BILL REQ. #:  H-2449.3 

READ FIRST TIME 2/28/07.   

     AN ACT Relating to enhancing student learning opportunities and student achievement; amending RCW 28A.150.210; adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.630 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.215 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 28A.150.210 and 1993 c 336 s 101 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((The goal of the Basic Education Act for the schools of the state of Washington set forth in this chapter shall be to provide students with the opportunity to become responsible citizens, to contribute to their own economic well-being and to that of their families and communities, and to enjoy productive and satisfying lives. To these ends, the goals of each school district, with the involvement of parents and community members, shall be to provide opportunities for all students to develop the knowledge and skills essential to:
     (1) Read with comprehension, write with skill, and communicate effectively and responsibly in a variety of ways and settings;
     (2) Know and apply the core concepts and principles of mathematics; social, physical, and life sciences; civics and history; geography; arts; and health and fitness;
     (3) Think analytically, logically, and creatively, and to integrate experience and knowledge to form reasoned judgments and solve problems; and
     (4) Understand the importance of work and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities.)) The goal of the basic education act for the schools of the state of Washington set forth in this chapter shall be to provide students with the opportunity to become responsible and respectful global citizens, to contribute to their economic well-being and that of their families and communities, to explore and understand diverse perspectives, to enjoy productive and satisfying lives, and to develop a public school system that focuses on the educational achievement of all students, which includes high expectations for and prepares students to achieve personal and academic success. To these ends, the goals of each school district, with the involvement of parents and community members, shall be to provide opportunities for every student to develop the knowledge and skills essential to:
     (1) Read with comprehension, write effectively, and communicate successfully in a variety of ways and settings and with a variety of audiences;
     (2) Know and apply the core concepts and principles of mathematics; social, physical, and life sciences; world history, cultures, and geography; civics and arts; and health and fitness;
     (3) Think analytically, logically, and creatively, and to integrate different experiences and knowledge to form reasoned judgments and solve problems;
     (4) Understand the importance of work and personal financial literacy and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities; and
     (5) Understand and be fully prepared to exercise the responsibilities of civic participation in a pluralistic society.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
     ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS--FUNDING. (1) Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, funding for voluntary all-day kindergarten programs shall be phased-in beginning with schools with the highest poverty levels, defined as those schools with the highest percentages of students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunch support in the prior school year. Once a school receives funding for the all-day kindergarten program, that school shall remain eligible for funding in subsequent school years regardless of changes in the school's percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price lunches as long as other program requirements are fulfilled. Additionally, schools receiving all-day kindergarten program support shall agree to the following conditions:
     (a) Provide at least a one thousand-hour instructional program;
     (b) Provide a curriculum that offers a rich, varied set of experiences that assist students in:
     (i) Developing initial skills in the academic areas of reading, mathematics, and writing;
     (ii) Developing a variety of communication skills;
     (iii) Providing experiences in science, social studies, arts, health and physical education, and a world language other than English;
     (iv) Acquiring large and small motor skills;
     (v) Acquiring social and emotional skills including successful participation in learning activities as an individual and as part of a group; and
     (vi) Learning through hands-on experiences;
     (c) Establish learning environments that are developmentally appropriate and promote creativity;
     (d) Demonstrate strong connections and communication with early learning community providers; and
     (e) Participate in kindergarten program readiness activities with early learning providers and parents.
     (2) School districts receiving funds for all-day kindergarten programs under this section shall use a portion of the funds on a one-time basis to create a strategic plan for the program, including developing the instructional program and curriculum, working with early learning providers to identify students and communicate with parents, and developing kindergarten program readiness activities and measures with early learning providers and parents. Subject to available funds, school districts not yet eligible for all-day kindergarten program support under this section may access funds for strategic planning for all-day kindergarten.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.630 RCW to read as follows:
     ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE PROJECTS. (1) The goals of the English as a second language demonstration project are to develop recommendations:
     (a) Identifying foundational competencies for developing academic English skills in English language learner students that all teachers should acquire in initial teacher preparation programs;
     (b) Identifying components of a professional development program that builds classroom teacher competence for developing academic English skills in English language learner students; and
     (c) Identifying job-embedded practices that connect the English language learner teacher and classroom teachers to coordinate instruction to support the work of the student.
