SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5640

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 19, 1993

Brief Description:  Creating a joint select committee on education reform.

SPONSORS: Senators Cantu, Pelz and Moyer

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)

Hearing Dates: February 19, 1993

BACKGROUND:

In May of 1991, Governor Gardner by executive order created the Governor's Council on Education Reform and Funding.  The council submitted its recommendations to the Legislature in December of 1992.  Its recommendations were drafted as proposed legislation and are being considered by the Legislature.  Last session the Legislature adopted Chapter 141, Laws of 1992 which created the Commission on Student Learning and established a process to reform education by moving to a performance-based education system.  Many of the changes will not be fully implemented until 1998.  Neither the legislation passed during 1992 as signed by the Governor nor the recommendations of the Governor's Council specifically provide for a process of legislative monitoring and review of the progress toward the reform of education.

SUMMARY:

A joint select committee on education reform is created.  The committee is composed of 12 legislators, with six appointed by the President of the Senate from the Senate and six appointed by the Speaker of the House from the House of Representatives.  Three members are appointed from each caucus.

The committee is responsible for monitoring, reviewing and periodically reporting on education reform in Washington both at the state and local level.  Specific duties include reporting on the progress of the Commission on Student Learning in designing a statewide assessment system, establishing essential learning requirements, developing standards for what educators should know and be able to do, and in developing recommendations for changing laws and rules.

The committee is also responsible for reporting on the success of the Quality Schools Center, the State Board of Education's implementation of teacher certification requirements, the number of school districts requesting waivers, concerns by the public about a shift to a performance-based education system, the identification of laws that do not contribute to the achievement of a performance-based education system, the progress of the responsible organizations in carrying out the tasks under the education reform legislation enacted in 1992 and in 1993, and other areas deemed appropriate by the committee.

The Commission on Student Learning, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges are required to report to the committee on their progress in completing their assigned tasks to implement education reform.

Staff support is provided by Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research.  The committee shall make annual reports to the Legislature.  The final report is due December 31, 1998.  The committee terminates January 1, 1999.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested