SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 2802
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 22, 2018
Title: An act relating to expanded learning opportunities.
Brief Description: Concerning expanded learning opportunities.
Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Kloba, Johnson, Stonier, Macri, Valdez, Fey and Stanford).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/08/18, 98-0.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/22/18.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)
Background: Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO). The ELO Program and ELOC was established in 2014. Expanded learning opportunities are activities that may focus on academic and nonacademic areas. They may be school-based programs that provide extended learning and enrichment for students beyond the traditional school day, week, or calendar. They also may be structured, intentional, and creative learning environments outside of the traditional school day, that are provided by community-based organizations in partnership with schools that complement classroom-based instruction.
The ELOC was established to advise the Governor, Legislature, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) regarding a comprehensive ELO system, with particular attention paid to solutions to summer learning loss. OSPI appoints the 18 members of the ELOC and member representation is specified in law. The ELOC is required to provide an annual report that summarizes the accomplishments, measures progress, and contains recommendations regarding continued development of an expanded learning opportunities system and reducing summer learning loss.
Summer Knowledge Improvement Pilot (SKIP) program. Subject to funds being appropriated, the SKIP program is created to provide state funding for an additional 20 student learning days for three consecutive school years in selected schools for students to receive academic instruction outside of the school district's regular school year. Non-state funding may also be used to support the pilot program. The specified purpose of the pilot program is to implement an extended school year to combat summer learning loss and provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of an extended school year in improving student achievement, closing the educational opportunity gap, and providing successful models for other districts to follow.
The statutory authorization for the ELO program, including the ELOC, and the SKIP program expires August 31, 2019.
Washington Community Learning Center Program. The statutory purpose of this program is to support the creation or expansion of community learning centers that provide students with tutoring and educational enrichment when school is not in session.
Summary of Bill: ELO. The ELOC is reconstituted as the ELOAC. The Center for the Improvement of Student Learning within OSPI, subject to funding being provided, must provide administrative and technical support to the ELOAC.
Additional tasks are given the ELOAC, including:
identifying funding opportunities under the federal law, and funding partnership opportunities with community-based organizations;
working collaboratively with other entities, including the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee, the work-integrated learning advisory committee if passed by the Legislature and OSPI; and
preparing annual reports to OSPI, the Governor, and the education committees of the House and Senate.
The annual reports must include conducting a gap analysis identifying where expanded learning opportunity gaps exist, advising OSPI on awarding grants to school districts with expanded learning opportunities gaps, and reviewing the Washington Community Learning Center Program to better align the program's provisions with the ELOAC.
The membership of the ELOAC is expanded to include the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The statutory authorization for the ELO program and the ELOC is extended until June 30, 2021.
The (SKIP) program. The SKIP program is repealed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 13, 2018.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: ELOs compliment and enhance student's learning at school's. But student who live in poverty have much less access to ELOs. The gap analysis required under this bill will find the geographic areas that have a lot of ELOs, but where students living in poverty may not have true access to them. This will help policy makers know where to focus their efforts to improve access to ELOs. We are hoping that federal and state funds can provide some grants to provide greater access.
The Council has done a lot of good work, but has lacked an element that is key for their success. They exist outside the OSPI. This bill puts the Council under the OSPI umbrella in the Center for Improvement of Student Learning. This bill adds to the Council representatives from businesses to help make the connection to career connected learning. We like that the Council has experts from the education field and that voice makes the Council stronger. This extends the ELO program and Council until June 30, 2021. At that time the Legislature will have a chance to review the work of the Council and make decisions about next steps to continue to move forward. Although we believe that the Council should become permanent.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Shelley Kloba, Prime Sponsor; Lucinda Young, Washington Education Association; Carolyn Logue, Washington Library Association; David Beard, School's Out Washington; Bill Hanawalt, Expanded Learning Opportunities Council.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.