AN ACT Relating to the learning assistance program; amending RCW 28A.120.014, 28A.120.016, and 28A.120.020; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. Section 3, chapter 478, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.120.014 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 28A.120.010 through 28A.120.026.

(1) "Basic skills" means reading, mathematics, and language arts as well as readiness activities associated with such skills.

(2) "Placement testing" means the administration of objective measures by a school district for the purposes of diagnosing the basic skills achievement levels, determining the basic skills areas of greatest need, and establishing the learning assistance needs of individual students in conformance with instructions established by the superintendent of public instruction for such purposes.

(3) "Approved program" means a program conducted pursuant to a plan submitted by a district and approved by the superintendent of public instruction under RCW 28A.120.016 or, until the end of the 1989-90 school year, a pilot blended program of learning assistance.

(4) "Participating student" means a student in kindergarten through grade nine who scores below grade level in basic skills, as determined by placement testing, and who is identified under RCW 28A.120.018 to receive additional services or support under an approved program.

(5) "Basic skills tests" means state-wide tests at the fourth and eighth grade levels established pursuant to RCW 28A.03.360.

(6) "Blended program of learning assistance" means providing special instructional assistance by serving students in groups which include both students who have been identified under RCW 28A.120.018 and students who have not been so identified.

Sec. 2. Section 4, chapter 478, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.120.016 are each amended to read as follows:

Each school district which applies for state funds distributed pursuant to RCW 28A.120.022 shall conduct a needs assessment and, on the basis of its findings, shall develop a plan for the use of these funds. Districts are encouraged to place special emphasis on addressing the needs of students in the early grades. The needs assessment and plan shall be updated at least biennially, and shall be determined in consultation with an advisory committee including but not limited to members of the following groups: Parents, including parents of students served by the program; teachers; principals; administrators; and school directors. The district shall submit a biennial application specifying this plan to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for approval. The district may also submit an alternative plan if the district is applying to participate in a blended program of learning assistance during the 1988-89 or 1989-90 school year. Plans shall include:

(1) The means which the district will use to identify participating students to receive additional services or support under the proposed program;

(2) The specific services or activities which the funds will be used to support, and their estimated costs;

(3) A plan for annual evaluation of the program by the district, based on performance objectives related to basic skills achievement of participating students, and a plan for reporting the results of this evaluation to the superintendent of public instruction;

(4) Procedures for recordkeeping or other program documentation as may be required by the superintendent of public instruction; and

(5) The approval of the local school district board of directors.

Sec. 3. Section 6, chapter 478, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.120.020 are each amended to read as follows:

Services or activities which may be supported under an approved program of learning assistance shall include but not be limited to:

(1) Consultant teachers to assist classroom teachers in meeting the needs of participating students;

(2) Instructional support staff to assist classroom teachers in meeting the needs of participating students;

(3) In-service training for classroom teachers in the identification of learning problems or in instructional methods for teaching students with learning problems;

(4) Special instructional programs for participating students, of sufficient size, scope, and quality to address the needs of these students and to give reasonable promise of substantial progress towards meeting their educational objectives;

(5) Blended programs of learning assistance during the 1988-89 and 1989-90 school years.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) From applications submitted by school districts, the superintendent of public instruction shall select a maximum of five school districts to use learning assistance funds distributed under RCW 28A.120.022 during the 1988-89 and 1989-90 school years for pilot projects that include blended programs of learning assistance. In selecting districts, the superintendent of public instruction shall consider the potential of the project to enhance information on innovative instructional models to prevent or address learning problems. The superintendent of public instruction shall waive the following requirements for the selected districts, except as necessitated by related administrative requirements of federal grants programs:

(a) Any requirement that students be selected to participate in the learning assistance program using a ranking of students by academic deficit, other than the requirement that participating students be below grade level in basic skills achievement;

(b) Any requirement that services supported by the learning assistance program be supplemental to the basic education program; and

(c) Any requirement that costs of blended services be divided according to number of students and number of minutes each was served, in determining charges to the learning assistance program.

(2) On or before August 31, 1990, the superintendent of public instruction shall submit a report on the results of the pilot projects to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate. The report shall include but not be limited to:

(a) A comparison of the effect of the pilot projects and other approved programs of learning assistance on student achievement;

(b) An analysis of changes in the number of students in the pilot districts referred for special education; and

(c) An analysis of how existing requirements of state and federal categorical programs impact the provision of blended programs of learning assistance.

(3) The definitions in RCW 28A.120.014 shall apply in this section.

(4) This section shall expire September 1, 1990.