schools as defined by RCW 28A.190.020 and for juveniles in detention facilities as identified by RCW 28A.190.010;
     (c) The program of education provided by chapter 28A.193 RCW for individuals under the age of eighteen who are incarcerated in adult correctional facilities; and
     (d) Transportation and transportation services to and from school for eligible students as provided under RCW 28A.160.150 through 28A.160.180.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 102   DEFINITIONS. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Basic education goal" means the student learning goals and the student knowledge and skills described under RCW 28A.150.210.
     (2) "Certificated administrative staff" means all those persons who are chief executive officers, chief administrative officers, confidential employees, supervisors, principals, or assistant principals within the meaning of RCW 41.59.020(4).
     (3) "Certificated employee" as used in this chapter and RCW 28A.195.010, 28A.405.100, 28A.405.210, 28A.405.240, 28A.405.250, 28A.405.300 through 28A.405.380, and chapter 41.59 RCW, means those persons who hold certificates as authorized by rule of the Washington professional educator standards board.
     (4) "Certificated instructional staff" means those persons employed by a school district who are nonsupervisory certificated employees within the meaning of RCW 41.59.020(8).
     (5) "Class size" means an instructional grouping of students where, on average, the ratio of students to teacher is the number specified.
     (6) "Classified employee" means a person who does not hold a certificate authorized by rule of the Washington professional educator standards board or is employed in a position that does not require such a certificate.
     (7) "Classroom teacher" means a certificated instructional staff person who is employed in a position that requires certification and whose primary duty is the daily educational instruction of students. In exceptional cases, people of unusual competence but without certification may teach students so long as a certificated person exercises general supervision, but the hiring of such classified people shall not occur during a labor dispute, and such classified people shall not be hired to replace certificated employees during a labor dispute.
     (8) "Instructional hours" means those hours students are provided the opportunity to engage in educational activity planned by and under the direction of school district staff, as directed by the administration and board of directors of the district, inclusive of intermissions for class changes, recess, and teacher/parent-guardian conferences that are planned and scheduled by the district for the purpose of discussing students' educational needs or progress, and exclusive of time actually spent for meals.
     (9) "Instructional program of basic education" means the minimum program required to be provided by school districts and includes instructional hour requirements and other components under RCW 28A.150.220.
     (10) "Program of basic education" means the overall program under RCW 28A.150.200 and deemed by the legislature to comply with the requirements of Article IX, section 1 of the state Constitution.
     (11) "School day" means each day of the school year on which pupils enrolled in the common schools of a school district are engaged in academic and career and technical instruction planned by and under the direction of the school.
     (12) "School year" includes the minimum number of school days required under RCW 28A.150.220 and begins on the first day of September and ends with the last day of August, except that any school district may elect to commence the annual school term in the month of August of any calendar year and in such case the operation of a school district for such period in August shall be credited by the superintendent of public instruction to the succeeding school year for the purpose of the allocation and distribution of state funds for the support of such school district.
     (13) "Teacher planning period" means a period of a school day as determined by the administration and board of the directors of the district that may be used by teachers for instruction-related activities including but not limited to preparing instructional materials; reviewing student performance; recording student data; consulting with other teachers, instructional assistants, mentors, instructional coaches, administrators, and parents; or participating in professional development.

Sec. 103   RCW 28A.150.210 and 2007 c 400 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     BASIC EDUCATION GOAL. ((The goal of the basic education act for the schools of the state of Washington set forth in this chapter shall be to)) A basic education is an evolving program of instruction that provides students with the opportunity to become responsible and respectful global citizens, to contribute to their economic well-being and that of their families and communities, to explore and understand different perspectives, and to enjoy productive and satisfying lives. ((Additionally,)) The state of Washington intends to provide for a public school system that is able to evolve and adapt in order to better focus on strengthening the educational achievement of all students, which includes high expectations for all students and gives all students the opportunity to achieve personal and academic success. A basic education must also provide all students with the opportunity to graduate from high school with a meaningful high school diploma, ready for success in postsecondary education, gainful employment, and citizenship. To these ends, the goals of each school district, with the involvement of parents and community members, shall be to provide opportunities for every student to develop the knowledge and skills essential to:
     (1) Read with comprehension, write effectively, and communicate successfully in a variety of ways and settings and with a variety of audiences;
     (2) Know and apply the core concepts and principles of mathematics; social, physical, and life sciences; civics and history, including different cultures and participation in representative government; geography; arts; and health and fitness;
     (3) Think analytically, logically, and creatively, and to integrate different experiences and knowledge to form reasoned judgments and solve problems; and
     (4) Understand the importance of work and finance and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities.

Sec. 104   RCW 28A.150.220 and 1993 c 371 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM. (1) ((Satisfaction of the basic education program requirements identified in RCW 28A.150.210 shall be considered to be implemented by the following program:
     (a) Each school district shall make available to students enrolled in kindergarten at least a total instructional offering of four hundred fifty hours. The program shall include instruction in the essential academic learning requirements under RCW 28A.630.885 and such other subjects and such activities as the school district shall determine to be appropriate for the education of the school district's students enrolled in such program;
     (b) Each school district shall make available to students enrolled in grades one through twelve, at least a district-wide annual average total instructional hour offering of one thousand hours. The state board of education may define alternatives to classroom instructional time for students in grades nine through twelve enrolled in alternative learning experiences. The state board of education shall establish rules to determine annual average instructional hours for districts including fewer than twelve grades. The program shall include the essential academic learning requirements under RCW 28A.630.885 and such other subjects and such activities as the school district shall determine to be appropriate for the education of the school district's students enrolled in such group
)) In order for students to have the opportunity to develop the basic education knowledge and skills under RCW 28A.150.210, school districts must provide instruction of sufficient quantity and quality and give students the opportunity to complete graduation requirements that are intended to prepare them for postsecondary education, gainful employment, and citizenship. The program established under this section shall be the minimum instructional program of basic education offered by school districts.
     (2) Each school district shall make available to students the following minimum instructional offering each school year:
     (a) For students enrolled in grades one through twelve, at least a district-wide annual average of one thousand hours, which shall be increased to at least one thousand eighty instructional hours for students enrolled in each of grades seven through twelve and at least one thousand instructional hours for students in each of grades one through six according to an implementation schedule adopted by the legislature; and
     (b) For students enrolled in kindergarten, at least four hundred fifty instructional hours, which shall be increased to at least one thousand instructional hours according to the implementation schedule under RCW 28A.150.315.
     (3) The instructional program of basic education provided by each school district shall include:
     (a) Instruction in the essential academic learning requirements under RCW 28A.655.070;
     (b) Instruction that provides students the opportunity to complete twenty-four credits for high school graduation, with course distribution requirements established by the state board of education under RCW 28A.230.090 and that may be subject to a phased-in implementation of the twenty-four credits as adopted by the board
;
     (c) If the essential academic learning requirements include a requirement of languages other than English, the requirement may be met by students receiving instruction in one or more American Indian languages;
     (d) Supplemental instruction and services for underachieving students through the learning assistance program under RCW 28A.165.005 through 28A.165.065;
     (e) Supplemental instruction and services for eligible and enrolled students whose primary language is other than English through the transitional bilingual instruction program under RCW 28A.180.010 through 28A.180.080;
     (f) The opportunity for an appropriate education at public expense as defined by RCW 28A.155.020 for all eligible students with disabilities as defined in RCW 28A.155.020; and
     (g) Programs for highly capable students under RCW 28A.185.010 through 28A.185.030
.
     (((2))) (4) Nothing contained in ((subsection (1) of)) this section shall be construed to require individual students to attend school for any particular number of hours per day or to take any particular courses.
     (((3))) (5) Each school district's kindergarten through twelfth grade basic educational program shall be accessible to all students who are five years of age, as provided by RCW 28A.225.160, and less than twenty-one years of age and shall consist of a minimum of one hundred eighty school days per school year in such grades as are conducted by a school district, and one hundred eighty half-days of instruction, or equivalent, in kindergarten((: PROVIDED, That)), to be increased to a minimum of one hundred eighty school days per school year according to the implementation schedule under RCW 28A.150.315. However, effective May 1, 1979, a school district may schedule the last five school days of the one hundred and eighty day school year for noninstructional purposes in the case of students who are graduating from high school, including, but not limited to, the observance of graduation and early release from school upon the request of a student, and all such students may be claimed as a full time equivalent student to the extent they could otherwise have been so claimed for the purposes of RCW 28A.150.250 and 28A.150.260.
     (((4))) (6) The state board of education shall adopt rules to implement and ensure compliance with the program requirements imposed by this section, RCW 28A.150.250 and 28A.150.260, and such related supplemental program approval requirements as the state board may establish.

