HB 2489-S2.E - DIGEST
(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/09/06)

Provides that, for each high school student who was not successful on any or all of the content areas of the high school Washington assessment of student learning, either initially or after subsequent retakes of the assessment: (1) The school district shall prepare the student learning plan required under RCW 28A.655.061 before the end of the school year in which the assessment scores are returned;

(2) The school district shall arrange a student-led conference for the student's parent or guardian to discuss the remedial extended learning activities the district will provide under this act and explain the student's level of risk of not graduating on time if the student does not participate in remediation assistance. To the maximum extent possible, student-led conferences shall be facilitated by a teacher or counselor who has been assigned as the student's mentor for the duration of the student's enrollment in the school;

(3) If the student is in out-of-home care as defined by RCW 13.34.030, the school district shall include the student's social worker assigned from the department of social and health services in the student-led conference.

Provides that, beginning with the 2009 assessment, the notice to parents of the results of the high school Washington assessment of student learning shall include the student's responses compared to the correct responses to test questions and information about how the parent can obtain a copy of the assessment. A school district shall provide an electronic or paper copy of the assessment on request. However, if specific funding for the purpose of this provision is not provided in the omnibus appropriations act, by June 30, 2006, a school district is not obligated to comply with this provision.

Provides that, subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this purpose, the superintendent of public instruction shall negotiate statewide contracts with providers of online courses, materials, and diagnostic assessments to provide remedial extended learning activities and preremediation and postremediation assessments under this act. The superintendent shall act as a broker between school districts that elect to use the courses, materials, or assessments offered by a provider and the provider in order to facilitate contract negotiations, ensure consistent and equitable contract terms, and reduce administrative burden on both parties. Nothing in this act prevents a school district from independently negotiating contracts with providers of online courses, materials, or diagnostic assessments.