SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1618

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 of February 17, 2018

Title: An act relating to family and community engagement coordinators.

Brief Description: Concerning family and community engagement coordinators.

Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Ortiz-Self, Harris, Santos, Johnson, Bergquist and Kagi).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/27/17, 95-1; 1/24/18, 95-1.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/15/18.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Changes in the education code, the terms "parent involvement coordinator" and "parent and family engagement coordinator" to "family and community engagement coordinator."

  • Specifies the minimum duties for a family and community engagement coordinator.

  • Provides that funding allocated to school districts for family and community engagement coordinators may be used only for family and community engagement purposes.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: Parent Involvement Coordinators. In 2010, the Legislature added parent involvement coordinators to the prototypical school funding statute. Subsequently, the Legislature added employing parent and family engagement coordinators to the list of activities and services that may be supported by the learning assistance program.

In 2015, the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Commission (EOGOAC) recommended the Legislature change the title of the position "parent involvement coordinator to "family and community engagement coordinator." In 2016, the Office of the Education Ombuds, with the EOGOAC and other education entities, recommended that the Legislature specify that school districts may only use the funds provided for family involvement coordinators for family and community engagement.

Summary of Bill: The terms "parent involvement coordinator" and "parent and family engagement coordinator" are changed to "family and community engagement coordinator" in the education code. The minimum duties for a family and community engagement coordinator are specified as the following:

Funding allocated to school districts for family and community engagement coordinators may be used only for family and community engagement purposes, including the specified minimum duties.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed, except sections 3 and 4, which take effect on September 1, 2018.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: There is solid evidence that positive involvement of parents and families in our schools is a key component to increasing student success and lowering the opportunity gap. Both state and federal laws support parent and family involvement in schools. Parent and community advocacy groups want to expand the title of the parent involvement coordinator because families come in a number of shapes and sizes. If the minimum duties for the coordinator are defined then that will provide some continuity among the school districts.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Lillian Ortiz-Self, Prime Sponsor; Nancy Chamberlain, Washington State PTA.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.