BILL REQ. #:  Z-0551.3 



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SENATE BILL 5639
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State of Washington62nd Legislature2011 Regular Session

By Senators McAuliffe, Tom, Eide, Harper, Prentice, and Shin; by request of Governor Gregoire

Read first time 02/02/11.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.



     AN ACT Relating to education governance; amending RCW 43.17.010, 43.17.020, 42.17A.705, 43.215.005, 43.215.147, 28A.300.020, 28A.300.030, 28A.300.035, 28A.300.040, 28A.300.041, 28A.300.042, 28A.300.050, 28A.300.1361, 28A.300.160, 28A.300.250, 28A.300.500, 28A.300.505, 28A.305.130, 28A.310.010, 28A.310.200, 28A.310.210, 28A.310.270, 28A.310.280, 28A.310.340, 28A.310.400, 28A.315.005, 28A.315.115, 28A.315.185, 28A.410.010, 28A.410.090, 28A.410.200, 28A.410.210, 28A.410.220, 43.06B.010, 43.06B.030, 43.06B.050, 72.40.010, 72.40.015, 72.40.019, 72.40.0191, 72.40.020, 72.40.024, 72.41.010, 72.41.020, 72.41.040, 72.42.010, 72.42.021, 72.42.041, 28A.300.041, 28A.310.010, 28A.310.280, 28A.310.340, 28A.315.005, 28A.315.115, 28A.410.210, 28B.50.090, 28B.50.250, 28B.50.272, 28B.50.536, 28B.76.020, 28B.76.030, 28B.76.110, 28B.76.210, 28B.76.230, 28B.76.240, 28B.76.260, 28B.76.290, 28B.76.300, 28B.76.310, and 43.41.400; reenacting and amending RCW 43.215.010, 43.215.020, and 28B.50.030; adding a new section to chapter 41.06 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 41.80 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW; adding a new title to the Revised Code of Washington; creating new sections; repealing RCW 43.215.030, 43.215.040, 43.215.090, 43.215.125, 43.215.440, 43.215.445, 41.06.097, 28A.305.011, 28A.305.021, 28A.305.035, 28A.305.902, 28A.310.480, 28A.345.010, 28A.345.020, 28A.345.030, 28A.345.040, 28A.345.050, 28A.345.060, 28A.345.070, 28A.345.902, 28A.300.010, 28A.300.020, 28B.50.050, 28B.50.060, 28B.50.070, 28B.50.080, 28B.50.085, 28B.50.254, 28B.76.010, 28B.76.040, 28B.76.050, 28B.76.060, 28B.76.070, 28B.76.080, 28B.76.090, 28B.76.200, 28B.76.270, and 28B.76.330; providing an effective date; and providing contingent effective dates.

