BILL REQ. #:  Z-0509.2 

Read first time 02/10/2005.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to educational equity; and adding new sections to chapter 28A.150 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds the following:
     (a) Educational equity is integral to Article IX of the state Constitution ratified October 1, 1889, which states:
     (i) "It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex."
     (ii) "The legislature shall provide for a general and uniform system of public schools."
     (b) Educational equity is an approach to all aspects of education that promotes and provides equitable support for all students to create the best learning opportunities for each student.
     (c) Educational equity is evident when all children in a school receive the nurturing, guidance, and resources they need to reach their fullest potential to achieve success in school and life.
     (d) Educational equity, properly implemented, will ensure that the unique needs and learning opportunities of each student and student group are served and that achievement disproportionality is reduced by increasing and supporting the conditions for best student performance.
     (e) Educational equity attends to the state shift from a classroom seat time-based system of education to a standards and performance-based education system where time, scheduling, and access are more flexible and conducive to a more equitable educational system in order to make the learning journey for each student more personal and relevant.
     (f) Educational equity is a viewpoint and belief through which disproportionality can be significantly reduced when, in combination with research-based and other strategies and planning for student needs, student opportunities to learn occur on an academic calendar year where allocated time and timely, coordinated supplemental learning opportunities are balanced for continuous student success.
     (g) Educational equity should respond to the fact that home resources and community support may be more limited for some students than others.
     (h) Educational equity embodies the essence of diversity, which is the breadth of difference that is the common character of society, including the unique nature of each student.
     (2) Building on the findings under subsection (1) of this section, the following state policy on educational equity is established:
     (a) Educational equity includes instruction that responds to the diverse needs of students in order to maximize each student's opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential to achieve success in school and life as expressed in the goal of basic education under RCW 28A.150.210.
     (b) Educational equity results in continuous student growth. Learning and achievement is founded on meaningful relationships among students, staff, parents, guardians, and community members so that each student is nurtured, respected, and valued in school and through school-related learning opportunities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature recognizes a clear role for at least and not limited to the following agencies to advance the state policy on educational equity under section 1 of this act: The state board of education and the superintendent of public instruction. The legislature encourages these agencies to collaboratively, not independently, establish and align potential goals, objectives, and strategies in order to advance the state policy on educational equity under section 1 of this act.
     (2) The agencies in subsection (1) of this section, in their respective efforts and in any partnership efforts to advance the state policy on educational equity, shall make continuous effort to secure the diverse representation or participation of students, staff, and community members in reviewing existing state policies and requirements that directly or indirectly impact educational equity.
     (3) The state board of education and the superintendent of public instruction are authorized to adopt rules to implement the state policy on educational equity.
     (4) The agencies in subsection (1) of this section are encouraged, but not required, to periodically, preferably at least every two years, submit separately or jointly, a report to one another and the legislature. The report shall include a review and status of adopted educational equity goals, objectives, and strategies to advance the state policy on educational equity.