H-1906              _______________________________________________

                                          SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1428

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Betrozoff, Peery, Rasmussen, Walker, Dorn, Pruitt, Holland, Schoon, Brumsickle, Horn, Fuhrman, Silver, McLean, May, Brough, Moyer, D. Sommers, Tate, Youngsman, Ferguson, Wood and Phillips)

Read first time 2/27/89 and referred to Committee on Appropriations.

AN ACT Relating to outcome-based education programs; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.03 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.03 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The legislature recognizes that increasing demands are placed on our schools and the services that they provide to children.  It is important that each school provide sufficient time and proper assistance to students to assure the  greatest opportunity to learn.  Educational research now can demonstrate what enables students to learn effectively.  Outcome-based education is a system for improving all aspects of a student's school program by using education research to show us what produces significant increases in student achievement. Success is based on students' becoming highly educated through the use of the most effective teaching and educational methods available, coupled with a well-defined mission for the school, its staff and students, and the residents of the community.

          In recognition of the importance of this process of defining direction and working systematically to achieve the desired outcomes, the legislature creates the outcome-based system recognition awards.

          (2) The superintendent of public instruction is empowered to administer appropriated funds for the recognition of schools in school districts that have shown significant and continuous improvement in student basic skills performance, as well as other desired outcomes identified by the school district and community.  Basic skills include reading, mathematics, and language arts.  The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW that provide for the allocation of funds to school district applicants on such conditions as the superintendent of public instruction deems to be in the best interest of the public school system.  Each district requesting funds shall demonstrate the following:

          (a)  Measurement must be based on the implementation of an outcome-based education model that has been in operation for a period of at least one year.  The outcome-based education model must include:  A clear statement of the school's mission that is understood by all members of the school community; identification of the outcomes expected of students; a set of research-based principles that will guide decision making;  and the development of an instructional process and curriculum that supports the achievement of the desired student outcomes and mission of the school district.

          (b)  Schools in local school districts that have demonstrated significant improvement in student achievement in basic skills, as well as other desired outcomes based on the criteria adopted in (a) of this subsection.

          (3)  Recipients of the award shall distribute through the education clearinghouse a description of their outcome-based education program, to all other districts in the state of Washington.