HB 3317

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 3317

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: Regarding standards and curriculum in mathematics and science.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunter, Anderson, McIntire and Santos.

Brief Summary of Bill

States legislative intent to amend the timelines and process for revising standards and identifying recommended curricula in mathematics and science.

Hearing Date: 2/5/08

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

Legislation enacted in 2007 directs the State Board of Education (SBE) and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to revise the state academic learning standards in mathematics and science and to identify three recommended curricula in mathematics and science. The following timelines and process are specified:

The SBE recommends revisions to the standards based on a set of review criteria. The SBE engages national consultants and creates citizen advisory panels to assist with this work. The recommended revisions in mathematics were due September 30, 2007, and the recommended revisions in science are due June 30, 2008.
The SPI revises the standards based on the recommendations and presents them to the Legislature. The mathematics standards were presented January 31, 2008, and the science standards are due December 1, 2008. The revised mathematics standards take effect unless the 2008 Legislature directs otherwise. The 2009 Legislature will have an opportunity to act on the revised science standards.
The SPI presents recommendations to the SBE for three recommended curricula each for elementary, middle, and high school grades. The SBE provides official comment, and then the SPI makes any changes before adopting the curricula. The SPI recommendations for mathematics curricula are due May 15, 2008, with comment back from the SBE by June 30, 2008. The SPI recommendations for science curricula are due May 15, 2009, with comment back from the SBE by June 30, 2009.

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature intends to amend the timelines and process for revising state learning standards in mathematics and science and identifying the recommended curricula that align with those standards.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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