2SHB 1777 - H AMD 471 ADOPTED 4-7-97

By Representative Huff

On page 8, after line 7, insert the following:

A(8)(a) By September 30, 1997, the commission on student learning, the state board of education, and the superintendent of public instruction shall jointly present recommendations to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate regarding the high school assessments, the certificate of mastery, and high school graduation requirements.

In preparing recommendations, the commission on student learning shall convene an ad hoc working group to address questions, including:

(i) What type of document shall be used to identify student performance and achievement and how will the document be described?

(ii) Should the students be required to pass the high school assessments in all skill and content areas, or only in select skill and content areas, to graduate?

(iii) How will the criteria for establishing the standards for

passing scores on the assessments be determined?

(iv) What timeline should be used in phasing-in the assessments as a graduation requirement?

(v) What options may be used in demonstrating how the results of the assessments will be displayed in a way that is meaningful to students, parents, institutions of higher education, and potential employers?

(vi) Are there other or additional methods by which the assessments could be used to identify achievement such as endorsements, standards of proficiency, merit badges, or levels of achievement?

(vii) Should the assessments and certificate of mastery be used to satisfy college or university entrance criteria for public school students? If yes, how should these methods be phased-in?

(b) The ad hoc working group shall report its recommendations to the commission on student learning, the state board of education, and the superintendent of public instruction by June 15, 1997. The commission shall report the ad hoc working group=s recommendations to the education committees of the house of representatives and senate by July 15, 1997. Final recommendations of the commission on student learning, the state board of education, and the superintendent of public instruction shall be presented to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate by September 30, 1997.@

Renumber the remaining subsection accordingly.

EFFECT: Provides a list of specific questions that are to be addressed by the Commission on Student Learning, the State Board of Education, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction regarding the Certificate of Mastery. The final recommendations must be presented to the education committees of the Legislature by September 30, 1997.

FISCAL IMPACT: None.