FINAL BILL REPORT

                E2SHB 1941

                         C 303 L 95

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Improving student learning by focusing on reading literacy.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Johnson, Brumsickle, Talcott and Thompson).

House Committee on Education

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Education

Background:  Educators, business representatives, parents, and others have concluded that the ability to read with comprehension and skill is essential for success in school and for success in future life.  Evidence suggests that it is important to provide reading assistance to students in the early grades if they are to be successful in school.

The Commission on Student Learning is to develop an assessment system to be used in the elementary, middle, and high school grades.  The assessments for measuring academic achievement in reading, writing, math, and communication are to be implemented on a voluntary basis during the 1996-97 school year.

Summary:  When developing the elementary grades assessment system, the Commission on Student Learning is to ensure that all students are assessed for reading literacy skills by March 31st of the third grade.

The third-grade reading assessment shall be made available for voluntary implementation in the 1996-97 school year.  Elementary schools are encouraged to implement the assessment in the 1996-97 and 1997-98 school years.  In the 1998-99 school year, the reading assessment is to be given to all public school third graders.

The information provided by the third-grade reading assessment is to be used to evaluate instructional practices and to initiate appropriate educational support for students who have not mastered the essential academic reading requirements for reading.  School districts must continue to provide appropriate reading support for students who have not mastered the essential learning requirements for reading.  The results of the third-grade reading assessment are not to be used for school or school district accountability purposes.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     97 0

Senate    46 0 (Senate amended)

House         (House refused to concur)

Conference Committee

Senate    44 0

House     91 0

Effective:  July 23, 1995