BILL REQ. #:  H-2402.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/07/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to middle schools and high schools; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that, over the past decade, student learning has improved faster at elementary schools than at middle schools and high schools. The legislature also finds that the achievement gap between white students and students of color and low-income students grows in middle school and high school. For example, forty-nine and three-tenths of one percent of African-American fourth graders meet the Washington assessment of student learning standard for reading, but only thirty-two and two-tenths of one percent meet the standard in tenth grade. These numbers understate the decline, because they do not factor in the disproportionate number of African-American students who drop out of school. The legislature further finds that there is broad recognition that the design of middle schools and high schools is an important component of this problem, and that there is a growing body of research and experience that may help schools accelerate student learning improvement by changing the way schools are organized by increasing rigor, relevance, and relationships.
     (2) A task force is established to examine the basic design of middle schools and high schools. The task force shall be composed of four members of the house of representatives, two from each major caucus, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; four members of the senate, two from each major caucus, appointed by the president of the senate; two school district superintendents chosen by the Washington association of school administrators; two principals chosen by the Washington association of school principals; two school board members chosen by the Washington state school directors association; the superintendent of public instruction; a representative of the governor; and a representative of skill centers, the Washington association for career and technical education, and the Gates foundation.
     (3) The task force shall:
     (a) Examine the rate of student academic improvement in Washington middle schools and high schools and state, national, and international research on redesign efforts;
     (b) Identify successful models and practices for middle school and high school organization, within Washington, nationally and internationally, that have been shown to:
     (i) Reduce the dropout rate;
     (ii) Close the achievement gap;
     (iii) Accelerate academic improvement;
     (iv) Improve the teaching and learning of math; and
     (v) Provide more challenging opportunities for students who meet standards early and more flexible options after the sophomore year; and
     (c) Identify steps to improve alignment between middle schools and high school, and between high schools and postsecondary education, job training, and the world of work.
     (4) By December 15, 2005, the task force shall report to the governor, the superintendent of public instruction, and the fiscal and education policy committees of the legislature. The report shall include recommendations for change and improvement consistent with Washington's academic standards and goals. The report shall identify the roles and responsibilities of state policymakers, local school districts, communities, businesses, principals, teachers, parents, and students in school redesign and improvement.
     (5) Staff services to the task force shall be provided by senate committee services and the house of representatives office of program research.
     (6) Legislative members of the task force shall receive per diem and travel as provided in RCW 44.04.120. The agency or organization that appoints the other task force members shall be responsible for any per diem and travel provided to its task force members.
     (7) The task force expires June 30, 2006.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.