SENATE BILL REPORT

                           EHB 1708

     AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 22, 1993

Brief Description:  Increasing the membership of the commission on student learning.

SPONSORS: Representatives Peery, Ballard, Dorn, Brough, Jones, Pruitt, Cothern, Basich, Hansen, Roland, Fuhrman, Jacobsen, Ogden, Karahalios, J. Kohl, H. Myers and Johanson

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Pelz, Chairman; McAuliffe, Vice Chairman; Gaspard, Hochstatter, McDonald, Moyer, Nelson, M. Rasmussen, Rinehart, Skratek, A. Smith, and Winsley.

Staff:  Larry Davis (786‑7422)

Hearing Dates: March 19, 1993; March 22, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The 1992 Legislature approved legislation that established a process for developing and implementing new student assessment and school accountability systems for public K-12 schools.   The legislation created a Commission on Student Learning, which was given the responsibility for developing the new assessment and accountability system.  The commission also was given the responsibility to take other actions to move the education system toward a "performance-based" system.

The commission is composed of nine members:  three appointed by the State Board of Education; three appointed by Governor Gardner; and three appointed by Governor Lowry.

The Governor's Council on Education Reform and Funding has recommended that the size of the commission be increased by two members, and that the Governor appoint the commission chair.

SUMMARY:

The size of the Commission on Student Learning is increased by two members, from nine to 11, by having Governor Lowry appoint five members instead of only three.  The deadline for the final appointments is extended from February 1, 1993 to March 1, 1993.  The Governor also is given the responsibility for appointing the commission's chair.

It is specified that the Governor shall fill any vacancies of gubernatorial appointments, and the State Board of Education shall fill any vacancies of State Board appointments.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The March 1, 1993, deadline for the final gubernatorial appointments is changed to May 1, 1993.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The commission needs to be larger so that broader representation is assured, and so that the commission can better carry out its tasks.

The commission should include a private schools representative.  Private schools want and have something to contribute to education reform.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Stephen Dinger, Washington Federation of Independent Schools