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

PART 1
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CREATED

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 101   The legislature finds that a growing number of agencies, each with their own priorities and activities, set education policy. The legislature further recognizes that while there is excellent work being pursued by individual entities in response to their specific duties, the focus and impact for student success would be magnified if these agencies were brought together. The legislature further finds that the consolidation of state-level education entities would result in a governance system with a unifying student-centered vision, common goals, shared priorities, and linked outcomes. The results for learners would be improved with an integrated system approach.
     The legislature intends to create a seamless, cohesive state-level governance education system focused on students and learning from birth through career. This system will provide for integrated policies at the state level, the creation of a streamlined accountability system with clear measures and expectations, and consistent best practice guidance and technical assistance to local delivery systems. The accountability system will be based upon a strategic plan focusing on achievement, student growth, bridging existing learning gaps, and preparing students for their next steps in learning and career. By consolidating state-level planning, policies, accountability, and assistance, the legislature intends that outcomes for learners will improve and management burdens for local delivery systems will be lessened. The legislature further intends that chronic P-20 issues such as the opportunity gap and mathematics and science achievement be addressed systemically and that best practices for teaching, leading, and learning be incorporated throughout the education system.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 102   The definitions in this section apply throughout this title unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Department" means the department of education.
     (2) "Secretary" means the secretary of education.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 103   (1) The department of education is created as an executive branch agency. The department is vested with all powers and duties transferred to it under chapter . . ., Laws of 2011 (this act) and such other powers and duties as may be authorized by law.
     (2) If a constitutional amendment abolishing the office of the superintendent of public instruction is not ratified at the November 2011 election, the superintendent of public instruction shall be housed within the department of education. If the constitutional amendment becomes law, the powers and duties of the superintendent of public instruction will be transferred to the department.
     (3) The department of education includes the professional educator standards board, the office of the education ombudsman, the state school for the blind, and the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss.
     (4) In administering a seamless state-level system of education from birth through career, the primary duty of the department is to focus education policy development on implementing education programs and services that promote student achievement. The department shall deliver innovative and flexible services, implement best practices, increase efficiency in state-level administration, and provide systemwide accountability.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 104   (1) The executive head and appointing authority of the department is the secretary of education. The secretary shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate. The secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The secretary shall be paid a salary fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040. If a vacancy occurs in the position of secretary while the senate is not in session, the governor shall make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the senate at which time he or she shall present to that body his or her nomination for the position.
     (2) The secretary may employ staff members, who shall be exempt from chapter 41.06 RCW, and any additional staff members as are necessary to administer this chapter, and such other duties as may be authorized by law. The secretary may delegate any power or duty vested in him or her by this chapter or other law, including the authority to make final decisions and enter final orders in hearings conducted under chapter 34.05 RCW.
     (3) The secretary may create such administrative structures as the secretary considers appropriate, except as otherwise specified by law. The department shall be organized into divisions. When first established, the department shall be organized into divisions for early learning, K-12 education, community college and career and technical education, and university education. Except as otherwise specified or as federal requirements may differently require, the secretary may change these divisions under plans prepared by the secretary and approved by the governor.
     (4) The secretary may employ such personnel as necessary for the general administration of the department. This employment shall be in accordance with the state civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW, except as otherwise provided.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 105   (1) The secretary shall administer the activities of the department of education.
     (2) The secretary shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties prescribed by law with respect to the state–level administration, as provided in this chapter.
     (3) In addition to other powers and duties granted to the secretary, the secretary may:
     (a) Enter into contracts on behalf of the state to carry out the purposes of this chapter;
     (b) Accept and expend gifts and grants that are related to the purposes of this chapter, whether such grants are of federal or other funds;
     (c) Appoint a deputy secretary and such assistant secretaries and special assistants, exempt from chapter 41.06 RCW, as may be needed to administer the department;
     (d) Appoint the executive director of the professional educator standards board, the education ombudsman, the superintendent of the school for the blind, and the director of the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, each of which are exempt from chapter 41.06 RCW;
     (e) Adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW and perform all other functions necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter;
     (f) Delegate powers, duties, and functions as the secretary deems necessary for efficient administration, but the secretary shall be responsible for the official acts of the officers and employees of the department;
     (g) Create such administrative structures as the secretary considers appropriate, except as otherwise specified by law; and
     (h) Perform other duties as are necessary and consistent with the law.
     (4) If a constitutional amendment abolishing the office of the superintendent of public instruction does not pass during the November 2011 general election, the secretary shall coordinate and collaborate with the superintendent of public instruction and provide the administrative support services for the superintendent of public instruction.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 106   In administering the department of education, the secretary shall:
     (1) Provide leadership for the education of the state's students by:
     (a) Promoting and measuring achievement;
     (b) Respecting diverse cultures, abilities, and learning styles;
     (c) Focusing on learning improvement strategies informed by research and data; and
     (d) Reviewing, changing, and implementing practices as necessary across and within the education sectors to further learner success;
     (2) Improve the connections that facilitate students' transitions to and from different educational programs and the preparation for those transitions;
     (3) Develop and implement and continuously evaluate and adjust a systemwide strategic plan that integrates the goals under section 107 of this act, as well as policies, activities, and functions of the education sectors creating a powerful education system focused on student learning that transcends traditional organizational boundaries;
     (4) Implement performance measures focused on learner outcomes that shall be used to continuously improve and evaluate student performance and programs focusing on improving learning;
     (5) Focus on improving learning throughout the entire education delivery system including early learning, K-12 schools, community and technical colleges, and public and private colleges and universities;
     (6) Improve the coordination and relationships among the state and parents, students, early learning educators and providers, local school districts, community and technical colleges, and public and private colleges and universities;
     (7) Improve instructional quality and leadership practices in early learning through postsecondary classrooms;
     (8) Promote partnerships with private and nonprofit organizations and other governmental entities to maximize the use of state and private resources and promote innovation; and
     (9) Submit budget requests for the entities and programs within the department as required by law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 107   (1) The strategic plan required by section 106(3) of this act shall be based on the following system goals to provide an opportunity for:
     (a) All students to enter kindergarten prepared for success in school and life;
     (b) All students to compete in mathematics and science nationally and internationally, and for more students to graduate with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;
     (c) All students to attain high academic standards regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or gender, and for more students from underrepresented groups to earn certificates and degrees; and
     (d) All students to graduate able to succeed in college, training, and careers, and for more students to graduate with certificates and degrees from Washington institutions of higher education.
     (2) In developing the initial plan, the secretary shall review: (a) The plans created by the various education agencies and boards transferred to the department and those agencies coordinating with the department under chapter . . ., Laws of 2011 (this act); and (b) the plans developed for the federal race to the top application and related work, as well and the plans and recommendations of the quality education council.
     (3) The strategic plan shall also include performance measures that address short and long-term progress in meeting the system goals. These measures shall be designed to be used for accountability purposes.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 108   (1) The P-20 education council is created. The council shall advise the secretary on broad policy issues affecting the state's education system focusing on improving student learning to include, but not be limited to, system goals, the state strategic plan, state accountability measures, and implementation of evidence-based best practices.
     (2) The council shall consist of eleven members appointed by the governor representing the public and the public's interest in early learning, K-12 education, community college and career and technical education, and university education.
     (3) The members shall serve four-year terms. However, to stagger the terms of the council, the initial appointments for five of the members shall be for two years. Once the initial two-year terms expire, all subsequent terms shall be for four years with the terms expiring on June 30th of the applicable year.
     (4) The department shall provide staff support to the council.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 109   The secretary may appoint such advisory committees or councils as may be required by any federal legislation as a condition to the receipt of federal funds by the department. The secretary may also appoint statewide committees, councils, or work groups on such subject matters as are or come within the department's responsibilities. The committees, councils, or work groups shall be constituted as the secretary may determine or as required by federal law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 110   (1) The governor shall appoint a transition team to plan the technical and practical steps required to bring the current state-level education agencies and structures into a new department as provided in this act. The transition team may include representatives from affected agencies. The governor shall appoint the lead of the transition team.
     (2) The transition team shall complete the transition plan and implementation schedule by January 1, 2012. The plan shall be designed to phase-in the operation of the department of education to begin by July 1, 2012, and be completed by January 16, 2013.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 111   A new section is added to chapter 41.06 RCW to read as follows:
     In addition to the exemptions under RCW 41.06.070, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply in the department of education to the secretary, the secretary's confidential secretary, assistant secretaries, and any other exempt staff members provided for in sections 104 and 105 of this act.

