SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6533

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 4, 2010

Title: An act relating to granting high school credit for learning experiences.

Brief Description: Granting high school credit for learning experiences.

Sponsors: Senators Roach and Gordon.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/04/10 [DPS].

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6533 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Kauffman, Vice Chair, Early Learning; Oemig, Vice Chair, K-12; King, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Gordon, Hobbs and Roach.

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: The Legislature has delegated to the State Board of Education (SBE) the authority to establish high school graduation requirements. Currently a high school student must successfully obtain a minimum 19 high school credits to graduate (20 for the class of 2013 and beyond). Those credits are distributed as follows:

• English – 3 credits

• Mathematics – 2 credits (3 for class of 2013 and beyond)

• Science – 2 credits (1 must be a lab)

• Social Studies – 2.5 credits (including U.S. and Washington State History)

• Visual or Performing Arts – 1 credit

• Health and Fitness – 2 credit

• Occupational Education – 1 credit (means credits resulting from a series of learning experiences designed to assist the student to acquire and demonstrate competency of skills under student learning goal four and which skills are required for success in current and emerging occupations. At a minimum, these competencies must align with the definition of an exploratory course as proposed or adopted in the career and technical education program standards of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.)

• Electives – 5.5 credits

The SBE rules permit local school districts to determine which district courses satisfy the state requirements. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has a rule that permits school or approved out-of-school learning experiences to receive credit by the school district. If a school district permits such granting of credit for out-of-school learning activities then the school board must make the written policy available upon request.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The OSPI must adopt a rule that provides for high school credits for physical education, visual and performing arts, and elective requirements for educational experiences selected by parents and students.

By September 1, 2011, each school district must adopt a policy permitting high school credit for certain educational experiences selected by parents and students and must grant such credit to students. Experiences qualifying for such credit include, but are not limited to, activities under the supervision of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association or other nonprofit voluntary entities responsible for interschool extracurricular activities, other activities recognized by regional organizations, and other activities approved by the school board.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The OSPI must adopt the rule instead of the SBE that provides for high school credits for educational experiences selected by parents and students.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: Currently school districts can grant credit for these experiences under the OSPI rules. OSPI supports making this mandatory for school districts and supports the change to amend that OSPI would adopt the rules under this bill.

OTHER: If the bill goes forward then the OSPI should be the entity that adopts the rules.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Dan Newell, OSPI.

OTHER: Brad Burnham, SBE.