SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5141

As of February 10, 2003

Title: An act relating to school improvement goals reporting.

Brief Description: Changing school improvement goals reporting.

Sponsors: Senators Carlson, Eide and Kohl-Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Education: 2/11/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: Since 1998, schools and school districts have been required to establish goals to reduce the percentage of students who do not meet or exceed the reading and math standards on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). Currently, when a student is absent and does not take the WASL, then the student's zero score is counted as a student who is not meeting the standards when calculating whether the school or district has met the goals.

Summary of Bill: If a student does not take the WASL, then the lack of a student's score must not count against the school or the school district when determining whether the school or district has met the performance improvement goals.

A technical change is made: language addressing an RCW that was repealed in 2002 is deleted.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 10, 2003.

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