HOUSE BILL REPORT

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.

As Passed House:

April 10, 2017

Title: An act relating to the transitional bilingual instruction program reporting date.

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 History:

Committee Activity:

Education: 3/13/17, 3/23/17 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/10/17, 98-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Changes the date by which the Superintendent of Public Instruction must submit an annual report to the Legislature on the Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program from January 1 to February 1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 19 members: Representatives Santos, Chair; Dolan, Vice Chair; Stonier, Vice Chair; Harris, Ranking Minority Member; Muri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Caldier, Hargrove, Johnson, Kilduff, Lovick, McCaslin, Ortiz-Self, Senn, Slatter, Springer, Steele, Stokesbary and Volz.

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.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) None.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.