SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5447
BYSenator Talmadge
Providing for the omnibus education act.
Senate Committee on Education
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 16, 1989
Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)
AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 1989
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.
The state tests all tenth grade students annually, tests 2,000 randomly selected students in grade eleven every two years and makes available to districts a model life skills test. The state's current testing program does not require students to take a high school core competencies test.
Some research indicates that lower class sizes contribute to greater academic achievement by students. In the 1985-87 budget, the Legislature enhanced the funding formula ratio for grades kindergarten through third grade from, in effect, 46 certificated instructional staff per 1,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) students to 47:1,000, effective in the 1986-87 school year. In 1987-88 the formula was enhanced to 48:1,000, (K-3) and in the current school year the formula has been enhanced to 49:1,000 (K-3). It is proposed that the legislative commitment to reduce class size in grades K-3 be continued.
Under current law, the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) conducts an audit of approximately 30 randomly selected districts annually to determine their compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements pertaining to the state's basic program of education. The superintendent has no authority to declare a district's educational program deficient and assume control over the district.
The current system for funding the state's basic program of education was created in 1977. No comprehensive review of the funding program has taken place since that time by the Legislature.
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, residential schools, and employee sick leave. For purposes of apportionment, no district may be credited with more than 203 days of attendance in any school year.
Districts are required to prepare and administer a standardized statewide high school core competency achievement test to measure acquisition of competencies identified in the district's student learning objectives. Students may take the test at any point in their high school program until passed or until graduation.
The State Board of Education must require each high school student who scores below the 25th percentile on nationally standardized eighth or tenth grade tests, or who has not passed the core competency achievement test, to take a diagnostic test to identify deficiencies for remediation.
Beginning with the current school year, districts must maintain a ratio of at least 55 teachers per 1,000 annual average full-time equivalent (FTE) students. The funding formula ratio must reflect 53 teachers per 1,000 FTE students in grades kindergarten through three, and 51 teachers per 1,000 FTE students in grades four through twelve.
The SPI must develop an investigation and evaluation system to identify districts with deficiencies which preclude an adequate education for the students in the district. The superintendent may issue an order suspending the powers of the school board for up to three years and create a state-operated district for that term. The SPI must appoint a state district superintendent who will serve for the term of the state-operated district.
The Temporary Joint Select Committee on the Basic Education Funding Formula is created to review the legislative funding formula for basic education. The committee is comprised of 16 members of the Legislature, eight each from the Senate and House of Representatives, appointed respectively by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. The committee must report its finding to the full Legislature by January 1, 1991.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested January 31, 1989
Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Appointments by Legislature Required: The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House respectively will appoint four members from each major political caucus to serve as members of the Temporary Joint Select Committee on the Basic Education Funding Formula.