HB 2598

HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2598

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:
Education

Brief Description: Directing the office of the superintendent of public instruction to issue a request for proposals for development of an online mathematics curriculum.

Sponsors: Representatives Sullivan, Ormsby, Haigh, Schual-Berke, Green and Simpson.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Barlow, Vice Chair; Haigh, Liias, Santos and Sullivan.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Roach.

Background:

In 2007 the Legislature directed the State Board of Education (SBE) to review and recommend to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) revisions to Washington's Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) in mathematics. The OSPI was also required to revise the EALRs and the GLEs and present them to the SBE and the Legislature by January of 2008. Unless directed otherwise by the Legislature in the 2008 Session, the OSPI must adopt the revisions.

The SBE issued its report and recommendations in September of 2007. The OSPI posted its Review Draft of the new standards on January 21, 2008, and is gathering final comments. On January 31, 2008, the OSPI submitted the revised mathematics standards to the Legislature.

The OSPI was also directed to identify no more than three mathematics curricula each for elementary, middle, and high school grade spans that align with the new standards and present these to the SBE by May 15, 2008, for formal comment. The OSPI must make any changes based on the SBE's comments and recommendations and adopt the recommended curricula. Subject to funding and availability of curricula, at least one of the curricula in each grade span must be available online at no cost to schools and parents.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The OSPI is directed to develop and issue a request for proposals (RFP) for private vendors or nonprofit organizations to develop a mathematics curriculum that is aligned with Washington's EALRs and GLEs and which would be made available online at no cost to school districts.

The proposed curricula must cover course content in grades kindergarten through 10. It is encouraged, but not required, that the proposed curricula cover content in grades 11 and 12 which aligns with Washington's college readiness standards. Proposals must address cost and timelines for development and implementation.

The OSPI must review and analyze the responses and report the results of the RFP to the Governor and the education and fiscal committees of the Legislature.

Rather than requiring the OSPI to identify three recommended mathematics curriculum by May 15, 2008, and requiring the SBE to provide input by June 30, 2008, the OSPI is instead directed to complete an analysis of commonly used mathematics textbooks and curriculum. The OSPI must do this by July 31, 2008, or four months after the new math standards are adopted, whichever is later.

Based on this analysis, the OSPI must develop online mathematics curriculum alignment guides and identify sources of additional materials where commonly used curriculum do not adequately address the new standards. By the later of September 2008, or six months after adoption of the math standards, the OSPI must make an online curriculum guide available to assist districts in making purchasing decisions with respect to mathematics textbooks, curriculum, and instructional materials.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The language of the original bill remains unchanged. Additions are made to the original bill requiring the OSPI to complete an analysis of mathematics textbooks and curriculum commonly used by school districts by July 31, 2008, or four months after the new math standards are adopted, whichever is later.

Based on this analysis, the OSPI must develop online mathematics curriculum alignment guides and identify sources of additional materials where commonly used curriculum do not adequately address the new standards. By the later of the end of September 2008, or six months after adoption of the math standards, the OSPI must make an online curriculum guide available to assist districts in making purchasing decisions with respect to mathematics textbooks, curriculum, and instructional materials.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The best curricula align only 70 percent with this state's standards. There has been some talk that Washington is not big enough to attract interest in developing curricula for this state's standards. This bill tests that supposition by requiring the issuance of a RFP to see if there is interest for developing a specific curriculum for Washington standards. The advantage to a single curriculum is that nothing is skipped. With the use of more than one curriculum, some students may not receive instruction in important concepts.

(In support with amendments) There is concern that the RFP seeks just a single math curriculum in light of the fact that studies have found that no one curriculum is best. For the short term, schools which have just purchased books should be allowed to continue to use these books and be provided with supplemental materials. The deadline of May 15, 2008, for the OSPI to present curricula to the SBE, as directed by 2007 legislation, should be extended.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Sullivan, prime sponsor.

(In support with amendments) Wendy Rader-Konofalski, Washington Education Association; and Bob Butts, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.