READ FIRST TIME 02/09/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to education reform; amending RCW 28A.305.225, 28A.150.230, 28A.405.100, 28A.405.220, 28A.405.210, 28A.405.230, 28A.405.300, 28A.400.200, 28A.660.020, 28B.76.335, 28A.655.110, 41.56.100, 41.59.120, and 28A.300.136; reenacting and amending RCW 28A.660.040 and 28A.660.050; adding new sections to chapter 28A.405 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.410 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.76 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.655 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.605 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 41.56 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 41.59 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW; creating new sections; recodifying RCW 28A.305.225; repealing RCW 28A.660.010, 28A.415.100, 28A.415.105, 28A.415.125, 28A.415.130, 28A.415.135, 28A.415.140, 28A.415.145, and 28A.660.030; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 101   The legislature finds that it is the state's responsibility to create a coherent and effective accountability framework for the continuous improvement for all schools and districts. This system must provide an excellent and equitable education for all students; an aligned federal/state accountability system; and the tools necessary for schools and districts to be accountable. These tools include the necessary accounting and data reporting systems, assessment systems to monitor student achievement, and a system of general support, targeted assistance, and if necessary, intervention.
     The office of the superintendent of public instruction is responsible for developing and implementing the accountability tools to build district capacity and working within federal and state guidelines. The legislature assigned the state board of education responsibility and oversight for creating an accountability framework. This framework provides a unified system of support for challenged schools that aligns with basic education, increases the level of support based upon the magnitude of need, and uses data for decisions. Such a system will identify schools and their districts for recognition as well as for additional state support. For a specific group of challenged schools, defined as persistently lowest-achieving schools, and their districts, it is necessary to provide a required action process that creates a partnership between the state and local district to target funds and assistance to turn around the identified lowest-achieving schools.
     Phase I of this accountability system will recognize schools that have done an exemplary job of raising student achievement and closing the achievement gaps using the state board of education's accountability index. The state board of education shall have ongoing collaboration with the achievement gap oversight and accountability committee regarding the measures used to measure the closing of the achievement gaps and the recognition provided to the school districts for closing the achievement gaps. Phase I will also target the lowest five percent of persistently lowest-achieving schools defined under federal guidelines to provide federal funds and federal intervention models through a voluntary option in 2010, and for those who do not volunteer and have not improved student achievement, a required action process beginning in 2011.
     Phase II of this accountability system will work toward implementing the state board of education's accountability index for identification of schools in need of improvement, including those that are not Title I schools, and the use of state and local intervention models and state funds through a required action process beginning in 2013, in addition to the federal program. Federal approval of the state board of education's accountability index must be obtained or else the federal guidelines for persistently lowest-achieving schools will continue to be used.
     The expectation from implementation of this accountability system is the improvement of student achievement for all students to prepare them for postsecondary education, work, and global citizenship in the twenty-first century.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 102   (1) Beginning in 2010, and each year thereafter, by December 1st, the superintendent of public instruction shall annually identify schools as one of the state's persistently lowest-achieving schools if the school is a Title I school, or a school that is eligible for but does not receive Title I funds, that is among the lowest-achieving five percent of Title I or Title I eligible schools in the state.
     (2) The criteria for determining whether a school is among the persistently lowest-achieving five percent of Title I schools, or Title I eligible schools, under subsection (1) of this section shall be established by the superintendent of public instruction. The criteria must meet all applicable requirements for the receipt of a federal school improvement grant under the American recovery and reinvestment act of 2009 and Title I of the elementary and secondary education act of 1965, and take into account both:
     (a) The academic achievement of the "all students" group in a school in terms of proficiency on the state's assessment, and any alternative assessments, in reading and mathematics combined; and
     (b) The school's lack of progress on the mathematics and reading assessments over a number of years in the "all students" group.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 103   (1) Beginning in January 2011, the superintendent of public instruction shall annually recommend to the state board of education school districts for designation as required action districts. A district with at least one school identified as a persistently lowest-achieving school shall be designated as a required action district if it meets the criteria developed by the superintendent of public instruction. However, a school district shall not be recommended for designation as a required action district if the district was awarded a federal school improvement grant by the superintendent in 2010 and for three consecutive years following receipt of the grant implemented a federal school intervention model at each school identified for improvement. The state board of education may designate a district that received a school improvement grant in 2010 as a required action district if after three years of voluntarily implementing a plan the district continues to have a school identified as persistently lowest-achieving and meets the criteria for designation established by the superintendent of public instruction.
     (2) The superintendent of public instruction shall provide a school district superintendent with written notice of the recommendation for designation as a required action district by certified mail or personal service. A school district superintendent may request reconsideration of the superintendent of public instruction's recommendation. The reconsideration shall be limited to a determination of whether the school district met the criteria for being recommended as a required action district. A request for reconsideration must be in writing and served on the superintendent of public instruction within ten days of service of the notice of the superintendent's recommendation.
     (3) The state board of education shall annually designate those districts recommended by the superintendent in subsection (1) of this section as required action districts. A district designated as a required action district shall be required to notify all parents of students attending a school identified as a persistently lowest-achieving school in the district of the state board of education's designation of the district as a required action district and the process for complying with the requirements set forth in sections 104 through 110 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 104   (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall contract with an external review team to conduct an academic performance audit of the district and each persistently lowest-achieving school in a required action district to identify the potential reasons for the school's low performance and lack of progress. The review team must consist of persons under contract with the superintendent who have expertise in comprehensive school and district reform and may not include staff from the agency, the school district that is the subject of the audit, or members or staff of the state board of education.
     (2) The audit must be conducted based on criteria developed by the superintendent of public instruction and must include but not be limited to an examination of the following:
     (a) Student demographics;
     (b) Mobility patterns;
     (c) School feeder patterns;
     (d) The performance of different student groups on assessments;
     (e) Effective school leadership;
     (f) Strategic allocation of resources;
     (g) Clear and shared focus on student learning;
     (h) High standards and expectations for all students;
     (i) High level of collaboration and communication;
     (j) Aligned curriculum, instruction, and assessment to state standards;
     (k) Frequency of monitoring of learning and teaching;
     (l) Focused professional development;
     (m) Supportive learning environment;
     (n) High level of family and community involvement;
     (o) Alternative secondary schools best practices; and
     (p) Any unique circumstances or characteristics of the school or district.
     (3) Audit findings must be made available to the local school district, its staff, the community, and the state board of education.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 105   (1) The local district superintendent and local school board of a school district designated as a required action district must submit a required action plan to the state board of education for approval. Unless otherwise required by subsection (3) of this section, the plan must be submitted under a schedule as required by the state board. A required action plan must be developed in collaboration with administrators, teachers, and other staff, parents, unions representing any employees within the district, students, and other representatives of the local community. The superintendent of public instruction shall provide a district with assistance in developing its plan if requested. The school board must conduct a public hearing to allow for comment on a proposed required action plan. The local school district shall submit the plan first to the office of the superintendent of public instruction to review and approve that the plan is consistent with federal guidelines. After the office of the superintendent of public instruction has approved that the plan is consistent with federal guidelines, the local school district must submit its required action plan to the state board of education for approval.
     (2) A required action plan must include all of the following:
     (a) Implementation of one of the four federal intervention models required for the receipt of a federal school improvement grant, for those persistently lowest-achieving schools that the district will be focusing on for required action. However, a district may not establish a charter school under a federal intervention model without express legislative authority. The intervention models are the turnaround, restart, school closure, and transformation models. The intervention model selected must address the concerns raised in the academic performance audit and be intended to improve student performance to allow a school district to be removed from the list of districts designated as a required action district by the state board of education within three years of implementation of the plan;
     (b) Submission of an application for a federal school improvement grant or a grant from other federal funds for school improvement to the superintendent of public instruction;
     (c) A budget that provides for adequate resources to implement the federal model selected and any other requirements of the plan;
     (d) A description of the changes in the district's or school's existing policies, structures, agreements, processes, and practices that are intended to attain significant achievement gains for all students enrolled in the school and how the district intends to address the findings of the academic performance audit; and
     (e) Identification of the measures that the school district will use in assessing student achievement at a school identified as a persistently lowest-achieving school, which include improving mathematics and reading student achievement and graduation rates as defined by the office of the superintendent of public instruction that enable the school to no longer be identified as a persistently lowest-achieving school.
     (3)(a) For any district designated for required action, the parties to any collective bargaining agreement negotiated, renewed, or extended under chapter 41.59 or 41.56 RCW after the effective date of this section must reopen the agreement, or negotiate an addendum, if needed, to make changes to terms and conditions of employment that are necessary to implement a required action plan.
     (b) If the school district and the employee organizations are unable to agree on the terms of an addendum or modification to an existing collective bargaining agreement, the parties, including all labor organizations affected under the required action plan, shall request the public employment relations commission to, and the commission shall, appoint an employee of the commission to act as a mediator to assist in the resolution of a dispute between the school district and the employee organizations. Beginning in 2011, and each year thereafter, mediation shall commence no later than April 15th. All mediations held under this section shall include the employer and representatives of all affected bargaining units.
     (c) If the executive director of the public employment relations commission, upon the recommendation of the assigned mediator, finds that the employer and any affected bargaining unit are unable to reach agreement following a reasonable period of negotiations and mediation, but by no later than May 15th of the year in which mediation occurred, the executive director shall certify any disputed issues for a decision by the superior court in the county where the school district is located. The issues for determination by the superior court must be limited to the issues certified by the executive director.
     (d) The process for filing with the court in this subsection (3)(d) must be used in the case where the executive director certifies issues for a decision by the superior court.
     (i) The school district shall file a petition with the superior court, by no later than May 20th of the same year in which the issues were certified, setting forth the following:
     (A) The name, address, and telephone number of the school district and its principal representative;
     (B) The name, address, and telephone number of the employee organizations and their principal representatives;
     (C) A description of the bargaining units involved;
     (D) A copy of the unresolved issues certified by the executive director for a final and binding decision by the court; and
     (E) The academic performance audit that the office of the superintendent of public instruction completed for the school district.
     (ii) Within seven days after the filing of the petition, each party shall file with the court the proposal it is asking the court to order be implemented in a required action plan for the district for each issue certified by the executive director. Contemporaneously with the filing of the proposal, a party must file a brief with the court setting forth the reasons why the court should order implementation of its proposal in the final plan.
     (iii) Following receipt of the proposals and briefs of the parties, the court must schedule a date and time for a hearing on the petition. The hearing must be limited to argument of the parties or their counsel regarding the proposals submitted for the court's consideration. The parties may waive a hearing by written agreement.
     (iv) The court must enter an order selecting the proposal for inclusion in a required action plan that best responds to the issues raised in the school district's academic performance audit, and allows for the award of a federal school improvement grant or a grant from other federal funds for school improvement to the district from the office of the superintendent of public instruction to implement one of the four federal intervention models. The court's decision must be issued no later than June 15th of the year in which the petition is filed and is final and binding on the parties; however the court's decision is subject to appeal only in the case where it does not allow the school district to implement a required action plan consistent with the requirements for the award of a federal school improvement grant or other federal funds for school improvement by the superintendent of public instruction.
     (e) Each party shall bear its own costs and attorneys' fees incurred under this statute.
     (f) Any party that proceeds with the process in this section after knowledge that any provision of this section has not been complied with and who fails to state its objection in writing is deemed to have waived its right to object.
     (4) All contracts entered into between a school district and an employee must be consistent with this section and allow school districts designated as required action districts to implement one of the four federal models in a required action plan.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 106   A required action plan developed by a district's school board and superintendent must be submitted to the state board of education for approval. The state board must accept for inclusion in any required action plan the final decision by the superior court on any issue certified by the executive director of the public employment relations commission under the process in section 105 of this act. The state board of education shall approve a plan proposed by a school district only if the plan meets the requirements in section 105 of this act and provides sufficient remedies to address the findings in the academic performance audit to improve student achievement. Any addendum or modification to an existing collective bargaining agreement, negotiated under section 105 of this act or by agreement of the district and the exclusive bargaining unit, related to student achievement or school improvement shall not go into effect until approval of a required action plan by the state board of education. If the state board does not approve a proposed plan, it must notify the local school board and local district's superintendent in writing with an explicit rationale for why the plan was not approved. Nonapproval by the state board of education of the local school district's initial required action plan submitted is not intended to trigger any actions under section 108 of this act. With the assistance of the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the superintendent and school board of the required action district shall either: (a) Submit a new plan to the state board of education for approval within forty days of notification that its plan was rejected, or (b) submit a request to the required action plan review panel established under section 107 of this act for reconsideration of the state board's rejection within ten days of the notification that the plan was rejected. If federal funds are not available, the plan is not required to be implemented until such funding becomes available. If federal funds for this purpose are available, a required action plan must be implemented in the immediate school year following the district's designation as a required action district.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 107   (1) A required action plan review panel shall be established to offer an objective, external review of a request from a school district for reconsideration of the state board of education's rejection of the district's required action plan. The review and reconsideration by the panel shall be based on whether the state board of education gave appropriate consideration to the unique circumstances and characteristics identified in the academic performance audit of the local school district whose required action plan was rejected.
     (2)(a) The panel shall be composed of five individuals with expertise in school improvement, school and district restructuring, or parent and community involvement in schools. Two of the panel members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; two shall be appointed by the president of the senate; and one shall be appointed by the governor.
     (b) The speaker of the house of representatives, president of the senate, and governor shall solicit recommendations for possible panel members from the Washington association of school administrators, the Washington state school directors' association, the association of Washington school principals, the achievement gap oversight and accountability committee, and associations representing certificated teachers, classified school employees, and parents.
     (c) Members of the panel shall be appointed no later than December 1, 2010, but the superintendent of public instruction shall convene the panel only as needed to consider a school district's request for reconsideration. Appointments shall be for a four-year term, with opportunity for reappointment. Reappointments in the case of a vacancy shall be made expeditiously so that all requests are considered in a timely manner.
     (3) The required action plan review panel may reaffirm the decision of the state board of education, recommend that the state board reconsider the rejection, or recommend changes to the required action plan that should be considered by the district and the state board of education to secure approval of the plan. The state board of education shall consider the recommendations of the panel and issue a decision in writing to the local school district and the panel. If the school district must submit a new required action plan to the state board of education, the district must submit the plan within forty days of the board's decision.
     (4) The state board of education and superintendent of public instruction must develop timelines and procedures for the deliberations under this section so that school districts can implement a required action plan within the time frame required under section 106 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 108   The state board of education may direct the superintendent of public instruction to require a school district that has not submitted a final required action plan for approval, or has submitted but not received state board of education approval of a required action plan by the beginning of the school year in which the plan is intended to be implemented, to redirect the district's Title I funds based on the academic performance audit findings.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 109   A school district must implement a required action plan upon approval by the state board of education. The office of superintendent of public instruction must provide the required action district with technical assistance and federal school improvement grant funds or other federal funds for school improvement, if available, to implement an approved plan. The district must submit a report to the superintendent of public instruction that provides the progress the district is making in meeting the student achievement goals based on the state's assessments, identifying strategies and assets used to solve audit findings, and establishing evidence of meeting plan implementation benchmarks as set forth in the required action plan.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 110   (1) The superintendent of public instruction must provide a report twice per year to the state board of education regarding the progress made by all school districts designated as required action districts.
     (2) The superintendent of public instruction must recommend to the state board of education that a school district be released from the designation as a required action district after the district implements a required action plan for a period of three years; has made progress, as defined by the superintendent of public instruction, in reading and mathematics on the state's assessment over the past three consecutive years; and no longer has a school within the district identified as persistently lowest achieving. The state board shall release a school district from the designation as a required action district upon confirmation that the district has met the requirements for a release.
     (3) If the state board of education determines that the required action district has not met the requirements for release, the district remains in required action and must submit a new or revised plan under the process in section 105 of this act.

