H-0786

AN ACT Relating to student learning; amending RCW 28A.320.200; adding new sections to chapter 28A.150 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that education is the most important function of our society. The commitment of resources for the education and welfare of children is our primary investment in the quality of our future. The legislature is committed to providing the leadership that creates, initiates, and supports change that results in improved education and increased student learning.

The legislature shall establish the mission of education in the state of Washington and provide incentives to local school districts to restructure their local educational programs with the goal of improving student learning. These efforts will enable local schools with the active support of their communities to refocus their programs in order for all students to be successful.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. It is the mission of education in this state to develop flexible, self-directed, and interactive learners who demonstrate the following attitudes, knowledge, and skills:

(1) Responsible and ethical behavior;

(2) Concern for others;

(3) Positive work habits;

(4) Contribution to the community;

(5) Mastery of the core curriculum;

(6) Command of the English language;

(7) Global awareness;

(8) Cooperation and teamwork;

(9) Decision making;

(10) Reasoning and problem solving;

(11) Creative and critical thinking; and

(12) Communication.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The basic education requirement in Article IX, section 1 of the state Constitution may be provided by compliance with the basic education act, RCW 28A.150.200 through 28A.150.295, or the student learning alternative program in sections 2 through 14 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A school district with an approved program to improve student learning may participate in the student learning alternative program. The program shall include, at a minimum:

(1) The formal commitment of the school district board of directors, staff, and community to demonstrably improve student learning;

(2) Specific local standards for student learning that incorporate the state mission for education; and

(3) Identification of the procedures that will be used to achieve the local standards for student learning.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Participating school districts shall have five years from the time their basic education exemption is granted to achieve measurable improvement in student learning.

(1) Student achievement and staffing, both on an overall district basis and for individual schools, shall be reported annually to the public by each school district.

(2) At least four times annually each teacher and parent shall jointly review the student's program and develop methods to ensure student achievement.

(3) Each school district shall measure the attainment of students using appropriate state-wide tests that may be supplemented with alternative means of measurement.

(4) Each student shall demonstrate mastery of essential material to be learned at each grade, course, or unit level. Students shall demonstrate their mastery before progressing to another course or unit, being promoted, and graduating.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. (1) School districts shall submit applications to the state board of education to participate in the student learning alternative program. An application shall include:

(a) The district's five-year plan for educational excellence to improve student learning, the timeline for implementation, and the process for updating the plan;

(b) Documentation that all parties, including the board of directors, teachers, administrators, parents, citizens, and classified employees, are committed to work cooperatively during the term of the plan;

(d) Identification of the procedures that will be used to achieve the local standards for student learning.

(2) The state board of education shall approve eligible applications.

(3) The state board of education shall monitor each district's program to assess the district's continued commitment toward implementation of its plan. If the district does not, in good faith, continue to implement the plan, the state board shall withdraw its authorization and the district shall be subject to RCW 28A.150.200 through 28A.150.295.

(4) If demonstrable improvement in student learning is shown, the program may be extended for another five years.

(5) If demonstrable improvement in student learning is not shown at the end of the five-year period, the district shall be subject to RCW 28A.150.200 through 28A.150.295.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. School districts participating in student learning alternative programs are exempt from the following requirements:

(1) Staffing ratios in RCW 28A.150.250;

(2) Teacher contact time in RCW 28A.150.260;

(3) Program hour offerings in RCW 28A.150.220;

(4) Self-study provisions in RCW 28A.320.200; and

(5) Student learning objectives in RCW 28A.320.210.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. School districts participating in a student learning alternative program may allocate staffing in those patterns that best suit student learning in the particular district and are exempt from staffing ratios specified in this chapter and in the operating appropriations act. The distribution formula developed pursuant to RCW 28A.150.260 shall be for state apportionment and equalization purposes only and shall not be construed as mandating specific operational functions of local school districts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The superintendent of public instruction shall provide technical assistance as requested by school districts in areas including, but not limited to, successful instructional, organizational, and administrative strategies as well as curriculum development, assessment of student learning, and program evaluation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. By September 1, 1993, the superintendent of public instruction shall develop methods of measuring mastery of the attitudes, knowledge, and skills identified in the state mission of education in section 2 of this act. School district employees, as well as others selected by the superintendent, shall advise the superintendent on testing and measurement required by section 6 of this act. The state-wide tests required in chapter 28A.230 RCW shall be used until methods of measuring mastery are adopted under this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. The governor's office shall initiate processes to coordinate the kindergarten through twelfth grade student learning alternative program in sections 2 through 13 of this act, graduation requirements, college entrance requirements, and the use of Carnegie units.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. School districts participating in a student learning alternative program shall receive additional apportionment equivalent to two working days for each staff member. The district shall determine how the additional apportionment may be used.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. School districts shall be eligible to begin participating in the student learning alternative program commencing September 1, 1991.

Sec. 14. RCW 28A.320.200 and 1990 c 33 s 333 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each school district board of directors shall develop a schedule and process by which each public school within its jurisdiction shall undertake self-study procedures on a regular basis: PROVIDED, That districts may allow two or more elementary school buildings in the district to undertake jointly the self-study process. Each school may follow the accreditation process developed by the state board of education under RCW 28A.305.130(6), although no school is required to file for actual accreditation, or the school may follow a self-study process developed locally. The initial self-study process within each district shall begin by September 1, 1986, and should be completed for all schools within a district by the end of the 1990-91 school year.

(2) Any self-study process must include the participation of staff, parents, members of the community, and students, where appropriate to their age.

(3) The self-study process that is used must focus upon the quality and appropriateness of the school's educational program and the results of its operational effort. The primary emphasis throughout the process shall be placed upon:

(a) Achieving educational excellence and equity;

(b) Building stronger links with the community; and

(4) The state board of education shall adopt rules governing procedural criteria. Such rules should be flexible so as to accommodate local goals and circumstances. The rules may allow for waiver of the self-study for economic reasons and may also allow for waiver of the initial self-study if a district or its schools have participated successfully in an official accreditation process or in a similar assessment of educational programs within the last three years. The self-study process shall be conducted on a cyclical basis every seven years following the initial 1990-91 period.

(5) The superintendent of public instruction shall provide training to assist districts in their self-studies.

(6) Each district shall report every two years to the superintendent of public instruction on the scheduling and implementation of their self-study activities. The report shall include information about how the district and each school within the district have addressed the issue of class size and staffing patterns.

(7) School districts with a student learning alternative program are exempt from the requirements of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. Sections 2 through 13 of this act are each added to chapter 28A.150 RCW.