Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

SSB 5392

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 Description: Including technology as a stated educational core concept and principle.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Litzow, Fain, Nelson, Hill, Harper, Eide, Shin, Kohl-Welles, Tom and Roach).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Adds technology to the student learning goals for which school districts must provide students an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills.

Hearing Date: 3/17/11

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

Student Learning Goals and Standards. As part of Basic Education, the state has established goals for each school district to provide an opportunity for students to develop the following knowledge and skills:

  1. read with comprehension, write effectively, and communicate successfully in a variety of ways and settings and with a variety of audiences;

  2. know and apply the core concepts and principles of mathematics; social, physical, and life sciences; civics and history, including different cultures and participation in representative government; geography; arts; and health and fitness;

  3. think analytically, logically, and creatively, and to integrate different experiences and knowledge to form reasoned judgments and solve problems; and

  4. understand the importance of work and finance and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is required to develop state learning standards called Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) based on these four student learning goals. Goals One and Two are considered primary. School districts are required to provide instruction in the EALRs as part of the Instructional Program of Basic Education.

The SPI is also required to develop and maintain a student assessment system for the content areas of reading, writing, mathematics, and science. The purpose of the assessment system is to determine if students have mastered the knowledge and skills of the EALRs. The content areas of social studies, the arts, and health and fitness are assessed at the local level through classroom-based assessments or other strategies chosen by the district.

Educational Technology Literacy and Technology Fluency. In 2007, the Legislature directed the SPI to develop EALRs for educational technology literacy and technology fluency, if funds were provided. Funding was provided for this work, and the technology EALRs were finalized in December of 2008. In addition, the SPI was required to obtain or develop classroom-based or project-based educational technology assessments. School districts are not required to use the assessments, but if they do, they must notify the SPI of their use. The SPI has developed a series of classroom-based assessments that measure students' knowledge and skills of the educational technology EALRs. The assessments are scheduled to be available by July 2011.

Summary of Bill:

Under Goal Two of the student learning goals, school districts must provide students with the opportunity to know and apply the core concepts of technology.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect September 1, 2011.