BILL REQ. #:  S-3683.2 

Read first time 01/12/2006.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to a certificate of academic progress; adding a new section to chapter 28A.655 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The high school graduates of 2008 will be the first graduating class for which passage of the Washington assessment of student learning or an alternative assessment to earn the certificate of academic achievement under RCW 28A.655.061 or the certificate of individual achievement under RCW 28A.155.045 is required in order to obtain a high school diploma. The legislature recognizes that passage of the Washington assessment of student learning or an alternative assessment is only one of four graduation requirements for students. While some students may need additional time beyond high school to pass the Washington assessment of student learning or an alternative assessment and achieve a diploma, the legislature finds that it is important to recognize and celebrate the successes of students in meeting the other three graduation requirements. In light of the social importance that commencement ceremonies hold for the families and friends of students, as well as the necessity of having a standardized practice throughout the state, the legislature intends to create the certificate of academic progress, which shall be awarded to those students who have met all high school graduation requirements except passage of the tenth grade Washington assessment of student learning or an alternative assessment. The certificate of academic progress is intended to honor the student's accomplishments while also providing the student with the guidance and encouragement necessary ultimately to succeed in attaining a high school diploma.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.655 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning with the high school graduating class of 2008, a certificate of academic progress shall be available to students who have completed all state and local requirements for high school graduation except obtaining a certificate of academic achievement under RCW 28A.655.061 or a certificate of individual achievement under RCW 28A.155.045. The certificate of academic progress is not the equivalent of a high school diploma, but enables students to participate in commencement ceremonies upon meeting the criteria in this section.
     (2) To be eligible for a certificate of academic progress, a student must:
     (a) Pass all state and local high school graduation requirements except for obtaining a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement and must have taken at least one retake;
     (b) Maintain at least a ninety percent attendance level during the senior year of high school, however the school district superintendent may waive this requirement upon the student providing documentation of circumstances such as illness that warrant waiving this requirement; and
     (c) Meet with counselors, teachers, and parents, as appropriate, to update the student's high school and beyond plan.