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

HB 2025

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Requiring development and adoption of a statewide common school curriculum.

Sponsors: Representatives Santos, Haigh, Kessler, Schual-Berke, Hasegawa and Ormsby.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires all public school districts to adopt a statewide curriculum developed by the superintendent of public instruction for students in grades K-12 by the 2009-2010 school year.

Hearing Date: 2/15/07

Staff: Anne Woodward (786-7119).

Background:

Washington law requires public schools to provide students with instruction that corresponds with state standards known as the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs). The EALRs, which identify the knowledge and skills students are expected to acquire in core academic areas, are developed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) in reading, writing, communication, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, and health and fitness. An assessment system known as the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), also developed by the SPI, assesses whether students have met the EALRs in reading, writing, mathematics, and science.

In addition to providing instruction in the EALRs, public schools are required to instruct students in a variety of other areas, such as physical education and AIDS prevention education.


Summary of Bill:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is directed to develop a comprehensive and grade-appropriate curriculum for the instruction of students in kindergarten and grades one through 12. The curriculum must be developed in the subject areas that are tested by the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL): reading, math, writing, and science. Public school districts must adopt the statewide curriculum beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, but may provide students with instruction in addition to the instruction required by the curriculum.

The statewide curriculum will be periodically reevaluated by the SPI to ensure that it reflects any changes made to the WASL.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 6, 2007.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.