BILL REQ. #:  S-2850.3 

Read first time 06/08/13.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to strengthening student educational outcomes; amending RCW 28A.165.005, 28A.165.015, 28A.165.035, 28A.165.055, 28A.165.065, 28A.600.015, 28A.600.020, 28A.600.410, 28A.600.460, 28A.300.046, 28A.300.042, and 28A.415.010; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.320 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.415 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.655 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.165 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.600 RCW; creating new sections; and repealing RCW 28A.165.025, 28A.165.045, 28A.415.250, and 28A.415.260.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 101   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     In support of reading and early literacy, the office of the superintendent of public instruction is responsible for:
     (1) Continuing to work collaboratively with state and regional partners such as the department of early learning and the educational service districts to establish early literacy benchmarks and standards and to implement the Washington state comprehensive literacy plan;
     (2) Disseminating research and information to school districts about evidence-based programs and practices in reading readiness skills, early literacy, and reading instruction;
     (3) Providing statewide models to support school districts that are implementing response to intervention initiatives, positive behavior intervention support systems, or other similar comprehensive models of data-based identification and early intervention; and
     (4) Within available funds and in partnership with the educational service districts, providing technical assistance and professional development opportunities for school districts.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 102   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:
     School districts are responsible for providing a comprehensive system of instruction and services in reading and early literacy to kindergarten through fourth grade students and their parents or guardians that is based on the degree of student need for additional support. Reading and early literacy systems provided by school districts must include:
     (1) Annual use of screening assessments and other tools to identify at-risk readers in kindergarten through fourth grade, such as the Washington kindergarten inventory of developing skills, the Washington state early learning and development guidelines for birth through third grade, the second grade reading assessment under RCW 28A.300.310, and locally used assessments and other tools; and
     (2) Research-based family involvement and engagement strategies, including strategies to help families and guardians assist in improving students' reading and early literacy skills at home.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 103   A new section is added to chapter 28A.415 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) High-quality professional development is essential for educators to keep abreast of the important advances in research that are occurring regarding instructional strategies and curriculum. Professional development in early literacy is especially important to support the instruction of young readers since reading proficiency is a crucial element for student academic success.
     (2) Subject to funds appropriated for this specific purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall create partnerships with the educational service districts and public or private institutions of higher education with approved educator preparation programs to develop and deliver research-based professional development learning opportunities in reading instruction and early literacy for teachers of kindergarten through fourth grade students.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 104   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each school district shall require that report cards for students in kindergarten through fourth grade include information regarding how the student is progressing on acquiring reading skills and whether the student is at grade level in reading.
     (2) If a student is not reading at or above grade level, the teacher, with the support of other school personnel as appropriate, must explain to the parent or guardian which interventions and strategies will be used to help improve the student's reading skills and must provide strategies for parents or guardians to assist with improving the student's reading skills at home.
     (3) Each school shall report to the school district the number of students in grades kindergarten through four who are reading below grade level and the interventions that are being provided to improve the reading skills of the students, with the information disaggregated by subgroups of students. The school district shall aggregate the reports from the schools and provide the reports to the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall submit a statewide report annually to the education committees of the legislature and the educational opportunity gap oversight and accountability committee.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 105   A new section is added to chapter 28A.655 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section and section 106 of this act unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Basic" means a score on the statewide student assessment at a level two in a four-level scoring system.
     (b) "Below basic" means a score on the statewide student assessment at a level one in a four-level scoring system.
     (c) "Not meet the state standard" means a score on the statewide student assessment at either a level one or a level two in a four-level scoring system.
     (2) Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, for any student who receives a score of below basic on the third grade statewide student assessment in English language arts, a meeting must be scheduled before the end of the school year between the student's parent or guardian, teacher, and the principal of the school the student attends or the principal's designee to discuss appropriate grade placement and recommended intensive strategies to improve the student's reading skills. For students to be placed in fourth grade, the strategies discussed must include an intensive improvement strategy provided, supported, or contracted by the school district that includes a summer program or other option identified by the parents, teacher, principal, or principal's designee as appropriately meeting the student's need to prepare for fourth grade. The parents or guardians must be fully informed about the strategies and the parent's or guardian's consent must be obtained regarding the appropriate grade placement and the intensive improvement strategy to be implemented. The school district must implement the strategy selected in consultation with the student's parents or guardians.
     (3) If a student does not have a score in English language arts on the third grade statewide student assessment but the district determines, using district or classroom-based diagnostic assessments or another standardized assessment, that the student's performance is equivalent to below basic in English language arts, the policy in subsection (2) of this section applies.
     (4) Students participating in the transitional bilingual instruction program are exempt from the policy in subsection (2) of this section, unless the student has participated in the transitional bilingual instruction program for three school years and receives a score of below basic on the third grade statewide student assessment in English language arts.
     (5) Students with disabilities whose individualized education program includes specially designed instruction in reading or English language arts are exempt from subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section. Communication and consultation with parents or guardians of such students shall occur through the individualized education program process required under chapter 28A.155 RCW and associated administrative rules.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 106   A new section is added to chapter 28A.655 RCW to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Beginning in the 2015-16 school year, except as otherwise provided in this subsection (1), for any student who received a score of basic or below basic on the third grade statewide student assessment in English language arts in the previous school year, the school district must implement an intensive reading and literacy improvement strategy from a state menu of best practices established in accordance with subsection (3) of this section or an alternative strategy in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.
     (b) Reading and literacy improvement strategies for students with disabilities whose individualized education program includes specially designed instruction in reading or English language arts shall be as provided in the individualized education program.
     (2)(a) Also beginning in the 2015-16 school year, in any school where more than forty percent of the tested students received a score of basic or below basic on the third grade statewide student assessment in English language arts in the previous school year, as calculated under this subsection (2), the school district must implement an intensive reading and literacy improvement strategy from a state menu of best practices established in accordance with subsection (3) of this section or an alternative strategy in accordance with subsection (4) of this section for all students in grades kindergarten through four at the school.
     (b) For the purposes of this subsection (2), the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall exclude the following from the calculation of a school's percentage of tested students receiving a score of basic or below basic on the third grade statewide student assessment:
     (i) Students enrolled in the transitional bilingual instruction program;
     (ii) Students with disabilities whose individualized education program specifies a different standard to measure reading performance than is required for the statewide student assessment; and
     (iii) Schools with fewer than ten students in third grade.
     (3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall convene a panel of experts to develop a state menu of best practices and strategies for intensive reading and literacy improvement designed to assist struggling students in reaching grade level in reading by the end of fourth grade. The state menu must also include best practices and strategies to improve the reading and literacy of students who are English language learners and for system improvements that schools and school districts can implement to improve reading instruction for all students. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall publish the state menu by July 1, 2014, and update the state menu by each July 1st thereafter.
     (4) School districts may use an alternative practice or strategy that is not on a state menu developed under subsection (3) of this section for two school years initially. If the district is able to demonstrate improved outcomes for participating students over the previous two school years at a level commensurate with the best practices and strategies on the state menu, the office of the superintendent of public instruction must approve use of the alternative practice or strategy by the district for one additional school year. Subsequent annual approval by the superintendent of public instruction to use the alternative practice or strategy is dependent on the district continuing to demonstrate an increase in improved outcomes for participating students.

Sec. 201   RCW 28A.165.005 and 2009 c 548 s 701 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) This chapter is designed to: (((1))) (a) Promote the use of ((assessment)) data when developing programs to assist underachieving students and reduce disruptive behaviors in the classroom; and (((2))) (b) guide school districts in providing the most effective and efficient practices when implementing supplemental instruction and services to assist underachieving students and reduce disruptive behaviors in the classroom.
     (2) School districts implementing a learning assistance program shall focus first on addressing the needs of students in grades kindergarten through four who are deficient in reading or reading readiness skills to improve reading literacy.

Sec. 202   RCW 28A.165.015 and 2009 c 548 s 702 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) (("Approved program" means a program submitted to and approved by the office of the superintendent of public instruction and conducted pursuant to the plan that addresses the required elements as provided for in this chapter.
     (2))) "Basic skills areas" means reading, writing, and mathematics as well as readiness associated with these skills.
     (((3))) (2) "Participating student" means a student in kindergarten through grade twelve who scores below standard for his or her grade level using multiple measures of performance, including on the statewide student assessments or other assessments and performance measurement tools administered by the school or district and who is identified ((in)) by the ((approved plan)) district to receive services.
     (((4))) (3) "Statewide student assessments" means one or more of the ((several basic skills assessments administered as part of the state's student assessment system, and assessments in the basic skills areas)) assessments administered by ((local)) school districts as required under RCW 28A.655.070.
     (((5))) (4) "Underachieving students" means students with the greatest academic deficits in basic skills as identified by ((the)) statewide, school, or district assessments or other performance measurement tools.