Sec. 111   RCW 28A.305.225 and 2009 c 548 s 503 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The state board of education shall continue to refine the development of an accountability framework that creates a unified system of support for challenged schools, that aligns with basic education, increases the level of support based upon the magnitude of need, and uses data for decisions.
     (2) The state board of education shall develop an accountability index to identify schools and districts for recognition, for continuous improvement, and for additional state support. The index shall be based on criteria that are fair, consistent, and transparent. Performance shall be measured using multiple outcomes and indicators including, but not limited to, graduation rates and results from statewide assessments. The index shall be developed in such a way as to be easily understood by both employees within the schools and districts, as well as parents and community members. It is the legislature's intent that the index provide feedback to schools and districts to self-assess their progress, and enable the identification of schools with exemplary student performance and those that need assistance to overcome challenges in order to achieve exemplary student performance. ((Once the accountability index has identified schools that need additional help, a more thorough analysis will be done to analyze specific conditions in the district including but not limited to the level of state resources a school or school district receives in support of the basic education system, achievement gaps for different groups of students, and community support.
     (3) Based on the accountability index and in consultation with the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education shall develop a proposal and timeline for implementation of a comprehensive system of voluntary support and assistance for schools and districts. The timeline must take into account and accommodate capacity limitations of the K-12 educational system. 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 by the legislature through the omnibus appropriations act or other enacted legislation.
     (4)(a) The state board of education shall develop a proposal and implementation timeline for a more formalized comprehensive system improvement targeted to challenged schools and districts that have not demonstrated sufficient improvement through the voluntary system. The timeline must take into account and accommodate capacity limitations of the K-12 educational system. The proposal and timeline shall be submitted to the education committees of the legislature by December 1, 2009, and shall include recommended legislation and recommended resources to implement the system according to the timeline developed.
     (b) The proposal shall outline a process for addressing performance challenges that will include the following features: (i) An academic performance audit using peer review teams of educators that considers school and community factors in addition to other factors in developing recommended specific corrective actions that should be undertaken to improve student learning; (ii) a requirement for the local school board plan to develop and be responsible for implementation of corrective action plan taking into account the audit findings, which plan must be approved by the state board of education at which time the plan becomes binding upon the school district to implement; and (iii) monitoring of local district progress by the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The proposal shall take effect only if formally authorized by the legislature through the omnibus appropriations act or other enacted legislation.
     (5))) (3) The state board of education, in cooperation with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, shall annually recognize schools for exemplary performance as measured on the state board of education accountability index. The state board of education shall have ongoing collaboration with the achievement gap oversight and accountability committee regarding the measures used to measure the closing of the achievement gaps and the recognition provided to the school districts for closing the achievement gaps.
     (4) In coordination with the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education shall seek approval from the United States department of education for use of the accountability index and the state system of support, assistance, and intervention, to replace the federal accountability system under P.L. 107-110, the no child left behind act of 2001.
     (((6))) (5) The state board of education shall work with the education data center established within the office of financial management and the technical working group established in section 112, chapter 548, Laws of 2009 to determine the feasibility of using the prototypical funding allocation model as not only a tool for allocating resources to schools and districts but also as a tool for schools and districts to report to the state legislature and the state board of education on how the state resources received are being used.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 112   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "All students group" means those students in grades three through eight and high school who take the state's assessment in reading and mathematics required under 20 U.S.C. Sec. 6311(b)(3).
     (2) "Title I" means Title I, part A of the federal elementary and secondary education act of 1965 (ESEA) (20 U.S.C. Secs. 6311-6322).

