SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6630
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 Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, January 28, 2010
Title: An act relating to updating references to the Washington assessment of student learning to be statewide assessments.
Brief Description: Updating references to the Washington assessment of student learning.
Sponsors: Senators Oemig and McAuliffe.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/25/10, 1/28/10 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Kauffman, Vice Chair, Early Learning; Oemig, Vice Chair, K-12; King, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Gordon, Hobbs, McDermott and Tom.
Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)
Background: Under current state law, the Superintendent of Public Instruction is responsible for developing a statewide student academic assessment system for use at the elementary, middle, and high school levels designed to determine whether a student has met the state standards in the content areas of reading, writing, mathematics, and science. Current federal law requires that annual statewide student academic assessments be administered: in grades three through eight; at least once in high school in reading and mathematics; and at least once in the elementary, middle, and high school levels in science. High school students must meet the state standard on the tenth grade statewide assessment in reading and writing to graduate from high school. The Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) has been the primary statewide assessment beginning in spring 1997 until summer 2009.
Beginning in the 2009-10 school year, two new tests replaced the WASL: (1) The Measures of Student Progress, which assesses students in reading and mathematics in grades three through eight; in writing in grades four and seven; and in science in grades five and eight; and (2) The High School Proficiency Exam, which assesses the proficiency of students in high school in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. Students must pass this assessment or a state-approved alternative in reading and writing in order to be eligible to graduate.
Summary of Bill: All references to the WASL are changed to statewide assessments.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.
Persons Testifying: No one.