Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 2690
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: Creating a pilot project to provide middle and junior high school students strategic and intentional academic support beyond the traditional school day to promote accountability and responsibility.
Sponsors: Representatives Sells, Ortiz-Self, Rossetti, McCaslin, Peterson, Kagi, S. Hunt, Robinson, Muri, Springer, Bergquist, Goodman, Haler and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/18/16
Staff: Ashley Fisher (786-7296) and Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
Basic Education.
Public schools must meet age-based requirements for educational hours. Student instruction must include Essential Academic Learning Requirements, which are learning standards developed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for each grade level. School districts may enrich the instructional program of basic education through additional services, programs, or other activities.
Community Learning Centers.
The OSPI oversees the administration of a federal grant that funds the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, a program that supports the creation of community learning centers in locations that demonstrate need. Community learning centers serve students and their families during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session, including holidays and summer recess. Centers help students meet academic achievement standards in core academic subjects and provide artistic and enrichment opportunities.
Summary of Bill:
Learning Labs Pilot Project.
A pilot project to create after-school learning labs in public middle and junior high schools is created, with the project beginning in the 2016-17 school year, and concluding in the 2019-20 school year. The purpose of the pilot project is to provide students with an organized and consistent learning environment to help them meet grade level standards, obtain skills to be successful high school students, and be well prepared for postsecondary education. After-school learning labs must be open to students from after school until 6:00 p.m. each day that school is in session, unless the time has to be adjusted for the school calendar. Each lab must have a lab director who is trained in involving parents and guardians, monitoring grades and state test scores, recognizing student academic improvement, and recruiting and training learning lab volunteers.
Definitions are created for the terms "after-school academic support entity," "lab director," and "learning lab."
Pilot Project Administration.
The Department of Commerce (Department) must administer the pilot project, and an after-school academic support entity must implement the pilot project. The pilot project must be implemented in a county that has a population between 700,000 and 800,000 people, and is located west of the crest of the Cascade mountains
The Department, in collaboration with the after-school academic support entity, must submit an annual progress report to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature, beginning August 1, 2017. The final report must be submitted by August 1, 2020, and must include a recommendation on whether the pilot project should be continued, expanded, or discontinued.
Authorization for the pilot project expires on June 30, 2021.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 12, 2016.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.