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 113   The superintendent of public instruction and the state board of education may each adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW as necessary to implement this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 114   (1) The legislature finds that a unified and equitable system of education accountability must include expectations and benchmarks for improvement, along with support for schools and districts to make the necessary changes that will lead to success for all students. Such a system must also clearly address the consequences for persistent lack of improvement. Establishing a process for school districts to prepare and implement a required action plan is one such consequence. However, to be truly accountable to students, parents, the community, and taxpayers, the legislature must also consider what should happen if a required action district continues not to make improvement after an extended period of time. Without an answer to this significant question, the state's system of education accountability is incomplete. Furthermore, accountability must be appropriately shared among various levels of decision makers, including in the building, in the district, and at the state.
     (2)(a) A joint select committee on education accountability is established beginning no earlier than May 1, 2012, with the following members:
     (i) The president of the senate shall appoint two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate.
     (ii) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives.
     (b) The committee shall choose its cochairs from among its membership.
     (3) The committee shall:
     (a) Identify and analyze options for a complete system of education accountability, particularly consequences in the case of persistent lack of improvement by a required action district;
     (b) Identify and analyze appropriate decision-making responsibilities and accompanying consequences at the building, district, and state level within such an accountability system;
     (c) Examine models and experiences in other states;
     (d) Identify the circumstances under which significant state action may be required; and
     (e) Analyze the financial, legal, and practical considerations that would accompany significant state action.
     (4) Staff support for the committee must be provided by the senate committee services and the house of representatives office of program research.
     (5) The committee shall submit an interim report to the education committees of the legislature by September 1, 2012, and a final report with recommendations by September 1, 2013.
     (6) This section expires June 30, 2014.

Sec. 201   RCW 28A.150.230 and 2006 c 263 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) It is the intent and purpose of this section to guarantee that each common school district board of directors, whether or not acting through its respective administrative staff, be held accountable for the proper operation of their district to the local community and its electorate. In accordance with the provisions of Title 28A RCW, as now or hereafter amended, each common school district board of directors shall be vested with the final responsibility for the setting of policies ensuring quality in the content and extent of its educational program and that such program provide students with the opportunity to achieve those skills which are generally recognized as requisite to learning.
     (2) In conformance with the provisions of Title 28A RCW, as now or hereafter amended, it shall be the responsibility of each common school district board of directors to adopt policies to:
     (a) Establish performance criteria and an evaluation process for its superintendent, classified staff, certificated personnel, including administrative staff, and for all programs constituting a part of such district's curriculum. Each district shall report annually to the superintendent of public instruction the following for each employee group listed in this subsection (2)(a): (i) Evaluation criteria and rubrics; (ii) a description of each rating; and (iii) the number of staff in each rating;
     (b) Determine the final assignment of staff, certificated or classified, according to board enumerated classroom and program needs and data, based upon a plan to ensure that the assignment policy: (i) Supports the learning needs of all the students in the district; and (ii) gives specific attention to high-need schools and classrooms;
     (c) Provide information to the local community and its electorate describing the school district's policies concerning hiring, assigning, terminating, and evaluating staff, including the criteria for evaluating teachers and principals;
     (d) Determine the amount of instructional hours necessary for any student to acquire a quality education in such district, in not less than an amount otherwise required in RCW 28A.150.220, or rules of the state board of education;
     (((d))) (e) Determine the allocation of staff time, whether certificated or classified;
     (((e))) (f) Establish final curriculum standards consistent with law and rules of the superintendent of public instruction, relevant to the particular needs of district students or the unusual characteristics of the district, and ensuring a quality education for each student in the district; and
     (((f))) (g) Evaluate teaching materials, including text books, teaching aids, handouts, or other printed material, in public hearing upon complaint by parents, guardians or custodians of students who consider dissemination of such material to students objectionable.

Sec. 202   RCW 28A.405.100 and 1997 c 278 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the superintendent of public instruction shall establish and may amend from time to time minimum criteria for the evaluation of the professional performance capabilities and development of certificated classroom teachers and certificated support personnel. For classroom teachers the criteria shall be developed in the following categories: Instructional skill; classroom management, professional preparation and scholarship; effort toward improvement when needed; the handling of student discipline and attendant problems; and interest in teaching pupils and knowledge of subject matter.
     (b) Every board of directors shall, in accordance with procedure provided in RCW 41.59.010 through 41.59.170, 41.59.910 and 41.59.920, establish evaluative criteria and procedures for all certificated classroom teachers and certificated support personnel. The evaluative criteria must contain as a minimum the criteria established by the superintendent of public instruction pursuant to this section and must be prepared within six months following adoption of the superintendent of public instruction's minimum criteria. The district must certify to the superintendent of public instruction that evaluative criteria have been so prepared by the district.
     (2)(a) Pursuant to the implementation schedule established in subsection (7)(b) of this section, every board of directors shall, in accordance with procedures provided in RCW 41.59.010 through 41.59.170, 41.59.910, and 41.59.920, establish revised evaluative criteria and a four-level rating system for all certificated classroom teachers.
     (b) The minimum criteria shall include: (i) Centering instruction on high expectations for student achievement; (ii) demonstrating effective teaching practices; (iii) recognizing individual student learning needs and developing strategies to address those needs; (iv) providing clear and intentional focus on subject matter content and curriculum; (v) fostering and managing a safe, positive learning environment; (vi) using multiple student data elements to modify instruction and improve student learning; (vii) communicating and collaborating with parents and school community; and (viii) exhibiting collaborative and collegial practices focused on improving instructional practice and student learning.
     (c) The four-level rating system used to evaluate the certificated classroom teacher must describe performance along a continuum that indicates the extent to which the criteria have been met or exceeded. When student growth data, if available and relevant to the teacher and subject matter, is referenced in the evaluation process it must be based on multiple measures that can include classroom-based, school-based, district-based, and state-based tools. As used in this subsection, "student growth" means the change in student achievement between two points in time.
     (3)(a) Except as provided in subsection (((5))) (10) of this section, it shall be the responsibility of a principal or his or her designee to evaluate all certificated personnel in his or her school. During each school year all classroom teachers and certificated support personnel((, hereinafter referred to as "employees" in this section,)) shall be observed for the purposes of evaluation at least twice in the performance of their assigned duties. Total observation time for each employee for each school year shall be not less than sixty minutes. An employee in the third year of provisional status as defined in RCW 28A.405.220 shall be observed at least three times in the performance of his or her duties and the total observation time for the school year shall not be less than ninety minutes. Following each observation, or series of observations, the principal or other evaluator shall promptly document the results of the observation in writing, and shall provide the employee with a copy thereof within three days after such report is prepared. New employees shall be observed at least once for a total observation time of thirty minutes during the first ninety calendar days of their employment period.
     (b) As used in this subsection and subsection (4) of this section, "employees" means classroom teachers and certificated support personnel.
     (4)(a) At any time after October 15th, an employee whose work is not judged ((unsatisfactory)) satisfactory based on district evaluation criteria shall be notified in writing of the specific areas of deficiencies along with a reasonable program for improvement. During the period of probation, the employee may not be transferred from the supervision of the original evaluator. Improvement of performance or probable cause for nonrenewal must occur and be documented by the original evaluator before any consideration of a request for transfer or reassignment as contemplated by either the individual or the school district. A probationary period of sixty school days shall be established. The establishment of a probationary period does not adversely affect the contract status of an employee within the meaning of RCW 28A.405.300. The purpose of the probationary period is to give the employee opportunity to demonstrate improvements in his or her areas of deficiency. The establishment of the probationary period and the giving of the notice to the employee of deficiency shall be by the school district superintendent and need not be submitted to the board of directors for approval. During the probationary period the evaluator shall meet with the employee at least twice monthly to supervise and make a written evaluation of the progress, if any, made by the employee. The evaluator may authorize one additional certificated employee to evaluate the probationer and to aid the employee in improving his or her areas of deficiency; such additional certificated employee shall be immune from any civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed with regard to the good faith performance of such evaluation. The probationer may be removed from probation if he or she has demonstrated improvement to the satisfaction of the principal in those areas specifically detailed in his or her initial notice of deficiency and subsequently detailed in his or her improvement program. Lack of necessary improvement during the established probationary period, as specifically documented in writing with notification to the probationer and shall constitute grounds for a finding of probable cause under RCW 28A.405.300 or 28A.405.210.
     (b) Immediately following the completion of a probationary period that does not produce performance changes detailed in the initial notice of deficiencies and improvement program, the employee may be removed from his or her assignment and placed into an alternative assignment for the remainder of the school year. This reassignment may not displace another employee nor may it adversely affect the probationary employee's compensation or benefits for the remainder of the employee's contract year. If such reassignment is not possible, the district may, at its option, place the employee on paid leave for the balance of the contract term.
     (((2))) (5) Every board of directors shall establish evaluative criteria and procedures for all superintendents, principals, and other administrators. It shall be the responsibility of the district superintendent or his or her designee to evaluate all administrators. Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, such evaluation shall be based on the administrative position job description. Such criteria, when applicable, shall include at least the following categories: Knowledge of, experience in, and training in recognizing good professional performance, capabilities and development; school administration and management; school finance; professional preparation and scholarship; effort toward improvement when needed; interest in pupils, employees, patrons and subjects taught in school; leadership; and ability and performance of evaluation of school personnel.
     (((3))) (6)(a) Pursuant to the implementation schedule established by subsection (7)(b) of this section, every board of directors shall establish revised evaluative criteria and a four-level rating system for principals.
     (b) The minimum criteria shall include: (i) Creating a school culture that promotes the ongoing improvement of learning and teaching for students and staff; (ii) demonstrating commitment to closing the achievement gap; (iii) providing for school safety; (iv) leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of a data-driven plan for increasing student achievement, including the use of multiple student data elements; (v) assisting instructional staff with alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment with state and local district learning goals; (vi) monitoring, assisting, and evaluating effective instruction and assessment practices; (vii) managing both staff and fiscal resources to support student achievement and legal responsibilities; and (viii) partnering with the school community to promote student learning.
     (c) The four-level rating system used to evaluate the principal must describe performance along a continuum that indicates the extent to which the criteria have been met or exceeded. When available, student growth data that is referenced in the evaluation process must be based on multiple measures that can include classroom-based, school-based, district-based, and state-based tools. As used in this subsection, "student growth" means the change in student achievement between two points in time.
     (7)(a) The superintendent of public instruction, in collaboration with state associations representing teachers, principals, administrators, and parents, shall create models for implementing the evaluation system criteria, student growth tools, professional development programs, and evaluator training for certificated classroom teachers and principals. Human resources specialists, professional development experts, and assessment experts must also be consulted. Due to the diversity of teaching assignments and the many developmental levels of students, classroom teachers and principals must be prominently represented in this work. The models must be available for use in the 2011-12 school year.
     (b) A new certificated classroom teacher evaluation system that implements the provisions of subsection (2) of this section and a new principal evaluation system that implements the provisions of subsection (6) of this section shall be phased-in beginning with the 2010-11 school year by districts identified in (c) of this subsection and implemented in all school districts beginning with the 2013-14 school year.
     (c) A set of school districts shall be selected by the superintendent of public instruction to participate in a collaborative process resulting in the development and piloting of new certificated classroom teacher and principal evaluation systems during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years. These school districts must be selected based on: (i) The agreement of the local associations representing classroom teachers and principals to collaborate with the district in this developmental work and (ii) the agreement to participate in the full range of development and implementation activities, including: Development of rubrics for the evaluation criteria and ratings in subsections (2) and (6) of this section; identification of or development of appropriate multiple measures of student growth in subsections (2) and (6) of this section; development of appropriate evaluation system forms; participation in professional development for principals and classroom teachers regarding the content of the new evaluation system; participation in evaluator training; and participation in activities to evaluate the effectiveness of the new systems and support programs. The school districts must submit to the office of the superintendent of public instruction data that is used in evaluations and all district-collected student achievement, aptitude, and growth data regardless of whether the data is used in evaluations. If the data is not available electronically, the district may submit it in nonelectronic form. The superintendent of public instruction must analyze the districts' use of student data in evaluations, including examining the extent that student data is not used or is underutilized. The superintendent of public instruction must also consult with participating districts and stakeholders, recommend appropriate changes, and address statewide implementation issues. The superintendent of public instruction shall report evaluation system implementation status, evaluation data, and recommendations to appropriate committees of the legislature and governor by July 1, 2011, and at the conclusion of the development phase by July 1, 2012. In the July 1, 2011 report, the superintendent shall include recommendations for whether a single statewide evaluation model should be adopted, whether modified versions developed by school districts should be subject to state approval, and what the criteria would be for determining if a school district's evaluation model meets or exceeds a statewide model. The report shall also identify challenges posed by requiring a state approval process.
     (8) Each certificated ((employee)) classroom teacher and certificated support personnel shall have the opportunity for confidential conferences with his or her immediate supervisor on no less than two occasions in each school year. Such confidential conference shall have as its sole purpose the aiding of the administrator in his or her assessment of the employee's professional performance.
     (((4))) (9) The failure of any evaluator to evaluate or supervise or cause the evaluation or supervision of certificated ((employees)) classroom teachers and certificated support personnel or administrators in accordance with this section, as now or hereafter amended, when it is his or her specific assigned or delegated responsibility to do so, shall be sufficient cause for the nonrenewal of any such evaluator's contract under RCW 28A.405.210, or the discharge of such evaluator under RCW 28A.405.300.
     (((5))) (10) After ((an employee)) a certificated classroom teacher or certificated support personnel has four years of satisfactory evaluations under subsection (1) of this section or has received one of the two top ratings for four years under subsection (2) of this section, a school district may use a short form of evaluation, a locally bargained evaluation emphasizing professional growth, an evaluation under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, or any combination thereof. The short form of evaluation shall include either a thirty minute observation during the school year with a written summary or a final annual written evaluation based on the criteria in subsection (1) or (2) of this section and based on at least two observation periods during the school year totaling at least sixty minutes without a written summary of such observations being prepared. A locally bargained short-form evaluation emphasizing professional growth must provide that the professional growth activity conducted by the certificated classroom teacher be specifically linked to one or more of the certificated classroom teacher evaluation criteria. However, the evaluation process set forth in subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall be followed at least once every three years unless this time is extended by a local school district under the bargaining process set forth in chapter 41.59 RCW. The employee or evaluator may require that the evaluation process set forth in subsection (1) or (2) of this section be conducted in any given school year. No evaluation other than the evaluation authorized under subsection (1) or (2) of this section may be used as a basis for determining that an employee's work is ((unsatisfactory)) not satisfactory under subsection (1) or (2) of this section or as probable cause for the nonrenewal of an employee's contract under RCW 28A.405.210 unless an evaluation process developed under chapter 41.59 RCW determines otherwise.

