HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1741

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Betrozoff, Peery, G. Fisher, Walker, Ferguson, Miller, Winsley and Wood; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction)

Revising the eleventh grade assessment.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (17)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Valle and Walker.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. (24)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Appelwick, Belcher, Bowman, Braddock, Brekke, Brough, Dorn, Ebersole, May, McLean, Nealey, Padden, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:      Janet Peterson (786-7136)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 15, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Currently, school districts are required to test all fourth, eighth and tenth graders in Washington public schools on academic achievement tests selected by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  School districts are also required to test a sample of 2,000 eleventh grade students on a state selected academic achievement test.

SUMMARY:

The requirements that all tenth graders and 2,000 eleventh graders be tested on an academic achievement test are repealed.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction is directed to have school districts test all eleventh grade students on the Washington Pre-college Test.  The test shall reflect the high school curricula and priorities, reasoning and thinking skill essential for adult life and an academic and career interest inventory.  A system of follow up on students through employers and vocational or higher education institutions will be established.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Education) Dr. Al Rasp, Superintendent of Public Instruction; John Kvamme, Director of Counseling, Tacoma School District; and Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators.

(Appropriations) Gorden Ensign, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Education) None Presented.

(Appropriations) None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Education) The change from a tenth grade to an eleventh grade test will provide information to provide better career counseling to all students, not just those planning to attend college.  We will also receive a better picture of a student's skills based on the actual high school curriculum and higher order thinking skills. Finally by the development of a follow up system we will see how we are doing in preparing our students for work, vocational training, or the institutions of higher education.

(Appropriations) The original bill would broaden the focus of the current statewide test at the high school level, and provide a broad-based comprehensive guidance profile for all students.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Education) None Presented.

(Appropriations) None Presented.