H-2327

AN ACT Relating to improving mathematics proficiency; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature has identified several findings that indicate that mathematics instruction in the elementary and middle grades needs improvement. The legislature finds that only thirty-one percent of students who took the 1998 fourth grade Washington assessment of student learning met the standard for proficiency in mathematics. The legislature also finds that only twenty percent of students who took the seventh grade trial assessment met the standard for proficiency in mathematics. Findings from the third international mathematics and science study show that, although United States fourth grade students scored above the international average in mathematics, United States eighth grade students scored below average. The study also found that the middle school curriculum may be a weak link in the United States educational curriculum, and that many eighth grade and ninth grade students may lack the skills needed to be successful in college. The legislature also finds that females have traditionally not participated at the equivalent level as males in challenging mathematics courses. The legislature intends to identify best practices in mathematics instruction for current and prospective mathematics teachers in the elementary and middle grades, and to provide opportunities for students to improve their mathematics proficiency against state, national, and international standards.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:

(1) For purposes of this section, "assessment" means Washington assessment of student learning developed by the commission on student learning under RCW 28A.630.885, and "sending schools" means elementary schools providing students to a middle school or junior high school which is either applying for a grant through the program described in subsection (2) of this section, or in which students from the sending school scored poorly on the seventh grade assessment.

(2) The excellence in mathematics grant program is established to improve the mathematics performance of elementary, middle, and junior high school students. The purpose of the grant program is to improve students' proficiency in mathematics by enhancing teachers' skills in using teaching methods that have proven results gathered through empirical research. The program shall be administered by the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

(3) Schools, and school districts on behalf of schools in which a significant portion of the students performed below standard on one or more mathematics assessments, may apply for excellence in mathematics grants. To qualify for a grant, the applicant's grant proposal must include the following components:

(a) Documentation that the instructional model the applicant intends to implement has proven results gathered through empirical research;

(b) Agreement to assist the independent contractor identified under subsection (7) of this section in evaluating the effectiveness of the selected instructional models;

(c) Evidence of a significant number of students who are not achieving mathematics proficiency at grade level, as measured by the fourth grade or seventh grade assessment or both. If fourth grade assessment results are not available, the applicant may use the results of the fourth grade comprehensive test of basic skills;

(d) Documentation that grant funds will be used to benefit instruction solely in one or more of the following grade levels: Fifth, sixth, and seventh; and

(e) Documentation that grant funds will be used to benefit instruction in schools or sending schools in which students performed below the mathematics standard on the fourth grade or seventh grade assessment, or both.

(4) To the extent funds are appropriated, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall make initial grants available by September 1, 1999, for schools and school districts. Subject to available funding, schools and school districts may submit additional applications to the superintendent of public instruction by September 1, 2000, and by September 1st in subsequent years. Grants will be awarded for three years, subject to available funding.

(5) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall appoint an excellence in mathematics grant committee to develop an application and review process for awarding the grants established in this section and to oversee the design and implementation of the evaluation in subsection (7) of this section. The committee shall consist of up to three representatives of parents or students, one professor of mathematics, one professional currently working in a math-related career, two mathematics curriculum coordinators from within two different educational service districts, two representatives of the office of the superintendent of public instruction, including one assessment specialist, three mathematics teachers representing different school districts, and one principal. Committee members shall serve without additional compensation but are eligible for per diem and mileage allowances under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

(6) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall contract with an independent contractor to conduct and disseminate a literature review of best practices in mathematics instruction and staff development in elementary and middle school state-wide and nationally.

(7) To the extent funds are specifically appropriated for these purposes, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall contract with an independent contractor who has experience in program evaluation. The contractor shall:

(a) Conduct a multiyear evaluation of the effectiveness of the instructional models as measured by student achievement on the fourth grade assessment and later achievement on the seventh grade assessment; and

(b) Report changes in fourth grade and seventh grade assessment results, effects of the instructional models on student achievement, other variables that may have affected student achievement, and recommendations for best practices in mathematics instruction in elementary and middle school.

(8) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall submit biennially to the governor and the house of representatives and senate education committees a report on the excellence in mathematics grant program. The first report must be submitted not later than December 1, 2001, and each succeeding report must be submitted not later than December 1st of each odd-numbered year. Reports must include information on how the schools and school districts used the grant money, the instructional models used, how they were implemented, and the findings of the independent contractor.

(9) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall disseminate information periodically to school districts that participate in the excellence in mathematics grant program during the evaluation conducted under subsection (7) of this section and shall report to the districts regarding the final evaluation of the instructional models and implementation strategies.

(10) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall disseminate information to the school districts five years after the beginning of the grant program regarding the evaluation of the instructional models and implementation strategies.

(11) The office of the superintendent of public instruction may use up to five percent of the appropriated funds for administration of the excellence in mathematics grant program established in this section.

(12) The excellence in mathematics program shall not become part of the state's basic program of education obligation as set forth under Article IX of the state Constitution.

(13) Funding under this section shall be used solely to supplement and not supplant federal funds for mathematics instruction or state basic education funds for mathematics instruction under chapters 28A.150, 28A.155, 28A.165, 28A.180, and 28A.190 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 1999, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.