Sec. 203   RCW 28A.405.220 and 2009 c 57 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 28A.405.210, every person employed by a school district in a teaching or other nonsupervisory certificated position shall be subject to nonrenewal of employment contract as provided in this section during the first ((two)) three years of employment by such district, unless: (a) The employee has previously completed at least two years of certificated employment in another school district in the state of Washington, in which case the employee shall be subject to nonrenewal of employment contract pursuant to this section during the first year of employment with the new district; or (b) the school district superintendent may make a determination to remove an employee from provisional status if the employee has received one of the top two evaluation ratings during the second year of employment by the district. Employees as defined in this section shall hereinafter be referred to as "provisional employees(("))."
     (2) In the event the superintendent of the school district determines that the employment contract of any provisional employee should not be renewed by the district for the next ensuing term such provisional employee shall be notified thereof in writing on or before May 15th preceding the commencement of such school term, or if the omnibus appropriations act has not passed the legislature by May 15th, then notification shall be no later than June 15th, which notification shall state the reason or reasons for such determination. Such notice shall be served upon the provisional employee personally, or by certified or registered mail, or by leaving a copy of the notice at the place of his or her usual abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then resident therein. The determination of the superintendent shall be subject to the evaluation requirements of RCW 28A.405.100.
     (3) Every such provisional employee so notified, at his or her request made in writing and filed with the superintendent of the district within ten days after receiving such notice, shall be given the opportunity to meet informally with the superintendent for the purpose of requesting the superintendent to reconsider his or her decision. Such meeting shall be held no later than ten days following the receipt of such request, and the provisional employee shall be given written notice of the date, time and place of meeting at least three days prior thereto. At such meeting the provisional employee shall be given the opportunity to refute any facts upon which the superintendent's determination was based and to make any argument in support of his or her request for reconsideration.
     (4) Within ten days following the meeting with the provisional employee, the superintendent shall either reinstate the provisional employee or shall submit to the school district board of directors for consideration at its next regular meeting a written report recommending that the employment contract of the provisional employee be nonrenewed and stating the reason or reasons therefor. A copy of such report shall be delivered to the provisional employee at least three days prior to the scheduled meeting of the board of directors. In taking action upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the board of directors shall consider any written communication which the provisional employee may file with the secretary of the board at any time prior to that meeting.
     (5) The board of directors shall notify the provisional employee in writing of its final decision within ten days following the meeting at which the superintendent's recommendation was considered. The decision of the board of directors to nonrenew the contract of a provisional employee shall be final and not subject to appeal.
     (6) This section applies to any person employed by a school district in a teaching or other nonsupervisory certificated position after June 25, 1976. This section provides the exclusive means for nonrenewing the employment contract of a provisional employee and no other provision of law shall be applicable thereto, including, without limitation, RCW 28A.405.210 and chapter 28A.645 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 204   A new section is added to chapter 28A.405 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Representatives of the office of the superintendent of public instruction and statewide associations representing administrators, principals, human resources specialists, and certificated classroom teachers shall analyze how the evaluation systems in RCW 28A.405.100 (2) and (6) affect issues related to a change in contract status.
     (2) The analysis shall be conducted during each of the phase-in years of the certificated classroom teacher and principal evaluation systems. The analysis shall include: Procedures, timelines, probationary periods, appeal procedures, and other items related to the timely exercise of employment decisions and due process provisions for certificated classroom teachers and principals.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 205   A new section is added to chapter 28A.405 RCW to read as follows:
     If funds are provided for professional development activities designed specifically for first through third-year teachers, the funds shall be allocated first to districts participating in the evaluation systems in RCW 28A.405.100 (2) and (6) before the required implementation date under that section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 301   The legislature finds that the presence of highly effective principals in schools has never been more important than it is today. To enable students to meet high academic standards, principals must lead and encourage teams of teachers and support staff to work together, align curriculum and instruction, use student data to target instruction and intervention strategies, and serve as the chief school officer with parents and the community. Greater responsibility should come with greater authority over personnel, budgets, resource allocation, and programs. But greater responsibility also comes with greater accountability for outcomes. Washington is putting into place an updated and rigorous system of evaluating principal performance, one that will measure what matters. This system will never be truly effective unless the results are meaningfully used.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 302   A new section is added to chapter 28A.405 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Any certificated employee of a school district under this section who is first employed as a principal after the effective date of this section shall be subject to transfer as provided under this section, at the expiration of the term of his or her employment contract, to any subordinate certificated position within the school district. "Subordinate certificated position" as used in this section means any administrative or nonadministrative certificated position for which the annual compensation is less than the position currently held by the administrator. This section applies only to school districts with an annual average student enrollment of more than thirty-five thousand full-time equivalent students.
     (2) During the first three consecutive school years of employment as a principal by the school district, or during the first full school year of such employment in the case of a principal who has been previously employed as a principal by another school district in the state for three or more consecutive school years, the transfer of the principal to a subordinate certificated position may be made by a determination of the superintendent that the best interests of the school district would be served by the transfer.
     (3) Commencing with the fourth consecutive school year of employment as a principal, or the second consecutive school year of such employment in the case of a principal who has been previously employed as a principal by another school district in the state for three or more consecutive school years, the transfer of the principal to a subordinate certificated position shall be based on the superintendent's determination that the results of the evaluation of the principal's performance using the evaluative criteria and rating system established under RCW 28A.405.100 provide a valid reason for the transfer without regard to whether there is probable cause for the transfer. If a valid reason is shown, it shall be deemed that the transfer is reasonably related to the principal's performance. No probationary period is required. However, provision of support and an attempt at remediation of the performance of the principal, as defined by the superintendent, are required for a determination by the superintendent under this subsection that the principal should be transferred to a subordinate certificated position.
     (4) Any superintendent transferring a principal under this section to a subordinate certificated position shall notify that principal in writing on or before May 15th before the beginning of the school year of that determination, or if the omnibus appropriations act has not passed the legislature by May 15th, then notification shall be no later than June 15th. The notification shall state the reason or reasons for the transfer and shall identify the subordinate certificated position to which the principal will be transferred. The notification shall be served upon the principal personally, or by certified or registered mail, or by leaving a copy of the notice at the place of his or her usual abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then resident therein.
     (5) Any principal so notified may request to the president or chair of the board of directors of the district, in writing and within ten days after receiving notice, an opportunity to meet informally with the board of directors in an executive session for the purpose of requesting the board to reconsider the decision of the superintendent, and shall be given such opportunity. The board, upon receipt of such request, shall schedule the meeting for no later than the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board, and shall give the principal written notice at least three days before the meeting of the date, time, and place of the meeting. At the meeting the principal shall be given the opportunity to refute any evidence upon which the determination was based and to make any argument in support of his or her request for reconsideration. The principal and the board may invite their respective legal counsel to be present and to participate at the meeting. The board shall notify the principal in writing of its final decision within ten days following its meeting with the principal. No appeal to the courts shall lie from the final decision of the board of directors to transfer a principal to a subordinate certificated position.
     (6) This section provides the exclusive means for transferring a certificated employee first employed by a school district under this section as a principal after the effective date of this section to a subordinate certificated position at the expiration of the term of his or her employment contract.

