READ FIRST TIME 02/12/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to learning opportunities to assist students to obtain a high school diploma; amending RCW 28A.165.035, 28B.118.010, and 28A.165.055; reenacting and amending RCW 28A.655.061; adding a new section to chapter 28A.320 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.655 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.310 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.300 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that high school students need to graduate with the skills necessary to be successful in college and work. The state graduation requirements help to ensure that Washington high school graduates have the basic skills to be competitive in a global economy. Under education reform started in 1993, time was to be the variable, obtaining the skills was to be the constant. Therefore, students who need additional time to gain the academic skills needed for college and the workplace should have the opportunities they need to reach high academic achievement, even if that takes more than the standard four years of high school.
     Different students face different challenges and barriers to their academic success. Some students struggle to meet the standard on a single portion of the Washington assessment of student learning while excelling in the other subject areas; other students struggle to complete the necessary state or local graduation credits; while still others have their knowledge tested on the assessments and have completed all the credit requirements but are struggling because English is not their first language. The legislature finds that many of these students need additional time and support to achieve academic proficiency and meet all graduation requirements.

Sec. 2   RCW 28A.655.061 and 2007 c 355 s 5 and 2007 c 354 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) The high school assessment system shall include but need not be limited to the Washington assessment of student learning, opportunities for a student to retake the content areas of the assessment in which the student was not successful, and if approved by the legislature pursuant to subsection (10) of this section, one or more objective alternative assessments for a student to demonstrate achievement of state academic standards. The objective alternative assessments for each content area shall be comparable in rigor to the skills and knowledge that the student must demonstrate on the Washington assessment of student learning for each content area.
     (2) Subject to the conditions in this section, a certificate of academic achievement shall be obtained by most students at about the age of sixteen, and is evidence that the students have successfully met the state standard in the content areas included in the certificate. With the exception of students satisfying the provisions of RCW 28A.155.045 or 28A.655.0611, acquisition of the certificate is required for graduation from a public high school but is not the only requirement for graduation.
     (3) Beginning with the graduating class of 2008, with the exception of students satisfying the provisions of RCW 28A.155.045, a student who meets the state standards on the reading, writing, and mathematics content areas of the high school Washington assessment of student learning shall earn a certificate of academic achievement. If a student does not successfully meet the state standards in one or more content areas required for the certificate of academic achievement, then the student may retake the assessment in the content area up to four times at no cost to the student. If the student successfully meets the state standards on a retake of the assessment then the student shall earn a certificate of academic achievement. Once objective alternative assessments are authorized pursuant to subsection (10) of this section, a student may use the objective alternative assessments to demonstrate that the student successfully meets the state standards for that content area if the student has taken the Washington assessment of student learning at least once. If the student successfully meets the state standards on the objective alternative assessments then the student shall earn a certificate of academic achievement.
     (4) Beginning no later than with the graduating class of 2013, a student must meet the state standards in science in addition to the other content areas required under subsection (3) of this section on the Washington assessment of student learning or the objective alternative assessments in order to earn a certificate of academic achievement. The state board of education may adopt a rule that implements the requirements of this subsection (4) beginning with a graduating class before the graduating class of 2013, if the state board of education adopts the rule by September 1st of the freshman school year of the graduating class to which the requirements of this subsection (4) apply. The state board of education's authority under this subsection (4) does not alter the requirement that any change in performance standards for the tenth grade assessment must comply with RCW 28A.305.130.
     (5) The state board of education may not require the acquisition of the certificate of academic achievement for students in home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW, for students enrolled in private schools under chapter 28A.195 RCW, or for students satisfying the provisions of RCW 28A.155.045.
     (6) A student may retain and use the highest result from each successfully completed content area of the high school assessment.
     (7) School districts must make available to students the following options:
     (a) To retake the Washington assessment of student learning up to four times in the content areas in which the student did not meet the state standards if the student is enrolled in a public school; or
     (b) To retake the Washington assessment of student learning up to four times in the content areas in which the student did not meet the state standards if the student is enrolled in a high school completion program at a community or technical college. The superintendent of public instruction and the state board for community and technical colleges shall jointly identify means by which students in these programs can be assessed.
     (8) Students who achieve the standard in a content area of the high school assessment but who wish to improve their results shall pay for retaking the assessment, using a uniform cost determined by the superintendent of public instruction.
     (9) Opportunities to retake the assessment at least twice a year shall be available to each school district.