Sec. 105   RCW 28A.150.250 and 1990 c 33 s 107 are each amended to read as follows:
     FUNDING OF BASIC EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL ALLOCATION. (1) From those funds made available by the legislature for the current use of the common schools, the superintendent of public instruction shall distribute annually as provided in RCW 28A.510.250 to each school district of the state operating a basic education instructional program approved by the state board of education an ((amount which, when combined with an appropriate portion of such locally available revenues, other than)) allocation based on the formulas provided in RCW 28A.150.260, 28A.150.390, and section 108 of this act. The basic education instructional allocation shall be net of receipts from federal forest revenues distributed to school districts pursuant to RCW 28A.520.010 and 28A.520.020((, as the superintendent of public instruction may deem appropriate for consideration in computing state equalization support, excluding excess property tax levies, will constitute a basic education allocation in dollars for each annual average full time equivalent student enrolled, based upon one full school year of one hundred eighty days, except that for kindergartens one full school year shall be one hundred eighty half days of instruction, or the equivalent as provided in RCW 28A.150.220)).
     (2) The instructional program of basic education shall be considered to be fully funded by those amounts of dollars appropriated by the legislature pursuant to RCW ((28A.150.250 and)) 28A.150.260, 28A.150.390, and section 108 of this act to fund those program requirements identified in RCW 28A.150.220 in accordance with the formula and ratios provided in RCW 28A.150.260 and those amounts of dollars appropriated by the legislature to fund the salary requirements of RCW ((28A.150.100 and)) 28A.150.410.
     ((Operation of a program approved by the state board of education, for the purposes of this section, shall include a finding that the ratio of students per classroom teacher in grades kindergarten through three is not greater than the ratio of students per classroom teacher in grades four and above for such district: PROVIDED, That for the purposes of this section, "classroom teacher" shall be defined as an instructional employee possessing at least a provisional certificate, but not necessarily employed as a certificated employee, whose primary duty is the daily educational instruction of students: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the state board of education shall adopt rules and regulations to insure compliance with the student/teacher ratio provisions of this section, and such rules and regulations shall allow for exemptions for those special programs and/or school districts which may be deemed unable to practicably meet the student/teacher ratio requirements of this section by virtue of a small number of students.))
     (3) If a school district's basic education program fails to meet the basic education requirements enumerated in RCW ((28A.150.250,)) 28A.150.260((,)) and 28A.150.220, the state board of education shall require the superintendent of public instruction to withhold state funds in whole or in part for the basic education allocation until program compliance is assured((: PROVIDED, That)). However, the state board of education may waive this requirement in the event of substantial lack of classroom space.

Sec. 106   RCW 28A.150.260 and 2006 c 263 s 322 are each amended to read as follows:
     ALLOCATION FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM OF BASIC EDUCATION. ((The basic education allocation for each annual average full time equivalent student shall be determined in accordance with the following procedures)) The purpose of this section is to provide for the allocation of state funding that the legislature deems necessary to support school districts in offering the minimum instructional program of basic education under RCW 28A.150.220. The allocation shall be determined as follows:
     (1) The governor shall and the superintendent of public instruction may recommend to the legislature a formula ((based on a ratio of students to staff)) for the distribution of a basic education instructional allocation for each ((annual average full time equivalent student enrolled in a)) common school district. ((The distribution formula shall have the primary objective of equalizing educational opportunities and shall provide appropriate recognition of the following costs among the various districts within the state:
     (a) Certificated instructional staff and their related costs;
     (b) Certificated administrative staff and their related costs;
     (c) Classified staff and their related costs;
     (d) Nonsalary costs;
     (e) Extraordinary costs, including school facilities, of remote and necessary schools as judged by the superintendent of public instruction, with recommendations from the school facilities citizen advisory panel under RCW 28A.525.025, and small high schools, including costs of additional certificated and classified staff; and
     (f) The attendance of students pursuant to RCW 28A.335.160 and 28A.225.250 who do not reside within the servicing school district.
))
     (2)(((a))) The distribution formula under this section shall be for allocation purposes only. Except as may be required under chapter 28A.165, 28A.180, or 28A.155 RCW, or federal laws and regulations, nothing in this section requires school districts to use basic education instructional funds to implement a particular instructional approach or service. Nothing in this section requires school districts to maintain a particular classroom teacher-to-student ratio or other staff-to-student ratio or to use allocated funds to pay for particular types or classifications of staff. Nothing in this section entitles an individual teacher to a particular teacher planning period.
     (3)(a) The distribution formula for the basic education instructional allocation shall be based on minimum staffing and nonstaff costs the legislature deems necessary to support instruction and operations in prototypical schools serving high, middle, and elementary school students as provided in this section. The use of prototypical schools for the distribution formula does not constitute legislative intent that schools should be operated or structured in a similar fashion as the prototypes. Prototypical schools illustrate the level of resources needed to operate a school of a particular size with particular types and grade levels of students using commonly understood terms and inputs, such as class size, hours of instruction, and various categories of school staff. Funding allocations to school districts shall be adjusted from the school prototypes based on the actual number of annual average full-time equivalent students in each grade level at each school in the district and not based on the grade-level configuration of the school. The allocations shall be further adjusted from the school prototypes with minimum allocations for small schools and to reflect other factors identified in the omnibus appropriations act.
     (b) For the purposes of this section, prototypical schools are defined as follows:
     (i) A prototypical high school has six hundred average annual full-time equivalent students in grades nine through twelve;
     (ii) A prototypical middle school has four hundred thirty-two average annual full-time equivalent students in grades seven and eight; and
     (iii) A prototypical elementary school has four hundred average annual full-time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through six.
     (c) The minimum allocation for each level of prototypical school shall be based on the number of full-time equivalent classroom teachers needed to provide instruction over the minimum required annual instructional hours under RCW 28A.150.220 and provide at least one teacher planning period per school day, and based on an average class size as specified in the omnibus appropriations act. The omnibus appropriations act shall specify:
     (i) Basic average class size;
     (ii) Basic average class size in schools where more than fifty percent of the students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals;
     (iii) Average class size for exploratory and preparatory career and technical education, laboratory science, advanced placement, and international baccalaureate courses; and
     (iv) Average class size in grades kindergarten through three.
     (d) The minimum allocation for each level of prototypical school shall include allocations for the following types of staff in addition to classroom teachers:
     (i) Principals, including assistant principals and other certificated building-level administrators;
     (ii) Teacher librarians, a function that includes information literacy, technology, and media to support school library media programs;
     (iii) Student health services, a function that includes school nurses and social workers;
     (iv) Guidance counselors, a function that includes parent outreach and graduation advisor;
     (v) Professional development coaches;
     (vi) Office support and other staff providing noninstructional support services;
     (vii) Custodians and other maintenance; and
     (viii) Classified staff providing student and staff safety.
     (4)(a) The minimum allocation for each school district shall include allocations per annual average full-time equivalent student for the following materials, supplies, and operating costs: Student technology; utilities; curriculum, textbooks, library materials, and instructional supplies; instructional professional development; other building-level costs including maintenance, custodial, and security; and central office administration.
     (b) The annual average full-time equivalent student amounts in (a) of this subsection shall be enhanced based on full-time equivalent student enrollment in exploratory career and technical education courses for students in grades seven through twelve; laboratory science courses for students in grades nine through twelve; preparatory career and technical education courses for students in grades nine through twelve offered in a high school; and preparatory career and technical education courses for students in grades eleven and twelve offered through a skill center.
     (5) The allocations provided under subsections (3) and (4) of this section shall be enhanced as follows to provide additional allocations for classroom teachers and maintenance, supplies, and operating costs:
     (a) To provide supplemental instruction and services for underachieving students through the learning assistance program under RCW 28A.165.005 through 28A.165.065, allocations shall be based on the percent of students in each school who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. The minimum allocation for the learning assistance program shall provide an extended school day and extended school year for each level of prototypical school and a per student allocation for maintenance, supplies, and operating costs.
     (b) To provide supplemental instruction and services for students whose primary language is other than English, allocations shall be based on the number of students in each school who are eligible for and enrolled in the transitional bilingual instruction program under RCW 28A.180.010 through 28A.180.080. The minimum allocation for each level of prototypical school shall provide for supplemental instruction based on percent of the school day a student is assumed to receive supplemental instruction and a per student allocation for maintenance, supplies, and operating costs.

