BILL REQ. #:  H-0472.1 

Read first time 02/05/2007.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to development and adoption of a common school curriculum; and adding new sections to chapter 28A.230 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.230 RCW to read as follows:
     The legislature recognizes the importance of local school district control and of decision making at the district level. However, beginning with the 2008 graduating class, Washington will require public high school students to meet state standards on the Washington assessment of student learning or demonstrate that the students have met state standards through the use of objective alternative assessments to be eligible to graduate. The legislature finds that with the increased accountability for student learning the state also has an increased responsibility to ensure that students are provided a curriculum that prepares them to meet or exceed state academic standards. The legislature further finds that a uniform statewide curriculum in those subject areas assessed on the Washington assessment of student learning will help to ensure that students are prepared to meet state standards and excel academically.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.230 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By January 15, 2009, within existing resources appropriated for the administration of the Washington assessment of student learning, the superintendent of public instruction shall develop a comprehensive and grade-appropriate curriculum for the instruction of students in kindergarten and grades one through twelve in the content areas assessed by the Washington assessment of student learning. The superintendent shall periodically reevaluate the curriculum to ensure that it reflects any changes to the content areas assessed by the Washington assessment of student learning. In developing the curriculum, the superintendent shall consider input from educators, parents, publishers of textbooks and related materials, and other interested parties.
     (2) Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, all common school districts shall adopt the statewide curriculum developed by the superintendent of public instruction under this section to instruct students in kindergarten and grades one through twelve in those content areas addressed by the curriculum. This section does not preclude a school district from providing instruction in addition to that provided by the curriculum.