Sec. 303   RCW 28A.405.210 and 2009 c 57 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     No teacher, principal, supervisor, superintendent, or other certificated employee, holding a position as such with a school district, hereinafter referred to as "employee", shall be employed except by written order of a majority of the directors of the district at a regular or special meeting thereof, nor unless he or she is the holder of an effective teacher's certificate or other certificate required by law or the Washington professional educator standards board for the position for which the employee is employed.
     The board shall make with each employee employed by it a written contract, which shall be in conformity with the laws of this state, and except as otherwise provided by law, limited to a term of not more than one year. Every such contract shall be made in duplicate, one copy to be retained by the school district superintendent or secretary and one copy to be delivered to the employee. No contract shall be offered by any board for the employment of any employee who has previously signed an employment contract for that same term in another school district of the state of Washington unless such employee shall have been released from his or her obligations under such previous contract by the board of directors of the school district to which he or she was obligated. Any contract signed in violation of this provision shall be void.
     In the event it is determined that there is probable cause or causes that the employment contract of an employee should not be renewed by the district for the next ensuing term such employee shall be notified in writing on or before May 15th preceding the commencement of such term of that determination, or if the omnibus appropriations act has not passed the legislature by May 15th, then notification shall be no later than June 15th, which notification shall specify the cause or causes for nonrenewal of contract. Such determination of probable cause for certificated employees, other than the superintendent, shall be made by the superintendent. Such notice shall be served upon the employee personally, or by certified or registered mail, or by leaving a copy of the notice at the house of his or her usual abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then resident therein. Every such employee so notified, at his or her request made in writing and filed with the president, chair or secretary of the board of directors of the district within ten days after receiving such notice, shall be granted opportunity for hearing pursuant to RCW 28A.405.310 to determine whether there is sufficient cause or causes for nonrenewal of contract: PROVIDED, That any employee receiving notice of nonrenewal of contract due to an enrollment decline or loss of revenue may, in his or her request for a hearing, stipulate that initiation of the arrangements for a hearing officer as provided for by RCW 28A.405.310(4) shall occur within ten days following July 15 rather than the day that the employee submits the request for a hearing. If any such notification or opportunity for hearing is not timely given, the employee entitled thereto shall be conclusively presumed to have been reemployed by the district for the next ensuing term upon contractual terms identical with those which would have prevailed if his or her employment had actually been renewed by the board of directors for such ensuing term.
     This section shall not be applicable to "provisional employees" as so designated in RCW 28A.405.220; transfer to a subordinate certificated position as that procedure is set forth in RCW 28A.405.230 or section 302 of this act shall not be construed as a nonrenewal of contract for the purposes of this section.

Sec. 304   RCW 28A.405.230 and 2009 c 57 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any certificated employee of a school district employed as an assistant superintendent, director, principal, assistant principal, coordinator, or in any other supervisory or administrative position, hereinafter in this section referred to as "administrator", shall be subject to transfer, at the expiration of the term of his or her employment contract, to any subordinate certificated position within the school district. "Subordinate certificated position" as used in this section, shall mean any administrative or nonadministrative certificated position for which the annual compensation is less than the position currently held by the administrator.
     Every superintendent determining that the best interests of the school district would be served by transferring any administrator to a subordinate certificated position shall notify that administrator in writing on or before May 15th preceding the commencement of such school term of that determination, or if the omnibus appropriations act has not passed the legislature by May 15th, then notification shall be no later than June 15th, which notification shall state the reason or reasons for the transfer, and shall identify the subordinate certificated position to which the administrator will be transferred. Such notice shall be served upon the administrator personally, or by certified or registered mail, or by leaving a copy of the notice at the place of his or her usual abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then resident therein.
     Every such administrator so notified, at his or her request made in writing and filed with the president or chair, or secretary of the board of directors of the district within ten days after receiving such notice, shall be given the opportunity to meet informally with the board of directors in an executive session thereof for the purpose of requesting the board to reconsider the decision of the superintendent. Such board, upon receipt of such request, shall schedule the meeting for no later than the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board, and shall notify the administrator in writing of the date, time and place of the meeting at least three days prior thereto. At such meeting the administrator shall be given the opportunity to refute any facts upon which the determination was based and to make any argument in support of his or her request for reconsideration. The administrator and the board may invite their respective legal counsel to be present and to participate at the meeting. The board shall notify the administrator in writing of its final decision within ten days following its meeting with the administrator. No appeal to the courts shall lie from the final decision of the board of directors to transfer an administrator to a subordinate certificated position: PROVIDED, That in the case of principals such transfer shall be made at the expiration of the contract year and only during the first three consecutive school years of employment as a principal by a school district; except that if any such principal has been previously employed as a principal by another school district in the state of Washington for three or more consecutive school years the provisions of this section shall apply only to the first full school year of such employment.
     This section applies to any person employed as an administrator by a school district on June 25, 1976, and to all persons so employed at any time thereafter, except that section 302 of this act applies to persons first employed after the effective date of this section as a principal by a school district meeting the criteria of section 302 of this act. This section provides the exclusive means for transferring an administrator subject to this section to a subordinate certificated position at the expiration of the term of his or her employment contract.

Sec. 305   RCW 28A.405.300 and 1990 c 33 s 395 are each amended to read as follows:
     In the event it is determined that there is probable cause or causes for a teacher, principal, supervisor, superintendent, or other certificated employee, holding a position as such with the school district, hereinafter referred to as "employee", to be discharged or otherwise adversely affected in his or her contract status, such employee shall be notified in writing of that decision, which notification shall specify the probable cause or causes for such action. Such determinations of probable cause for certificated employees, other than the superintendent, shall be made by the superintendent. Such notices shall be served upon that employee personally, or by certified or registered mail, or by leaving a copy of the notice at the house of his or her usual abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then resident therein. Every such employee so notified, at his or her request made in writing and filed with the president, chair of the board or secretary of the board of directors of the district within ten days after receiving such notice, shall be granted opportunity for a hearing pursuant to RCW 28A.405.310 to determine whether or not there is sufficient cause or causes for his or her discharge or other adverse action against his or her contract status.
     In the event any such notice or opportunity for hearing is not timely given, or in the event cause for discharge or other adverse action is not established by a preponderance of the evidence at the hearing, such employee shall not be discharged or otherwise adversely affected in his or her contract status for the causes stated in the original notice for the duration of his or her contract.
     If such employee does not request a hearing as provided herein, such employee may be discharged or otherwise adversely affected as provided in the notice served upon the employee.
     Transfer to a subordinate certificated position as that procedure is set forth in RCW 28A.405.230 or section 302 of this act shall not be construed as a discharge or other adverse action against contract status for the purposes of this section.

