HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                 HB  1453

Title:  An act relating to the recommendations of the state board of education based on its review of its statutory authority.

Brief Description:  Adopting recommendations of the state board of education.

Sponsors:  Representatives Stensen, Ericksen and Talcott; by request of Board of Education.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  February 17, 1999.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Suzi Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:  During 1997 and 1998, the State Board of Education (SBE) convened a Mandate Review Committee to study all of the Board=s rules and their related laws.  The committee recommended the revision or repeal of a number of existing state laws.  The recommendations included the establishment of a linkage between an education center=s program and the state=s essential academic learning requirements and the reassignment of the responsibility to approve certain tests from the OSPI to the SBE.  The committee recommended the revision of language on fees for education centers and kindergarten prescreening.   The committee also recommended the repeal of outdated language on teacher testing and clarification of SPI=s administrative role in the implementation of rules adopted by the SBE.  Finally, the committee recommended the consolidation of the SBE=s certification authority into one chapter in the Revised Code of Washington.

Summary of Bill:  The requirement is repealed that a district=s student-to-teacher in  grades K-3 be less than its student-to-teacher ratio in grades 4-12.

References in the education laws to Aprivate@ schools are changed to Anonpublic@ schools.

The basic academic skills taught in education centers will be coordinated with the state=s academic learning requirements.  The SBE will approve tests used to determine a student=s eligibility to enroll in an education center.  In place of the current amounts in law, the SPI will determine the amount of the fees paid by the state to education centers for diagnostic tests and student enrollments.

In place of the current amount in law, school districts may establish the level of fees needed to recover the cost of screening certain students before the students enroll in school.  The  students are those who are requesting  an exception to district rules for entry into kindergarten or first grade.

The SPI will administer rules adopted by the State Board of Education for some, but not all, of the Board=s responsibilities.

The certification responsibilities of the SBE are moved from the laws governing certification to the laws describing the SBE=s authority.  And obsolete references to a teacher test are removed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.