WSR 06-19-046

PROPOSED RULES

SUPERINTENDENT OF

PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

[ Filed September 15, 2006, 11:55 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 06-16-006.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 180-57 WAC, Secondary education -- Standardized high school transcripts.

     Hearing Location(s): Wanamaker Conference Room, 600 Washington Street, Olympia, WA 98504, on October 25, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: October 26, 2006.

     Submit Written Comments to: Joe Wilhoft, Assistant Superintendent for Assessment and Research, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, e-mail jwilhoft@ospi.wednet.edu, fax (360) 664-0494, by October 10, 2006.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Clarice Nnanabu by October 24, 2006, TTY (360) 664-3631 or (360) 725-6271.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This rule is proposed to conform to changes made by the legislature in 2006 to transfer authority from the state board of education to the superintendent of public instruction. The rules are also changed to conform to the statutory requirement that the transcript continue to require a notation of whether the student has earned a certificate of academic or individual achievement for students entering the ninth grade in the 2004-05 school year and beyond. The rules follow the statute and eliminate the requirement that the transcript include the scale scores, the scholar designation and whether or not an alternative assessment was used.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.230.125 formerly RCW 28A.305.220 as amended by chapter 263, Laws of 2006.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 28A.230.125 (formerly RCW 28A.305.220).

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Office of the superintendent of public instruction, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Joe Wilhoft, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Old Capitol Building, Olympia, (360) 725-6336.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Under RCW 19.85.030, this rule does not impose an impact on business or industry. This rule only places a duty on public school districts.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 does not apply and under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(v) the content of the rules are dictated by statute.

September 7, 2006

Joseph L. Wilhoft

Assistant Superintendent

OTS-8991.1


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 90-17-009, filed 8/6/90, effective 9/6/90)

WAC 180-57-005   Authority.   The authority for this chapter is RCW 28A.305.220 as recodified as a new section in chapter 28A.230 RCW by section 418, chapter 263, Laws of 2006 which authorizes the ((state board of education)) superintendent of public instruction in consultation with the higher education coordinating board, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the work force training and education coordinating board to develop a standardized high school transcript and to establish definitions for credits and hours for use by all common school districts.

[Statutory Authority: 1990 c 33. 90-17-009, § 180-57-005, filed 8/6/90, effective 9/6/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.155. 85-01-017 (Order 18-84), § 180-57-005, filed 12/10/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 18-84, filed 12/10/84)

WAC 180-57-030   Definition -- Standardized high school transcript.   As used in this chapter, "standardized high school transcript" shall mean the standardized content specified in WAC ((180-57-070)) 392-415-070. Such transcript usually is completed by the student's graduation from the twelfth grade but may extend for some students through the school year in which the student becomes twenty-one years of age.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.155. 85-01-017 (Order 18-84), § 180-57-030, filed 12/10/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 03-04-055, filed 1/29/03, effective 3/1/03)

WAC 180-57-050   Grade reporting and calculation system.   (1) The standardized high school transcript shall report the marks/grades earned by students in courses as follows. It is not required to adopt a marking/grading system that uses pluses or minuses or, if adopted, to report pluses or minuses on standardized transcripts.


(a) A = 4.0
(b) A- = 3.7
(c) B+ = 3.3
(d) B = 3.0
(e) B- = 2.7
(f) C+ = 2.3
(g) C = 2.0
(h) C- = 1.7
(i) D+ = 1.3
(j) D = 1.0
(k) E or F = 0.0

     (2) The minimal passing mark/grade is D = 1.0. Nonnumerical marks/grades such as pass/fail, pass/no pass, credit/no credit, and satisfactory/unsatisfactory marks also may be used. A mark/grade of "W" shall be used to indicate a withdrawal from a course.

     (3) If high school credit is awarded on a competency basis as authorized under state board of education policy WAC 180-51-050(2), the district may use either of the following options for noting the students' performance on the state standardized transcript under ((state board of education policy)) WAC ((180-57-070)) 392-415-070:

     (a) Determine locally the equivalent passing mark/grade as listed under subsection (1) of this section; or

     (b) Designate "pass" or "fail" or "no pass" in the appropriate manner on the transcript.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.220. 03-04-055, § 180-57-050, filed 1/29/03, effective 3/1/03; 01-24-093, § 180-57-050, filed 12/4/01, effective 1/4/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.155. 88-13-026 (Order 15-88), § 180-57-050, filed 6/7/88; 85-01-017 (Order 18-84), § 180-57-050, filed 12/10/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 03-04-055, filed 1/29/03, effective 3/1/03)

WAC 180-57-055   Definition -- Grade point average.   (1) Each student's "grade point average" shall be the sum of the point values, as defined in WAC ((180-57-050)) 392-415-050, of all the marks/grades received for all courses attempted, divided by the sum of the credits for all courses attempted.