     (6) The allocations provided under subsections (3) and (4) of this section shall be enhanced to provide additional allocations to support programs for highly capable students under RCW 28A.185.010 through 28A.185.030, based on two percent of each school district's full-time equivalent enrollment. The minimum allocation for the programs shall provide an extended school day and extended school year for each level of prototypical school and a per student allocation for maintenance, supplies, and operating costs.
     (7) The allocations under subsections (3) through (5) of this section shall be enhanced as provided under RCW 28A.150.390 on an excess cost basis to provide supplemental instructional resources for students with disabilities.
     (8) The distribution formula shall include allocations to school districts to support certificated and classified staffing of central office administration. The minimum allocation shall be calculated as a percentage, identified in the omnibus appropriations act, of the total allocations for staff under subsection (3) of this section for all schools in the district.
     (9)(a) For the purposes of allocations for prototypical high schools and middle schools under subsections (3) and (5) of this section that are based on the percent of students in the school who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals, the actual percent of such students in a school shall be adjusted by a factor identified in the omnibus appropriations act to reflect underreporting of free and reduced-price meal eligibility among middle and high school students.
     (b) Allocations or enhancements provided under subsections (3) and (4) of this section for exploratory and preparatory career and technical education courses shall be provided only for courses approved by the office of the superintendent of public instruction under chapter 28A.700 RCW.
     (10)(a)
This formula for distribution of basic education funds shall be reviewed biennially by the superintendent and governor. The recommended formula shall be subject to approval, amendment or rejection by the legislature. ((The formula shall be for allocation purposes only. While the legislature intends that the allocations for additional instructional staff be used to increase the ratio of such staff to students, nothing in this section shall require districts to reduce the number of administrative staff below existing levels.
     (b) The formula adopted by the legislature shall reflect the following ratios at a minimum: (i) Forty-nine certificated instructional staff to one thousand annual average full time equivalent students enrolled in grades kindergarten through three; (ii) forty-six certificated instructional staff to one thousand annual average full time equivalent students in grades four through twelve; (iii) four certificated administrative staff to one thousand annual average full time equivalent students in grades kindergarten through twelve; and (iv) sixteen and sixty-seven one-hundredths classified personnel to one thousand annual average full time equivalent students enrolled in grades kindergarten through twelve.
     (c)
)) (b) In the event the legislature rejects the distribution formula recommended by the governor, without adopting a new distribution formula, the distribution formula for the previous school year shall remain in effect((: PROVIDED, That the distribution formula developed pursuant to this section shall be for state apportionment and equalization purposes only and shall not be construed as mandating specific operational functions of local school districts other than those program requirements identified in RCW 28A.150.220 and 28A.150.100)).
     (c) The enrollment of any district shall be the annual average number of full-time equivalent students and part-time students as provided in RCW 28A.150.350, enrolled on the first school day of each month ((and shall exclude full time equivalent students with disabilities recognized for the purposes of allocation of state funds for programs under RCW 28A.155.010 through 28A.155.100)), including students who are in attendance pursuant to RCW 28A.335.160 and 28A.225.250 who do not reside within the servicing school district. The definition of full-time equivalent student shall be determined by rules of the superintendent of public instruction((: PROVIDED, That the definition)) and shall be included as part of the superintendent's biennial budget request((: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That)). The definition shall be based on the minimum instructional hour offerings required under RCW 28A.150.220. Any revision of the present definition shall not take effect until approved by the house appropriations committee and the senate ways and means committee((: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That)).
     (d) T
he office of financial management shall make a monthly review of the superintendent's reported full-time equivalent students in the common schools in conjunction with RCW 43.62.050.
     (((3)(a) Certificated instructional staff shall include those persons employed by a school district who are nonsupervisory employees within the meaning of RCW 41.59.020(8): PROVIDED, That in exceptional cases, people of unusual competence but without certification may teach students so long as a certificated person exercises general supervision: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That the hiring of such classified people shall not occur during a labor dispute and such classified people shall not be hired to replace certificated employees during a labor dispute.
     (b) Certificated administrative staff shall include all those persons who are chief executive officers, chief administrative officers, confidential employees, supervisors, principals, or assistant principals within the meaning of RCW 41.59.020(4).
))

Sec. 107   RCW 28A.150.390 and 1995 c 77 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     SPECIAL EDUCATION EXCESS COST ALLOCATION. (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall submit to each regular session of the legislature during an odd-numbered year a programmed budget request for special education programs for students with disabilities. Funding for programs operated by local school districts shall be on an excess cost basis from appropriations provided by the legislature for special education programs for students with disabilities and shall take account of state funds accruing through RCW ((28A.150.250,)) 28A.150.260((,)) (3) through (5) and federal medical assistance and private funds accruing under RCW 74.09.5249 through 74.09.5253 and 74.09.5254 through 74.09.5256((, and other state and local funds, excluding special excess levies)).
     (2) The excess cost allocation to school districts shall be based on the following:
     (a) A district's annual average headcount enrollment of students ages birth through four and those five year olds not yet enrolled in kindergarten who are eligible for and enrolled in special education, multiplied by the district's base allocation per full-time equivalent student, multiplied by 1.15; and
     (b) A district's annual average full-time equivalent basic education enrollment, multiplied by the district's funded enrollment percent, multiplied by the district's base allocation per full-time equivalent student, multiplied by 0.9309.
     (3) As used in this section:
     (a) "Base allocation" means the total state allocation to all schools in the district generated by the distribution formula under RCW 28A.150.260 (3) through (5), to be divided by the district's full-time equivalent enrollment.
     (b) "Basic education enrollment" means enrollment of resident students including nonresident students enrolled under RCW 28A.225.225 and students from nonhigh districts enrolled under RCW 28A.225.210 and excluding students residing in another district enrolled as part of an interdistrict cooperative program under RCW 28A.225.250.
     (c) "Enrollment percent" means the district's resident special education annual average enrollment, excluding students ages birth through four and those five year olds not yet enrolled in kindergarten, as a percent of the district's annual average full-time equivalent basic education enrollment.
     (d) "Funded enrollment percent" means the lesser of the district's actual enrollment percent or twelve and seven-tenths percent.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 108   SPECIAL EDUCATION SAFETY NET. (1) To the extent necessary, funds shall be made available for safety net awards for districts with demonstrated needs for special education funding beyond the amounts provided through the special education funding formula under RCW 28A.150.390. If the federal safety net awards based on the federal eligibility threshold exceed the federal appropriation in any fiscal year, then the superintendent shall expend all available federal discretionary funds necessary to meet this need. Safety net funds shall be awarded by the state safety net oversight committee subject to the following conditions and limitations:
     (a) The committee shall consider additional funds for districts that can convincingly demonstrate that all legitimate expenditures for special education exceed all available revenues from state funding formulas. In the determination of need, the committee shall also consider additional available revenues from federal sources. Differences in program costs attributable to district philosophy, service delivery choice, or accounting practices are not a legitimate basis for safety net awards. In the determination of need, the committee shall require that districts demonstrate that they are maximizing their eligibility for all state and federal revenues related to services for special education students and federal impact aid.
     (b) The committee shall then consider the extraordinary high cost needs of one or more individual special education students. Differences in costs attributable to district philosophy, service delivery choice, or accounting practices are not a legitimate basis for safety net awards.
     (c) Using criteria developed by the committee, the committee shall then consider extraordinary costs associated with communities that draw a larger number of families with children in need of special education services, which may include consideration of proximity to group homes, military bases, and regional hospitals. Safety net awards under this subsection (1)(c) shall be adjusted to reflect amounts awarded under (b) of this subsection.
     (d) The maximum allowable indirect cost for calculating safety net eligibility may not exceed the federal restricted indirect cost rate for the district plus one percent.
     (e) Safety net awards shall be adjusted based on the percent of potential medicaid eligible students billed as calculated by the superintendent of public instruction in accordance with chapter 318, Laws of 1999.
     (f) Safety net awards must be adjusted for any audit findings or exceptions related to special education funding.
     (2) The superintendent of public instruction may adopt such rules and procedures as are necessary to administer the special education funding and safety net award process. Before revising any standards, procedures, or rules, the superintendent shall consult with the office of financial management and the fiscal committees of the legislature. In adopting and revising the rules, the superintendent shall ensure the application process to access safety net funding is streamlined, timelines for submission are not in conflict, feedback to school districts is timely and provides sufficient information to allow school districts to understand how to correct any deficiencies in a safety net application, and that there is consistency between awards approved by school district and by application period. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall also provide technical assistance to school districts in preparing and submitting special education safety net applications.
     (3) On an annual basis, the superintendent shall survey districts regarding their satisfaction with the safety net process and consider feedback from districts to improve the safety net process. Each year by December 1st, the superintendent shall prepare and submit a report to the office of financial management and the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature that summarizes the survey results and those changes made to the safety net process as a result of the school district feedback.
     (4) The safety net oversight committee appointed by the superintendent of public instruction shall consist of:
     (a) One staff member from the office of the superintendent of public instruction;
     (b) Staff of the office of the state auditor who shall be nonvoting members of the committee; and     
     (c) One or more representatives from school districts or educational service districts knowledgeable of special education programs and funding.

Sec. 109   RCW 28A.150.380 and 2001 c 3 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     LEGISLATURE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS. (1) The state legislature shall, at each regular session in an odd-numbered year, appropriate ((from the state general fund)) for the current use of the common schools such amounts as needed for state support to ((the common schools)) school districts during the ensuing biennium ((as provided in this chapter, RCW 28A.160.150 through 28A.160.210, 28A.300.170, and 28A.500.010)) for the program of basic education under RCW 28A.150.200.
     (2) In addition to those state funds provided to school districts for basic education, the legislature may appropriate funds to be distributed to school districts for other factors and for other special programs to enhance or enrich the program of basic education.
     (3)
The state legislature shall also, at each regular session in an odd-numbered year, appropriate from the student achievement fund and education construction fund solely for the purposes of and in accordance with the provisions of the student achievement act during the ensuing biennium.

