READ FIRST TIME 03/05/07.   

     AN ACT Relating to mathematics education; adding new sections to chapter 28A.305 RCW; creating a new section; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.305 RCW to read as follows:
     MATHEMATICS STANDARDS AND CURRICULUM. (1) The activities in this section are to evaluate the state learning standards, known as the essential academic learning requirements, that implement the goals of RCW 28A.150.210, and improve alignment of school district curriculum to the standards.
     (2)(a) By September 2007, the state board of education shall recommend to the office of the superintendent of public instruction revised essential academic learning requirements and grade level expectations in mathematics. These recommendations shall be based on:
     (i) Considerations of clarity, rigor, content, depth, coherence from grade-to-grade, specificity, accessibility, and measurability;
     (ii) A study of: (A) Standards used by countries that score well on trends in international mathematics and science study (TIMSS) and/or the program for international student assessment (PISA); (B) college readiness standards; (C) the national council of teachers of mathematics focal points and national assessment of educational progress content frameworks; and (D) standards used by three to five other states and including California green dot standards; and
     (iii) Consideration of information presented during public comment periods.
     (b) The state board of education shall be aided in its work by an expert national consultant who is retained by the state board of education and a mathematics advisory panel as described in section 2 of this act.
     (3) By January 2008, the superintendent of public instruction shall revise the essential academic learning requirements and grade level expectations for mathematics in accordance with the recommendations developed under subsection (2) of this section and present them to the state board of education and the education committees of the house of representatives and senate as required by RCW 28A.655.070(4). The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt the revised essential academic learning requirements unless otherwise advised by the legislature during the 2008 legislative session.
     (4)(a) By May 2008, the superintendent of public instruction shall present to the state board of education recommendations for no more than three basic mathematics curricula each for elementary, middle, and high school grade spans. The recommended curricula shall align with the revised essential academic learning requirements and grade level expectations.
     (b) In selecting the recommended curricula, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide information to the mathematics panel and seek its advice regarding curricula for inclusion in the recommendations.
     (c) The state-identified curricula shall align as closely as possible with the revised essential academic learning requirements and grade level expectations. In addition to the identification of the basic curricula, appropriate diagnostic and supplemental materials shall be identified, as necessary, to support each basic curricula. Subject to appropriation and availability, at least one of the curricula in each grade span must be available to schools and parents online at no cost to the school or parent.
     (5) By June 2008, the state board of education shall provide official comments to the superintendent of public instruction regarding the recommended mathematics curricula. The superintendent of public instruction shall make any appropriate changes to recommendations and adopt the state-identified curricula.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.305 RCW to read as follows:
     MATHEMATICS ADVISORY PANEL. (1) By May 23, 2007, the legislature shall appoint a mathematics advisory panel, with a minimum of thirteen members, as specified in this section to: (a) Advise the state board of education regarding essential academic learning requirements, learning standards, state-identified curricula in mathematics, and (b) monitor implementation of these activities. In conducting its work, the panel shall provide objective reviews of expert consultant material and provide a public and transparent forum for consideration of mathematics learning standards and curricula.
     (2) Each of the two major caucuses of the senate and of the house of representatives shall submit, as appropriate, to the speaker of the house and the president of the senate the names of persons to serve on the panel. Each list of names shall include at least two different persons representing each of the groups identified in subsection (3) of this section.
     (3) The speaker of the house and the president of the senate shall each appoint from each of the lists submitted by the caucuses a panel that includes:
     (a) At least one person from each caucus list representing individuals from academia in mathematics or science-related fields;
     (b) At least one person from each caucus list representing business and industry in mathematics or science-related fields;
     (c) At least one person from each caucus list representing mathematics or science educators;
     (d) At least one parent from each caucus list; and
     (e) At most two persons as could contribute to the work due to their specialized experiences.
     (4) Each member of the panel shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. School districts shall be reimbursed for the cost of substitutes for the mathematics educators on the panel as required under RCW 28A.300.035. Members of the panel who are employed by a public institution of higher education shall be provided sufficient time away from their regular duties, without loss of benefits or privileges, to fulfill the responsibilities of being a panel member.
     (5) Panel members shall not have conflicts of interest with regard to association with any publisher, distributor, or provider of curriculum, assessment, or test materials and services purchased by or contracted through the office of the superintendent of public instruction, educational service districts, or school districts.
     (6) This section expires July 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Captions used in this act are not any part of the law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.