BILL REQ. #:  H-1162.1 

Read first time 02/10/2005.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to education for children who are deaf and hard of hearing; adding a new section to chapter 28A.155 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the quality of education and achievement expectations for children who are deaf or hard of hearing should be equivalent to those for children throughout the state. The legislature also finds that no single educational approach or form of education can meet the needs of all children in the state who are deaf or hard of hearing. The legislature further finds that children who are deaf or hard of hearing must have their education provided in the least restrictive environment. In addition, services provided to children who are deaf or hard of hearing should be continuously guided by current research and should span the spectrum of options available to families, respecting those families' choices and recognizing that changes may occur. Finally, the legislature finds that unbiased and comprehensive information about the spectrum of communication and educational options available to children who are deaf or hard of hearing should be provided to families upon enrollment in the prekindergarten through twelfth grade education system and upon the start of the individualized education plan transition services provided at age fourteen, to support informed choices at each of these critical decision-making points.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By September 1, 2007, each school district shall be prepared to offer a spectrum of services, including sign language-based and oral-based programming, for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The services shall correspond to the educational approach selected for each child by the child's parents or guardian. The school district may contract with outside entities to provide the services.
     (2) A professional with expertise in hearing impairment must be included in any team that helps prepare an individualized education plan for a child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
     (3) The superintendent of public instruction shall provide to school districts information on advances in research, technology, and educational approaches for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
     (4) The superintendent of public instruction shall provide professional development to educational professionals throughout the state on the educational needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.