     (2) The grade point value shall be rounded by multiplying the numerical value of the mark/grade earned by the number of credits assigned to the course.

     (3) Grade point averages shall be rounded to the third decimal place and reported for each trimester/semester or other term and for the cumulative credits earned for all courses attempted in high school.

     (4) All marks/grades for all courses taken shall be included in the calculation of grade point averages except for:

     (a) Nonnumerical marks/grades shall be excluded from the calculation of grade point averages; and

     (b) Only the highest mark/grade earned for a class/course taken more than once to improve a mark/grade shall be included in the calculation of grade point averages.

     This exception shall not apply to recurring courses. Recurring courses are not considered repeated courses taken for the purpose of improving a mark/grade. Recurring courses are those taken by a student to further develop their understanding and skills in the subject (e.g., journalism, advanced art or drama, concert band, etc.), or is taken by the student more than once to satisfy different credit requirements (e.g., advanced drama taken three times to meet an elective requirement, an art requirement, and the occupational education requirement).

     (c) Credits attempted for courses taken more than once to improve a grade/mark may count only once toward the number of credits required for graduation.

     (d) Credits attempted for courses taken more than once to improve a grade may count toward the number of credits required for graduation on the condition that the letter grades earned for all attempts are included in the calculation of the student's grade point average. Districts and schools shall not convert letter grades to nonnumerical grades/marks for the purpose of this subsection.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.220. 03-04-055, § 180-57-055, filed 1/29/03, effective 3/1/03; 01-24-093, § 180-57-055, filed 12/4/01, effective 1/4/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.155. 85-01-017 (Order 18-84), § 180-57-055, filed 12/10/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 18-84, filed 12/10/84)

WAC 180-57-065   School of record.   The school of record shall be that school in which the student was most recently enrolled or is currently enrolled whichever is applicable. The school of record shall be responsible for incorporating into the student's standardized transcript the information specified in WAC ((180-57-070(8))) 392-415-070 from all previous high schools in which the student was enrolled.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.155. 85-01-017 (Order 18-84), § 180-57-065, filed 12/10/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 05-19-106, filed 9/20/05, effective 10/21/05)

WAC 180-57-070   Mandatory high school transcript contents -- Items -- Timelines.   (1)(a) The standardized high school transcript shall contain only the information listed in subsection (2) of this section in order to meet the statutory requirements under RCW 28A.305.220 as recodified as a new section in chapter 28A.230 RCW by section 418, chapter 263, Laws of 2006 for a statewide standardized transcript.

     (b) Any other information the district or school may desire to include may be stapled to the transcript or otherwise provided with the transcript. Information that is not listed below shall not be included on the state standardized transcript:

     (2)(a) Authorized and required transcript information effective now:

     (i) The student's legal name (last name, first name, and middle name(s) or middle initial(s)), and other or former names used;

     (ii) The name(s) of parent(s) or guardian(s);

     (iii) The student's birthdate (mm/dd/yyyy);

     (iv) The student's school district identification number (if applicable);

     (v) The school name, address, phone number, and name of the school district issuing the transcript;

     (vi) A list of previous schools attended where credit was attempted (school name, city, state, and month and year of entrance and exit);

     (vii) The student's academic history for all high school level courses attempted, including courses taken under RCW 28A.230.090(4) and including those courses where a student has withdrawn, and listed by report period for the grade level (month and year), course code and description, marks/grades earned as defined in WAC ((180-57-050)) 392-415-050 (a mark/grade of "W" will be used to indicate a withdrawal from a course), credits attempted and earned as defined in WAC ((180-57-040)) 392-415-040, grade point average as defined in WAC ((180-57-055)) 392-415-055, and a report period and cumulative summary of the student's high school level academic history.

     (viii) Credits attempted for courses taken more than once to improve a grade/mark may count only once toward the number of credits required for graduation, except that credits attempted for courses taken more than once to improve a grade may count toward the number of credits required for graduation on the condition that the letter grades earned for all attempts are included in the calculation of the student's grade point average. For the purpose of this subsection, districts and schools shall not convert letter grades to grades/marks not used in the grade point average calculation.

