Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
SB 6201
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Making the open educational resources project permanent.
Sponsors: Senators Liias, Zeiger, Carlyle and Palumbo.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/20/18
Staff: Katie Choate (786-7296) and Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:
Openly Licensed Courseware.
In 2012 the Legislature required the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to identify and develop a library of openly licensed courseware (library) aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and licensed in a way that allows others to use and modify the courseware while allowing the authors or creators to receive credit for their efforts.
The legislation also directed the OSPI to:
advertise the availability of openly licensed courseware;
provide associated professional development programs;
seek outside funding by partnering with private organizations;
collaborate with other states; and
report to the Governor and the Legislature on a biennial basis beginning December 1, 2013 and ending December 1, 2017.
The SPI's library is called Open Educational Resources (OER). Examples of courseware in the library include the course syllabus, instructional materials, modules, textbooks, student guides, and formative and summative assessments.
School districts are not required to use any of the openly licensed courseware.
The statute creating the library expires June 30, 2018.
State Learning Standards.
As required by law, the SPI has developed state learning standards and state assessments based on these standards. The state learning standards identify the knowledge and skills that public school students need to know and be able to do at each grade level. The SPI has adopted learning standards and guides in 12 content areas, including the arts, science, and world languages.
In 2011, the SPI adopted the CCSS, developed through a state-led initiative, as the state learning standards in mathematics and English language arts. Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, school districts began administering state assessments based on the CCSS.
Summary of Bill:
The requirement that the library align with the CCSS is replaced with a requirement that the library align with the state learning standards. The expiration date of June 30, 2018 for the statute creating the library, and the end date of December 1, 2017 for the biennial report to the Governor and the Legislature, are both removed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.