Sec. 112   RCW 43.17.010 and 2009 c 565 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:
     There shall be departments of the state government which shall be known as (1) the department of social and health services, (2) the department of ecology, (3) the department of labor and industries, (4) the department of agriculture, (5) the department of fish and wildlife, (6) the department of transportation, (7) the department of licensing, (8) the department of general administration, (9) the department of commerce, (10) the department of veterans affairs, (11) the department of revenue, (12) the department of retirement systems, (13) the department of corrections, (14) the department of health, (15) the department of financial institutions, (16) the department of archaeology and historic preservation, (17) ((the department of early learning, and (18))) the Puget Sound partnership, and (18) the department of education, which shall be charged with the execution, enforcement, and administration of such laws, and invested with such powers and required to perform such duties, as the legislature may provide.

Sec. 113   RCW 43.17.020 and 2009 c 565 s 26 are each amended to read as follows:
     There shall be a chief executive officer of each department to be known as: (1) The secretary of social and health services, (2) the director of ecology, (3) the director of labor and industries, (4) the director of agriculture, (5) the director of fish and wildlife, (6) the secretary of transportation, (7) the director of licensing, (8) the director of general administration, (9) the director of commerce, (10) the director of veterans affairs, (11) the director of revenue, (12) the director of retirement systems, (13) the secretary of corrections, (14) the secretary of health, (15) the director of financial institutions, (16) the director of the department of archaeology and historic preservation, (17) ((the director of early learning, and (18))) the executive director of the Puget Sound partnership, and (18) the secretary of education.
     Such officers, except the director of fish and wildlife, shall be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, and hold office at the pleasure of the governor. The director of fish and wildlife shall be appointed by the fish and wildlife commission as prescribed by RCW 77.04.055.