     (b) Authorized and required additional transcript information ((effective beginning with the graduating class of 2006:

     (i))) in effect for students who first entered ninth grade in the 2002-03 school year. The following courses, for which college credit can be earned, shall be designated on the transcript with the designation coding indicated. Courses completed and credits earned through running start shall be noted with an "R" designation. Courses completed and credits earned through advanced placement shall be noted with an "A" designation. Courses completed and credits earned through college in the high school shall be noted with a "C" designation. Courses completed and credits earned through an international baccalaureate program shall be noted with an "I" designation. Courses completed which earn college credit through techprep and/or the corresponding credits or certification earned shall be noted with a "T" designation. Courses that meet or satisfy higher education coordinating board core course requirements shall be noted with a "B" designation. Courses completed and credits earned through an honors option shall be noted with an "H" designation((;

     (ii)(A) Notation of the student's actual highest scale score and level achieved for each content area on the Washington assessment of student learning (noting month and year);

     (B) Notation of "no score" if the Washington assessment of student learning was not taken;

     (C) Notation of the student's actual highest level achieved on the Washington alternate assessment system (WAAS) that has been taken by a student eligible to take the WAAS (noting month and year);)).

     (c) Authorized and required additional transcript information ((effective beginning with the graduating class of 2008)) in effect beginning with students who first entered ninth grade in the 2004-05 school year:

     (i) Notation that the high school and beyond plan graduation requirement was met (((noting month and year))) or not met by the student;

     (ii) Notation that the culminating project graduation requirement was met (((noting month and year))) or not met by the student; and

     (iii) If applicable, notation that the certificate of academic achievement graduation requirement was met (((noting month and year))) or not met by the student ((in one of the following ways:

     (A) Based on the student's actual highest scale score and level achieved for each content area of the Washington assessment of student learning.

     A "scholar designation" shall be noted on the transcript when a student achieves level four on each content area on the Washington assessment of student learning on the first attempt at taking each content area assessment.

     (B) Based in whole or in part on the student's results on an alternative assessment approved by the legislature under section 101(7), chapter 19, Laws of 2004, including the student's actual highest earned performance rating on the alternate assessment (noting month and year);

     (C))); and

     (iv) If applicable, notation that the certificate of individual achievement graduation requirement was met (((noting month and year))) or not met by the student ((based on the student's results on an assessment of the objectives in the student's individual education plan using the Washington alternate assessment system (WAAS))).

     (3) Each issuance of the transcript shall include a report date (mm/dd/yyyy), graduation date (noting month and year), end of transcript record (signifying no more authorized data), office of superintendent of public instruction (OSPI) transcript form version number, and page number ('x' of 'y').

     (4) The signature of the authorized school official (name, title, and date) and seal of the district, if available. The signature of the authorized school official may be affixed electronically, subject to a written district policy that addresses signature security and assures that the authorized school official acknowledges, in writing, that affixing their signature electronically to the transcript is a legal and binding action.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.220. 05-19-106, § 180-57-070, filed 9/20/05, effective 10/21/05; 04-22-059, § 180-57-070, filed 10/29/04, effective 11/29/04; 03-04-055, § 180-57-070, filed 1/29/03, effective 3/1/03; 01-09-013, § 180-57-070, filed 4/6/01, effective 5/7/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.155. 00-19-107, § 180-57-070, filed 9/20/00, effective 10/21/00; 85-01-017 (Order 18-84), § 180-57-070, filed 12/10/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 18-84, filed 12/10/84)

WAC 180-57-110   Standardized transcript forms.   The superintendent of public instruction shall make available to school districts standardized transcript forms that include the content specified in WAC ((180-57-070)) 392-415-070.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.155. 85-01-017 (Order 18-84), § 180-57-110, filed 12/10/84.]


NEW SECTION

     The following chapter of the Washington Administrative Code is decodified as follows:

Old WAC Number New WAC Number
180-57-005 392-415-005
180-57-010 392-415-010
180-57-020 392-415-020
180-57-030 392-415-030
180-57-040 392-415-040
180-57-050 392-415-050
180-57-055 392-415-055
180-57-060 392-415-060
180-57-065 392-415-065
180-57-070 392-415-070
180-57-080 392-415-080
180-57-090 392-415-090
180-57-100 392-415-100
180-57-110 392-415-110

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