Sec. 110   RCW 28A.150.315 and 2007 c 400 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     PHASE-IN ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN. (1) Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, funding for voluntary all-day kindergarten programs shall be phased-in beginning with schools with the highest poverty levels, defined as those schools with the highest percentages of students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunch support in the prior school year. Once a school receives funding for the all-day kindergarten program, that school shall remain eligible for funding in subsequent school years regardless of changes in the school's percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price lunches as long as other program requirements are fulfilled. Additionally, schools receiving all-day kindergarten program support shall agree to the following conditions:
     (a) Provide at least a one thousand-hour instructional program;
     (b) Provide a curriculum that offers a rich, varied set of experiences that assist students in:
     (i) Developing initial skills in the academic areas of reading, mathematics, and writing;
     (ii) Developing a variety of communication skills;
     (iii) Providing experiences in science, social studies, arts, health and physical education, and a world language other than English;
     (iv) Acquiring large and small motor skills;
     (v) Acquiring social and emotional skills including successful participation in learning activities as an individual and as part of a group; and
     (vi) Learning through hands-on experiences;
     (c) Establish learning environments that are developmentally appropriate and promote creativity;
     (d) Demonstrate strong connections and communication with early learning community providers; and
     (e) Participate in kindergarten program readiness activities with early learning providers and parents.
     (2) Subject to funds appropriated for this purpose, the superintendent of public instruction shall designate one or more school districts to serve as resources and examples of best practices in designing and operating a high-quality all-day kindergarten program. Designated school districts shall serve as lighthouse programs and provide technical assistance to other school districts in the initial stages of implementing an all-day kindergarten program. Examples of topics addressed by the technical assistance include strategic planning, developing the instructional program and curriculum, working with early learning providers to identify students and communicate with parents, and developing kindergarten program readiness activities.
     (((3) Any funds allocated to support all-day kindergarten programs under this section shall not be considered as basic education funding.))

Sec. 111   RCW 28A.230.090 and 2006 c 114 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. (1) The state board of education shall establish high school graduation requirements or equivalencies for students, except those equivalencies established by local high schools or school districts under RCW 28A.230.097.
     (a) Any course in Washington state history and government used to fulfill high school graduation requirements shall consider including information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indian peoples who were the first inhabitants of the state.
     (b) The certificate of academic achievement requirements under RCW 28A.655.061 or the certificate of individual achievement requirements under RCW 28A.155.045 are required for graduation from a public high school but are not the only requirements for graduation.
     (c) Any decision on whether a student has met the state board's high school graduation requirements for a high school and beyond plan shall remain at the local level.
     (2)(a) In recognition of the statutory authority of the state board of education to establish and enforce minimum high school graduation requirements, the state board shall periodically reevaluate the graduation requirements and shall report such findings to the legislature in a timely manner as determined by the state board.
     (b) The state board shall reevaluate the graduation requirements for students enrolled in vocationally intensive and rigorous career and technical education programs, particularly those programs that lead to a certificate or credential that is state or nationally recognized. The purpose of the evaluation is to ensure that students enrolled in these programs have sufficient opportunity to earn a certificate of academic achievement, complete the program and earn the program's certificate or credential, and complete other state and local graduation requirements. ((The board shall reports [report] its findings and recommendations for additional flexibility in graduation requirements, if necessary, to the legislature by December 1, 2007.))
     (c) The state board shall forward any proposed changes to the high school graduation requirements to the education committees of the legislature for review, and the legislature shall have the opportunity to act during a regular legislative session before the changes are adopted through administrative rule by the state board. Changes that have a fiscal impact on school districts, as identified by a fiscal analysis prepared by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, shall take effect only if formally authorized by the legislature through the omnibus appropriations act or other enacted legislation.
     (3) Pursuant to any requirement for instruction in languages other than English established by the state board of education or a local school district, or both, for purposes of high school graduation, students who receive instruction in American sign language or one or more American Indian languages shall be considered to have satisfied the state or local school district graduation requirement for instruction in one or more languages other than English.
     (4) If requested by the student and his or her family, a student who has completed high school courses before attending high school shall be given high school credit which shall be applied to fulfilling high school graduation requirements if:
     (a) The course was taken with high school students, if the academic level of the course exceeds the requirements for seventh and eighth grade classes, and the student has successfully passed by completing the same course requirements and examinations as the high school students enrolled in the class; or
     (b) The academic level of the course exceeds the requirements for seventh and eighth grade classes and the course would qualify for high school credit, because the course is similar or equivalent to a course offered at a high school in the district as determined by the school district board of directors.
     (5) Students who have taken and successfully completed high school courses under the circumstances in subsection (4) of this section shall not be required to take an additional competency examination or perform any other additional assignment to receive credit.
     (6) At the college or university level, five quarter or three semester hours equals one high school credit.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 112   FINANCE AND COMPENSATION WORKING GROUP. (1) The funding formulas under RCW 28A.150.260 to support the instructional program shall be implemented beginning in the 2011-12 school year and are intended to be phased in over a six-year period according to an implementation schedule to be adopted by the legislature. The object of the schedule is to assure that increases in funding allocations are timely, predictable, and occur concurrently with any increases in program or instructional requirements.
     (2) The office of financial management and the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall convene a technical working group to:
     (a) Develop the details of the funding formulas under RCW 28A.150.260;
     (b) Recommend an implementation schedule for phasing-in any increased program or instructional requirements concurrently with increases in funding for adoption by the legislature;
     (c) Examine possible sources of revenue to support increases in funding allocations and present options to the steering committee for consideration;
     (d) Recommend options for a compensation system that provides support for effective teaching and recruitment and retention of high quality staff, including:
     (i) Developing options and cost estimates for a salary allocation schedule for new certificated instructional staff into which current staff have the option to transfer. At a minimum, the schedules shall align with the educator certification system developed by the professional educator standards board;
     (ii) Updating the comparable wage and regional wage analysis conducted by the Washington state institute for public policy in 2008 and developing options and cost estimates for a regional wage adjustment schedule that could be applied to state salary allocations for certificated instructional, administrative, and classified staff;
     (iii) Developing options and cost estimates for allocations for administrative and classified staff through the funding formulas in RCW 28A.150.260; and
     (iv) Collecting and analyzing detailed data on supplemental contracts for time, responsibilities, or incentives; and
     (e) Develop options for a new system of supplemental school funding through local school levies and local effort assistance. The working group shall take into consideration the impact on overall school district revenues of the new funding formulas established under RCW 28A.150.260 and recommend a phase-in plan that reduces reliance on local school levies concurrently with increased state funding and assures that no district suffers a decrease in overall funding from one school year to the next due to implementation of the new systems.
     (3) The working group shall include representatives of the state board of education, the professional educator standards board, the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee, school district and educational service district financial managers, the Washington association of school business officers, the Washington education association, the Washington association of school administrators, the association of Washington school principals, the Washington state school directors' association, classified school employees, parents, higher education, and other interested persons with expertise in education finance. The working group may convene advisory subgroups on specific topics as necessary to assure participation and input from a broad array of diverse stakeholders. The office of financial management and the office of the superintendent of public instruction may divide the working group into subgroups to focus on the funding formulas, compensation, revenue, and supplemental school funding.
     (4) The working group shall be monitored and overseen by the basic education steering committee under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 113   BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM OF EARLY LEARNING. (1) The legislature finds that a critical factor in the eventual successful outcome of a K-12 education is for students to begin school ready, both intellectually and socially, to learn. The legislature also finds that, due to a variety of factors, disadvantaged young children need supplemental instruction in preschool to assure that they have the opportunity to meaningfully participate and reach the necessary levels of achievement in the regular program of basic education. Therefore the legislature intends to establish a program of early learning for at-risk children and intends to include this program within the overall program of basic education.
     (2) The department of early learning and the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall convene a working group to develop the basic education program of early learning. The early learning working group shall be composed of representatives from head start and early childhood education and assistance program providers, school districts, thrive by five of Washington, and other stakeholders with expertise in early learning. The working group may convene advisory subgroups on specific topics as necessary to assure participation and input from a broad array of diverse stakeholders.
     (3) The early learning working group shall continue the preliminary work of the department of early learning under RCW 43.215.125 to develop a proposal for a statewide Washington head start program. The working group shall:
     (a) Recommend student eligibility criteria that focus on children aged three and four considered most at-risk;
     (b) Develop options for a service delivery system that includes school districts, educational service districts, community and technical colleges, and public and private nonsectarian organizations;
     (c) Develop options for shared governance that include the superintendent of public instruction and the department of early learning each with appropriate supervisory and administrative responsibilities;
     (d) Develop recommended parameters and minimum standards for the program; and
     (e) Continue development of a statewide kindergarten assessment process.
     (4) The early learning working group shall be monitored and overseen by the basic education steering committee under section 3 of this act.