Sec. 114   RCW 42.17A.705 and 2010 c 204 s 902 are each amended to read as follows:
     For the purposes of RCW 42.17A.700, "executive state officer" includes:
     (1) The chief administrative law judge, the director of agriculture, the director of the department of services for the blind, ((the director of the state system of community and technical colleges,)) the director of commerce, the secretary of corrections, ((the director of early learning,)) the director of ecology, the secretary of education, the commissioner of employment security, the chair of the energy facility site evaluation council, the secretary of the state finance committee, the director of financial management, the director of fish and wildlife, the executive secretary of the forest practices appeals board, the director of the gambling commission, the director of general administration, the secretary of health, the administrator of the Washington state health care authority, the executive secretary of the health care facilities authority, the executive secretary of the higher education facilities authority, the executive secretary of the horse racing commission, the executive secretary of the human rights commission, the executive secretary of the indeterminate sentence review board, the director of the department of information services, the executive director of the state investment board, the director of labor and industries, the director of licensing, the director of the lottery commission, the director of the office of minority and women's business enterprises, the director of parks and recreation, the director of personnel, the executive director of the public disclosure commission, the executive director of the Puget Sound partnership, the director of the recreation and conservation office, the director of retirement systems, the director of revenue, the secretary of social and health services, the chief of the Washington state patrol, the executive secretary of the board of tax appeals, the secretary of transportation, the secretary of the utilities and transportation commission, the director of veterans affairs, the president of each of the regional and state universities and the president of The Evergreen State College, and each district and each campus president of each state community college;
     (2) Each professional staff member of the office of the governor;
     (3) Each professional staff member of the legislature; and
     (4) Central Washington University board of trustees, the boards of trustees of each community college and each technical college, ((each member of the state board for community and technical colleges,)) state convention and trade center board of directors, Eastern Washington University board of trustees, Washington economic development finance authority, Washington energy northwest executive board, The Evergreen State College board of trustees, executive ethics board, fish and wildlife commission, forest practices appeals board, forest practices board, gambling commission, Washington health care facilities authority, ((higher education coordinating board,)) higher education facilities authority, horse racing commission, state housing finance commission, human rights commission, indeterminate sentence review board, board of industrial insurance appeals, information services board, state investment board, commission on judicial conduct, legislative ethics board, life sciences discovery fund authority board of trustees, liquor control board, lottery commission, Pacific Northwest electric power and conservation planning council, parks and recreation commission, Washington personnel resources board, board of pilotage commissioners, pollution control hearings board, public disclosure commission, public employees' benefits board, recreation and conservation funding board, salmon recovery funding board, shorelines hearings board, board of tax appeals, transportation commission, University of Washington board of regents, utilities and transportation commission, Washington State University board of regents, and Western Washington University board of trustees.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 115   (1)(a) The powers, duties, and functions of the state school for the blind, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the office of the education ombudsman, and the professional educator standards board are hereby transferred to the department of education. All references to the director or the state school for the blind, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the office of the education ombudsman, or the professional educator standards board in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the secretary or the department of education.
     (b) The department of early learning, the state board of education, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the higher education coordinating board are hereby abolished and their powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred to the department of education. All references to the director or the department of early learning, the state board of education, the state board for community and technical colleges, or the higher education coordinating board in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the secretary or the department of education.
     (2)(a) All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or written material in the possession of the state school for the blind, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the department of early learning, the state board of education, the office of the education ombudsman, the professional educator standards board, the state board for community and technical colleges, or the higher education coordinating board shall be delivered to the custody of the department of education. All cabinets, furniture, office equipment, motor vehicles, and other tangible property employed by the state school for the blind, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the department of early learning, the state board of education, the office of the education ombudsman, the professional educator standards board, the state board for community and technical colleges, or the higher education coordinating board shall be made available to the department of education. All funds, credits, or other assets held by the state school for the blind, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the department of early learning, the state board of education, the office of the education ombudsman, the professional educator standards board, the state board for community and technical colleges, or the higher education coordinating board shall be assigned to the department of education.
     (b) Any appropriations made to the state school for the blind, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the department of early learning, the state board of education, the office of the education ombudsman, the professional educator standards board, the state board for community and technical colleges, or the higher education coordinating board shall, on the effective date of this section, be transferred and credited to the department of education.
     (c) If any question arises as to the transfer of any personnel, funds, books, documents, records, papers, files, equipment, or other tangible property used or held in the exercise of the powers and the performance of the duties and functions transferred, the director of financial management shall make a determination as to the proper allocation and certify the same to the state agencies concerned.
     (3) All employees of the state school for the blind, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the department of early learning, the state board of education, the office of the education ombudsman, the professional educator standards board, the state board for community and technical colleges, or the higher education coordinating board are transferred to the jurisdiction of the department of education. All employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, are assigned to the department of education to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing state civil service.
     (4) All rules and all pending business before the state school for the blind, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the department of early learning, the state board of education, the office of the education ombudsman, the professional educator standards board, the state board for community and technical colleges, or the higher education coordinating board shall be continued and acted upon by the department of education. All existing contracts and obligations shall remain in full force and shall be performed by the department of education.
     (5) The transfer of the powers, duties, functions, and personnel of the state school for the blind, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the department of early learning, the state board of education, the office of the education ombudsman, the professional educator standards board, the state board for community and technical colleges, or the higher education coordinating board shall not affect the validity of any act performed before the effective date of this section.
     (6) If apportionments of budgeted funds are required because of the transfers directed by this section, the director of financial management shall certify the apportionments to the agencies affected, the state auditor, and the state treasurer. Each of these shall make the appropriate transfer and adjustments in funds and appropriation accounts and equipment records in accordance with the certification.
     (7) The treatment of all classified employees of the state school for the blind, the Washington center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the department of early learning, the state board of education, the office of the education ombudsman, the professional educator standards board, the state board for community and technical colleges, or the higher education coordinating board within existing bargaining units assigned to the department of education under this section is as provided in sections 116 and 117, chapter ---, Laws of 2011 (sections 116 and 117 of this act).

