SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1841

BYRepresentatives Peery and Winsley

Establishing criteria for composing the instructional materials committee.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Benitz, Craswell, Metcalf.

Senate Staff:Susan Finkel (786-7483)

                  March 31, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 30, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Every school district is required to establish an instructional materials committee to review instructional materials and make recommendations to the school board.  Currently, the instructional materials committee consists of members representing the district's professional staff, including representation from the district's curriculum development committees and the educational service district superintendent if the district operates elementary school(s) only.  Some parents wish to be included in the decision-making process regarding the choice of instructional materials for use in the common schools.

SUMMARY:

The board of directors adopts a policy in relation not only to the selection of instructional materials but also to the deletion of any materials.  Districts may include parents on the instructional materials committee.  Parent members shall make up less than one-half of the total membership of the committee.  The board of directors must provide reasonable notice to parents and others of the opportunity to serve on the committee.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Reasonable notice of opportunity to serve on the committee is given to parents only.

Senate Committee - Testified: No one