PART II
EFFECTIVE TEACHING

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 201   INTENT. The legislature finds that in order to offer all students the opportunity to achieve the basic education goal, school districts must provide effective teaching and instruction. Teachers should be provided opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills that will enable them to be effective. Designing a system that clearly defines, supports, measures, and recognizes effective teaching is one of the most important investments to be made in improving student learning.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 202   A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:
     CERTIFICATION. (1) By January 1, 2010, the professional educator standards board shall adopt a set of teacher knowledge, skill, and performance standards for effective teaching that are documented in high-quality research as being associated with improved student learning and articulated on a career continuum.
     (2) By January 1, 2010, the professional educator standards board shall submit to the governor and the education and fiscal committees of the legislature:
     (a) An update on the status of implementation of the professional certificate external and uniform assessment authorized in RCW 28A.410.210;
     (b) A proposal for a valid and reliable classroom-based means of evaluating teacher effectiveness as a culminating measure for residency certification that involves multiple measures of teacher performance in classrooms and a role for state-trained evaluators;
     (c) Estimated costs and statutory authority needed for further development and implementation of the assessments in this subsection (2); and
     (d) Recommendations for other modifications to residency, professional, and ongoing professional certification that focus on demonstrated performance and professional growth rather than enrollment in certification programs or continuing education.
     (3) By January 1, 2011, the professional educator standards board shall submit recommendations to the governor and the education committees of the legislature providing definitions for voluntary master-level certification for teachers and educational staff associates. Within the definition established by the board, individuals certified through the national board for professional teaching standards shall be considered to have achieved master-level certification.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 203   A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:
     MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS. (1) The Washington professional educator standards board shall serve as the lead agency in a coordinated approach with school districts, institutions of higher education, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, local and national nonprofit organizations, and the business community to create an adequate supply of well-qualified mathematics and science teachers for Washington's public schools. In fulfilling this role, the board shall:
     (a) Work with institutions of higher education, including community colleges, to build stronger connections and partnerships with school districts and to craft innovative teacher preparation programs, particularly in rural areas;
     (b) Work with in-state and national organizations to identify barriers and craft solutions to improved recruitment, hiring, preparation, and retention of mathematics and science teachers;
     (c) Expand information to students and counselors, from middle school through college, about teacher preparation options and opportunities;
     (d) Seek private and federal support for innovations and initiatives; and
     (e) Set goals, collect and analyze data, and monitor progress toward achieving the goals.
     (2) Strategies overseen and coordinated by the board to achieve the objectives of this section include but are not limited to the following:
     (a) Building pipelines to mathematics and science teaching, beginning in middle school and through college using the recruiting Washington teachers program under RCW 28A.415.370, the pipeline for paraeducators conditional scholarship program under RCW 28A.660.042, and the Washington teach initiative under section 204 of this act;
     (b) Streamlining teacher preparation and improving the geographic distribution of mathematics and science teachers through the retooling to teach mathematics and science conditional scholarship program under RCW 28A.660.045 and alternative route to teacher certification programs under RCW 28A.660.040;
     (c) Shifting and building capacity in public four-year institutions of higher education to prepare mathematics and science teachers through institutional priority initiatives under section 204 of this act; and
     (d) Attracting individuals to careers in mathematics and science teaching, including through the future teachers conditional scholarship and loan repayment program under chapter 28B.102 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 204   A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 RCW to read as follows:
     WASHINGTON TEACH INITIATIVE. (1) Each public four-year institution of higher education with a teacher preparation program approved by the professional educator standards board to offer a residency teaching certificate and subject area endorsements in middle level mathematics or science, or secondary mathematics or science, including any of the branch campuses under RCW 28B.45.014, shall develop a plan for a Washington teach initiative for recruitment and development of mathematics and science teachers from within the student population of the institution and among high school students in partnering school districts. Each institution shall submit a preliminary plan and strategies for its Washington teach initiative to the professional educator standards board by October 30, 2009, and an updated plan with any progress to report by October 31, 2010. The plan must include:
     (a) Evidence of a commitment by the institution to make development of mathematics and science teachers an institutional priority;
     (b) Collaboration between institutional leadership, the college of education, and the mathematics and science departments of the college of arts and sciences;
     (c) Proposed targeted outreach, student advising, and recruitment efforts;
     (d) Proposed streamlined course requirements to enable students to obtain both a mathematics or science major and residency certification within four years of study;
     (e) Development of opportunities for classroom experiences early in the students' academic careers;
     (f) Evidence of increased collaboration and partnership with school districts, including districts outside the immediate geographic vicinity of the institution and including exploration of opportunities for alternative route programs; and
     (g) Measurable goals and objectives, including the estimated shift in enrollment under the institutional priority initiative under subsection (3) of this section.
     (2) Each institution under this section shall begin exploring opportunities for partnerships with one or more school districts to provide one or more of the alternative route programs under RCW 28A.660.040 using routes two, three, or four to offer candidates a postbaccalaureate residency teaching certificate in middle level mathematics or science or secondary mathematics or science. In the plans and updates required under subsection (1) of this section, each institution shall identify possible partner school districts, describe prospects and barriers for partnership, and provide an analysis of the opportunities and progress in developing an alternative route program.
     (3) Each institution under this section shall include in its Washington teach initiative a specific plan to reduce admittance and enrollment of students seeking residency teacher certification with an endorsement in elementary education and increase enrollment capacity for students seeking residency teacher certification with an endorsement in middle level mathematics or science, or secondary mathematics or science.

PART III
CONTINUOUS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 301   INTENT. (1) The legislature finds that comprehensive education finance reform and the increased investment of public resources necessary to implement that reform must be accompanied by an equally comprehensive and transparent system of continuous school and school district improvement.
     (2) However, the legislature also finds that the state and school districts share responsibility for continuous improvement and achieving state educational standards. It is the state's responsibility to provide schools and districts with the tools necessary for continuous improvement. These tools include the necessary accounting and data reporting systems, assessment systems to monitor student achievement, and a system of general support, targeted assistance, recognition, and, if necessary, intervention. It is also the state's responsibility to take into account the capacity of the school system to implement changes and meet new requirements, and adjust expectations accordingly.
     (3) The legislature intends to maintain a single system of continuous school improvement under both state and federal law. The legislature intends that a new state system be implemented only if Washington receives authorization from the United States department of education to use the state system for federal accountability purposes under P.L. 107-110, the no child left behind act of 2001.

