HB 2849-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

     Provides that, by December 15, 1998, each school district board of directors shall:  (1) Select the reading standard results on either the 1997 or 1998 Washington assessment of student learning as the school district's initial baseline reading standard;

     (2) establish a three-year, district-wide goal to increase the percentage of students who meet or exceed the reading standard on the fourth grade Washington assessment of student learning.  The three-year percentage increase goal may not be less than the district's total percentage of students who did not meet the baseline reading standard multiplied by twenty-five percent;

     (3) specify the annual district-wide percentage improvement increments to meet the three-year goal; and

     (4) direct each elementary school to establish a three-year goal for its fourth grade students, subject to approval by the board.

     Provides that the second grade reading test selected by the school district must be administered annually in the fall beginning with the 1998-99 school year.

     Requires that by September 10, 1998, and by September 10th each year thereafter, the superintendent of public instruction shall:  (1) Report to schools, school districts, and the legislature on the results of the fourth grade Washington assessment of student learning; and

     (2) post individual school results of the fourth grade Washington assessment of student learning on the superintendent of public instruction's internet world-wide web site.  The reports shall include the assessment results by school and school district, and include changes over time.