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 116   This section provides for the transfer of employees in existing collective bargaining units to the department of education as provided for in section 115 of this act.
     (1) Employees of the State School for the Blind. The existing bargaining units of the employees at the state school for the blind shall be transferred in their entirety to the department of education without the merging of other bargaining units or the inclusion of employees from other bargaining units. Nothing contained in this section or section 115 of this act may be construed to alter any of the existing collective bargaining units unless and until the bargaining unit has been modified by action of the public employment relations commission as provided by law. Therefore, the certification of the existing bargaining units shall remain. However, the public employment relations commission may, upon request, amend the certification to reflect the name of the new agency. Nothing in this section or section 115 of this act may be construed to alter the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement until the agreement has expired. The existing bargaining units of employees of the state school for the blind transferred under this section and section 115 of this act shall continue to be subject to the provisions of chapter 41.80 RCW.
     (2) Employees of the Washington State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss. The existing bargaining units of the employees at the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss shall be transferred in their entirety to the department of education without the merging of other bargaining units or the inclusion of employees from other bargaining units. Nothing contained in this section or section 115 of this act may be construed to alter any of the existing collective bargaining units unless and until the bargaining unit has been modified by action of the public employment relations commission as provided by law. Therefore, the certification of the existing bargaining units shall remain. However, the public employment relations commission may, upon request, amend the certification to reflect the name of the new agency. Nothing in this section or section 115 of this act may be construed to alter the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement until the agreement has expired. The existing bargaining units of employees of the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss transferred under this section and section 115 of this act shall continue to be subject to the provisions of chapter 41.80 RCW.
     (3) Employees of the Department of Early Learning. Employees of the department of early learning engaged in performing the powers, functions, and duties transferred to the department of education under section 115 of this act who are employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, are assigned to the department of education to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing state civil service law.
     (4) Employees of the State Board of Education. All employees of the state board of education engaged in performing the powers, functions, and duties transferred to the department of education under section 115 of this act who are employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, are assigned to the department of education to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing state civil service law.
     (5) Employees of the Office of the Education Ombudsman. Employees of the office of the education ombudsman engaged in performing the powers, functions, and duties transferred to the department of education under section 115 of this act who are employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, are assigned to the department of education to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing state civil service law.
     (6) Employees of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Employees of the state board for community and technical colleges transferred to the department of education under section 115 of this act who are employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, are assigned to the department of education to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing state civil service law.
     (7) Employees of the Higher Education Coordinating Board. Employees of the higher education coordinating board engaged in performing the powers, functions, and duties transferred to the department of education under section 115 of this act who are employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, are assigned to the department of education to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing state civil service law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 117   A new section is added to chapter 41.80 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By July 1, 2012, the public employment relations commission shall review the existing collective bargaining units within the department of early learning to determine if these units would be appropriate units within the department of education. In determining appropriateness of bargaining units, the commission shall use and apply the organizational restructure detail created by the department of education transition team.
     (2) If the commission determines that an existing collective bargaining unit is appropriate pursuant to RCW 41.80.070, the exclusive bargaining representative certified to represent the bargaining unit before July 1, 2012, shall continue as the exclusive bargaining representative without the necessity of an election and will be so certified by the commission.
     (3) If the commission determines that existing collective bargaining units are not appropriate, the commission may modify those units and order an election pursuant to RCW 41.80.080. Certified exclusive bargaining representatives will not be required to demonstrate a showing of interest to be included on the ballot.
     (4) The commission may require an election pursuant to RCW 41.80.080 if similarly situated employees are represented by more than one employee organization. Certified exclusive bargaining representatives will not be required to demonstrate a showing of interest to be included on the ballot.
     (5) Certification under this section does not preclude any subsequent actions allowable under this chapter.

