S-3833.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6266
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State of Washington 55th Legislature 1998 Regular Session
By Senators McAuliffe, Hochstatter, Goings, Johnson, Loveland, Thibaudeau, Snyder, B. Sheldon, Rasmussen, Fraser, Patterson, Kohl, Haugen, Zarelli, Brown, Long, Fairley, Winsley, Spanel, Jacobsen and Anderson
Read first time 01/14/98. Referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to improving class size; adding new sections to chapter 28A.150 RCW; and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
The legislature finds that Washington's schools have some of the largest classes in the nation. The legislature further finds that reducing class sizes will provide students with the individual attention they need to learn to the best of their abilities. The legislature further finds that providing for smaller classes will help provide a safer and more disciplined learning environment.
The legislature intends to help school districts provide smaller classes for their students. The legislature recognizes that by improving class sizes over the next ten years, sufficient quality staff can be hired, districts can decide how to best use the staff, and space needs can be planned for and met.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The class size improvement program is created. To the extent funds are appropriated, funds shall be allocated to eligible school districts to be used to provide lower class sizes consistent with the district's class size improvement plan.
(2) To be eligible for the funds, the district shall:
(a) Develop a class size improvement plan. The plan shall specify how the funds will be used to lower the number of students per instructional staff at certain grade levels, for specific subjects or in specific settings. The plan shall include the reasons for the plan; the qualifications of the staff that will be used and training of staff, if applicable; use of facilities if appropriate; how class size will be improved in the classroom; and the effects of class size improvement on student learning. The plan shall also include strategies for continuing to improve class size as funds become available in future years; and
(b) Report to the superintendent of public instruction about the implementation of the plan and the effect of improving class size on student learning.
(3) The superintendent of public instruction may adopt rules, as necessary, to implement this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The sum of twenty-five million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.
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