Sec. 203   RCW 28A.165.035 and 2008 c 321 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning in the 2015-16 school year, expenditure of funds from the learning assistance program must be consistent with the provisions of section 106 of this act.
     (2) Use of best practices that have been demonstrated through research to be associated with increased student achievement magnifies the opportunities for student success. To the extent they are included as a best practice or strategy in one of the state menus or an approved alternative under this section or section 106 of this act, the following are services and activities that may be supported by the learning assistance program:
     (((1))) (a) Extended learning time opportunities occurring:
     (((a))) (i) Before or after the regular school day;
     (((b))) (ii) On Saturday; and
     (((c))) (iii) Beyond the regular school year;
     (((2))) (b) Services under RCW 28A.320.190;
     (((3))) (c) Professional development for certificated and classified staff that focuses on:
     (((a))) (i) The needs of a diverse student population;
     (((b))) (ii) Specific literacy and mathematics content and instructional strategies; and
     (((c))) (iii) The use of student work to guide effective instruction and appropriate assistance;
     (((4))) (d) Consultant teachers to assist in implementing effective instructional practices by teachers serving participating students;
     (((5))) (e) Tutoring support for participating students; and
     (((6))) (f) Outreach activities and support for parents of participating students, including employing parent and family engagement coordinators.
     (3) In addition to the state menu developed under section 106 of this act, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall convene a panel of experts to develop additional state menus of best practices and strategies for use in the learning assistance program to assist struggling students at all grade levels in English language arts and mathematics and reduce disruptive behaviors in the classroom. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall publish the state menus by July 1, 2015, and update the state menus by each July 1st thereafter.
     (4)(a) Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, except as provided in (b) of this subsection, school districts must use a practice or strategy that is on a state menu developed under subsection (3) of this section or section 106 of this act.
     (b) Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, school districts may use a practice or strategy that is not on a state menu developed under subsection (3) of this section for two school years initially. If the district is able to demonstrate improved outcomes for participating students over the previous two school years at a level commensurate with the best practices and strategies on the state menu, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall approve use of the alternative practice or strategy by the district for one additional school year. Subsequent annual approval by the superintendent of public instruction to use the alternative practice or strategy is dependent on the district continuing to demonstrate increased improved outcomes for participating students.
     (5) School districts are encouraged to implement best practices and strategies from the state menus developed under this section and section 106 of this act before the use is required.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 204   A new section is added to chapter 28A.165 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, school districts shall record in the statewide individual student data system annual entrance and exit performance data for each student participating in the learning assistance program according to specifications established by the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
     (2) By August 1, 2014, and each August 1st thereafter, school districts shall report to the office of the superintendent of public instruction, using a common format prepared by the office:
     (a) The amount of academic growth gained by students participating in the learning assistance program;
     (b) The number of students who gain at least one year of academic growth; and
     (c) The specific practices, activities, and programs used by each school building that received learning assistance program funding.
     (3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall compile the school district data and report annual and longitudinal gains for the specific practices, activities, and programs used by the school districts to show which are the most effective. The data must be disaggregated by student subgroups.

Sec. 205   RCW 28A.165.055 and 2009 c 548 s 703 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((Each school district with an approved program is eligible for state funds provided for the learning assistance program.)) The funds for the learning assistance program shall be appropriated ((for the learning assistance program)) in accordance with RCW 28A.150.260 and the omnibus appropriations act. The distribution formula is for school district allocation purposes only, but funds appropriated for the learning assistance program must be expended for the purposes of RCW 28A.165.005 through 28A.165.065 and section 106 of this act.

