BILL REQ. #:  S-4391.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/05/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to high school mathematics and science graduation requirements; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1)(a) The superintendent of public instruction, collaboratively with the state board of education shall establish a working group to examine the changes and challenges that are impacting student learning in mathematics and science, and develop recommendations and a plan to make significant improvement in student learning in these content areas, especially at the high school level. The working group shall examine the capacity of the educational system to address the challenges listed in section 1 of this act, and the following:
     (i) Determining the availability of sufficient and appropriate diagnostic information and how to improve availability, if necessary;
     (ii) Determining the level of alignment between curriculum, instruction, and assessments and how to improve alignment, if necessary;
     (iii) How to best address the areas of mathematics and science that are not assessed on the statewide assessments;
     (iv) How to ensure that students will have an opportunity to learn the mathematics and science that will be assessed; and
     (v) Other areas deemed relevant by the state board of education.
     (b) The superintendent of public instruction, with the state board of education shall submit a report to the education committees of the legislature by November 30, 2010. The report shall contain findings from the examination of the issues under this section, recommendations for changes, and a timeline for expedited implementation of the recommended changes.
     (2) This section expires September 30, 2011.