SENATE BILL REPORT

2SHB 1424

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.

As of March 19, 2019

Title: An act relating to increasing access to state career and technical course equivalencies.

Brief Description: Concerning access to state career and technical course equivalencies.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Steele, Paul, Eslick, Lekanoff, Tarleton, Frame, Jinkins, Tharinger, Ormsby, Riccelli and Stonier; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/05/19, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/20/19.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires that until September 1, 2021, school districts must provide high school students with the opportunity to access at least one career and technical education course that is considered a statewide equivalency course by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

  • Requires that beginning September 1, 2021, any statewide equivalency course offered by a school district or accessed at a skill center must be offered for academic credit.

  • Permits OSPI to adopt rules establishing the criteria for waivers from the equivalency requirements.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)

Background: Career and Technical Education Equivalency Courses. As defined in statute, career and technical education (CTE) is a planned program of courses and learning experiences that begins with an exploration of career options and supports basic academic and life skills. Each high school or school board in Washington is required to adopt course equivalencies for CTE high school courses, where the credit for CTE courses is determined to be equivalent to an academic course. Each school board must develop a course equivalency approval procedure, and must, at a minimum, grant academic course equivalency in mathematics or science for a CTE course from a list approved by OSPI.

Career and Technical Education Curriculum Frameworks. Current law also requires OSPI to develop curriculum frameworks for a selected list of CTE courses whose content is considered equivalent, in full or in part, to courses that meet high school graduation requirements. These frameworks are required to be developed in consultation with technical working groups and with public comment.

Equivalency Course Waivers. Beginning January 1, 2019, districts with fewer than 2000 students may apply to OSPI for a waiver from provisions relating to CTE course equivalencies. The State Board of Education is authorized to adopt rules establishing the criteria for evaluating these waivers.

Summary of Bill: Course Equivalences. Until September 1, 2021, school districts must provide high school students with the opportunity to access at least one CTE course that is considered a statewide equivalency course, as determined by OSPI. Each high school or district may additionally adopt local course equivalencies for CTE courses that are not on OSPI's list of approved courses.

Beginning September 1, 2021, any statewide equivalency course offered by a school district or accessed at a skill center must be offered for academic credit.

Waivers. OSPI may adopt rules establishing the criteria for waivers from CTE equivalency provisions, as opposed to the State Board of Education.

Appropriation: The bill contains a null and void clause requiring specific funding be provided in an omnibus appropriation act.

Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on March 7, 2019.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.