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

HB 2940

Brief Description: Creating a certificate of attainment.

Sponsors: Representatives Quall and Kenney.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Allows a high school district to award a certificate of academic achievement to students who do not pass the 10th grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning but meet all the other graduation requirements. Students who earn a certificate of academic achievement may be allowed to participate in commencement exercises.

Hearing Date: 1/30/06

Staff: Sarah Ream (786-7303).

Background:

Under current law, beginning with the high school graduating class of 2008, students must pass the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) or an alternative assessment to earn a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement.

Beginning with the class of 2008, to be eligible to receive a high school diploma, a student must earn a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement and meet state and local graduation requirements. The state graduation requirements include meeting the minimum number of credits and subject area requirements, satisfactorily completing a culminating project, and having an education plan for high school and the year after graduation.

Summary of Bill:

Beginning with the high school graduating class of 2008, students who have completed all state and local requirements for graduation except for obtaining a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement may receive a certificate of academic progress. A school district will have the option of awarding the certificate of attainment. A certificate of academic progress is not equivalent to a diploma but does allow student participation in commencement ceremonies.

To meet the eligibility requirements for a certificate of academic progress, the student must:
(1) meet all state and local high school graduation requirements except for obtaining a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement;
(2) have taken at least one retake;
(3) maintain at least a 90 percent attendance level during the senior year (may be waived under certain circumstances); and
(4) meet with counselors, teachers, and parents, as appropriate, to update his or her high school and beyond plan.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.