Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 1891

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to adopt the Common Core Standards (Common Core) in English language arts and mathematics no earlier than July 1, 2013.
Prohibits implementation of the Common Core before July 1, 2013.
Requires the SPI to submit a report to the Education Committees of the Legislature by January 1, 2013.
Requires a determination by the Legislature that implementation of the Common Core is prudent and beneficial for students and citizens to permit implementation after July 1, 2013.

Background:

National Picture. The Common Core Standards (Common Core) is an initiative led by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to develop K-12 learning standards in English language arts and mathematics that could be used by multiple states. Development of the Common Core began in 2008, and the standards were finalized on June 2, 2010.

The U.S. Department of Education has been encouraging states to adopt the Common Core. For example, states applying for federal Race-to-the-Top funds received points in their applications if they adopted the Common Core by August 1, 2010. To date, 42 states have adopted the Common Core.

Washington State. In May 2009 the Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) signed a memorandum of understanding with 48 states to participate in the Common Core.

During the 2010 session, legislation was introduced that addressed a number of education reform topics and was intended in part to bolster Washington's Race-to-the-Top application. As enacted, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6696 authorized the SPI to adopt the Common Core as Washington's learning standards on a provisional basis by August 1, 2010, but prohibited further implementation until the House and Senate Education Committees had an opportunity for further review. At that time, the final version of the Common Core had not yet been released.

The SPI was also directed to submit a report in January 2011 that contained a detailed comparison of the Common Core to Washington's standards and an estimated timeline and costs to the state and local school districts to implement the Common Core. The SPI is authorized to implement the Common Core after the 2011 legislative session unless otherwise directed by the Legislature.

Washington is also the lead state in a consortium of 31 states that received a major federal grant in September 2010 to develop student assessments based on the Common Core. To remain members of the consortium, states must formally adopt the Common Core by December 31, 2011.

Summary of Bill:

The SPI is authorized to adopt the Common Core no earlier than July 1, 2013, and is prohibited from taking steps to implement them before that date. By January 1, 2013, the SPI must submit to the House and Senate Education Committees a report with an estimated timeline and costs to implement the Common Core. If the 2013 Legislature determines that the SPI has shown that implementation of the Common Core is prudent and beneficial for students and the citizens of the state, the SPI may implement the Common Core after July 1, 2013, if so authorized by the Legislature.