AN ACT Relating to
improving reading literacy; amending RCW 28A.300.130; adding new sections to
chapter 28A.300 RCW; creating new sections; providing an expiration date; and
declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec.
1. A new section is added
to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The center for the
improvement of student learning, or its designee, shall develop and implement a
process for identifying programs that have been proven to be effective based
upon valid research in teaching elementary students to read. Additional
programs shall be reviewed after the initial identification of effective
programs.
(2) In identifying
effective reading programs, the center for the improvement of student learning,
or its designee, shall consult primary education teachers, state-wide reading
organizations, institutions of higher education, the commission on student
learning, parents, legislators, and other appropriate individuals and
organizations.
(3) In identifying
effective reading programs, the following criteria shall be used:
(a) Whether the program
will help the student meet the state-level and classroom-based assessments for
reading;
(b) Whether the program
has achieved documented results for students on valid and reliable assessments;
(c) Whether the results
of the program have been replicated at different locations over a period of
time;
(d) Whether the
requirements and specifications for implementing the program are clear so that
potential users can clearly determine the requirements of the program and how
to implement it;
(e) Whether, when
considering the cost of implementing the program, the program is cost-effective
relative to other similar types of programs;
(f) Whether the program
addresses differing student populations; and
(g) Other appropriate
criteria and considerations.
(4) The initial
identification of effective reading programs shall be completed and a list of
the identified programs prepared by December 31, 1996.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
2. The superintendent of
public instruction shall establish a grant program to provide incentives for
teachers, schools, and school districts to use the identified programs on the
approved list in grades kindergarten through four. Schools, school districts,
and educational service districts may apply for grants. Funds for the grants
shall be used for in‑service training and instructional materials.
Grants shall be awarded and funds distributed not later than June 30, 1997, for
programs in the 1996-97 and 1997-98 school years. Priority shall be given to
grant applications involving schools and school districts with the lowest mean
percentile scores on the state-wide fourth grade assessment required under RCW
28A.230.190 among grant applicants.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
3. (1) The center for the
improvement of student learning in collaboration with the commission on student
learning and in consultation with the state board of education, faculty in
educator preparation programs, educators, parents, and school directors, shall
establish training programs in reading instruction and assessment for educators
in the primary grades. The programs shall be designed to prepare educators to
use the classroom-based assessments developed by the commission on student
learning to determine how children are reading, select and implement
appropriate instructional strategies and effective programs consistent with
section 1 of this act to improve reading instruction, and to involve parents in
helping their children to learn to read. Funds shall be used to develop the
training program and to provide the training to the educators both through
institutes and in the classroom during the school year.
(2) This section shall
expire June 30, 1998.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
4. A new section is added
to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
(1) After effective
programs have been identified in accordance with section 1 of this act, the
center for the improvement of student learning, or its designee, shall provide
information and take other appropriate steps to inform elementary school
teachers, principals, curriculum directors, superintendents, school board
members, college and university reading instruction faculty, and others of its
findings.
(2) The center, in
cooperation with state-wide organizations interested in improving literacy,
also shall develop and implement strategies to improve reading instruction in
the state, with a special emphasis on the instruction of reading in the primary
grades using the effective reading programs that have been identified in
accordance with section 1 of this act. The strategies may include, but should
not be limited to, expanding and improving reading instruction of elementary
school teachers in teacher preparation programs, expanded in-service training
in reading instruction, the training of paraprofessionals and volunteers in
reading instruction, improving classroom-based assessment of reading, and
increasing state-wide and regional technical assistance in reading instruction.
(3) The center shall
submit a status report to appropriate committees of the legislature by December
31, 1996, regarding its efforts to implement section 1 of this act and
subsections (1) and (2) of this section. The report shall include a
description of safeguards enacted to ensure the integrity and objectivity of
the assistance and advice provided by the center.
Sec. 5. RCW 28A.300.130 and 1993
c 336 s 501 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Expanding activity
in educational research, educational restructuring, and educational improvement
initiatives has produced and continues to produce much valuable information.
The legislature finds that such information should be shared with the citizens and
educational community of the state as widely as possible. To facilitate access
to information and materials on educational improvement and research, the
superintendent of public instruction, to the extent funds are appropriated,
shall establish the center for the improvement of student learning. The
primary purpose of the center is to provide assistance and advice to parents,
school board members, educators, and the public regarding strategies for
assisting students in learning the essential academic learning requirements
pursuant to RCW 28A.630.885. The center shall work in conjunction with the
commission on student learning, educational service districts, and institutions
of higher education.
(2) The center shall:
(a) Serve as a
clearinghouse for the completed work and activities of the commission on
student learning;
(b) Serve as a
clearinghouse for information regarding successful educational restructuring
and parental involvement programs in schools and districts, and information
about efforts within institutions of higher education in the state to support
educational restructuring initiatives in Washington schools and districts;
(c) Provide best
practices research and advice that can be used to help schools develop and
implement: Programs and practices to improve reading instruction; school
improvement plans; school-based shared decision-making models; programs to
promote lifelong learning and community involvement in education;
school-to-work transition programs; programs to meet the needs of highly
capable students; programs to meet the diverse needs of students based on
gender, racial, ethnic, economic, and special needs status; and other programs
that will assist educators in helping students learn the essential academic
learning requirements;
(d) Develop and
distribute, in conjunction with the commission on student learning, parental
involvement materials, including instructional guides developed to inform
parents of the essential academic learning requirements. The instructional
guides also shall contain actions parents may take to assist their children in
meeting the requirements, and should focus on reaching parents who have not
previously been involved with their children's education;
(e) Identify obstacles
to greater parent and community involvement in school shared decision-making
processes and recommend strategies for helping parents and community members to
participate effectively in school shared decision-making processes, including
understanding and respecting the roles of school building administrators and
staff;
(f) Take other actions
to increase public awareness of the importance of parental and community
involvement in education;
(g) Work with
appropriate organizations to inform teachers, district and school
administrators, and school directors about the waivers available under RCW
28A.305.140 and the broadened school board powers under RCW 28A.320.015;
(h) Provide training
and consultation services;
(i) Address methods for
improving the success rates of certain ethnic and racial student groups; and
(j) Perform other
functions consistent with the purpose of the center as prescribed in subsection
(1) of this section.
(3) The superintendent
of public instruction, after consultation with the commission on student
learning, shall select and employ a director for the center.
(4) The superintendent
may enter into contracts with individuals or organizations including but not limited
to: School districts; teachers; higher education faculty; institutions of
higher education; state agencies; business or community-based organizations;
and other individuals and organizations to accomplish the duties and
responsibilities of the center. The superintendent shall contract out with
community-based organizations to meet the provisions of subsection (2) (d) and
(e) of this section. In carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the
center, the superintendent, whenever possible, shall use practitioners to
assist agency staff as well as assist educators and others in schools and
districts.
(5) The superintendent
shall report annually to the commission on student learning on the activities
of the center.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
6. This act is necessary for
the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support
of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take
effect immediately.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 7. If specific funding for
sections 2 and 3 of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number
and section number, is not provided by June 30, 1996, in the supplemental
omnibus appropriations act, sections 2 and 3 of this act are null and void.
