BILL REQ. #:  S-3713.1 

Read first time 01/17/14.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to expanded learning opportunities; adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that research shows that summer learning loss contributes to the academic opportunity gaps between students in Washington's schools and that falling behind in academics can be a predictor of whether a student will drop out of school. The legislature further finds that access to quality expanded learning opportunities during the school year and summer helps mitigate summer learning loss and improves academic performance, attendance, on-time grade advancement, and classroom behaviors.
     (2) The legislature intends to increase expanded learning opportunities to improve educational outcomes and close the persistent academic opportunity gaps between students. The legislature further intends to build capacity, identify best practices, leverage local resources, and promote a sustainable expanded learning opportunities system for students in early elementary through secondary schools by providing an ongoing work group and infrastructure that helps coordinate expanded learning opportunity efforts throughout the state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) "Expanded learning opportunities" means structured, intentional, and creative learning environments outside the traditional school day that build partnerships with schools, align in-school and out-of-school learning, and create enriching experiences for youth using activities that complement classroom-based instruction. The opportunities may be provided before or after school, during the summer, or as extended day, week, or year programs.
     (2) Expanded learning opportunities are provided by community-based organizations, which may include school-based, after school, youth development, or faith-based organizations. The organizations shall provide a range of culturally responsive enrichment and learning activities, which may focus on academic and nonacademic areas; arts; civic engagement; service-learning and science; technology, engineering, and mathematics; and competencies for college and career readiness and global citizenship.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The expanded learning opportunities council is established to advise the governor, state legislature, and the superintendent of public instruction regarding an expanded learning opportunities system.
     (2) The council shall also provide a vision, guidance, assistance, and advice to support an expanded learning opportunities system, as well as other current or proposed programs and initiatives across the spectrum of early elementary through secondary education so that the needs and demands for a statewide coordinated system of expanded learning opportunities are identified and an expanded learning opportunities system is developed.
     (3) The council shall identify fiscal, resource, and partnership opportunities, coordinate policy development, set quality standards, and develop a comprehensive expanded learning opportunities action plan designed to implement expanded learning opportunities, address summer learning loss, provide academic supports, build strong school-community-based organization partnerships, and track performance of expanded learning opportunities in closing the opportunity gap, so that students receive maximum and direct benefit.
     (4) When making recommendations regarding best practices, the council shall consider the best practices on the state menus developed in accordance with RCW 28A.165.035 and 28A.655.235.
     (5) The governor's office, in consultation with the superintendent of public instruction, shall convene the expanded learning opportunities council. The members of the council must have experience in expanded learning opportunities, and include groups and agencies representing diverse student interests and geographical locations across the state. Up to eighteen participants, agencies, organizations, or individuals may be invited to participate in the expanded learning opportunities council but the membership shall include the following:
     (a) Three representatives from nonprofit community-based organizations;
     (b) Two representatives from regional work force development councils;
     (c) One representative from each of the following organizations or agencies:
     (i) A nonprofit organization with statewide intermediary experience in expanded learning opportunities frameworks;
     (ii) The office of the superintendent of public instruction;
     (iii) Twenty-first century community learning centers;
     (iv) A Washington state parent–teacher association;
     (v) School district community partnerships;
     (vi) The Washington state institute for public policy or a state public policy center with working knowledge of expanded learning opportunities; and
     (vii) Community and technical colleges; and
     (d) A representative of four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016.
     (6) Staff support for the expanded learning opportunity council shall be provided by the governor's office and the office of financial management with support from the office of the superintendent of public instruction and other state agencies as necessary. Appointees of the council shall be selected by May 30, 2014. The council shall hold its first meeting before August 1, 2014. At the first meeting, the council shall determine regularly scheduled meeting times and locations. The council shall provide a report to the governor and the legislature by December 1, 2014, and by December 1st annually thereafter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 28A RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.