     (10)(a) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop options for implementing objective alternative assessments, which may include an appeals process for students' scores, for students to demonstrate achievement of the state academic standards. The objective alternative assessments shall be comparable in rigor to the skills and knowledge that the student must demonstrate on the Washington assessment of student learning and be objective in its determination of student achievement of the state standards. Before any objective alternative assessments in addition to those authorized in RCW 28A.655.065 or (b) of this subsection are used by a student to demonstrate that the student has met the state standards in a content area required to obtain a certificate, the legislature shall formally approve the use of any objective alternative assessments through the omnibus appropriations act or by statute or concurrent resolution.
     (b)(i) A student's score on the mathematics, reading or English, or writing portion of the scholastic assessment test (SAT) or the American college test (ACT) may be used as an objective alternative assessment under this section for demonstrating that a student has met or exceeded the state standards for the certificate of academic achievement. The state board of education shall identify the scores students must achieve on the relevant portion of the SAT or ACT to meet or exceed the state standard in the relevant content area on the Washington assessment of student learning. The state board of education shall identify the first scores by December 1, 2007. After the first scores are established, the state board may increase but not decrease the scores required for students to meet or exceed the state standards.
     (ii) Until August 31, 2008, a student's score on the mathematics portion of the preliminary scholastic assessment test (PSAT) may be used as an objective alternative assessment under this section for demonstrating that a student has met or exceeded the state standard for the certificate of academic achievement. The state board of education shall identify the score students must achieve on the mathematics portion of the PSAT to meet or exceed the state standard in that content area on the Washington assessment of student learning.
     (iii) A student who scores at least a three on the grading scale of one to five for selected ((advance placement)) AP examinations may use the score as an objective alternative assessment under this section for demonstrating that a student has met or exceeded state standards for the certificate of academic achievement. A score of three on the ((advance placement)) AP examinations in calculus or statistics may be used as an alternative assessment for the mathematics portion of the Washington assessment of student learning. A score of three on the ((advance placement)) AP examinations in English language and composition may be used as an alternative assessment for the writing portion of the Washington assessment of student learning. A score of three on the ((advance placement)) AP examinations in English literature and composition, macroeconomics, microeconomics, psychology, United States history, world history, United States government and politics, or comparative government and politics may be used as an alternative assessment for the reading portion of the Washington assessment of student learning.
     (11) By December 15, 2004, the house of representatives and senate education committees shall obtain information and conclusions from recognized, independent, national assessment experts regarding the validity and reliability of the high school Washington assessment of student learning for making individual student high school graduation determinations.
     (12) To help assure continued progress in academic achievement as a foundation for high school graduation and to assure that students are on track for high school graduation, each school district shall prepare plans for and notify students and their parents or legal guardians as provided in this subsection (12).
     (a) Student learning plans are required for eighth through twelfth grade students who were not successful on any or all of the content areas of the Washington assessment for student learning during the previous school year or who may not be on track to graduate due to credit deficiencies or absences. The parent or legal guardian shall be notified about the information in the student learning plan, preferably through a parent conference and at least annually. To the extent feasible, schools serving English language learner students and their parents shall translate the plan into the primary language of the family. The plan shall include the following information as applicable:
     (i) The student's results on the Washington assessment of student learning;
     (ii) If the student is in the transitional bilingual program, the score on his or her Washington language proficiency test II;
     (iii) Any credit deficiencies;
     (iv) The student's attendance rates over the previous two years;
     (v) The student's progress toward meeting state and local graduation requirements;
     (vi) The courses, competencies, and other steps needed to be taken by the student to meet state academic standards and stay on track for graduation((. If applicable, the plan shall also include the high school completion pilot program created under RCW 28B.50.534.
     (i) The parent or guardian shall be notified, preferably through a parent conference, of the student's results on the Washington assessment of student learning, actions the school intends to take to improve the student's skills in any content area in which the student was unsuccessful, strategies to help them improve their student's skills, and the content of the student's plan.
     (ii) Progress made on the student plan shall be reported to the student's parents or guardian at least annually and adjustments to the plan made as necessary));
     (vii) Remediation strategies and alternative education options available to students, including informing students of the option to continue to receive instructional services after grade twelve or until the age of twenty-one;
     (viii) The alternative assessment options available to students under this section and RCW 28A.655.065;
     (ix) School district programs, high school courses, and career and technical education options available for students to meet graduation requirements; and
     (x) Available programs offered through skill centers or community and technical colleges.
     (b) All fifth grade students who were not successful in one or more of the content areas of the fourth grade Washington assessment of student learning shall have a student learning plan.
