SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5837

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.

Background: Lean management principles seek to increase efficiency and eliminate waste and inefficiency in operations, based upon continuous assessment and improvement.. Results Washington, an office within the Office of the Governor, promotes Lean management principles and programs in Washington State agencies. Nationally, some public schools have implemented Lean management principles.

A 1987 congressional act established a federal program to evaluate management quality of U.S. businesses. Both the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award are administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The program currently publishes performance excellence frameworks used by trained examiners to evaluate management in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, including government entities. In 2013 a Wisconsin school district received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) oversees K–12 public education in Washington.

Summary of Bill: Beginning in the 2015-16 school year, school districts with at least 1000 students must implement Lean management and Baldrige performance excellence principles. Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, the school districts must report results to OSPI. The school districts must continue to implement the principles and report results every three years to OSPI.

OSPI must develop a standardized manner for the school districts to report results, and to analyze reports to identify areas of waste to eliminate and improve results. The analysis must be shared with the school districts.