Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Education Committee

HB 1967

Brief Description:  Allowing private school students and students receiving home‑based education to take the Washington assessments of student learning at district expense.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schindler, Quall, Lambert, Miloscia, Cox, Bush, Dunn and Esser.

Hearing Date:  2/21/01

Staff:  Susan Morrissey (786‑7111).

Background: 

The parents of students receiving home-based instruction are required to ensure that a standardized achievement test is administered annually to the child or that an annual assessment of the child=s progress is written by a certificated educational professional.  However, home-schooled students are not required to take specific state assessments.

Private schools are subject to certain minimum requirements which apply to the private school and to any extension program the school offers to parents who teach children at home.  The private school curriculum includes basic skill requirements, but does not include a requirement that students take state assessments.

Summary of Bill: 

Students receiving home-based instruction and students attending private schools may voluntarily take the Washington assessment of student learning at district expense as part of the district=s ancillary services. 

If a significant number of private school students attending the same school request to take the WASL, the assessment contractor may provide the assessment at the private school facility.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction will pay the assessment contractor the cost of the test, including the cost of processing the results, but will not pay for costs the private school incurs to administer the test at the private school.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 20, 2001.

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