     (i) The parent or guardian of the student shall be notified, preferably through a parent conference, of the student's results on the Washington assessment of student learning, actions the school intends to take to improve the student's skills in any content area in which the student was unsuccessful, and provide strategies to help them improve their student's skills.
     (ii) Progress made on the student plan shall be reported to the student's parents or guardian at least annually and adjustments to the plan made as necessary.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The extended learning opportunities program is created for eligible eleventh and twelfth grade students who are not on track to meet local or state graduation requirements as well as eighth grade students who may not be on track to meet the standard on the Washington assessment of student learning or need additional assistance in order to have the opportunity for a successful entry into high school. The program shall provide early notification of graduation status and information on education opportunities including preapprenticeship programs that are available.
     (2) Under the extended learning opportunities program, districts shall make available to students in grade twelve who have failed to meet one or more local or state graduation requirements the option of continuing enrollment in the school district in accordance with RCW 28A.225.160. Districts are authorized to use basic education program funding to provide instruction to eligible students under RCW 28A.150.220(3).
     (3) Under the extended learning program, instructional services for eligible students can occur during the regular school day, evenings, on weekends, or at a time and location deemed appropriate by the school district, including the educational service district, in order to meet the needs of these students. Instructional services provided under this section do not include services offered at private schools. Instructional services can include, but are not limited to, the following:
     (a) Individual or small group instruction;
     (b) Instruction in English language arts and/or mathematics that eligible students need to pass all or part of the Washington assessment of student learning;
     (c) Attendance in a public high school or public alternative school classes or at a skill center;
     (d) Inclusion in remediation programs, including summer school;
     (e) Language development instruction for English language learners;
     (f) Online curriculum and instructional support, including programs for credit retrieval and Washington assessment of student learning preparatory classes; and
     (g) Reading improvement specialists available at the educational service districts to serve eighth, eleventh, and twelfth grade educators through professional development in accordance with RCW 28A.415.350. The reading improvement specialist may also provide direct services to eligible students and those students electing to continue a fifth year in a high school program who are still struggling with basic reading skills.

Sec. 4   RCW 28A.165.035 and 2004 c 20 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     Use of best practices magnifies the opportunities for student success. The following are services and activities that may be supported by the learning assistance program:
     (1) Extended learning time opportunities occurring:
     (a) Before or after the regular school day;
     (b) On Saturday; and
     (c) Beyond the regular school year;
     (2) Services under section 3 of this act;
     (3) Professional development for certificated and classified staff that focuses on:
     (a) The needs of a diverse student population;
     (b) Specific literacy and mathematics content and instructional strategies; and
     (c) The use of student work to guide effective instruction;
     (((3))) (4) Consultant teachers to assist in implementing effective instructional practices by teachers serving participating students;
     (((4))) (5) Tutoring support for participating students; and
     (((5))) (6) Outreach activities and support for parents of participating students.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   If funding is appropriated for this purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall explore online curriculum support in languages other than English that are currently available. By December 1, 2008, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature recommendations for other online support in other languages that would most appropriately assist Washington's English language learners. Included in the recommendations shall be the actions that would need to be taken to access the recommended online support and the cost.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 28A.655 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) If funding is appropriated for this purpose, school districts shall provide all tenth graders enrolled in the district the option of taking the PSAT at no cost to the student.
     (2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall enter into an agreement with the firm that administers the PSAT to reimburse the firm for the testing fees of students who take the test.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   (1) The legislature intends to build on the lessons learned in the Lorraine Wojahn dyslexia pilot reading program, which the legislature has funded since 2005.
     (2) By September 15, 2008, each of the grant recipients shall report to the office of the superintendent of public instruction on the lessons learned in the pilot program regarding effective assessment and intervention programs to help students with dyslexia or characteristics of dyslexia, best practices for professional development, and strategies to build capacity and sustainability among teaching staff.
     (3) By December 31, 2008, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall aggregate the reports from the grant recipients and provide a report and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature. The recommendations shall include how the lessons learned through the pilot program are best shared with school districts and how the best practices can be implemented statewide.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   (1) The legislature finds that educators are faced with the complex responsibility of educating an increasing population of English language learners who speak a wide variety of languages and dialects and may come with varying levels of formal schooling, students who come from low-income households, and students who have learning disabilities. These educators struggle to provide meaningful instruction that helps students meet high content standards while overcoming their challenges. The 2007 legislature directed the professional educator standards board to begin the process of adopting new certification requirements and revising the higher education teacher preparation program requirements. Additionally, the office of the superintendent of public instruction was directed to contract with the northwest regional educational laboratory to review and report on the ongoing English as a second language pilot projects and best practices related to helping students who are English language learners. It is therefore the intent of the legislature to build upon the work started in 2007 by requiring that the professional educator standards board consider the findings of the northwest regional educational laboratory and incorporate into its ongoing work a review of how to revise the current certification requirements and teacher preparation programs in order to better serve the needs of English language learners.