Sec. 206   RCW 28A.165.065 and 2004 c 20 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     To ensure that school districts are meeting the requirements of ((an approved program)) this chapter, the superintendent of public instruction shall monitor ((such)) learning assistance programs no less than once every four years. ((Individual student records shall be maintained at the school district.)) The primary purpose of program monitoring is to evaluate the effectiveness of a district's allocation and expenditure of resources and monitor school district fidelity in implementing best practices. The office of the superintendent of public instruction may provide technical assistance to school districts to improve the effectiveness of a learning assistance program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 301   A new section is added to chapter 28A.600 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall convene a discipline task force to develop standard definitions for causes of student disciplinary actions taken at the discretion of the school district. The task force must also develop data collection standards for disciplinary actions that are discretionary and for disciplinary actions that result in the exclusion of a student from school. The data collection standards must include data about education services provided while a student is subject to a disciplinary action, the status of petitions for readmission to the school district when a student has been excluded from school, credit retrieval during a period of exclusion, and school dropout as a result of disciplinary action.
     (2) The discipline task force shall include representatives from the K-12 data governance group, the educational opportunity gap oversight and accountability committee, the state ethnic commissions, the governor's office of Indian affairs, the office of the education ombudsman, school districts, and other education and advocacy organizations.
     (3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction and the K-12 data governance group shall revise the statewide student data system to incorporate the student discipline data collection standards recommended by the discipline task force, and begin collecting data based on the revised standards in the 2015-16 school year.

Sec. 302   RCW 28A.600.015 and 2006 c 263 s 701 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt and distribute to all school districts lawful and reasonable rules prescribing the substantive and procedural due process guarantees of pupils in the common schools. Such rules shall authorize a school district to use informal due process procedures in connection with the short-term suspension of students to the extent constitutionally permissible: PROVIDED, That the superintendent of public instruction deems the interest of students to be adequately protected. When a student suspension or expulsion is appealed, the rules shall authorize a school district to impose the suspension or expulsion temporarily after an initial hearing for no more than ten consecutive school days or until the appeal is decided, whichever is earlier. Any days that the student is temporarily suspended or expelled before the appeal is decided shall be applied to the term of the student suspension or expulsion and shall not limit or extend the term of the student suspension or expulsion. An expulsion or suspension of a student may not be for an indefinite period of time.
     (2) Short-term suspension procedures may be used for suspensions of students up to and including, ten consecutive school days.
     (3) Emergency expulsions must end or be converted to another form of corrective action within ten school days from the date of the emergency removal from school. Notice and due process rights must be provided when an emergency expulsion is converted to another form of corrective action.

Sec. 303   RCW 28A.600.020 and 2006 c 263 s 706 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The rules adopted pursuant to RCW 28A.600.010 shall be interpreted to ensure that the optimum learning atmosphere of the classroom is maintained, and that the highest consideration is given to the judgment of qualified certificated educators regarding conditions necessary to maintain the optimum learning atmosphere.
     (2) Any student who creates a disruption of the educational process in violation of the building disciplinary standards while under a teacher's immediate supervision may be excluded by the teacher from his or her individual classroom and instructional or activity area for all or any portion of the balance of the school day, or up to the following two days, or until the principal or designee and teacher have conferred, whichever occurs first. Except in emergency circumstances, the teacher first must attempt one or more alternative forms of corrective action. In no event without the consent of the teacher may an excluded student return to the class during the balance of that class or activity period or up to the following two days, or until the principal or his or her designee and the teacher have conferred.
     (3) In order to preserve a beneficial learning environment for all students and to maintain good order and discipline in each classroom, every school district board of directors shall provide that written procedures are developed for administering discipline at each school within the district. Such procedures shall be developed with the participation of parents and the community, and shall provide that the teacher, principal or designee, and other authorities designated by the board of directors, make every reasonable attempt to involve the parent or guardian and the student in the resolution of student discipline problems. Such procedures shall provide that students may be excluded from their individual classes or activities for periods of time in excess of that provided in subsection (2) of this section if such students have repeatedly disrupted the learning of other students. The procedures must be consistent with the rules of the superintendent of public instruction and must provide for early involvement of parents in attempts to improve the student's behavior.
     (4) The procedures shall assure, pursuant to RCW 28A.400.110, that all staff work cooperatively toward consistent enforcement of proper student behavior throughout each school as well as within each classroom.
     (5)(a) A principal shall consider imposing long-term suspension or expulsion as a sanction when deciding the appropriate disciplinary action for a student who, after July 27, 1997:
     (((a))) (i) Engages in two or more violations within a three-year period of RCW 9A.46.120, 28A.320.135, 28A.600.455, 28A.600.460, 28A.635.020, 28A.600.020, 28A.635.060, 9.41.280, or 28A.320.140; or
     (((b))) (ii) Engages in one or more of the offenses listed in RCW 13.04.155.
     (b) The principal shall communicate the disciplinary action taken by the principal to the school personnel who referred the student to the principal for disciplinary action.
     (6) Any corrective action involving a suspension or expulsion from school for more than ten days must have an end date of not more than one calendar year from the time of corrective action. Districts shall make reasonable efforts to assist students and parents in returning to an educational setting prior to and no later than the end date of the corrective action. Where warranted based on public health or safety, a school may petition the superintendent of the school district or the superintendent's designee, pursuant to policies and procedures adopted by the school district board of directors outlining the limited circumstances in which a school may petition to exceed the one calendar year limitation, including safeguards to ensure that the school district has made every effort to plan for the student's return to school.
     (7) Nothing in this section prevents a public school district, educational service district, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, or the state school for the blind if it has suspended or expelled a student from the student's regular school setting from providing educational services to the student in an alternative setting or modifying the suspension or expulsion on a case-by-case basis.