Sec. 401   RCW 28A.400.200 and 2002 c 353 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Every school district board of directors shall fix, alter, allow, and order paid salaries and compensation for all district employees in conformance with this section.
     (2)(a) Salaries for certificated instructional staff shall not be less than the salary provided in the appropriations act in the statewide salary allocation schedule for an employee with a baccalaureate degree and zero years of service; and
     (b) Salaries for certificated instructional staff with a master's degree shall not be less than the salary provided in the appropriations act in the statewide salary allocation schedule for an employee with a master's degree and zero years of service;
     (3)(a) The actual average salary paid to certificated instructional staff shall not exceed the district's average certificated instructional staff salary used for the state basic education allocations for that school year as determined pursuant to RCW 28A.150.410.
     (b) Fringe benefit contributions for certificated instructional staff shall be included as salary under (a) of this subsection only to the extent that the district's actual average benefit contribution exceeds the amount of the insurance benefits allocation provided per certificated instructional staff unit in the state operating appropriations act in effect at the time the compensation is payable. For purposes of this section, fringe benefits shall not include payment for unused leave for illness or injury under RCW 28A.400.210; employer contributions for old age survivors insurance, workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, and retirement benefits under the Washington state retirement system; or employer contributions for health benefits in excess of the insurance benefits allocation provided per certificated instructional staff unit in the state operating appropriations act in effect at the time the compensation is payable. A school district may not use state funds to provide employer contributions for such excess health benefits.
     (c) Salary and benefits for certificated instructional staff in programs other than basic education shall be consistent with the salary and benefits paid to certificated instructional staff in the basic education program.
     (4) Salaries and benefits for certificated instructional staff may exceed the limitations in subsection (3) of this section only by separate contract for additional time, for additional responsibilities, ((or)) for incentives, or for implementing specific measurable innovative activities, including professional development, specified by the school district to: (a) Close one or more achievement gaps, (b) focus on development of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities, or (c) provide arts education. Beginning September 1, 2011, school districts shall annually provide a brief description of the innovative activities included in any supplemental contract to the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall summarize the district information and submit an annual report to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate. Supplemental contracts shall not cause the state to incur any present or future funding obligation. Supplemental contracts shall be subject to the collective bargaining provisions of chapter 41.59 RCW and the provisions of RCW 28A.405.240, shall not exceed one year, and if not renewed shall not constitute adverse change in accordance with RCW 28A.405.300 through 28A.405.380. No district may enter into a supplemental contract under this subsection for the provision of services which are a part of the basic education program required by Article IX, section 3 of the state Constitution.
     (5) Employee benefit plans offered by any district shall comply with RCW 28A.400.350 and 28A.400.275 and 28A.400.280.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 501   A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning with the 2011-12 school year, all professional educator standards board-approved teacher preparation programs must administer to all preservice candidates the evidence-based assessment of teaching effectiveness adopted by the professional educator standards board. The professional educator standards board shall adopt rules that establish a date during the 2012-13 school year after which candidates completing teacher preparation programs must successfully pass this assessment. Assessment results from persons completing each preparation program must be reported annually by the professional educator standards board to the governor and the education and fiscal committees of the legislature by December 1st.
     (2) The professional educator standards board and the superintendent of public instruction, as determined by the board, may contract with one or more third parties for:
     (a) The administration, scoring, and reporting of scores of the assessment under this section;
     (b) Related clerical and administrative activities; or
     (c) Any combination of the purposes of this subsection (2).
     (3) Candidates for residency certification who are required to successfully complete the assessment under this section, and who are charged a fee for the assessment by a third party contracted with under this section, shall pay the fee charged by the contractor directly to the contractor. Such fees shall be reasonably related to the actual costs of the contractor in providing the assessment.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 502   A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By September 30, 2010, the professional educator standards board shall review and revise teacher and administrator preparation program approval standards and proposal review procedures at the residency certificate level to ensure they are rigorous and appropriate standards for an expanded range of potential providers, including community college and nonhigher education providers. All approved providers must adhere to the same standards and comply with the same requirements.
     (2) Beginning September 30, 2010, the professional educator standards board must accept proposals for community college and nonhigher education providers of educator preparation programs. Proposals must be processed and considered by the board as expeditiously as possible.
     (3) By September 1, 2011, all professional educator standards board- approved residency teacher preparation programs at institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 not currently a partner in an alternative route program approved by the professional educator standards board must submit to the board a proposal to offer one or more of the alternative route programs that meet the requirements of RCW 28A.660.020 and 28A.660.040.

Sec. 503   RCW 28A.660.020 and 2006 c 263 s 816 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) ((Each)) The professional educator standards board shall transition the alternative route partnership grant program from a separate competitive grant program to a preparation program model to be expanded among approved preparation program providers. Alternative routes are partnerships between professional educator standards board-approved preparation programs, Washington school districts, and other partners as appropriate.
     (2) Each prospective teacher preparation program provider, in cooperation with a Washington school district or consortia of school districts applying ((for the)) to operate alternative route certification program shall ((submit a)) include in its proposal to the Washington professional educator standards board ((specifying)):
     (a) The route or routes the partnership program intends to offer and a detailed description of how the routes will be structured and operated by the partnership;
     (b) The estimated number of candidates that will be enrolled per route;
     (c) An identification, indication of commitment, and description of the role of approved teacher preparation programs ((that are)) and partnering ((with the)) district or consortia of districts;
     (d) An assurance ((of)) that the district ((provision of)) or approved preparation program provider will provide adequate training for mentor teachers ((either through participation in a state mentor training academy or district-provided training that meets state-established mentor-training standards)) specific to the mentoring of alternative route candidates;
     (e) An assurance that significant time will be provided for mentor teachers to spend with the alternative route teacher candidates throughout the internship. Partnerships must provide each candidate with intensive classroom mentoring until such time as the candidate demonstrates the competency necessary to manage the classroom with less intensive supervision and guidance from a mentor;
     (f) A description of the rigorous screening process for applicants to alternative route programs, including entry requirements specific to each route, as provided in RCW 28A.660.040; ((and))
     (g) A summary of procedures that provide flexible completion opportunities for candidates to achieve a residency certificate; and
     (h) The design and use of a teacher development plan for each candidate. The plan shall specify the alternative route coursework and training required of each candidate and shall be developed by comparing the candidate's prior experience and coursework with the state's new performance-based standards for residency certification and adjusting any requirements accordingly. The plan may include the following components:
     (i) A minimum of one-half of a school year, and an additional significant amount of time if necessary, of intensive mentorship during field experience, starting with full-time mentoring and progressing to increasingly less intensive monitoring and assistance as the intern demonstrates the skills necessary to take over the classroom with less intensive support. ((For route one and two candidates,)) Before the supervision is diminished, the mentor of the teacher candidate at the school and the supervisor of the teacher candidate from the ((higher education)) teacher preparation program must both agree that the teacher candidate is ready to manage the classroom with less intensive supervision((. For route three and four candidates, the mentor of the teacher candidate shall make the decision));
     (ii) Identification of performance indicators based on the knowledge and skills standards required for residency certification by the Washington professional educator standards board;
     (iii) Identification of benchmarks that will indicate when the standard is met for all performance indicators;
     (iv) A description of strategies for assessing candidate performance on the benchmarks;
     (v) Identification of one or more tools to be used to assess a candidate's performance once the candidate has been in the classroom for about one-half of a school year; ((and))
     (vi) A description of the criteria that would result in residency certification after about one-half of a school year but before the end of the program; and
     (vii) A description of how the district intends for the alternative route program to support its workforce development plan and how the presence of alternative route interns will advance its school improvement plans.
     (((2))) (3) To the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, ((districts)) alternative route programs may apply for program funds to pay stipends to trained mentor teachers of interns during the mentored internship. The per intern amount of mentor stipend provided by state funds shall not exceed five hundred dollars.

Sec. 504   RCW 28A.660.040 and 2009 c 192 s 1 and 2009 c 166 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     ((Partnership grants funded)) Alternative route programs under this chapter shall operate one to four specific route programs. Successful completion of the program shall make a candidate eligible for residency teacher certification. ((For route one and two candidates,)) The mentor of the teacher candidate at the school and the supervisor of the teacher candidate from the ((higher education)) teacher preparation program must both agree that the teacher candidate has successfully completed the program. ((For route three and four candidates, the mentor of the teacher candidate shall make the determination that the candidate has successfully completed the program.))
     (1) ((Partnership grant programs seeking funds to operate)) Alternative route programs operating route one programs shall enroll currently employed classified instructional employees with transferable associate degrees seeking residency teacher certification with endorsements in special education, bilingual education, or English as a second language. It is anticipated that candidates enrolled in this route will complete both their baccalaureate degree and requirements for residency certification in two years or less, including a mentored internship to be completed in the final year. In addition, partnership programs shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:
     (a) District or building validation of qualifications, including one year of successful student interaction and leadership as a classified instructional employee;
     (b) Successful passage of the statewide basic skills exam((, when available)); and
     (c) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers.
     (2) ((Partnership grant programs seeking funds to operate)) Alternative route programs operating route two programs shall enroll currently employed classified staff with baccalaureate degrees seeking residency teacher certification in subject matter shortage areas and areas with shortages due to geographic location. Candidates enrolled in this route must complete a mentored internship complemented by flexibly scheduled training and coursework offered at a local site, such as a school or educational service district, or online or via video-conference over the K-20 network, in collaboration with the partnership program's higher education partner. In addition, partnership grant programs shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:
     (a) District or building validation of qualifications, including one year of successful student interaction and leadership as classified staff;
     (b) A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The individual's college or university grade point average may be considered as a selection factor;
     (c) Successful completion of the ((content test, once the state content test is available)) subject matter assessment required by RCW 28A.410.220(3);
     (d) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers; and
     (e) Successful passage of the statewide basic skills exam((, when available)).
     (3) ((Partnership grant)) Alternative route programs seeking funds to operate route three programs shall enroll individuals with baccalaureate degrees, who are not employed in the district at the time of application. When selecting candidates for certification through route three, districts and approved preparation program providers shall give priority to individuals who are seeking residency teacher certification in subject matter shortage areas or shortages due to geographic locations. ((For route three only, the districts may include additional candidates in nonshortage subject areas if the candidates are seeking endorsements with a secondary grade level designation as defined by rule by the professional educator standards board. The districts shall disclose to candidates in nonshortage subject areas available information on the demand in those subject areas.)) Cohorts of candidates for this route shall attend an intensive summer teaching academy, followed by a full year employed by a district in a mentored internship, followed, if necessary, by a second summer teaching academy. In addition, partnership programs shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:
     (a) A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The individual's grade point average may be considered as a selection factor;
     (b) Successful completion of the ((content test, once the state content test is available)) subject matter assessment required by RCW 28A.410.220(3);
     (c) External validation of qualifications, including demonstrated successful experience with students or children, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers;
     (d) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers; and
     (e) Successful passage of statewide basic skills exam((s, when available)).
     (4) ((Partnership grant programs seeking funds to operate)) Alternative route programs operating route four programs shall enroll individuals with baccalaureate degrees, who are employed in the district at the time of application, or who hold conditional teaching certificates or emergency substitute certificates. Cohorts of candidates for this route shall attend an intensive summer teaching academy, followed by a full year employed by a district in a mentored internship. If employed on a conditional certificate, the intern may serve as the teacher of record, supported by a well-trained mentor. In addition, partnership programs shall uphold entry requirements for candidates that include:
     (a) A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The individual's grade point average may be considered as a selection factor;
     (b) Successful completion of the ((content test, once the state content test is available)) subject matter assessment required by RCW 28A.410.220(3);
     (c) External validation of qualifications, including demonstrated successful experience with students or children, such as reference letters and letters of support from previous employers;
     (d) Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements adopted by rule for teachers; and
     (e) Successful passage of statewide basic skills exam((s, when available)).
     (5) Applicants for alternative route programs who are eligible veterans or national guard members and who meet the entry requirements for the alternative route program for which application is made shall be given preference in admission.

