WSR 16-07-125

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 22, 2016, 11:11 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: In chapter 392-190 WAC, Equal educational opportunity—Unlawful discrimination prohibited, the office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI) is considering rule making regarding language access services for limited-English proficient students and families, and specifically school districts' communication of their language access policy and procedure with parents, students, employees, and volunteers.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28A.642.020.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In ESSB 6052, Part V, Sec. 501(5), the Washington state legislature directed OSPI to adopt rules regarding school districts' communication of their language access policy and procedure for limited-English proficient parents, students, employees, and volunteers. New rules about school districts' language access policies and procedures - including communication of their policy and procedure - will promote awareness of language access rights and available services, as well as improve compliance with civil rights requirements regarding meaningful communication with limited-English proficient families.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights; the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division; and the Washington state human rights commission regulate similar nondiscrimination laws. OSPI will invite these agencies to provide feedback and recommendations regarding the proposed rules.

Process for Developing New Rule: Early solicitation of public comments and recommendations regarding new or amended rules and consideration of the comments and recommendations in the course of drafting rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Calandra Sechrist, Director, Equity and Civil Rights Office, OSPI, phone (360) 725-6162, TTY (360) 664-2967, e-mail equity@k12.wa.us. A public hearing will be scheduled as per the CR-102.

March 22, 2016

Randy Dorn

Superintendent of

Public Instruction