BILL REQ. #:  S-1627.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/13/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to statewide assessments and curricula; amending RCW 28A.655.061 and 28A.655.066; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds that a statewide student assessment system should improve and inform classroom instruction, support accountability, and provide useful information to all levels of the educational system, including students, parents, teachers, schools, school districts, and the state. The legislature intends to redesign the current statewide system, in accordance with the recommendations of the Washington assessment of student learning legislative work group, to:
     (a) Include multiple assessment formats, including both formative and summative, as necessary to provide information to help improve instruction and inform accountability;
     (b) Enable collection of data that allows both statewide and nationwide comparisons of student learning and achievement; and
     (c) Be balanced so that the information used to make significant decisions that affect school accountability or student educational progress includes many data points and does not rely on solely the results of a single assessment.
     (2) The legislature further finds that one component of the assessment system should be instructionally supportive formative assessments. The key design elements or characteristics of an instructionally supportive assessment must:
     (a) Be aligned to state standards in areas that are being assessed;
     (b) Measure student growth and competency at multiple points throughout the year in a manner that allows instructors to monitor student progress and have the necessary trend data with which to improve instruction;
     (c) Provide rapid feedback;
     (d) Link student growth with instructional elements in order to gauge the effectiveness of educators and curricula;
     (e) Provide tests that are appropriate to the skill level of the student;
     (f) Support instruction for students of all abilities, including highly capable students and students with learning disabilities;
     (g) Be culturally, linguistically, and cognitively relevant, appropriate, and understandable to each student taking the assessment;
     (h) Inform parents and draw parents into greater participation of the student's study plan;
     (i) Provide a way to analyze the assessment results relative to characteristics of the student such as, but not limited to, English language learners, gender, ethnicity, poverty, age, and disabilities;
     (j) Strive to be computer-based and adaptive; and
     (k) Engage students in their learning.
     (3) The legislature further finds that a second component of the assessment system should be a state-administered summative achievement assessment that can be used as a check on the educational system in order to guide state expectations for the instruction of children and satisfy legislative demands for accountability. The key design elements or characteristics of the state administered achievement assessment must:
     (a) Be aligned to state standards in areas that are being assessed;
     (b) Maintain and increase academic rigor;
     (c) Measure student learning growth over years; and
     (d) Strengthen curriculum.
     (4) The legislature further finds that a third component of the assessment system should include classroom-based assessments, which may be formative, summative, or both. Depending on their use, classroom-based assessments should have the same design elements and characteristics described in this section for formative and summative assessments.
     (5) The legislature further finds that to sustain a strong and viable assessment system, preservice and ongoing training should be provided for teachers and administrators on the effective use of different types of assessments.
     (6) The legislature further finds that as the statewide data system is developed, data should be collected for all state-required statewide assessments to be used for accountability and to monitor overall student achievement.
     (7) The superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the state board of education, shall begin design and development of an overall assessment system that meets the principles and characteristics described in this section. Beginning December 1, 2009, and annually thereafter, the superintendent and state board shall jointly report to the legislature regarding the assessment system, including a cost analysis of any changes and costs to expand availability and use of instructionally supportive formative assessments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The superintendent of public instruction shall:
     (1) Revise the number of open-ended questions and extended responses in the statewide achievement assessment in grades three through eight and ten to reduce the cost and time of administering the assessment while retaining validity and reliability of the assessment and retaining assessment of critical thinking skills. By December 1, 2009, the superintendent shall report to the legislature regarding the changes, including a cost analysis of the changes; and
     (2) Revisit the alternative assessments, the appeals process, including considering authorizing local school districts to determine the outcome of an appeal by a student to demonstrate that he or she has the level of understanding of a content area assessed on the Washington assessment of student learning necessary to meet the state standard but was unable to demonstrate that understanding on the assessment or an alternative assessment, and the Washington alternative assessment system portfolios for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. By December 1, 2009, the superintendent shall make recommendations to the legislature for improvements.

Sec. 3   RCW 28A.655.061 and 2008 c 321 s 2 are each 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)(a) 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((,)) and writing((, and mathematics)) content areas of the high school Washington assessment of student learning or an objective alternative assessment shall earn a certificate of academic achievement.
     (b) After a determination is made by the state board of education that the high school Washington assessment of student learning in the content areas of mathematics and science is sufficiently reliable and valid, with the exception of students satisfying the provisions of RCW 28A.155.045, students must also meet the state standards on the mathematics and science content areas of the Washington assessment of student learning or an objective alternative assessment in order to earn a certificate of academic achievement. The state board of education may make a separate determination for the mathematics and the science content areas of the assessment. The determination by the state board of education must be adopted by rule by September 1st of the freshman school year of the graduating class to which the graduation requirement under subsection (2) of this section applies. In making the determination, the state board of education shall obtain information and conclusions from recognized, independent, national assessment experts and other objective sources of expertise as the board deems necessary.
     (c) 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 this subsection on the Washington assessment of student learning or the approved objective alternative assessments in order to earn a certificate of academic achievement.
     (4) 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 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 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 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 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))) (11).
     (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;
     (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.

Sec. 4   RCW 28A.655.066 and 2008 c 163 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In consultation with the state board of education, the superintendent of public instruction shall develop statewide end-of-course assessments for high school mathematics that measure student achievement of the state mathematics standards. The superintendent shall take steps to ensure that the language of the assessments is responsive to a diverse student population. The superintendent shall develop end-of-course assessments in algebra I, geometry, integrated mathematics I, and integrated mathematics II((. The superintendent shall make the algebra I and integrated mathematics I end-of-course assessments available to school districts on an optional basis in the 2009-10 school year. The end-of-course assessments in algebra I, geometry, integrated mathematics I, and integrated mathematics II)) and the assessments shall be implemented statewide in the 2010-11 school year.
     (2) ((For the graduating class of 2013 and for purposes of the certificate of academic achievement under RCW 28A.655.061, results from the algebra I end-of-course assessment plus the geometry end-of-course assessment or results from the integrated mathematics I end-of-course assessment plus the integrated mathematics II end-of-course assessment may be used to demonstrate that a student meets the state standard on the mathematics content area of the high school Washington assessment of student learning.
     (3))) Beginning with the ((graduating class of 2014 and for purposes of the certificate of academic achievement under RCW 28A.655.061,)) 2010-11 school year the mathematics content area of the Washington assessment of student learning shall be assessed using either the algebra I end-of-course assessment plus the geometry end-of-course assessment or the integrated mathematics I end-of-course assessment plus the integrated mathematics II end-of-course assessment. All of the objective alternative assessments available to students under RCW 28A.655.061 and 28A.655.065 shall be available to any student who has taken the sequence of end-of-course assessments once but does not meet the state mathematics standard on the sequence of end-of-course assessments.
     (((4))) (3) The superintendent of public instruction shall report at least annually or more often if necessary to keep the education committees of the legislature informed on each step of the development and implementation process under this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The state board of education shall analyze the feasibility of the current statutory timeline for students to meet the state standard in the science content area of the current Washington assessment of student learning for purposes of high school graduation. The analysis shall examine trends and projections of student performance on the science assessment, time available in the school day and school week for science instruction, implementation of the revised science standards, whether science curricula used by school districts align with the recommended curricula, the availability of an adequate number of highly qualified science teachers, trends in the design of high school science assessments in other states, and the possible impact of new graduation requirements in science. The board shall submit the analysis to the governor and the education committees of the legislature by December 1, 2009, with recommendations on whether the graduation requirement timeline should be adjusted, whether the assessment design should be changed, and any other recommendations for improvement of science teaching and learning.