BILL REQ. #:  Z-0471.2 

Read first time 01/23/09.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to graduation without a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement; amending RCW 28A.655.0611; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 28A.655.0611 and 2007 c 354 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning with the graduating class of 2008 and through no later than the graduating class of 2012, students may graduate from high school without earning a certificate of academic achievement or a certificate of individual achievement if they:
     (a) Have not successfully met the mathematics standard on the high school Washington assessment of student learning, an approved objective alternative assessment, or an alternate assessment developed for eligible special education students;
     (b) Have successfully met the state standard in the other content areas required for a certificate under RCW 28A.655.061 or 28A.155.045;
     (c) Have met all other state and school district graduation requirements; and
     (d)(i) For the graduating class of 2008, successfully earn one ((additional)) high school mathematics credit or career and technical course equivalent, including courses offered at skill centers, after the student's eleventh grade year intended to increase the student's mathematics proficiency toward meeting or exceeding the mathematics standards assessed on the high school Washington assessment of student learning ((and continue to take the appropriate mathematics assessment at least once annually until graduation)); and
     (ii) For the remaining graduating classes under this section, successfully earn two ((additional)) mathematics credits or career and technical course equivalent, including courses offered at skill centers, after the student's tenth grade year intended to increase the student's mathematics proficiency toward meeting or exceeding the mathematics standards assessed on the high school Washington assessment of student learning ((and continue to take the appropriate mathematics assessment at least once annually until graduation)).
     (2) The state board of education may adopt a rule that ends the application of this section with a graduating class before the graduating class of 2012, if the state board of education adopts the rule by September 1st of the freshman school year of the graduating class to which the provisions of this section no longer apply. The state board of education's authority under this section does not alter the requirement that any change in performance standards for the tenth grade assessment must comply with RCW 28A.305.130.
     (3) This section expires August 31, 2013.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.