     (2) The professional educator standards board shall convene a work group to develop recommendations for increasing teacher knowledge, skills, and competencies to address the needs of English language learner students. The work group shall include representatives from the Washington association of colleges for teacher education, school districts with significant populations of English language learner students who speak a single language, school districts with significant populations of English language learner students who speak multiple languages, classroom teachers, English as a second language teachers, bilingual education teachers, principals, the migrant and bilingual education office in the office of the superintendent of public instruction, and the higher education coordinating board. In making its selections, the professional educator standards board must include members from diverse cultural backgrounds and strive to promote geographic balance. The professional educator standards board shall invite participation by the northwest regional educational laboratory.
     (3) The work group shall identify gaps and weaknesses in the current knowledge and skills standards for teacher preparation and teacher competencies regarding understanding how students acquire language, how to teach academic content in English to non-English speakers, and how to demonstrate cultural competence. The work group shall look to the English as a second language demonstration projects under RCW 28A.630.058 and the accompanying research and evaluation by the northwest regional educational laboratory.
     (4) The work group shall submit a report by December 1, 2008, to the governor and the education and higher education committees of the legislature with findings and recommendations to improve the teacher preparation knowledge and skills standards and teacher competencies in the areas identified under subsection (2) of this section. Recommendations shall also include what professional development program components are most effective for existing educators of English language learners.

Sec. 9   RCW 28B.118.010 and 2007 c 405 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The higher education coordinating board shall design the Washington college bound scholarship program in accordance with this section.
     (1) "Eligible students" are those students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. If a student qualifies in the seventh grade, the student remains eligible even if the student does not receive free or reduced-price lunches thereafter.
     (2) Eligible students shall be notified of their eligibility for the Washington college bound scholarship program beginning in their seventh grade year. Students shall also be notified of the requirements for award of the scholarship.
     (3) To be eligible for a Washington college bound scholarship, a student must sign a pledge during seventh or eighth grade that includes a commitment to graduate from high school with at least a C average and with no felony convictions. Students who were in the eighth grade during the 2007-08 school year may sign the pledge during the 2008-09 school year. The pledge must be witnessed by a parent or guardian and forwarded to the higher education coordinating board by mail or electronically, as indicated on the pledge form.
     (4)(a) Scholarships shall be awarded to eligible students graduating from public high schools, approved private high schools under chapter 28A.195 RCW, or who received home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW.
     (b) To receive the Washington college bound scholarship, a student must graduate with at least a "C" average from a public high school or an approved private high school under chapter 28A.195 RCW in Washington or have received home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW, must have no felony convictions, and must be a resident student as defined in RCW 28B.15.012(2) (a) through (d).
     (5) A student's family income will be assessed upon graduation before awarding the scholarship.
     (6) If at graduation from high school the student's family income does not exceed sixty-five percent of the state median family income, scholarship award amounts shall be as provided in this section.
     (a) For students attending two or four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, the value of the award shall be (i) the difference between the student's tuition and required fees, less the value of any state-funded grant, scholarship, or waiver assistance the student receives; (ii) plus five hundred dollars for books and materials.
     (b) For students attending private four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, the award amount shall be the representative average of awards granted to students in public research universities in Washington.
     (c) For students attending private vocational schools in Washington, the award amount shall be the representative average of awards granted to students in public community and technical colleges in Washington.
     (7) Recipients may receive no more than four full-time years' worth of scholarship awards.
     (8) Institutions of higher education shall award the student all need-based and merit-based financial aid for which the student would otherwise qualify. The Washington college bound scholarship is intended to replace unmet need, loans, and, at the student's option, work-study award before any other grants or scholarships are reduced.
     (9) The first scholarships shall be awarded to students graduating in 2012.
     (10) The state of Washington retains legal ownership of tuition units awarded as scholarships under this chapter until the tuition units are redeemed. These tuition units shall remain separately held from any tuition units owned under chapter 28B.95 RCW by a Washington college bound scholarship recipient.
