SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1562
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 of March 11, 2009
Title: An act relating to graduation without a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement.
Brief Description: Changing the requirements for graduating without a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement.
Sponsors: Representatives Liias, Priest, Quall, Sullivan, Kenney, Simpson, McCune and Ormsby; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/03/09, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 3/16/09.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)
Background: Starting with the class of 2008, students must meet the state standard on the 10th grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) or an approved alternative assessment in reading, writing, and mathematics to obtain a Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA) and graduate from high school. Students in special education who are not appropriately assessed using the WASL can earn a Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA).
The 2007 Legislature enacted a temporary exception for students who do not meet the state standard in mathematics enabling students to graduate from high school without a CAA or CIA if they:
have not met the state standard in mathematics on the WASL, an approved alternative assessment, or an alternative for eligible special education students;
have met the state standard in the other required content areas;
have met all other state and local graduation requirements;
continue to take the appropriate mathematics assessment annually; and
successfully earn two additional high school mathematics credits or a career and technical course equivalent after their sophomore year, designed to increase their proficiency on the WASL. This requirement was one additional credit after their junior year for students in the class of 2008.
Beginning with the graduating class of 2013, students must obtain a CAA or CIA to graduate from high school.
Summary of Bill: High school graduation requirements without a CAA or CIA are revised.
Until the graduating class of 2013, students are no longer required to continue to take the appropriate mathematics assessment annually until graduation. Students are still required to take two mathematics credits after their sophomore year (one credit after their junior year for the class of 2008), but these credits are no longer required to be "additional" credits.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on March 11, 2009.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.