Sec. 304   RCW 28A.600.410 and 1992 c 155 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The state of Washington excludes tens of thousands of students from school each year due to out-of-school suspensions and expulsions. Out-of-school suspensions and expulsions contribute to poor academic achievement, lower graduation rates, and higher dropout rates. It is the intent of the legislature to minimize the use of out-of-school suspension and expulsion and its impact on student achievement by reducing the number of days that students are excluded from school due to disciplinary action. Student behavior should not result in the loss of educational opportunity in the public school system.
     School districts are encouraged to find alternatives to suspension including reducing the length of a student's suspension conditioned by the commencement of counseling or other treatment services. Consistent with current law, the conditioning of a student's suspension does not obligate the school district to pay for the counseling or other treatment services except for those stipulated and agreed to by the district at the inception of the suspension.

Sec. 305   RCW 28A.600.460 and 1997 c 266 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) School district boards of directors shall adopt policies that restore discipline to the classroom. Such policies must provide for at least the following: Allowing each teacher to take disciplinary action to correct a student who disrupts normal classroom activities, abuses or insults a teacher as prohibited by RCW 28A.635.010, willfully disobeys a teacher, uses abusive or foul language directed at a school district employee, school volunteer, or another student, violates school rules, or who interferes with an orderly education process. Disciplinary action may include but is not limited to: Oral or written reprimands; written notification to parents of disruptive behavior, a copy of which must be provided to the principal.
     (2) A student committing an offense under chapter 9A.36, 9A.40, 9A.46, or 9A.48 RCW when the activity is directed toward the teacher, shall not be assigned to that teacher's classroom for the duration of the student's attendance at that school or any other school where the teacher is assigned.
     (3) A student who commits an offense under chapter 9A.36, 9A.40, 9A.46, or 9A.48 RCW, when directed toward another student, may be removed from the classroom of the victim for the duration of the student's attendance at that school or any other school where the victim is enrolled. A student who commits an offense under one of the chapters enumerated in this section against a student or another school employee, may be expelled or suspended.
     (4) Nothing in this section is intended to limit the authority of a school under existing law and rules to expel or suspend a student for misconduct or criminal behavior.
     (5) All school districts must collect data on disciplinary actions taken in each school and must record these actions using the statewide student data system, based on the data collection standards established by the office of the superintendent of public instruction and the K-12 data governance group. The information shall be made available to the public ((upon request. This collection of)), but public release of the data shall not include personally identifiable information including, but not limited to, a student's social security number, name, or address.

Sec. 306   RCW 28A.300.046 and 2011 c 288 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules establishing a standard definition of student absence from school. In adopting the definition, the superintendent shall review current practices in Washington school districts, definitions used in other states, and any national standards or definitions used by the national center for education statistics or other national groups. The superintendent shall also consult with the building bridges work group established under RCW 28A.175.075.
     (b) Using the definition of student absence adopted under this section, the superintendent shall establish an indicator for measuring student attendance in high schools for purposes of the PASS program under RCW 28A.175.130.
     (2)(a) The K-12 data governance group under RCW 28A.300.507 shall establish the parameters and an implementation schedule for statewide collection through the comprehensive education and data research system of: (i) Student attendance data using the definitions of student absence adopted under this section; and (ii) student discipline data with a focus on suspensions and expulsions from school.
     (b) ((At a minimum,)) Student suspension and expulsion data collected for the purposes of this subsection (2) must be:
     (i) Made publicly available and easily accessible on the superintendent of public instruction's web site; and
     (ii) Disaggregated and cross-tabulated as established under RCW 28A.300.042.
     (c) School districts must collect and submit student attendance data and student discipline data for high school students through the comprehensive education and data research system for purposes of the PASS program under RCW 28A.175.130 beginning in the 2012-13 school year.

