Read first time 02/25/2005.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     WHEREAS, Student achievement is improving at a much faster pace in elementary schools than in secondary schools, and in international comparisons of student achievement, American students do better at the elementary level than in middle and high schools; and
     WHEREAS, The achievement gap between students from Caucasian and Asian heritages and students from other ethnic groups grows as students progress through the public school system; and
     WHEREAS, High schools and, to a lesser extent, middle schools are afflicted with persistently high dropout rates; and
     WHEREAS, There is broad recognition that the structure and design of secondary schools are among the reasons for their achievement declines and dropout rates; and
     WHEREAS, There is a body of research and experience that suggests more effective ways to design and structure secondary education; and
     WHEREAS, The state has increased achievement pressure on high schools and their students by strengthening high school graduation requirements and demanding evidence that, before they are granted diplomas, students have learned the essential academic learning requirements in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and health and fitness;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives of the state of Washington, the Senate concurring, That a joint select committee on secondary education be formed to examine the basic structure of middle schools and high schools and to recommend, if found, more effective organizational structures; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee consist of two members of each major caucus of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate; and two members of each major caucus of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee examine the rates of student academic improvement in middle and high schools, the state and national literature and research on secondary school redesign, the degree to which state high schools have organized or reorganized to support student learning and improved academic achievement, and the effect of the current delivery model on achievement gaps and dropout rates; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee examine successful models for middle and high school organization, in Washington, nationally, and internationally. Successful models include those that successfully reduce dropout rates, have no or small achievement gaps, accelerate achievement and improvement of state academic standards, successfully teach mathematics and science, and provide both challenging options for students who meet standards early and more flexible options for students who are juniors and seniors; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee consult educational experts and stakeholders, directly or through such subcommittees as the committee may form; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee report its findings and recommendations to the house of representatives and senate committees responsible for education policy by January 15, 2006; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee receive staffing support from senate committee services and the house of representatives office of program research; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That members of the joint select committee receive per diem and travel as provided in RCW 44.04.120; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee expire on June 30, 2006.