Sec. 505   RCW 28A.660.050 and 2009 c 539 s 3 and 2009 c 192 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for these purposes, the conditional scholarship programs in this chapter are created under the following guidelines:
     (1) The programs shall be administered by the higher education coordinating board. In administering the programs, the higher education coordinating board has the following powers and duties:
     (a) To adopt necessary rules and develop guidelines to administer the programs;
     (b) To collect and manage repayments from participants who do not meet their service obligations; and
     (c) To accept grants and donations from public and private sources for the programs.
     (2) Requirements for participation in the conditional scholarship programs are as provided in this subsection (2).
     (a) The alternative route conditional scholarship program is limited to interns of ((the partnership grant)) professional educator standards board-approved alternative routes to teaching programs under RCW 28A.660.040. For fiscal year 2011, priority must be given to fiscal year 2010 participants in the alternative route partnership program. In order to receive conditional scholarship awards, recipients shall:
     (i) Be accepted and maintain enrollment in alternative certification routes through ((the partnership grant)) a professional educator standards board-approved program;
     (ii) Continue to make satisfactory progress toward completion of the alternative route certification program and receipt of a residency teaching certificate; and
     (iii) Receive no more than the annual amount of the scholarship, not to exceed eight thousand dollars, for the cost of tuition, fees, and educational expenses, including books, supplies, and transportation for the alternative route certification program in which the recipient is enrolled. The board may adjust the annual award by the average rate of resident undergraduate tuition and fee increases at the state universities as defined in RCW 28B.10.016.
     (b) The pipeline for paraeducators conditional scholarship program is limited to qualified paraeducators as provided by RCW 28A.660.042. In order to receive conditional scholarship awards, recipients shall:
     (i) Be accepted and maintain enrollment at a community and technical college for no more than two years and attain an associate of arts degree;
     (ii) Continue to make satisfactory progress toward completion of an associate of arts degree. This progress requirement is a condition for eligibility into a route one program of the alternative routes to teacher certification program for a mathematics, special education, or English as a second language endorsement; and
     (iii) Receive no more than the annual amount of the scholarship, not to exceed four thousand dollars, for the cost of tuition, fees, and educational expenses, including books, supplies, and transportation for the alternative route certification program in which the recipient is enrolled. The board may adjust the annual award by the average rate of tuition and fee increases at the state community and technical colleges.
     (c) The retooling to teach mathematics and science conditional scholarship program is limited to current K-12 teachers ((and individuals having an elementary education certificate but who are not employed in positions requiring an elementary education certificate as provided by RCW 28A.660.045)). In order to receive conditional scholarship awards:
     (i) Individuals currently employed as teachers shall pursue a middle level mathematics or science, or secondary mathematics or science endorsement; or
     (ii) Individuals who are certificated with an elementary education endorsement((, but not employed in positions requiring an elementary education certificate,)) shall pursue an endorsement in middle level mathematics or science, or both; and
     (iii) Individuals shall use one of the pathways to endorsement processes to receive a mathematics or science endorsement, or both, which shall include passing a mathematics or science endorsement test, or both tests, plus observation and completing applicable coursework to attain the proper endorsement; and
     (iv) Individuals shall receive no more than the annual amount of the scholarship, not to exceed three thousand dollars, for the cost of tuition, test fees, and educational expenses, including books, supplies, and transportation for the endorsement pathway being pursued.
     (3) The Washington professional educator standards board shall select individuals to receive conditional scholarships. In selecting recipients, preference shall be given to eligible veterans or national guard members.
     (4) For the purpose of this chapter, a conditional scholarship is a loan that is forgiven in whole or in part in exchange for service as a certificated teacher employed in a Washington state K-12 public school. The state shall forgive one year of loan obligation for every two years a recipient teaches in a public school. Recipients who fail to continue a course of study leading to residency teacher certification or cease to teach in a public school in the state of Washington in their endorsement area are required to repay the remaining loan principal with interest.
     (5) Recipients who fail to fulfill the required teaching obligation are required to repay the remaining loan principal with interest and any other applicable fees. The higher education coordinating board shall adopt rules to define the terms for repayment, including applicable interest rates, fees, and deferments.
     (6) The higher education coordinating board may deposit all appropriations, collections, and any other funds received for the program in this chapter in the future teachers conditional scholarship account authorized in RCW 28B.102.080.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 506   A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:
     Beginning with the 2010 school year and annually thereafter, each educational service district, in cooperation with the professional educator standards board, must convene representatives from school districts within that region and professional educator standards board-approved educator preparation programs to review district and regional educator workforce data, make biennial projections of certificate staffing needs, and identify how recruitment and enrollment plans in educator preparation programs reflect projected need.

Sec. 507   RCW 28B.76.335 and 2007 c 396 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     As part of the state needs assessment process conducted by the board in accordance with RCW 28B.76.230, the board shall, in collaboration with the professional educator standards board, assess the need for additional ((baccalaureate)) degree and certificate programs in Washington that specialize in teacher preparation ((in mathematics, science, and technology)) to meet regional or subject area shortages. If the board determines that there is a need for additional programs, then the board shall encourage the appropriate institutions of higher education or institutional sectors to create such a program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 508   A new section is added to chapter 28B.76 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The board must establish boundaries for service regions for institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 implementing professional educator standards board-approved educator preparation programs. Regions shall be established to encourage and support, not exclude, the reach of public institutions of higher education across the state.
     (2) Based on the data in the assessment in RCW 28B.76.230 and 28B.76.335, the board shall determine whether reasonable teacher preparation program access for prospective teachers is available in each region. If access is determined to be inadequate in a region, the institution of higher education responsible for the region shall submit a plan for meeting the access need to the board.
     (3) Partnerships with other teacher preparation program providers and the use of appropriate technology shall be considered. The board shall review the plan and, as appropriate, assist the institution in developing support and resources for implementing the plan.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 509   In conjunction with the regional needs assessments in sections 506 through 508 of this act, the council of presidents shall convene an interinstitutional work group to implement the plans developed under section 601, chapter 564, Laws of 2009 to increase the number of mathematics and science teacher endorsements and certificates. The work group must collaborate in evaluating regional needs and identifying strategies to meet those needs. The council of presidents shall report to the education and higher education committees of the legislature on demonstrated progress toward achieving outcomes identified in the plans no later than December 31, 2011.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 510   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 28A.660.010 (Partnership grant program) and 2004 c 23 s 1 & 2001 c 158 s 2;
     (2) RCW 28A.415.100 (Student teaching centers -- Legislative recognition -- Intent) and 1991 c 258 s 1;
     (3) RCW 28A.415.105 (Definitions) and 2006 c 263 s 811, 1995 c 335 s 403, & 1991 c 258 s 2;
     (4) RCW 28A.415.125 (Network of student teaching centers) and 2006 c 263 s 812 & 1991 c 258 s 6;
     (5) RCW 28A.415.130 (Allocation of funds for student teaching centers) and 2006 c 263 s 813 & 1991 c 258 s 7;
     (6) RCW 28A.415.135 (Alternative means of teacher placement) and 1991 c 258 s 8;
     (7) RCW 28A.415.140 (Field experiences) and 1991 c 258 s 9;
     (8) RCW 28A.415.145 (Rules) and 2006 c 263 s 814 & 1991 c 258 s 10; and
     (9) RCW 28A.660.030 (Partnership grants -- Selection -- Administration) and 2004 c 23 s 3, 2003 c 410 s 2, & 2001 c 158 s 4.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 601   A new section is added to chapter 28A.655 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By August 2, 2010, the superintendent of public instruction may revise the state essential academic learning requirements authorized under RCW 28A.655.070 for mathematics, reading, writing, and communication by provisionally adopting a common set of standards for students in grades kindergarten through twelve. The revised state essential academic learning requirements may be substantially identical with the standards developed by a multistate consortium in which Washington participated, must be consistent with the requirements of RCW 28A.655.070, and may include additional standards if the additional standards do not exceed fifteen percent of the standards for each content area. However, the superintendent of public instruction shall not take steps to implement the provisionally adopted standards until the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate have an opportunity to review the standards.
     (2) By January 1, 2011, the superintendent of public instruction shall submit to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate:
     (a) A detailed comparison of the provisionally adopted standards and the state essential academic learning requirements as of the effective date of this section, including the comparative level of rigor and specificity of the standards and the implications of any identified differences; and
     (b) An estimated timeline and costs to the state and to school districts to implement the provisionally adopted standards, including providing necessary training, realignment of curriculum, adjustment of state assessments, and other actions.
     (3) The superintendent may implement the revisions to the essential academic learning requirements under this section after the 2011 legislative session unless otherwise directed by the legislature.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 701   A new section is added to chapter 28A.605 RCW to read as follows:
     School districts are encouraged to strengthen family, school, and community partnerships by creating spaces in school buildings, if space is available, where students and families can access the services they need, such as after-school tutoring, dental and health services, counseling, or clothing and food banks.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 702   A new section is added to chapter 28A.655 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning with the 2010-11 school year, each school shall conduct outreach and seek feedback from a broad and diverse range of parents, other individuals, and organizations in the community regarding their experiences with the school. The school shall summarize the responses in its annual report under RCW 28A.655.110.
     (2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall create a working group with representatives of organizations representing parents, teachers, and principals as well as diverse communities. The working group shall also include a representative from the achievement gap oversight and accountability committee. By September 1, 2010, the working group shall develop model feedback tools and strategies that school districts may use to facilitate the feedback process required in subsection (1) of this section. The model tools and strategies are intended to provide assistance to school districts. School districts are encouraged to adapt the models or develop unique tools and strategies that best fit the circumstances in their communities.

