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

HB 2068

Brief Description:  Clarifying high school graduation requirements.

Sponsors:  Representatives Talcott, Quall, Santos, Anderson, Haigh, Cox, Doumit, Mastin, Hunt, Pflug, Mielke, B. Chandler, Kirby, Schoesler, Gombosky, Esser, Wood, Ahern, McDermott, Armstrong, Boldt, Simpson, Roach, Darneille, D. Schmidt, Kagi, Ericksen, Dunn, Schindler, Kenney and Hurst.

Brief Summary of Bill

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Hearing Date:  2/19/01

Staff:  Susan Morrissey (786‑7111).

Background: 

By law, sometime in the future, students will be required to obtain a Certificate of Mastery in order to graduate from high school.  The achievement of the certificate will be based on the successful completion of a series of subject matter assessments developed by the state.  The State Board of Education (SBE) is required to determine whether the high school assessment system has been implemented and whether it is sufficiently reliable and valid.  Once the board makes that determination, successful completion of the assessments will lead to a Certificate of Mastery. 

On January 12,  2000, the State Board of Education adopted a rule that requires students in the graduating class of 2008 to successfully complete the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) in reading, writing, communications, and mathematics in order to receive a high school diploma.   Passage of the science assessment will be required for the graduating class of 2010.  The decisions on the social studies, arts, and health and fitness assessments will be made at a later time.  The board has indicated that passage of the social studies assessment may be required for graduation or may lead to an endorsement on the student=s transcript.  The board has also indicated that passage of the arts and the health and fitness assessments may lead to an endorsement on the student=s transcript.  The board will continue to monitor the implementation of the assessment system in order to determine its reliability and validity.  It may delay its requirements if it finds that the system does not meet the board=s interpretation of legal, policy, or technical definitions of validity and reliability

Summary of Bill: 

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:

Beginning with the graduating class of 2008, public school students must successfully complete the WASL in reading in order to receive a high school diploma.  Beginning with the graduating class of 2010, to receive a diploma, students must successfully complete the assessments in mathematics and writing if the State Board of Education has determined that those assessments are technically valid and reliable.  The Legislature must determine the date that successful completion of other assessments first become required for graduation. 

Each student's official transcript will include information on the student=s performance on the WASL, including the highest score attained in each subject.  If a student fails to meet the standard in any content area, the student may retake the assessment at no cost.  If a student meets all content area standards but wishes to improve  his or her proficiency level in a particular content area, the student may retake the assessment once at his or her own expense.   At least once a year, school districts must provide students with an opportunity to retake the high school assessments.

ADDITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:

School districts may adopt additional graduation requirements   The requirements may include, but are not limited to community service, senior projects, Carnegie units, student portfolios, and classroom-based assessments.

OPTIONS FOR HOME SCHOOLED AND PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS:

Home-schooled students and students enrolled in private schools are not required to achieve a CAP or meet the essential academic learning requirements.  In addition, home-schooled students and students enrolled in private schools are not required to meet either requirement as a condition of entering a public college or university.

HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM AND ASSESSMENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE:

By October 31, 2001, the OSPI will convene an advisory committee to review high school program and assessment options.   The advisory committee will include representatives of students, parents, educators, administrators, school directors, principals, community members, employers, employee organizations, and four other state agencies.  Members of the committee may receive statutorily limited per diem and mileage allowances.

The advisory committee will examine a variety of issues that affect high school students.   These issues include:

By October 31, 2001, incentives to encourage students to pass any required high school assessments before the passage of the assessments become a high school graduation requirement.  The incentives may not apply to home-schooled students who participate in the Running Start Program.

Assessment and educational program options for students who pass the high school assessments during the 10th grade.

Assistance and educational program options for students who need additional time and effort to pass the assessments.  The assistance will include individual student improvement plans.

Processes to identify students who are unlikely to pass the assessments and identification of meaningful educational program options for them.

By October 31, 2003, one or more alternative assessment methods to permit high school students to demonstrate that they have met the state=s academic standards and the essential academic learning requirements.

By October 31, 2006, a review and analysis of the requirement that students pass certain assessments in order to graduate from a public high school.

By December 31, 2004, a review and analysis of the requirement that students achieve a certificate in order to graduate from high school.

Beginning with October 31, 2006, the OSPI is required to report annually to the House and Senate education committees on the findings and recommendations of the advisory committee.  Before any policy recommended by the advisory committee is implemented,  the policy must be provided to the two legislative education committees for their review and comment.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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