     (11) The scholarship award must be used within five years of receipt. Any unused scholarship tuition units revert to the Washington college bound scholarship account.
     (12) Should the recipient terminate his or her enrollment for any reason during the academic year, the unused portion of the scholarship tuition units shall revert to the Washington college bound scholarship account.

Sec. 10   RCW 28A.165.055 and 2005 c 489 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Each school district with an approved program is eligible for state funds provided for the learning assistance program. The funds shall be appropriated for the learning assistance program in accordance with the biennial appropriations act. The distribution formula is for school district allocation purposes only. The distribution formula shall be based on one or more family income factors measuring economic need.
     (2) In addition to the funds allocated to eligible school districts on the basis of family income factors, enhanced funds shall be allocated for school districts where more than twenty percent of students are eligible for and enrolled in the transitional bilingual instruction program under chapter 28A.180 RCW as provided in this subsection. The enhanced funding provided in this subsection shall take effect beginning in the 2008-09 school year.
     (a) If, in the prior school year, a district's percent of October headcount student enrollment in grades kindergarten through twelve who are enrolled in the transitional bilingual instruction program, based on an average of the program headcount taken in October and May, exceeds twenty percent, twenty percent shall be subtracted from the district's percent transitional bilingual instruction program enrollment and the resulting percent shall be multiplied by the district's kindergarten through twelve annual average full-time equivalent enrollment for the prior school year.
     (b) The number calculated under (a) of this subsection shall be the number of additional funded students for purposes of this subsection, to be multiplied by the per-funded student allocation rates specified in the omnibus appropriations act.
     (c) School districts are only eligible for the enhanced funds under this subsection if their percentage of October headcount enrollment in grades kindergarten through twelve eligible for free or reduced price lunch exceeded forty percent in the prior school year.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11   A new section is added to chapter 28A.310 RCW to read as follows:
     Educational service districts shall develop and provide a program of outreach to community-based programs and organizations within the district that are serving non-English speaking segments of the population as well as those programs that target subgroups of students that may be struggling academically, including to the extent possible, African-American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, low income, and special education. Educational service districts shall consult and coordinate with the governor's minority commissions and the governor's office of Indian affairs in order to efficiently conduct this outreach and are encouraged to enter into partnerships with representatives of the local business communities in order to develop a coordinated outreach plan. The purpose of the outreach activities shall be to inform students via the various community-based programs and organizations of the educational opportunities available under chapter . . ., Laws of 2008 (this act) and to engage them in the process as appropriate. Outreach shall at a minimum include information about the availability of dropout and credit retrieval programs, remediation programs, and extended learning opportunities, including fifth year opportunities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     Subject to funds appropriated for this purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall allocate grant funds to school districts to provide summer school funding for middle and high schools for all students to explore career opportunities rich in math, science, and technology using career and technical education as the delivery model.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     Subject to funds appropriated for this purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall contract with a national organization to establish, maintain, and operate an endowment for the promotion of geography education in Washington state. The national organization must have experience operating geography education endowments in other states and must provide equal nonstate matching funds to the state funds provided in the contract. All funds in and any interest earned on the endowment shall be used exclusively for geography education programs including, but not limited to, curriculum materials, resource collections, and professional development institutes for teachers and administrators. The national organization must have an established affiliated advisory committee in the state to recommend local projects to be funded by the endowment. The contract shall require that the organization report annually to the superintendent on the recipients of endowment funds and the amounts and purposes of expenditures from the fund.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14   Of the amounts appropriated in the omnibus appropriations act of 2008 for implementation of chapter . . . (Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6377), Laws of 2008, referencing that act by bill or chapter number, the superintendent of public instruction shall allocate funds as follows, unless otherwise specified in the omnibus appropriations act of 2008:
     (1) $1,700,000 is provided to implement section 105 of Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6377, grants for high demand programs;
     (2) $350,000 is provided to implement section 107 of Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6377, development of model programs of study, including costs that may be incurred by the state board for community and technical colleges to be paid through interagency agreement;
     (3) $400,000 is provided to implement section 201 of Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6377, support for course equivalencies and grants for integrated curriculum;
     (4) $25,000 is provided to implement section 205 of Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6377, career and technical education collection of evidence;
     (5) $150,000 is provided to implement sections 301 and 303 of Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6377, campaign for career and technical education and navigation 101 curriculum;
     (6) $50,000 is provided to implement section 302 of Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6377, certification exam fees; and
     (7) $75,000 is provided to implement section 308 of Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6377, technical high school study.