Sec. 703   RCW 28A.655.110 and 1999 c 388 s 303 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning with the 1994-95 school year, to provide the local community and electorate with access to information on the educational programs in the schools in the district, each school shall publish annually a school performance report and deliver the report to each parent with children enrolled in the school and make the report available to the community served by the school. The annual performance report shall be in a form that can be easily understood and be used by parents, guardians, and other members of the community who are not professional educators to make informed educational decisions. As data from the assessments in RCW 28A.655.060 becomes available, the annual performance report should enable parents, educators, and school board members to determine whether students in the district's schools are attaining mastery of the student learning goals under RCW 28A.150.210, and other important facts about the schools' performance in assisting students to learn. The annual report shall make comparisons to a school's performance in preceding years ((and shall include school level goals under RCW 28A.655.050)), student performance relative to the goals and the percentage of students performing at each level of the assessment, a comparison of student performance at each level of the assessment to the previous year's performance, and information regarding school-level plans to achieve the goals.
     (2) The annual performance report shall include, but not be limited to: (a) A brief statement of the mission of the school and the school district; (b) enrollment statistics including student demographics; (c) expenditures per pupil for the school year; (d) a summary of student scores on all mandated tests; (e) a concise annual budget report; (f) student attendance, graduation, and dropout rates; (g) information regarding the use and condition of the school building or buildings; (h) a brief description of the learning improvement plans for the school; (i) a summary of the feedback from parents and community members obtained under section 702 of this act; and (((i))) (j) an invitation to all parents and citizens to participate in school activities.
     (3) The superintendent of public instruction shall develop by June 30, 1994, and update periodically, a model report form, which shall also be adapted for computers, that schools may use to meet the requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section. In order to make school performance reports broadly accessible to the public, the superintendent of public instruction, to the extent feasible, shall make information on each school's report available on or through the superintendent's internet web site.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 704   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     There is a sizeable body of research positively supporting the involvement of parents taking an engaged and active role in their child's education. Therefore, the legislature intends to provide state recognition by the center for the improvement of student learning within the office of the superintendent of public instruction for schools that increase the level of direct parental involvement with their child's education. By September 1, 2010, the center for the improvement of student learning shall determine measures that can be used to evaluate the level of parental involvement in a school. The center for the improvement of student learning shall collaborate with school district family and community outreach programs and educational service districts to identify and highlight successful models and practices of parent involvement.

Sec. 801   RCW 41.56.100 and 1989 c 45 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A public employer shall have the authority to engage in collective bargaining with the exclusive bargaining representative and no public employer shall refuse to engage in collective bargaining with the exclusive bargaining representative((: PROVIDED, That nothing contained herein shall require any)). However, a public employer is not required to bargain collectively with any bargaining representative concerning any matter which by ordinance, resolution, or charter of said public employer has been delegated to any civil service commission or personnel board similar in scope, structure, and authority to the board created by chapter 41.06 RCW.
     (2) Upon the failure of the public employer and the exclusive bargaining representative to conclude a collective bargaining agreement, any matter in dispute may be submitted by either party to the commission. This subsection does not apply to negotiations and mediations conducted between a school district employer and an exclusive bargaining representative under section 105 of this act.
     (3) If a public employer implements its last and best offer where there is no contract settlement, allegations that either party is violating the terms of the implemented offer shall be subject to grievance arbitration procedures if and as such procedures are set forth in the implemented offer, or, if not in the implemented offer, if and as such procedures are set forth in the parties' last contract.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 802   A new section is added to chapter 41.56 RCW to read as follows:
     All collective bargaining agreements entered into between a school district employer and school district employees under this chapter after the effective date of this section, as well as bargaining agreements existing on the effective date of this section but renewed or extended after the effective date of this section, shall be consistent with section 105 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 803   A new section is added to chapter 41.59 RCW to read as follows:
     All collective bargaining agreements entered into between a school district employer and school district employees under this chapter after the effective date of this section, as well as bargaining agreements existing on the effective date of this section but renewed or extended after the effective date of this section, shall be consistent with section 105 of this act.

Sec. 804   RCW 41.59.120 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 288 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Either an employer or an exclusive bargaining representative may declare that an impasse has been reached between them in collective bargaining and may request the commission to appoint a mediator for the purpose of assisting them in reconciling their differences and resolving the controversy on terms which are mutually acceptable. If the commission determines that its assistance is needed, not later than five days after the receipt of a request therefor, it shall appoint a mediator in accordance with rules and regulations for such appointment prescribed by the commission. The mediator shall meet with the parties or their representatives, or both, forthwith, either jointly or separately, and shall take such other steps as he may deem appropriate in order to persuade the parties to resolve their differences and effect a mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator, without the consent of both parties, shall not make findings of fact or recommend terms of settlement. The services of the mediator, including, if any, per diem expenses, shall be provided by the commission without cost to the parties. Nothing in this subsection (1) shall be construed to prevent the parties from mutually agreeing upon their own mediation procedure, and in the event of such agreement, the commission shall not appoint its own mediator unless failure to do so would be inconsistent with the effectuation of the purposes and policy of this chapter.
     (2) If the mediator is unable to effect settlement of the controversy within ten days after his or her appointment, either party, by written notification to the other, may request that their differences be submitted to fact-finding with recommendations, except that the time for mediation may be extended by mutual agreement between the parties. Within five days after receipt of the aforesaid written request for fact-finding, the parties shall select a person to serve as fact finder and obtain a commitment from that person to serve. If they are unable to agree upon a fact finder or to obtain such a commitment within that time, either party may request the commission to designate a fact finder. The commission, within five days after receipt of such request, shall designate a fact finder in accordance with rules and regulations for such designation prescribed by the commission. The fact finder so designated shall not be the same person who was appointed mediator pursuant to subsection (1) of this section without the consent of both parties.
     The fact finder, within five days after his appointment, shall meet with the parties or their representatives, or both, either jointly or separately, and make inquiries and investigations, hold hearings, and take such other steps as he may deem appropriate. For the purpose of such hearings, investigations and inquiries, the fact finder shall have the power to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. If the dispute is not settled within ten days after his appointment, the fact finder shall make findings of fact and recommend terms of settlement within thirty days after his appointment, which recommendations shall be advisory only.
     (3) Such recommendations, together with the findings of fact, shall be submitted in writing to the parties and the commission privately before they are made public. Either the commission, the fact finder, the employer, or the exclusive bargaining representative may make such findings and recommendations public if the dispute is not settled within five days after their receipt from the fact finder.
     (4) The costs for the services of the fact finder, including, if any, per diem expenses and actual and necessary travel and subsistence expenses, and any other incurred costs, shall be borne by the commission without cost to the parties.
     (5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an employer and an exclusive bargaining representative from agreeing to substitute, at their own expense, their own procedure for resolving impasses in collective bargaining for that provided in this section or from agreeing to utilize for the purposes of this section any other governmental or other agency or person in lieu of the commission.
     (6) Any fact finder designated by an employer and an exclusive representative or the commission for the purposes of this section shall be deemed an agent of the state.
     (7) This section does not apply to negotiations and mediations conducted under section 105 of this act.

Sec. 901   RCW 28A.300.136 and 2009 c 468 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) An achievement gap oversight and accountability committee is created to synthesize the findings and recommendations from the 2008 achievement gap studies into an implementation plan, and to recommend policies and strategies to the superintendent of public instruction, the professional educator standards board, and the state board of education to close the achievement gap.
     (2) The committee shall recommend specific policies and strategies in at least the following areas:
     (a) Supporting and facilitating parent and community involvement and outreach;
     (b) Enhancing the cultural competency of current and future educators and the cultural relevance of curriculum and instruction;
     (c) Expanding pathways and strategies to prepare and recruit diverse teachers and administrators;
     (d) Recommending current programs and resources that should be redirected to narrow the gap;
     (e) Identifying data elements and systems needed to monitor progress in closing the gap;
     (f) Making closing the achievement gap part of the school and school district improvement process; and
     (g) Exploring innovative school models that have shown success in closing the achievement gap.
     (3) Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the committee may seek input and advice from other state and local agencies and organizations with expertise in health, social services, gang and violence prevention, substance abuse prevention, and other issues that disproportionately affect student achievement and student success.
     (4) The achievement gap oversight and accountability committee shall be composed of the following members:
     (a) The chairs and ranking minority members of the house and senate education committees, or their designees;
     (b) One additional member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house and one additional member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate;
     (c) A representative of the office of the education ombudsman;
     (d) A representative of the center for the improvement of student learning in the office of the superintendent of public instruction;
     (e) A representative of federally recognized Indian tribes whose traditional lands and territories lie within the borders of Washington state, designated by the federally recognized tribes; and
     (f) Four members appointed by the governor in consultation with the state ethnic commissions, who represent the following populations: African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islander Americans.
     (5) The governor and the tribes are encouraged to designate members who have experience working in and with schools.
     (6) The committee may convene ad hoc working groups to obtain additional input and participation from community members. Members of ad hoc working groups shall serve without compensation and shall not be reimbursed for travel or other expenses.
     (7) The chair or cochairs of the committee shall be selected by the members of the committee. Staff support for the committee shall be provided by the center for the improvement of student learning. Members of the committee shall serve without compensation but must be reimbursed as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Legislative members of the committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.
     (8) The superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education, the professional educator standards board, and the quality education council shall work collaboratively with the achievement gap oversight and accountability committee to close the achievement gap.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1001   RCW 28A.305.225 is recodified as a section in the chapter created in section 1002 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1002   Sections 101 through 110 and 112 through 114 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 28A RCW.