Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 1330

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Adjusting high school assessments as graduation requirements.

Sponsors: Representatives Rolfes, Sells, Liias, Haigh, Probst, Van De Wege and Tharinger.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Makes the Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA) or Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA) a requirement for high school graduation beginning with the class of 2016, rather than the class of 2013.

  • Continues through the class of 2015, a policy that allows students who do not meet the state standard on the high school mathematics assessment to graduate if they take additional mathematics courses.

  • Adds science to the list of assessments required for students to earn a CAA beginning with the class of 2016, rather than the class of 2013.

Hearing Date: 2/1/11

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

Starting with the class of 2008, high school students are required to meet the state standard on the 10th grade state assessment or an approved alternative assessment in reading, writing, and mathematics to receive a Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA). Students in special education who are not appropriately assessed using the state assessment can earn a Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA). The CAA or CIA were to be required for high school graduation starting with the class of 2008, but the 2007 Legislature enacted a temporary exception for students who do not meet the state standard in mathematics.

Through the graduating class of 2012, students may graduate from high school without a CAA or CIA if they:

  1. have not met the state standard in mathematics on the high school assessment, an approved alternative assessment, or an alternative for eligible special education students;

  2. have met the state standard in the other required content areas;

  3. have met all other state and local graduation requirements; and

  4. successfully earn two high school mathematics credits or a career and technical course equivalent after their sophomore year.

The 2007 Legislature also changed the class of students who would be required to meet the state standard on the high school science assessment to receive a CAA for graduation from the class of 2010 to the class of 2013.

Summary of Bill:

The graduating class of 2016, rather than the graduating class of 2013, is the first class required to earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement (CAA) or Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA) for purposes of high school graduation. Until then, students who meet the state standard on the high school assessment in reading, writing, and mathematics continue to earn a CAA although it is not required.

The policy is continued through the class of 2015 that allows students who do not meet the state standard on the high school mathematics assessment to graduate as long as they meet the standard in reading and writing and take two high school mathematics credits after their sophomore year. Beginning with the class of 2016 rather than the class of 2013, students must also meet the state standard on the high school science assessment to earn a CAA for graduation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.