FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5721

C 163 L 15Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the membership of the expanded learning opportunities council.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Billig, Dammeier and Jayapal).

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

House Committee on Education

Background: The 2014 Legislature defined expanded learning opportunities (ELOs) as school-based programs or community-based programs provided in partnership with schools that provide extended learning and enrichment for students beyond the traditional school day, week, or calendar. Additionally an ELO Council was established to advise the Governor, the Legislature, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) on a comprehensive ELO system. Members of the Council must have experience with ELOs and include groups and agencies representing diverse student interests and geographical locations across the state. The Council may include up to 15 individuals. Representatives from 13 different agencies, organizations, and higher education are specified.

The Council met six times and submitted its first annual report in 2014. The report provides the following:

• the vision and mission statements of the Council;

• the Washington State Quality Standards for Afterschool and Youth Development adopted for use with state expanded learning programs;

• the initial components for a statewide ELO framework;

• a work plan to further define each component; and

• an action plan and funding model for a pilot program to reduce summer learning loss through the use of state funds for additional student learning days in elementary schools with significant populations of low-income students.

Summary: The ELO Council membership is expanded to include a person selected by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to represent low-income communities or communities of color; a person selected by the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee; and a representative of the statewide association of public libraries. Other participants, agencies, organizations, or individuals may be invited to participate in the Council.

Votes on Final Passage: