H-0323

AN ACT Relating to the education 2000 task force; amending RCW 28A.150.210; adding new sections to chapter 28A.630 RCW; repealing RCW 28A.150.220; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The education 2000 task force is hereby established. The purpose of the task force is: (1) To identify a new definition of basic education that will include the essential knowledge, understandings, and skills necessary in the contemporary setting to equip children of this state for their roles as citizens and as potential competitors in today's market as well as in the market of ideas; and (2) to develop strategies to implement the new definition and ensure that such learning occurs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Membership of the task force shall include one representative from the following groups and organizations: School administrators; school principals; school teachers; school directors; the office of the governor; the office of the superintendent of public instruction; the state board of education; and college and university teacher education programs. In addition, the task force shall include two members representing parents, two members representing business, four members of the senate, and four members of the house of representatives. Representation from the senate and house of representatives shall be equally divided between the majority and minority parties. Members from the legislature shall be selected by the speaker of the house of representatives and president of the senate. Representatives from other organizations shall be selected jointly by the governor and superintendent of public instruction.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The task force shall:

(1)(a) By December 1, 1991, identify the knowledge, understandings, and skills necessary to equip children of this state for their roles as citizens and as potential competitors in today's market as well as in the market of ideas. The task force shall then provide a recommendation on these essential learnings to the education committees of the legislature for their adoption. These essential learnings shall include desired student outcomes in each of the following categories: Academics, vocational education, personal development, and social and civic responsibilities;

(b) By December 1, 1992, recommend expected levels of student performance relative to the essential learnings identified in (a) of this subsection;

(2) By December 1, 1991, recommend for repeal or amendment state laws and rules that could inhibit schools and school districts from adopting creative strategies to ensure that students master the essential learnings. The task force shall specifically consider recommending repeal or amendment of requirements pertaining to teacher-student contact time, compulsory courses, length of the school year, and program offerings;

(3) Beginning December 1, 1992, report annually on strategies to: (a) Implement the new definition of basic education based on essential learnings. Components of the strategy shall include a recommended schedule for adopting the new definition of basic education, whether adoption of the new definition by school districts should be mandatory or voluntary, necessary or recommended statutory changes, and what performance incentives or sanctions should be created;

(b) Assist schools in ensuring that all children learn the essential learnings. Consideration shall be given to: Providing additional time and resources for schools to plan improvements and train personnel; making structural and organizational changes to clarify learning responsibilities; creating improved learning and enhancing learning communities; and funding innovative projects and pilot programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Staff and administrative support for the task force shall be provided by the legislature. The task force shall expire December 31, 1999.

Sec. 5. RCW 28A.150.210 and 1977 ex.s. c 359 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The goal of the Basic Education Act for the schools of the state of Washington ((~~set forth in this 1977 amendatory act~~)) shall be to ((~~provide students with the opportunity to achieve those skills which are generally recognized as requisite to learning. Those skills shall include the ability:~~

~~(1) To distinguish, interpret and make use of words, numbers and other symbols, including sound, colors, shapes and textures;~~

~~(2) To organize words and other symbols into acceptable verbal and nonverbal forms of expression, and numbers into their appropriate functions;~~

~~(3) To perform intellectual functions such as problem solving, decision making, goal setting, selecting, planning, predicting, experimenting, ordering and evaluating; and~~

~~(4) To use various muscles necessary for coordinating physical and mental functions~~)) ensure that students master the knowledge, understandings, and skills necessary for their roles as citizens and as potential competitors in today's market as well as in the market of ideas as determined by the education 2000 task force and as adopted by the education committees of the legislature under section 3 of this 1991 act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. RCW 28A.150.220 and 1990 c 33 s 105, 1982 c 158 s 1, 1979 ex.s. c 250 s 1, & 1977 ex.s. c 359 s 3 are each repealed effective August 31, 1992.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Section 5 of this act shall take effect August 31, 1992.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Section 1 through 4 of this act shall expire January 1, 2000.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 1 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 28A.630 RCW.