WSR 14-07-109

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 19, 2014, 9:28 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: 1. Total instructional hour requirements.

2. High school graduation requirements.

3. Private schools approval process.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: 1. RCW 28A.305.140.

2. RCW 28A.230.090.

3. RCW 28A.195.010 and 28A.195.040.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: 1. WAC 180-16-200 refers to instructional hour requirements under RCW 28A.150.220(2) which, upon enactment of E2SSB 6552, will need to be amended to reflect current law and provide clarity to school districts on compliance.

2. E2SSB 6552, when signed into law, will require the state board of education (SBE) to adopt rules implementing the twenty-four credit graduation requirement adopted by the board in 2010, and revised in January 2014, and to enact, amend or repeal other provisions as directed or required by this legislation.

3. WAC 180-90-130, 180-90-139, 180-90-145 and 180-90-160, refer to the process and timeline for board approval of private schools. These rules need to be amended to clarify the process and adjust the timeline to assure compliance with RCW 28A.195.010. Alternatively, the board may propose to repeal one or both chapters of the private school rules (chapters 180-55 and 180-90 WAC) and adopt new rules if determined more appropriate after a comprehensive review of these laws.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: SBE will solicit comment on the content of the rules from school district boards of directors, education organizations, the superintendent of public instruction, private schools, parents, teachers, and other interested parties.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jack Archer, Rules Coordinator, SBE, Old Capitol Building, P.O. Box 47206, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 725-6035, sbe@sbe.wa.gov.

March 19, 2014

Ben Rarick

Executive Director