Sec. 307   RCW 28A.300.042 and 2009 c 468 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All student data-related reports required of the superintendent of public instruction in this title must be disaggregated by at least the following subgroups of students: White, Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Pacific Islander/Hawaiian Native, low income, transitional bilingual, migrant, special education, and students covered by section 504 of the federal rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794).
     (2) All student data-related reports required of the superintendent of public instruction regarding student suspensions and expulsions as required in RCW 28A.300.046 are subject to disaggregation by subgroups including:
     (a) Gender;
     (b) Foster care;
     (c) Homeless, if known;
     (d) School district;
     (e) School;
     (f) Grade level;
     (g) Behavior infraction code, including:
     (i) Bullying;
     (ii) Tobacco;
     (iii) Alcohol;
     (iv) Illicit drug;
     (v) Fighting without major injury;
     (vi) Violence without major injury;
     (vii) Violence with major injury;
     (viii) Possession of a weapon; and
     (ix) Other behavior resulting from a short-term or long-term suspension, expulsion, or interim alternative education setting intervention;
     (h) Intervention applied, including:
     (i) Short-term suspension;
     (ii) Long-term suspension;
     (iii) Emergency expulsion;
     (iv) Expulsion;
     (v) Interim alternative education settings;
     (vi) No intervention applied; and
     (vii) Other intervention applied that is not described in this subsection (2)(h);
     (i) Number of days a student is suspended or expelled, to be
     counted in half or full days; and
     (j) Any other categories added at a future date by the data governance group.
     (3) All student data-related reports required of the superintendent of public instruction regarding student suspensions and expulsions as required in RCW 28A.300.046 are subject to cross-tabulation at a minimum by the following:     
     (a) School and district;
     (b) Race, low income, special education, transitional bilingual, migrant, foster care, homeless, students covered by section 504 of the federal rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794), and categories to be added in the future;
     (c) Behavior infraction code; and
     (d) Intervention applied.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 308   A new section is added to chapter 28A.600 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) School districts should make efforts to have suspended or expelled students return to an educational setting as soon as possible. School districts should convene a meeting with the student and the student's parents or guardians within twenty days of the student's long-term suspension or expulsion, but no later than five days before the student's enrollment, to discuss a plan to reengage the student in a school program.
     (2) In developing a reengagement plan, school districts should consider shortening the length of time that the student is suspended or expelled, other forms of corrective action, and supportive interventions that aid in the student's academic success and keep the student engaged and on track to graduate. School districts must create a reengagement plan tailored to the student's individual circumstances, including consideration of the incident that led to the student's long-term suspension or expulsion. The plan should aid the student in taking the necessary steps to remedy the situation that led to the student's suspension or expulsion.
     (3) Any reengagement meetings conducted by the school district involving the suspended or expelled student and his or her parents or guardians are not intended to replace a petition for readmission.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 309   Nothing in chapter . . ., Laws of 2013 1st sp. sess. (this act) prevents a public school district, law enforcement agencies, or law enforcement personnel from enforcing laws protecting health and human safety.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 401   A new section is added to chapter 28A.415 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The educator support program is established to provide professional development and mentor support for beginning educators and educators on probation under RCW 28A.405.100, to be composed of the beginning educator support team for beginning educators and continuous improvement coaching for educators on probation, as provided in this section.
     (2)(a) Subject to funds appropriated for this specific purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall allocate funds for the beginning educator support team on a competitive basis to individual school districts or consortia of districts. School districts are encouraged to include educational service districts in creating regional consortia. In allocating funds, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall give priority to school districts with low-performing schools identified under RCW 28A.657.020 as being challenged schools in need of improvement. A portion of the appropriated funds may be used for program coordination and provision of statewide or regional professional development through the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
     (b) A beginning educator support team must include the following components:
     (i) A paid orientation or individualized assistance before the start of the school year for beginning educators;
     (ii) Assignment of a trained and qualified mentor for the first three years for beginning educators, with intensive support in the first year and decreasing support over the following years depending on the needs of the beginning educator;
     (iii) Professional development for beginning educators that is designed to meet their unique needs for supplemental training and skill development;
     (iv) Professional development for mentors;
     (v) Release time for mentors and their designated educators to work together, as well as time for educators to observe accomplished peers; and
     (vi) A program evaluation using a standard evaluation tool provided from the office of the superintendent of public instruction that measures increased knowledge, skills, and positive impact on student learning for program participants.
     (3) Subject to funds separately appropriated for this specific purpose, the beginning educator support team components under subsection (2) of this section may be provided for continuous improvement coaching to support educators on probation under RCW 28A.405.100.

