Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 2470

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

Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to ensure that a fairness and bias review has been conducted before implementing revisions to the state Essential Academic Learning Requirements.
Directs the SPI to provide dropout-focused technical assistance using available school improvement funds.
Renames a staffing category within the prototypical school model as "Family Engagement Coordinator."
Authorizes the SPI to require use of a kindergarten readiness assessment and Family Engagement Coordinators in schools receiving federal school improvement grants.
Allows qualified graduates of the Recruiting Washington Teachers Program in high schools to participate on a space-available basis in an alternative route teacher preparation scholarship program.

Background:

Quality Education Council. Legislation adopted in 2009 established the Quality Education Council (QEC) and tasked it with informing and making strategic recommendations on the ongoing implementation of the program of Basic Education and the funding to support it. The QEC is composed of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and representatives from the Legislature, the State Board of Education, the Department of Early Learning, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (Opportunity Gap Committee), and the Office of the Governor.

2011 Report to the Legislature. The QEC made a number of recommendations in 2011, which included recommendations intended to close the opportunity gap for disadvantaged students and students of color; support development of partnerships between schools, students, families, and communities; and support education professionals, including programs that encourage diverse populations to become teachers. Legislation was introduced in the 2011 session to implement some of the recommendations, but was not enacted.

2012 Report to the Legislature. For 2012 the QEC reiterated its 2011 recommendations and focused new recommendations on two legislative assignments: a comprehensive program of Early Learning, and examination of a new funding formula in the 2011-13 biennial budget for the Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program.

Other Programs. The Recruiting Washington Teachers program (RWT) operates as a grant-funded partnership between high schools, colleges of education, and community organizations to recruit and provide training and support for diverse high school students to enter the teaching profession. There are no scholarships available to provide a further incentive for these students to enter teaching.

The Pipeline for Paraeducators (Pipeline) program assists classified school employees to first earn a transferrable associate degree, and then enroll in an alternative route program to earn a bachelor's degree and teaching certification. Participation in the Pipeline has been limited.

The Opportunity Internship Program (OIP) provides incentives for consortia of high schools, businesses, and community organizations to provide internships and other training opportunities in high-demand occupations for low-income high school students. Students who complete the OIP are eligible for up to one year of state financial aid for postsecondary study.

Summary of Bill:

Fairness and Bias Review. Before implementing revisions to the state Essential Academic Learning Requirements, the SPI must first ensure that a fairness and bias review has been conducted, including an opportunity for input from the Opportunity Gap Committee and an additional diverse group of community representatives, parents, and educators.

Dropout-Focused Technical Assistance. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must provide technical assistance, within available funds, for school and district improvement that is specifically targeted to reduce school dropouts and improve graduation rates.

Family Engagement. The title of one of the staffing categories within the prototypical school funding formula is changed from "Parent Involvement Coordinator" to "Family Engagement Coordinator." Schools that are subject to state accountability requirements because they are among the persistently lowest-performing schools in the state must include use of Family Engagement Coordinators in their Required Action plans to improve student achievement. The OSPI may also require other schools receiving federal school improvement grants to use Family Engagement Coordinators.

Kindergarten Readiness. Elementary schools that are subject to state accountability requirements must include use of the state kindergarten readiness assessment in their Required Action plans. The OSPI may also require other elementary schools receiving federal school improvement grants to use the assessment.

Recruiting Washington Teachers. Graduates of the RWT may participate in the Pipeline scholarship, as long as they meet the qualifications for the program, and paraeducators continue to receive first priority for scholarship awards. Partnerships that offer the RWT may be considered consortia for purposes of the OIP and thus apply to participate in the OIP.