HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 HB  3040

Title:  An act relating to meeting the state‑wide school assessments.

Brief Description:  Retaining students who do not meet school assessment requirements at their current grade.

Sponsors:  Representatives Smith, Sterk, Bush, Johnson and Thompson.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  February 4, 1998.

Bill Analysis Prepared by: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:  One of the primary purposes of the Washington commission on student learning is to develop student assessment and school accountability systems designed to determine if each student has mastered certain essential requirements. 

Elementary schools will begin mandatory annual spring assessments in reading, writing, communication and mathematics in the spring of 1998.  Elementary schools will begin mandatory annual spring assessments in science in the spring of 2005.

Middle schools will begin mandatory annual spring assessments in reading, writing, communication and mathematics in the spring of 2001.  Middle schools will also begin mandatory annual spring assessments in science in the spring of 2001.  Middle schools will begin mandatory annual spring assessments in history, geography, civics, and the arts in the spring of 2004.  Finally, middle schools will begin mandatory annual spring assessments in health and fitness in the spring of 2005.

Summary of Bill:  Beginning in the 1999-2000 school year, elementary school students unable to meet the assessment standards will be retained in their current grade until they are able to meet the established standards.  Retained students will be allowed to retake the assessment the following year during the regularly scheduled administration of the assessment.

Beginning in the 2000-01 school year, middle school students unable to meet the assessment standards will be retained in their current grade until they are able to meet the established standards.  Retained students will be allowed to retake the assessment the following year during the regularly scheduled administration of the assessment.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: None requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.