Sec. 402   RCW 28A.415.010 and 2006 c 263 s 807 are each amended to read as follows:
     It shall be the responsibility of each educational service district board to establish a center for the improvement of teaching. The center shall administer, coordinate, and act as fiscal agent for such programs related to the recruitment and training of certificated and classified K-12 education personnel as may be delegated to the center by the superintendent of public instruction under RCW 28A.310.470. To assist in these activities, each educational service district board shall establish an improvement of teaching coordinating council to include, at a minimum, representatives as specified in RCW 28A.415.040. An existing in-service training task force, established pursuant to RCW 28A.415.040, may serve as the improvement of teaching coordinating council. The educational service district board shall ensure coordination of programs established pursuant to RCW 28A.415.030, 28A.410.060, and ((28A.415.250)) section 401 of this act.
     The educational service district board may arrange each year for the holding of one or more teachers' institutes and/or workshops for professional staff preparation and in-service training in such manner and at such time as the board believes will be of benefit to the teachers and other professional staff of school districts within the educational service district and shall comply with rules of the professional educator standards board pursuant to RCW 28A.410.060 or the superintendent of public instruction ((pursuant to RCW 28A.415.250)). The board may provide such additional means of teacher and other professional staff preparation and in-service training as it may deem necessary or appropriate and there shall be a proper charge against the educational service district general expense fund when approved by the educational service district board.
     Educational service district boards of contiguous educational service districts, by mutual arrangements, may hold joint institutes and/or workshops, the expenses to be shared in proportion to the numbers of certificated personnel as shown by the last annual reports of the educational service districts holding such joint institutes or workshops.
     In local school districts employing more than one hundred teachers and other professional staff, the school district superintendent may hold a teachers' institute of one or more days in such district, said institute when so held by the school district superintendent to be in all respects governed by the provisions of this title and rules relating to teachers' institutes held by educational service district superintendents.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 501   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:
     (1)(a) The legislature finds that the school district board of directors sets the vision and provides direction and oversight for the school district. The legislature further finds that the school district superintendent is key to the day-to-day administration of the school district. The legislature intends to provide additional professional development opportunities for school district directors and superintendents to focus on research-based governance strategies to improve student achievement.
     (b) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop and annually implement a professional development program for first-time school directors and school district superintendents and for on-going development of school directors and superintendents. The program must focus on research-based governance strategies to improve student achievement.
     (2)(a) The legislature recognizes that there have been many recent changes in state educational policies that affect students, educators, and school district personnel, including the adoption of the common core standards and the new evaluation system. The legislature further recognizes that those important changes are intended to improve the performance of the educational system and student achievement. The legislature understands that the importance of providing adequate training and professional development for the changes in policy to have the successful outcomes that are intended. The legislature further intends the training to be responsive to the needs of local school districts.
     (b) For the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years, for any adjustments made to compensation provided by the school district beyond an adjustment for inflation must be in the form of targeted professional development, as determined to be appropriate by the school district, to improve student achievement.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 601   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 28A.165.025 (School district program plan) and 2009 c 556 s 1 & 2004 c 20 s 3;
     (2) RCW 28A.165.045 (Plan approval process) and 2009 c 556 s 2 & 2004 c 20 s 5;
     (3) RCW 28A.415.250 (Teacher assistance program -- Provision for mentor teachers) and 2009 c 539 s 5, 1993 c 336 s 401, 1991 c 116 s 19, 1990 c 33 s 403, 1987 c 507 s 1, & 1985 c 399 s 1; and
     (4) RCW 28A.415.260 (Pilot program using full-time mentor teachers) and 1998 c 245 s 12 & 1993 c 336 s 402.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 602   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.