HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5823

As Reported by House Committee On:

Education

Title:  An act relating to repealing student improvement goals.

Brief Description:  Repealing student improvement goals.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senator McAuliffe; by request of Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Education:  2/21/02, 2/26/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Repeals statutory performance improvement goals for fourth grade reading and fourth and seventh grade mathematics.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Haigh, Vice Chair; Talcott, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, McDermott, Rockefeller, Santos, Schindler, Schmidt and Upthegrove.

Staff:  Susan Morrissey (786‑7111).

Background:

In 1998 the Legislature required school districts to establish three‑year performance improvement goals to increase the number of students meeting or exceeding the reading standard on the fourth grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL).  At a minimum, the districts were required to adopt goals to decrease, by at least 25 percent, the number of students who did not meet the fourth grade reading standard.  

In 1999 the Legislature added statutory goals in fourth and seventh grade mathematics.  By December 15, 2001, school districts were required to adopt goals that, by the 2003‑04 school year, would reduce by at least 25 percent, the number of students in those grades who did not meet the state's mathematics standards.

In 1999 the Legislature also gave the Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission the authority to adopt and revise, in rule, performance improvement goals in reading, mathematics, writing, and science.  In 2001 the commission adopted in WAC 3‑20‑100 three‑year goals in reading and mathematics for grades four, seven, and 10.  The commission retained the minimum decrease of 25 percent in the number of students who did not meet the state standards in those subjects.

Summary of Bill:

The current statutory performance improvement goals for fourth grade reading and fourth and seventh grade mathematics are repealed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  The commission has adopted, in rule, the goals described in current law.  The law is unnecessary and potentially conflicts with the authority granted to the commission in 1999.  Repeal of the law will make it easier for the commission to adjust the goals, if necessary, to meet the needs of schools and the requirements of the new federal education law.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jose Gaitan and Chris Thompson, Academic Achievement and Accountability Commission.