     (2) The English as a second language demonstration project shall use two field strategies in the development of recommendations.
     (a) The first strategy is to conduct a field study of an ongoing project in a number of schools and school districts in which Spanish is the predominate language other than English.
     (b) The second strategy is to conduct a project that provides professional development and planning time resources to approximately three large schools in which there are many first languages among the students. The participants of this project shall partner with an institution of higher education or a professional development provider with expertise in support student acquisition of academic English. The superintendent of public instruction shall select the participants in the project under this subsection (2)(b).
     (3)(a) The Washington state institute for public policy shall conduct the field study work and collect additional information from the project schools. In conducting its work, the institute shall review current literature regarding best practices and consult with state and national experts as appropriate.
     (b) The institute for public policy shall report its findings to the governor, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and the education and fiscal committees of the legislature. An interim report is due November 1, 2008. The final report is due December 1, 2009.
     (4) This section expires September 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 28A.215 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The Washington community learning center program is established. The program shall be administered by the office of the superintendent of public instruction. The purposes of the program include:
     (a) Supporting the creation or expansion of community learning centers that provide students with tutoring and educational enrichment when school is not in session;
     (b) Providing training and professional development for community learning center program staff;
     (c) Increasing public awareness of the availability and benefits of after-school programs; and
     (d) Supporting statewide after-school intermediary organizations in their efforts to provide leadership, coordination, technical assistance, advocacy, and programmatic support to after-school programs throughout the state.
     (2) To the extent that funding is available for this purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction may provide community learning center grants to any public or private organization that meets the eligibility criteria of the federal twenty-first century community learning centers program. Priority may be given to grant requests submitted jointly by one or more schools or school districts and one or more community-based organizations or other nonschool partners. Priority shall be given to grant requests that:
     (a) Focus on improving reading and mathematics proficiency for students who attend schools that have been identified as being in need of improvement under section 1116 of Title I of the federal no child left behind act of 2001; and
     (b) Include a public/private partnership agreement or proposal for how to provide free transportation for those students in need that are involved in the program.
     (3) Community learning center grant funds may be used to carry out a broad array of out-of-school activities that support and enhance academic achievement. The activities may include but need not be limited to:
     (a) Remedial and academic enrichment;
     (b) Mathematics, reading, and science education;
     (c) Arts and music education;
     (d) Entrepreneurial education;
     (e) Community service;
     (f) Tutoring and mentoring programs;
     (g) Programs enhancing the language skills and academic achievement of limited English proficient students;
     (h) Recreational and athletic activities;
     (i) Telecommunications and technology education;
     (j) Programs that promote parental involvement and family literacy;
     (k) Drug and violence prevention, counseling, and character education programs; and
     (l) Programs that assist students who have been truant, suspended, or expelled, to improve their academic achievement.
     (4) Each community learning center grant may be made for a maximum of five years. Each grant recipient shall report annually to the office of the superintendent of public instruction on what transportation services are being used to assist students in accessing the program and how those services are being funded. Based on this information, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall compile a list of transportation service options being used and make that list available to all after-school program providers that were eligible for the community learning center program grants.
     (5) To the extent that funding is available for this purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction may provide grants or other support for the training and professional development of community learning center staff, the activities of intermediary after-school organizations, and efforts to increase public awareness of the availability and benefits of after-school programs.
     (6) Schools or school districts that receive a community learning center grant under this section may seek approval from the office of the superintendent of public instruction for flexibility to use a portion of their state transportation funds for the costs of transporting students to and from the community learning center program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Section 4 of this act takes effect August 1, 2007.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   Captions used in this act are not any part of the law.