Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Appropriations & Oversight Committee

HB 2492

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: Requiring the state board of education to provide fiscal impact statements before making rule changes.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh, Dammeier, Maxwell, Dahlquist, Liias, Finn and Santos.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to complete a fiscal analysis of the impact on the state and school districts of a rule or policy change regarding performance standards and goals prior to implementation of the change.

  • Adds a public hearing to the legislative education committees' review and comment on SBE presented goal or policy changes.

Hearing Date: 1/24/12

Staff: Jessica Harrell (786-7349).

Background:

The State Board of Education (SBE) was first established by the Territorial Legislature in 1877. The SBE consists of 16 members: five elected by school board members, seven appointed by the Governor, one elected by private schools, the SPI, and two nonvoting students. The SBE's statutory purpose is to provide advocacy and strategic oversight of public education, implement a standards-based accountability framework, provide leadership, and promote achievement of the Basic Education goals. Goals are adopted by the SBE by rule. The SBE is responsible for setting performance standards for statewide assessments and the accountability system; setting high school graduation requirements; monitoring compliance with Basic Education requirements; and approving private schools.

Summary of Bill:

Prior to implementing any changes to goals or policies related to performance standards for statewide assessments, high school graduation rates, or dropout reduction, the State Board of Education (SBE) must complete a fiscal analysis on the impact of the rule or policy change on the state and the school district. The SBE must also solicit fiscal impact data, as it relates to the change, from a representative sample of school districts. In presenting the goal or policy change to the legislative education committees, the SBE must also share the fiscal impact information. A public hearing is added to the respective education committees' review and comment on the SBE presentation of the goal or policy change.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/20/2012.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.