Sec. 302   RCW 28A.305.130 and 2008 c 27 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AUTHORITY. The purpose of the state board of education is to provide advocacy and strategic oversight of public education; implement a standards-based accountability system to improve student academic achievement; provide leadership in the creation of a system that personalizes education for each student and respects diverse cultures, abilities, and learning styles; and promote achievement of the goals of RCW 28A.150.210. In addition to any other powers and duties as provided by law, the state board of education shall:
     (1) Hold regularly scheduled meetings at such time and place within the state as the board shall determine and may hold such special meetings as may be deemed necessary for the transaction of public business;
     (2) Form committees as necessary to effectively and efficiently conduct the work of the board;
     (3) Seek advice from the public and interested parties regarding the work of the board;
     (4) For purposes of statewide accountability:
     (a) Adopt and revise performance improvement goals in reading, writing, science, and mathematics, by subject and grade level, once assessments in these subjects are required statewide; academic and technical skills, as appropriate, in secondary career and technical education programs; and student attendance, as the board deems appropriate to improve student learning. The goals shall be consistent with student privacy protection provisions of RCW 28A.655.090(7) and shall not conflict with requirements contained in Title I of the federal elementary and secondary education act of 1965, or the requirements of the Carl D. Perkins vocational education act of 1998, each as amended. The goals may be established for all students, economically disadvantaged students, limited English proficient students, students with disabilities, and students from disproportionately academically underachieving racial and ethnic backgrounds. The board may establish school and school district goals addressing high school graduation rates and dropout reduction goals for students in grades seven through twelve. The board shall adopt the goals by rule. However, before each goal is implemented, the board shall present the goal to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate for the committees' review and comment in a time frame that will permit the legislature to take statutory action on the goal if such action is deemed warranted by the legislature;
     (b) Identify the scores students must achieve in order to meet the standard on the Washington assessment of student learning and, for high school students, to obtain a certificate of academic achievement. The board shall also determine student scores that identify levels of student performance below and beyond the standard. The board shall consider the incorporation of the standard error of measurement into the decision regarding the award of the certificates. The board shall set such performance standards and levels in consultation with the superintendent of public instruction and after consideration of any recommendations that may be developed by any advisory committees that may be established for this purpose. The initial performance standards and any changes recommended by the board in the performance standards for the tenth grade assessment shall be presented to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate by November 30th of the school year in which the changes will take place to permit the legislature to take statutory action before the changes are implemented if such action is deemed warranted by the legislature. The legislature shall be advised of the initial performance standards and any changes made to the elementary level performance standards and the middle school level performance standards;
     (c) Adopt objective, systematic criteria based on multiple outcomes and indicators to identify successful schools and school districts ((and recommend to the superintendent of public instruction schools and districts to be recognized for two types of accomplishments, student achievement and improvements in student achievement. Recognition for improvements in student achievement shall include consideration of one or more of the following accomplishments:
     (i) An increase in the percent of students meeting standards. The level of achievement required for recognition may be based on the achievement goals established by the legislature and by the board under (a) of this subsection;
     (ii) Positive progress on an improvement index that measures improvement in all levels of the assessment; and
     (iii) Improvements despite challenges such as high levels of mobility, poverty, English as a second language learners, and large numbers of students in special populations as measured by either the percent of students meeting the standard, or the improvement index. When determining the baseline year or years for recognizing individual schools, the board may use the assessment results from the initial years the assessments were administered, if doing so with individual schools would be appropriate;
     (d) Adopt objective, systematic criteria to identify schools and school districts
)), those in need of assistance, and those in which significant numbers of students persistently fail to meet state standards((. In its deliberations, the board shall consider the use of all statewide mandated criterion-referenced and norm-referenced standardized tests));
     (d) Recommend to the superintendent of public instruction ways for exemplary schools and districts to be recognized for student achievement and improvements in student achievement;
     (e) Identify schools and school districts in which state ((intervention measures)) support and assistance will be needed and recommend to the legislature a range of appropriate intervention strategies, which may be implemented only after the legislature has authorized a set of intervention strategies. After the legislature has authorized a set of intervention strategies, at the request of the board, the superintendent shall intervene in the school or school district and take corrective actions. This chapter does not provide additional authority for the board or the superintendent of public instruction to intervene in a school or school district;
     (f) Identify performance incentive systems that have improved or have the potential to improve student achievement;
     (g) Annually review the assessment reporting system to ensure fairness, accuracy, timeliness, and equity of opportunity, especially with regard to schools with special circumstances and unique populations of students, and a recommendation to the superintendent of public instruction of any improvements needed to the system; and
     (h) Include in the biennial report required under RCW 28A.305.035, information on the progress that has been made in achieving goals adopted by the board;
     (5) Accredit, subject to such accreditation standards and procedures as may be established by the state board of education, all private schools that apply for accreditation, and approve, subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.195.010, private schools carrying out a program for any or all of the grades kindergarten through twelve: PROVIDED, That no private school may be approved that operates a kindergarten program only: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no private schools shall be placed upon the list of accredited schools so long as secret societies are knowingly allowed to exist among its students by school officials;
     (6) Articulate with the institutions of higher education, workforce representatives, and early learning policymakers and providers to coordinate and unify the work of the public school system;
     (7) Hire an executive director and an administrative assistant to reside in the office of the superintendent of public instruction for administrative purposes. Any other personnel of the board shall be appointed as provided by RCW 28A.300.020. The board may delegate to the executive director by resolution such duties as deemed necessary to efficiently carry on the business of the board including, but not limited to, the authority to employ necessary personnel and the authority to enter into, amend, and terminate contracts on behalf of the board. The executive director, administrative assistant, and all but one of the other personnel of the board are exempt from civil service, together with other staff as now or hereafter designated as exempt in accordance with chapter 41.06 RCW; and
     (8) Adopt a seal that shall be kept in the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 303   A new section is added to chapter 28A.305 RCW to read as follows:
     SYSTEM OF SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE. In consultation with the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education shall:
     (1) Develop a comprehensive system of voluntary support and assistance for schools and school districts where the level of intensity of support and assistance for continuous school improvement increases based on objective, systematic criteria. The superintendent of public instruction shall implement the system to the extent funds are available;
     (2) Develop a proposal for support and assistance for schools and school districts that have not demonstrated sufficient improvement through a voluntary system. The proposal shall be implemented only if formally authorized by the legislature through enacted legislation;
     (3) Develop a methodology for using the prototypical school funding model under RCW 28A.150.260 as an analytic tool for comparing funding allocation assumptions and the actual use and distribution of resources, as well as outcomes, at the school and district level; and
     (4) Examine opportunities for and the feasibility of incorporating a system of quality management, accountability, and performance improvement such as the Baldridge national quality program into the overall state system continuous school improvement.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 304   PROGRESS REPORTS. (1) The state board of education and the superintendent of public instruction shall seek approval from the United States department of education for use of the objective criteria and the state system of support, assistance, and intervention to replace the federal accountability system under P.L. 107-110, the no child left behind act of 2001.
     (2) The state board of education and the superintendent of public instruction shall submit a progress report on the implementation of RCW 28A.305.130 and section 303 of this act to the education and fiscal committees of the legislature by December 1, 2009, and a final report with proposals and recommendations by December 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 305   A new section is added to chapter 28A.655 RCW to read as follows:
     EDUCATION DATA SYSTEM. It is the legislature's intent to establish comprehensive K-12 education data systems for financial, student, and educator data. The objective of the systems is to monitor student progress, assure educator quality, monitor and analyze the costs of programs, provide for financial integrity and accountability, and have the capacity to link across these various data components by student, by school, by district, and statewide. Education data systems must be flexible and able to adapt to evolving needs for information, but there must be an objective and orderly process for determining when changes are needed and how to implement them. The first priority for any new data systems should be financial, budgeting, and accounting systems necessary to support the new K-12 financial models and funding formulas. The benefits of significant increases in the amount of data available for analysis must be carefully weighed against the costs to school districts to enter, update, maintain, and submit the data and to implement new software and data management systems.

PART IV
OTHER FINANCE

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 401   A new section is added to chapter 28A.500 RCW to read as follows:
     NEW LEVY/LEA SYSTEM--INTENT. (1) The legislature finds that while the state has the responsibility to provide for a general and uniform system of public schools, there is also a need for some diversity in the public school system. A successful system of public education must permit some variation among school districts outside the basic education provided for by the state to respond to and reflect the unique desires of local communities. The opportunity for local communities to invest in enriched education programs promotes support for local public schools. Further, the ability of local school districts to experiment with enriched programs can inform the legislature's long-term evolution of the definition of basic education. Therefore, local levy authority remains an important component of the overall finance system in support of the public schools even though it is outside the state's obligation for basic education.
     (2) However, the value of permitting local levies must be balanced with the value of equity and fairness to students and to taxpayers, neither of whom should be unduly disadvantaged due to differences in the tax bases used to support local levies. Equity and fairness require both an equitable basis for supplemental funding outside basic education and a mechanism for property tax-poor school districts to fairly access supplemental funding. As such, local effort assistance, while also outside the state's obligation for basic education, is another important component of school finance.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 402   A new section is added to chapter 43.79 RCW to read as follows:
     GROWTH IN REVENUE. (1) The basic education account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation and only for the purposes of RCW 28A.150.260. All receipts from subsection (2) of this section shall be deposited into the account.
     (2) By September 30, 2011, and by September 30th of each odd-numbered year thereafter, if general state revenues from the prior fiscal biennium exceed the revenues from the fiscal biennium immediately preceding the prior fiscal biennium by more than five percent, the state treasurer shall transfer fifty percent of the amount over five percent to the basic education account.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "general state revenues" shall be as defined by Article VIII, section 1 of the state Constitution.

Sec. 403   RCW 28A.160.150 and 1996 c 279 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     PUPIL TRANSPORTATION. Funds allocated for transportation costs shall be in addition to the basic education allocation. The distribution formula developed in RCW 28A.160.150 through 28A.160.180 shall be for allocation purposes only and shall not be construed as mandating specific levels of pupil transportation services by local districts. Operating costs as determined under RCW 28A.160.150 through 28A.160.180 shall be funded at one hundred percent or as close thereto as reasonably possible for transportation of an eligible student to and from school as defined in RCW 28A.160.160(3). In addition, funding shall be provided for transportation services for students living within ((one radius mile from)) the school walk area as determined under RCW ((28A.160.180(2))) 28A.160.160(5).

Sec. 404   RCW 28A.160.160 and 1996 c 279 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     PUPIL TRANSPORTATION. For purposes of RCW 28A.160.150 through 28A.160.190, except where the context shall clearly indicate otherwise, the following definitions apply:
     (1) "Eligible student" means any student served by the transportation program of a school district or compensated for individual transportation arrangements authorized by RCW 28A.160.030 whose route stop is ((more than one radius mile from the)) outside the walk area for a student's school, except if the student to be transported is disabled under RCW 28A.155.020 and is either not ambulatory or not capable of protecting his or her own welfare while traveling to or from the school or agency where special education services are provided, in which case no mileage distance restriction applies.
     (2) "Superintendent" means the superintendent of public instruction.
     (3) "To and from school" means the transportation of students for the following purposes:
     (a) Transportation to and from route stops and schools;
     (b) Transportation to and from schools pursuant to an interdistrict agreement pursuant to RCW 28A.335.160;
     (c) Transportation of students between schools and learning centers for instruction specifically required by statute; and
     (d) Transportation of students with disabilities to and from schools and agencies for special education services.
     Academic extended day transportation for the instructional program of basic education under RCW 28A.150.220 shall ((not)) be considered part of transportation of students "to and from school" for the purposes of ((chapter 61, Laws of 1983 1st ex. sess)) this section. Transportation for field trips may not be considered part of transportation of students "to and from school" under this section.
     (4) "Transportation services" for students living within ((one radius mile from)) the school walk area means school transportation services including the use of buses, funding of crossing guards, and matching funds for local and state transportation projects intended to mitigate hazardous walking conditions. Priority for transportation services shall be given to students in grades kindergarten through five.
     (5) The "walk area" means that area around a school with an adequate roadway configuration to provide students access to school with a walking distance of less than one mile. Mileage must be measured along the shortest roadway or maintained public walkway where hazardous conditions do not exist. The hazardous conditions must be documented by a process established in rule by the superintendent of public instruction and must include roadway, environmental, and social conditions. Each elementary school shall identify walk routes within the walk area.

