READ FIRST TIME 02/05/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to granting high school credit for learning experiences; reenacting and amending RCW 28A.230.090; adding a new section to chapter 28A.320 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes that student learning experiences are enhanced through many activities selected by students and parents outside the classroom environment. The legislature finds that recognizing the value of these educational activities through awarding high school physical education, visual and performing arts, and elective credits for participation in these activities will help encourage parental involvement in their children's education, improve student learning through encouraging students to take advantage of a broader variety of educational opportunities, and provide students with the time to take additional academic courses during the school day.

Sec. 2   RCW 28A.230.090 and 2009 c 548 s 111 and 2009 c 223 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) The state board of education shall establish high school graduation requirements or equivalencies for students, except those equivalencies established by local high schools or school districts under RCW 28A.230.097. The purpose of a high school diploma is to declare that a student is ready for success in postsecondary education, gainful employment, and citizenship, and is equipped with the skills to be a lifelong learner.
     (a) Any course in Washington state history and government used to fulfill high school graduation requirements shall consider including information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indian peoples who were the first inhabitants of the state.
     (b) The certificate of academic achievement requirements under RCW 28A.655.061 or the certificate of individual achievement requirements under RCW 28A.155.045 are required for graduation from a public high school but are not the only requirements for graduation.
     (c) Any decision on whether a student has met the state board's high school graduation requirements for a high school and beyond plan shall remain at the local level.
     (2)(a) In recognition of the statutory authority of the state board of education to establish and enforce minimum high school graduation requirements, the state board shall periodically reevaluate the graduation requirements and shall report such findings to the legislature in a timely manner as determined by the state board.
     (b) The state board shall reevaluate the graduation requirements for students enrolled in vocationally intensive and rigorous career and technical education programs, particularly those programs that lead to a certificate or credential that is state or nationally recognized. The purpose of the evaluation is to ensure that students enrolled in these programs have sufficient opportunity to earn a certificate of academic achievement, complete the program and earn the program's certificate or credential, and complete other state and local graduation requirements.
     (c) The state board shall forward any proposed changes to the high school graduation requirements to the education committees of the legislature for review and to the quality education council established under RCW 28A.290.010. The legislature shall have the opportunity to act during a regular legislative session before the changes are adopted through administrative rule by the state board. Changes that have a fiscal impact on school districts, as identified by a fiscal analysis prepared by the office of the superintendent of public instruction, shall take effect only if formally authorized and funded by the legislature through the omnibus appropriations act or other enacted legislation.
     (3) Pursuant to any requirement for instruction in languages other than English established by the state board of education or a local school district, or both, for purposes of high school graduation, students who receive instruction in American sign language or one or more American Indian languages shall be considered to have satisfied the state or local school district graduation requirement for instruction in one or more languages other than English.
     (4) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide by rule for high school credit equivalencies for physical education, visual and performing arts, and elective requirements for educational experiences selected by parents and students.
     (5) If requested by the student and his or her family, a student who has completed high school courses before attending high school shall be given high school credit which shall be applied to fulfilling high school graduation requirements if:
     (a) The course was taken with high school students, if the academic level of the course exceeds the requirements for seventh and eighth grade classes, and the student has successfully passed by completing the same course requirements and examinations as the high school students enrolled in the class; or
     (b) The academic level of the course exceeds the requirements for seventh and eighth grade classes and the course would qualify for high school credit, because the course is similar or equivalent to a course offered at a high school in the district as determined by the school district board of directors.
     (((5))) (6) Students who have taken and successfully completed high school courses under the circumstances in subsection (((4))) (5) of this section shall not be required to take an additional competency examination or perform any other additional assignment to receive credit.
     (((6))) (7) At the college or university level, five quarter or three semester hours equals one high school credit.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:
     A school district board of directors shall grant high school credit for certain educational experiences selected by parents and students consistent with the policies adopted by the office of the superintendent of public instruction. By September 1, 2011, each school district board of directors shall adopt a policy granting high school credit for certain educational experiences selected by students or parents. The policy shall describe the number of credits granted and the equivalencies for the district's current high school graduation requirements for physical education, visual and performing arts, and electives. Experiences qualifying for educational credit shall include but not be limited to activities under the supervision of the Washington interscholastic activities association or other nonprofit voluntary entity responsible for interschool extracurricular activities; other activities approved by the school board and recognized by regional organizations; and other activities approved by the school board.