Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
SB 5488
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: Changing the annual reporting date for the transitional bilingual instruction program.
Sponsors: Senators Zeiger, Rolfes, Chase and Saldaña; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/13/17
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
The Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program (TBIP) is part of the state's program of basic education. The TBIP requires all school districts to provide a system of instruction in two languages, one of which is English, as a means of building upon and expanding language skills to enable qualifying students to achieve competency in English. All school districts also must make available a program of instructional support for students who have exited the TBIP and achieved English proficiency for purposes of the TBIP, but who need assistance in reaching grade-level performance in academic subjects.
According to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in the 2014-15 school year, 119,844 students in Washington were English language learners, with nearly all of these students (118,526) enrolled in the TBIP.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is required to annually review the TBIP and to submit a report of that review to the Legislature on or before each January 1.
Summary of Bill:
The date by which the SPI must submit an annual report to the Legislature on the TBIP is changed from on or before each January 1 to on or before each February 1.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.