Sec. 405   RCW 28A.160.170 and 2007 c 139 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     PUPIL TRANSPORTATION. Each district shall submit three times each year to the superintendent of public instruction during October, February, and May of each year a report containing the following:
     (1)(a) The number of eligible students transported to and from school as provided for in RCW 28A.160.150 ((for the current school year and the number of miles estimated to be driven for pupil transportation services)), along with ((a map describing student route)) identification of stop locations and school locations, and (b) the number of miles driven for pupil transportation services as authorized in RCW 28A.160.150 the previous school year; and
     (2) Other operational data and descriptions as required by the superintendent to determine allocation requirements for each district. The superintendent shall require that districts separate the costs of operating the program for the transportation of eligible students to and from school as defined by RCW 28A.160.160(3) from non-to-and-from-school pupil transportation costs in the annual financial statement. The cost, quantity, and type of all fuel purchased by school districts for use in to-and-from-school transportation shall be included in the annual financial statement.
     Each district shall submit the information required in this section on a timely basis as a condition of the continuing receipt of school transportation moneys.

Sec. 406   RCW 28A.160.180 and 1996 c 279 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     PUPIL TRANSPORTATION. Each district's annual student transportation allocation shall be ((based on differential rates)) determined by the superintendent of public instruction in the following manner:
     (1) The superintendent shall annually calculate ((a standard student mile allocation rate for determining)) the transportation allocation for those services provided for in RCW 28A.160.150. (("Standard student mile allocation rate," as used in this chapter, means the per mile allocation rate for transporting an eligible student.)) The ((standard student mile)) allocation ((rate)) formula may be adjusted to include such additional differential factors as ((distance; restricted)) basic and special passenger ((load; circumstances that require use of special types of transportation vehicles; student with disabilities load; and small fleet maintenance)) counts as defined by the superintendent of public instruction, average distance to school, and number of locations served.
     (2) ((For transportation services for students living within one radius mile from school,)) The allocation shall be based on a regression analysis of the number of basic and special students ((in grades kindergarten through five living within one radius mile as specified in the biennial appropriations act)) transported and as many other site characteristics that are identified as being statistically significant.
     (3) ((The superintendent of public instruction shall annually calculate allocation rate(s), which shall include vehicle amortization, for determining)) The transportation allocation for transporting students in district-owned passenger cars, as defined in RCW 46.04.382, pursuant to RCW 28A.160.010 for services provided for in RCW 28A.160.150 if a school district deems it advisable to use such vehicles after the school district board of directors has considered the safety of the students being transported as well as the economy of utilizing a district-owned passenger car in lieu of a school bus is the private vehicle reimbursement rate in effect on September 1st of each school year. Students transported in district-owned passenger cars must be included in the corresponding basic or special passenger counts.
      (4) Prior to June 1st of each year the superintendent shall submit to the office of financial management, and the education and fiscal committees ((on education and ways and means of the senate and house of representatives)) of the legislature, a report outlining the methodology and rationale used in determining the statistical coefficients for each site characteristic used to determine the allocation ((rates to be used)) for the following year.

Sec. 407   RCW 28A.160.190 and 1990 c 33 s 145 are each amended to read as follows:
     PUPIL TRANSPORTATION. The superintendent shall notify districts of their student transportation allocation before January 15th. ((If the number of eligible students in a school district changes ten percent or more from the October report, and the change is maintained for a period of twenty consecutive school days or more, the district may submit revised eligible student data to the superintendent of public instruction.)) The superintendent shall((, to the extent funds are available,)) recalculate and prorate the district's allocation for the transportation of pupils to and from school.
     The superintendent shall make the student transportation allocation in accordance with the apportionment payment schedule in RCW 28A.510.250. Such allocation payments may be based on ((estimated amounts)) the prior school year's ridership report for payments to be made in September, October, November, December, and January.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 408   A new section is added to chapter 28A.160 RCW to read as follows:
     PUPIL TRANSPORTATION. The superintendent of public instruction shall ensure that the allocation formula results in adequate appropriation for low enrollment districts, nonhigh districts, districts involved in cooperative transportation agreements, and cooperative special transportation services operated by educational service districts. If necessary, the superintendent shall develop a separate process to adjust the allocation of the districts.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 409   A new section is added to chapter 28A.160 RCW to read as follows:
     PUPIL TRANSPORTATION. The superintendent of public instruction shall encourage efficient use of state resources by providing a linear programming process that compares school district transportation operations. If a school district's operation is calculated to be less than ninety percent efficient, the regional transportation coordinators shall provide an individual review to determine what measures are available to the school district to improve efficiency. The evaluation shall include such measures as:
     (1) Efficient routing of buses;
     (2) Efficient use of vehicle capacity; and
     (3) Reasonable controls on compensation costs.
     The superintendent shall submit to the fiscal and education committees of the legislature no later than December 1st of each year a report summarizing the efficiency reviews and the resulting changes implemented by school districts in response to the recommendations of the regional transportation coordinators.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 410   A new section is added to chapter 28A.160 RCW to read as follows:
     PUPIL TRANSPORTATION. (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall phase-in implementation of the new distribution formula for allocating state funds to school districts for transportation of students to and from school, beginning with the 2011-12 school year.
     (a) The formula must be developed and revised on an ongoing basis using the major cost factors in student transportation, including basic and special student loads, school district land area, average distance to school, roadway miles, and number of locations served. Factors will include all those site characteristics that are statistically significant after analysis of the data required by the revised reporting process.
     (b) The formula must allocate funds to school districts based on the average predicted costs of transporting students to and from school, using a regression analysis.
     (2) During the phase-in period, funding provided to school districts for student transportation operations shall be distributed on the following basis:
     (a) Annually, each school district shall receive the lesser of the previous school year's pupil transportation operations allocation, or the total of allowable pupil transportation expenditures identified on the previous school year's final expenditure report to the state plus district indirect expenses using the state recovery rate identified by the superintendent; and
     (b) Annually, any funds appropriated by the legislature in excess of the maintenance level funding amount for student transportation shall be distributed among school districts on a prorated basis using the difference between the amount identified in (a) of this subsection and the amount determined under the formula in RCW 28A.160.180.
     (3) The superintendent shall develop, implement, and provide a copy of the rules specifying the student transportation reporting requirements to the legislature and school districts no later than December 1, 2009.
     (4) Beginning in December 2009, and continuing until December 2014, the superintendent shall provide quarterly updates and progress reports to the fiscal committees of the legislature on the implementation and testing of the distribution formula.

PART V
GENERAL PROVISIONS--PROGRAM OF BASIC EDUCATION

Sec. 501   RCW 28A.150.410 and 2007 c 403 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     SALARY ALLOCATION MODEL. (1) The legislature shall establish for each school year in the appropriations act a statewide salary allocation schedule, for allocation purposes only, to be used to distribute funds for basic education certificated instructional staff salaries under RCW 28A.150.260. For the purposes of this section, beginning in the 2011-12 school year, the staff allocations for classroom teachers, librarians, professional development coaches, student health services staff, and guidance counselors under RCW 28A.150.260 are allocations for certificated instructional staff.
     (2) Salary allocations for state-funded ((basic education)) certificated instructional staff shall be calculated by the superintendent of public instruction by determining the district's average salary for all certificated instructional staff, using the statewide salary allocation schedule and related documents, conditions, and limitations established by the omnibus appropriations act.
     (3) Beginning January 1, 1992, no more than ninety college quarter-hour credits received by any employee after the baccalaureate degree may be used to determine compensation allocations under the state salary allocation schedule and LEAP documents referenced in the omnibus appropriations act, or any replacement schedules and documents, unless:
     (a) The employee has a masters degree; or
     (b) The credits were used in generating state salary allocations before January 1, 1992.
     (4) Beginning in the 2007-08 school year, the calculation of years of service for occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, nurses, social workers, counselors, and psychologists regulated under Title 18 RCW may include experience in schools and other nonschool positions as occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, nurses, social workers, counselors, or psychologists. The calculation shall be that one year of service in a nonschool position counts as one year of service for purposes of this chapter, up to a limit of two years of nonschool service. Nonschool years of service included in calculations under this subsection shall not be applied to service credit totals for purposes of any retirement benefit under chapter 41.32, 41.35, or 41.40 RCW, or any other state retirement system benefits.

Sec. 502   RCW 28A.165.005 and 2004 c 20 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     LAP ADJUSTMENTS. ((The learning assistance program requirements in)) This chapter ((are)) is designed to: (1) Promote the use of assessment data when developing programs to assist underachieving students; and (2) guide school districts in providing the most effective and efficient practices when implementing ((programs)) supplemental instruction and services to assist underachieving students. ((Further, this chapter provides the means by which a school district becomes eligible for learning assistance program funds and the distribution of those funds.))

Sec. 503   RCW 28A.165.015 and 2004 c 20 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     LAP ADJUSTMENTS. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Approved program" means a program submitted to and approved by the office of the superintendent of public instruction and conducted pursuant to the plan that addresses the required elements as provided for in this chapter.
     (2) "Basic skills areas" means reading, writing, and mathematics as well as readiness associated with these skills.
     (3) "Participating student" means a student in kindergarten through grade ((eleven who scores below standard for his or her grade level on the statewide assessments and who is identified in the approved plan to receive services. Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, "participating student" means a student in kindergarten through grade)) twelve who scores below standard for his or her grade level on the statewide assessments and who is identified in the approved plan to receive services.
     (4) "Statewide assessments" means one or more of the several basic skills assessments administered as part of the state's student assessment system, and assessments in the basic skills areas administered by local school districts.
     (5) "Underachieving students" means students with the greatest academic deficits in basic skills as identified by the statewide assessments.

Sec. 504   RCW 28A.165.055 and 2008 c 321 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     LAP ADJUSTMENTS. (((1))) Each school district with an approved program is eligible for state funds provided for the learning assistance program. The funds shall be appropriated for the learning assistance program in accordance with RCW 28A.150.260 and the ((biennial)) omnibus appropriations act. The distribution formula is for school district allocation purposes only, but funds appropriated for the learning assistance program must be expended for the purposes of RCW 28A.165.005 through 28A.165.065. ((The distribution formula shall be based on one or more family income factors measuring economic need.
     (2) In addition to the funds allocated to eligible school districts on the basis of family income factors, enhanced funds shall be allocated for school districts where more than twenty percent of students are eligible for and enrolled in the transitional bilingual instruction program under chapter 28A.180 RCW as provided in this subsection. The enhanced funding provided in this subsection shall take effect beginning in the 2008-09 school year.
     (a) If, in the prior school year, a district's percent of October headcount student enrollment in grades kindergarten through twelve who are enrolled in the transitional bilingual instruction program, based on an average of the program headcount taken in October and May, exceeds twenty percent, twenty percent shall be subtracted from the district's percent transitional bilingual instruction program enrollment and the resulting percent shall be multiplied by the district's kindergarten through twelve annual average full-time equivalent enrollment for the prior school year.
     (b) The number calculated under (a) of this subsection shall be the number of additional funded students for purposes of this subsection, to be multiplied by the per-funded student allocation rates specified in the omnibus appropriations act.
     (c) School districts are only eligible for the enhanced funds under this subsection if their percentage of October headcount enrollment in grades kindergarten through twelve eligible for free or reduced-price lunch exceeded forty percent in the prior school year.
))

Sec. 505   RCW 28A.180.010 and 1990 c 33 s 163 are each amended to read as follows:
     TBIP ADJUSTMENTS. RCW 28A.180.010 through 28A.180.080 shall be known and cited as "the transitional bilingual instruction act." The legislature finds that there are large numbers of children who come from homes where the primary language is other than English. The legislature finds that a transitional bilingual education program can meet the needs of these children. Pursuant to the policy of this state to insure equal educational opportunity to every child in this state, it is the purpose of RCW 28A.180.010 through 28A.180.080 to provide for the implementation of transitional bilingual education programs in the public schools((, and to provide supplemental financial assistance to school districts to meet the extra costs of these programs)).

Sec. 506   RCW 28A.180.080 and 1995 c 335 s 601 are each amended to read as follows:
     TBIP ADJUSTMENTS. ((The superintendent of public instruction shall prepare and submit biennially to the governor and the legislature a budget request for bilingual instruction programs.)) Moneys appropriated by the legislature for the purposes of RCW 28A.180.010 through 28A.180.080 shall be allocated by the superintendent of public instruction to school districts for the sole purpose of operating an approved bilingual instruction program((; priorities for funding shall exist for the early elementary grades. No moneys shall be allocated pursuant to this section to fund more than three school years of bilingual instruction for each eligible pupil within a district: PROVIDED, That such moneys may be allocated to fund more than three school years of bilingual instruction for any pupil who fails to demonstrate improvement in English language skills adequate to remove impairment of learning when taught only in English. The superintendent of public instruction shall set standards and approve a test for the measurement of such English language skills)).

Sec. 507   RCW 28A.185.010 and 1984 c 278 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:
     Pursuant to rules ((and regulations)) adopted by the superintendent of public instruction for the administration of this chapter, the superintendent of public instruction shall carry out a program for highly capable students. Such program may include conducting, coordinating and aiding in research (including pilot programs), disseminating information to local school districts, providing statewide staff development, and allocating to school districts supplementary funds for additional costs of district programs, as provided by RCW ((28A.185.020)) 28A.150.260.

Sec. 508   RCW 28A.185.020 and 1990 c 33 s 168 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds that, for highly capable students, access to accelerated learning and enhanced instruction is access to a basic education. There are multiple definitions of highly capable, from intellectual to academic to artistic. The research literature strongly supports using multiple criteria to identify highly capable students, and therefore, the legislature does not intend to prescribe a single method. Instead, the legislature intends to allocate funding based on two percent of each school district's population and authorize school districts to identify through the use of multiple, objective criteria those students most highly capable and eligible to receive accelerated learning and enhanced instruction in the program offered by the district. Access to accelerated learning and enhanced instruction through the program for highly capable students does not constitute an individual entitlement for any particular student.
     (2)
Supplementary funds ((as may be)) provided by the state for ((this program, in accordance with RCW 28A.150.370,)) the program for highly capable students under RCW 28A.150.260 shall be categorical funding ((on an excess cost basis based upon a per student amount not to exceed three percent of any district's full-time equivalent enrollment)) to provide services to highly capable students as determined by a school district under RCW 28A.185.030.

Sec. 509   RCW 28A.225.200 and 1990 c 33 s 234 are each amended to read as follows:
     EDUCATION BY OTHER DISTRICTS. (1) A local district may be authorized by the educational service district superintendent to transport and educate its pupils in other districts for one year, either by payment of a compensation agreed upon by such school districts, or under other terms mutually satisfactory to the districts concerned when this will afford better educational facilities for the pupils and when a saving may be effected in the cost of education((: PROVIDED, That)). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amount to be paid by the state to the resident school district for apportionment purposes and otherwise payable pursuant to RCW ((28A.150.100,)) 28A.150.250 through 28A.150.290, 28A.150.350 through 28A.150.410, 28A.160.150 through 28A.160.200, ((28A.160.220)) 28A.300.035, and 28A.300.170((, and 28A.500.010)) shall not be greater than the regular apportionment for each high school student of the receiving district. Such authorization may be extended for an additional year at the discretion of the educational service district superintendent.
     (2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to districts participating in a cooperative project established under RCW 28A.340.030 which exceeds two years in duration.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 510   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 28A.150.030 (School day) and 1971 ex.s. c 161 s 1 & 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.01.010;
     (2) RCW 28A.150.060 (Certificated employee) and 2005 c 497 s 212, 1990 c 33 s 102, 1977 ex.s. c 359 s 17, 1975 1st ex.s. c 288 s 21, & 1973 1st ex.s. c 105 s 1;
     (3) RCW 28A.150.100 (Basic education certificated instructional staff -- Definition -- Ratio to students) and 1990 c 33 s 103 & 1987 1st ex.s. c 2 s 203;
     (4) RCW 28A.150.040 (School year -- Beginning -- End) and 1990 c 33 s 101, 1982 c 158 s 5, 1977 ex.s. c 286 s 1, 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 118 s 22, & 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.01.020;
     (5) RCW 28A.150.370 (Additional programs for which legislative appropriations must or may be made) and 1995 c 335 s 102, 1995 c 77 s 5, 1990 c 33 s 114, 1982 1st ex.s. c 24 s 1, & 1977 ex.s. c 359 s 7;
     (6) RCW 28A.155.180 (Safety net funds--Application--Technical assistance--Annual survey) and 2007 c 400 s 8; and
     (7) RCW 28A.150.205 (Definition) and 1992 c 141 s 502.

PART VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 601   Part headings and captions used in this act are not any part of the law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 602   Sections 3, 102, and 108 of this act are each added to chapter 28A.150 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 603   Sections 101 through 110, 402 through 408, and 501 through 510 of this act take effect September 1, 2011.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 604   Section 409 of this act takes effect September 1, 2013.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 605   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

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