Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Education Committee

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.

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.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for private vendors or nonprofit organizations to develop a mathematics curriculum that is aligned with Washington's standards and that would be made available online.
  • Directs the OSPI to report to the Governor and the education and fiscal committees of the Legislature on the results of the RFP.

Hearing Date: 1/29/08

Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).

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, OSPI will submit 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 shall 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 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 ten. 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 shall review and analyze the responses and report the results of the RFP to the Governor and the education and fiscal committees of the Legislature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2008.

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