SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5951

BYSenator Talmadge

Increasing the minimum number of school days to two hundred.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 4, 1988

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422); Naomi Duke (786-7444)

AS OF FEBRUARY 2, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Washington requires a 180 day instructional school year for students in grades kindergarten through twelve.  Other countries, Japan and Germany for example, have longer school years. There is some research which indicates that American students are graduating from high school less well prepared than students in other countries which have longer school years.

SUMMARY:

All statutory references to the current 180 day school year are amended to establish the school year for common schools at not fewer than 200 days.  Statutes affected include those pertaining to the Basic Education Act, the basic education funding formula, state approved private schools, interdistrict cooperative agreements, and residential schools.

For purposes of apportionment, no district may be credited with more than 203 days of attendance in any school year rather than 183 days.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested