Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

SB 6066

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 Summary of Bill

Specifies that the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must identify existing state learning standards, rather than adopt Essential Academic Learning Requirements and grade-level expectations, that address the knowledge and skills that all public school students need to be global citizens in a global society with an appreciation for the contributions of diverse cultures.
Requires the OSPI and the existing Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee to identify ethnic studies materials and resources for use in all grades, rather than only for grades 7 through 12.
Directs the Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee to consider the need for piloting ethnic studies materials and resources and professional development, and adds educators with experience in age-appropriate ethnic studies curricula to the committee.

Background:

Legislation adopted in 2019 (i.e. Substitute Senate Bill 5023, enacted as Chapter 279, Laws of 2019), directed the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to complete two tasks by September 1, 2020. First, the OSPI must adopt Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and grade-level expectations that identify the knowledge and skills that all public school students need to be global citizens in a global society with an appreciation for the contributions of diverse cultures. The term "state learning standards" is often used to refer to EALRs.

Second, the OSPI must identify and post on its website ethnic studies materials and resources for use in grades 7 through 12. Public schools with students in grades 7 through 12 are encouraged to offer an ethnic studies course that incorporates the materials and resources identified by the OSPI.

The legislation also directed the OSPI to establish an ethnic studies advisory committee composed of a majority of educators with experience in teaching ethnic studies from public high schools and institutions of higher education, including educators representing the state commissions on African American affairs, Asian Pacific American affairs, and Hispanic affairs. The committee is directed to make recommendations regarding the identification of ethnic studies materials and resources for use in grades 7 through 12 and for use in elementary school. In addition, the advisory committee is directed to develop a framework to support the teaching of ethnic studies to students in grades 7 through 12. The advisory committee expires June 30, 2021.

Summary of Bill:

By September 1, 2021, the OSPI must identify existing state learning standards, rather than adopt EALRs and grade-level expectations, that address the knowledge and skills that all public school students need to be global citizens in a global society with an appreciation for the contributions of diverse cultures.

The OSPI is required to identify ethnic studies materials and resources for use in grades kindergarten through 6, in addition to grades 7 through 12, and the deadline for making these materials and resources publicly available is extended by one year to September 1, 2021. Public schools with students in grades kindergarten through 6 are encouraged to incorporate the materials and resources.

In addition to other duties, the Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee must consider the need for piloting ethnic studies materials and resources and professional development. Educators with experience in age-appropriate ethnic studies curricula are added to the membership of the committee. The expiration date of the committee is extended by one year to June 30, 2022.