SENATE BILL REPORT

2SHB 1240

As of March 19, 2001

Title:  An act relating to the Washington assessment of student learning.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to the Washington assessment of student learning.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Schindler, Quall, Talcott, Pearson, Cox, Keiser, Campbell, D. Schmidt and Haigh).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  3/19/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Kelly Simpson (786‑7403)

Background:  Under current law, fourth, seventh, and tenth grade public school students in Washington are required to take the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) in reading, writing, communication, and mathematics.  Although the results of the WASLs are released, the scored test booklets are not returned to parents or teachers.

Summary of Bill:  Beginning September 1, 2002, once the WASLs are scored and the data are complete and accurate, the Superintendent of Public Instruction must provide schools with the scored writing portion of individual tests.  The schools must provide the individual writing tests, and the scoring criteria used to evaluate them, to students, their parents or guardians, and their teachers.

By September 1, 2001, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction must report to the Governor and the Legislature on the costs of releasing additional test questions and answers to parents and teachers.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on September 1, 2002.  However, the bill is null and void if not funded in the budget.