Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Education Committee

SSB 5823

Brief Description:  Repealing student improvement goals.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senator McAuliffe; by request of Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission).

Hearing Date:  2/21/02

Staff:  Susan Morrissey (786‑7111).

Background:

In 1998, the Legislature required school districts to establish three‑year performance improvement goals to increase the number of students meeting or exceeding the reading standard on the fourth grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL).  At a minimum, the districts were required to adopt goals to decrease, by at least 25 percent, the number of students who did not meet the fourth grade reading standard.  

In 1999, the Legislature added statutory goals in fourth and seventh grade mathematics.  By December 15, 2001, school districts were required to adopt goals that, by the 2003‑04 school year, would reduce, by at least 25 percent, the number of students in those grades who did not meet the state's mathematics standards.

In 1999, the Legislature also gave the Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission the authority to adopt and revise, in rule, performance improvement goals in reading, mathematics, writing, and science.  In 2001, the commission adopted in WAC 3‑20‑100 the three‑year goals in reading and mathematics for grades 4, 7, and 10.  The commission retained the minimum decrease of 25 percent in the number of students who did not meet the state standards in those subjects.

Summary of Bill:

The current statutory performance improvement goals for fourth grade reading and fourth and seventh grade mathematics are repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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