BILL REQ. #:  S-4259.1 

Read first time 01/28/10.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to implementing recommendations of the achievement gap oversight and accountability committee; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes the work of the achievement gap oversight and accountability committee and plans to implement recommendations submitted by the committee to further the goal of closing the achievement gap in schools. The legislature is aware that achievement gap data is currently being collected and that cultural competence standards are being prepared for implementation. However, the legislature intends to formalize reporting and implementation standards so that the momentum is not lost in closing the achievement gap.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By December 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall report to the achievement gap oversight and accountability committee information regarding data collected and progress achieved in closing the achievement gap.
     (2) The equity and civil rights office for the office of the superintendent of public instruction and the professional educator standards board shall work in collaboration with other state entities and stakeholders to develop state policy to support the successful implementation of the cultural competence standards developed by the professional educator standards board pursuant to RCW 28A.410.260.
     (3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction and the professional educator standards board shall work in collaboration to establish rules and procedures, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, to implement the cultural competence standards, as identified by the professional educator standards board pursuant to RCW 28A.410.260, across the continuum of educator preparation and continuing professional development.
     (4) The office of the superintendent of public instruction and the professional educator standards board shall ensure the implementation of the cultural competence standards by November 1, 2011.