WASHINGTON STATE REGISTER

WSR 03-23-030

PROPOSED RULES

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

[ Filed November 12, 2003, 12:01 p.m. ]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 03-18-049.

Title of Rule: WAC 180-51-061 Minimum requirements for high school graduation.

Purpose: The purpose is to change the "title" of the High School + Education Plan to properly communicate the dual nature of the plan requirement: What it will take to earn the diploma (first); and what the student expects to do the year following graduation. The new title proposed is: High School and Beyond Plan.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.230.090.

Summary: Change title to High School and Beyond Plan.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Purpose above.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Larry Davis, State Board of Education, Olympia, (360) 725-6024.

Name of Proponent: State Board of Education.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The rule outlines the state of Washington minimum high school graduation requirements.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Changes title in language from High School + Education Plan to High School and Beyond Plan.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Not applicable.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. Not applicable.

Hearing Location: Olympia School District, 1113 Legion Way S.E., Olympia, WA 98501-1967, on January 15, 2004, at 8:30 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Laura Moore by January 2, 2004, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6027.

Submit Written Comments to: Rules Coordinator, State Board of Education, P.O. Box 47206, Olympia, WA 98504-7206, fax (360) 586-2357, by January 2, 2004.

Date of Intended Adoption: January 16, 2004.

October 31, 2003

Larry Davis

Executive Director

OTS-6778.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 01-13-114, filed 6/20/01, effective 7/21/01)

WAC 180-51-061 Minimum requirements for high school graduation. (1) The statewide minimum subject areas and credits required for high school graduation, beginning July 1, 2004, for students who enter the ninth grade or begin the equivalent of a four-year high school program, shall be as listed below.

(2) State board of education approved private schools under RCW 28A.305.130(6) may, but are not required to, align their curriculums with the state learning goals under RCW 28A.150.210 or the essential academic learning requirements under RCW 28A.665.060.

Subject Area Essential Content Minimum State Credits¹ Assessment Includes

English
• Reading
• Writing
• Communications
(Student Learning Goal 1)
The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content 3 Secondary WASL²
(beginning 2008)

Mathematics
(Student Learning Goal 2)
The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content 2 Secondary WASL²
(beginning 2008)

Science
• Physical
• Life
• Earth
(Student Learning Goal 2)
The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content
At least one credit in laboratory science, which shall be defined locally
2 The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵

Social Studies
• Civics
• History
• Geography
(Student Learning Goal 2)
The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content
U.S. history and government, Washington state history and government, and including study of the U.S. and Washington state Constitutions³
Contemporary world history, geography, and problems⁴
2.5
The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵

Health and Fitness⁶
(Student Learning Goal 2)
The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content 2 The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵

Arts
(Student Learning Goal 2)
The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content
May be satisfied in the visual or performing arts
1
The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵

Occupational Education "Occupational education" means credits resulting from a series of learning experiences designed to assist the student to acquire and demonstrate competency of skills under student learning goal four and which skills are required for success in current and emerging occupations. At a minimum, these competencies shall align with the definition of an exploratory course as proposed or adopted in the career and technical education program standards of the superintendent of public instruction. 1 The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵

Electives⁷ See footnote #7 5.5 The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵

TOTAL 19

Culminating Project⁸ See footnote #8 The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵

High School ((~~+ Education~~)) and Beyond Plan⁹ See footnote #9 The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵

¹ See WAC 180-51-050 for definition of high school credit.

² See WAC 180-51-063 for effective date.

³ The study of Washington state history and government is encouraged to include information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indian people who were the first inhabitants of the state. The study of the U.S. and Washington state Constitutions shall not be waived, but may be fulfilled through an alternative learning experience approved by the school principal pursuant to written district policy. Secondary school students who have completed and passed a state history and government course of study in another state may have the Washington state history and government requirement waived by their principal. For purposes of the Washington state history and government requirement only, the term "secondary school students" shall mean a student who is in one of the grades seven through twelve.

⁴ Courses in economics, sociology, civics, political science, international relations, or related courses with emphasis on current problems may be accepted as equivalencies.

⁵ Locally determined assessment means whatever assessment or assessments, if any, the district determines are necessary.

⁶ The fitness portion of the requirement shall be met by course work in fitness education. The content of fitness courses shall be determined locally pursuant to WAC 180-51-025. Suggested fitness course outlines shall be developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction. Students may be excused from the physical portion of the fitness requirement pursuant to RCW 28A.230.050. Such excused students shall be required to substitute equivalency credits in accordance with policies of boards of directors of districts, including demonstration of the knowledge portion of the fitness requirement. "Directed athletics" shall be interpreted to include community-based organized athletics.

⁷ Study in a world language other than English or study in a world culture may satisfy any or all of the required electives.

⁸ Each student shall complete a culminating project for graduation. The project consists of the student demonstrating both their learning competencies and preparations related to learning goals three and four. Each district shall define the process to implement this graduation requirement, including assessment criteria, in written district policy.

⁹ Each student shall have an education plan for their high school experience, including what they expect to do the year following graduation.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.230.090. 01-13-114, § 180-51-061, filed 6/20/01, effective 7/21/01; 00-23-032, § 180-51-061, filed 11/8/00, effective 12/9/00.]

Legislature

Code Reviser

Register

Subject Area	Essential Content	Minimum State Credits¹	Assessment Includes
English • Reading • Writing • Communications (Student Learning Goal 1)	The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content	3	Secondary WASL² (beginning 2008)
Mathematics (Student Learning Goal 2)	The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content	2	Secondary WASL² (beginning 2008)
Science • Physical • Life • Earth (Student Learning Goal 2)	The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content At least one credit in laboratory science, which shall be defined locally	2	The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵
Social Studies • Civics • History • Geography (Student Learning Goal 2)	The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content U.S. history and government, Washington state history and government, and including study of the U.S. and Washington state Constitutions³ Contemporary world history, geography, and problems⁴	2.5	The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵
Health and Fitness⁶ (Student Learning Goal 2)	The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content	2	The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵
Arts (Student Learning Goal 2)	The Essential Academic Learning Requirements through benchmark three, plus content that is determined by the district to be beyond benchmark three level content May be satisfied in the visual or performing arts	1	The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵
Occupational Education	"Occupational education" means credits resulting from a series of learning experiences designed to assist the student to acquire and demonstrate competency of skills under student learning goal four and which skills are required for success in current and emerging occupations. At a minimum, these competencies shall align with the definition of an exploratory course as proposed or adopted in the career and technical education program standards of the superintendent of public instruction.	1	The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵
Electives⁷	See footnote #7	5.5	The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵
TOTAL		19
Culminating Project⁸	See footnote #8		The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵
High School ((~~+ Education~~)) and Beyond Plan⁹	See footnote #9		The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area remains at the local level⁵

⁴	Courses in economics, sociology, civics, political science, international relations, or related courses with emphasis on current problems may be accepted as equivalencies.
⁵	Locally determined assessment means whatever assessment or assessments, if any, the district determines are necessary.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office