HB 3054 - DIGEST

Finds that, in 1993, Washington state embarked on an ambitious path to establish statewide standards for the knowledge, skills, and abilities that all students should know and be able to do before graduating from high school. The intent of Washington's education reform was to focus on the competencies desired of students at graduation. Since that time, a great deal of effort has gone into developing and implementing the state's essential academic learning requirements, grade level expectations, and statewide assessment system.

Finds that high school graduation requirements remain focused on accumulation of credits, taking a set of required courses, and achieving a particular score on a single assessment of learning. Furthermore, there is not a consensus within the state as to the overall purpose of the high school diploma and what accomplishment it is intended to signify. Therefore, the legislature intends to direct a critical reevaluation and redefinition of the high school diploma in Washington.

Requires the state board of education to submit the proposed revised definition of the high school diploma, along with any necessary revisions to state statutes and rules, to the education committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007.