PART 2
EARLY YEARS

Sec. 201   RCW 43.215.005 and 2010 c 232 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature recognizes that:
     (a) Parents are their children's first and most important teachers and decision makers;
     (b) Research across disciplines now demonstrates that what happens in the earliest years makes a critical difference in children's readiness to succeed in school and life;
     (c) Washington's competitiveness in the global economy requires a world-class education system that starts early and supports life-long learning;
     (d) Washington state currently makes substantial investments in voluntary child care and early learning services and supports, but because services are fragmented across multiple state agencies, and early learning providers lack the supports and incentives needed to improve the quality of services they provide, many parents have difficulty accessing high quality early learning services;
     (e) A more cohesive and integrated voluntary early learning system would result in greater efficiencies for the state, increased partnership between the state and the private sector, improved access to high quality early learning services, and better employment and early learning outcomes for families and all children.
     (2) The legislature finds that:
     (a) The early years of a child's life are critical to the child's healthy brain development and that the quality of caregiving during the early years can significantly impact the child's intellectual, social, and emotional development;
     (b) A successful outcome for every child obtaining a K-12 education depends on children being prepared from birth for academic and social success in school. For children at risk of school failure, the achievement gap often emerges as early as eighteen months of age;
     (c) There currently is a shortage of high quality services and supports for children ages birth to three and their parents and caregivers; and
     (d) Increasing the availability of high quality services for children ages birth to three and their parents and caregivers will result in improved school and life outcomes.
     (3) Therefore, the legislature intends to establish a robust birth-to-three continuum of services for parents and caregivers of young children in order to provide education and support regarding the importance of early childhood development.
     (4) The purpose of this chapter is:
     (a) To establish the ((department of)) responsibilities for early learning within the department of education created in section 103 of this act, including maximizing the integration with K-12 and postsecondary education;
     (b) To coordinate and consolidate state activities relating to child care and early learning programs;
     (c) To safeguard and promote the health, safety, and well-being of children receiving child care and early learning assistance, which is paramount over the right of any person to provide care;
     (d) To provide tools to promote the hiring of suitable providers of child care by:
     (i) Providing parents with access to information regarding child care providers;
     (ii) Providing parents with child care licensing action histories regarding child care providers; and
     (iii) Requiring background checks of applicants for employment in any child care facility licensed or regulated under current law;
     (e) To promote linkages and alignment between early learning programs and elementary schools and support the transition of children and families from prekindergarten environments to kindergarten;
     (f) To promote the development of a sufficient number and variety of adequate child care and early learning facilities, both public and private; and
     (g) To license agencies and to assure the users of such agencies, their parents, the community at large and the agencies themselves that adequate minimum standards are maintained by all child care and early learning facilities.
     (5) This chapter does not expand the state's authority to license or regulate activities or programs beyond those licensed or regulated under existing law.

Sec. 202   RCW 43.215.010 and 2007 c 415 s 2 and 2007 c 394 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Agency" means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or facility that provides child care and early learning services outside a child's own home and includes the following irrespective of whether there is compensation to the agency:
     (a) "Child day care center" means an agency that regularly provides child day care and early learning services for a group of children for periods of less than twenty-four hours;
     (b) "Early learning" includes but is not limited to programs and services for child care; state, federal, private, and nonprofit preschool; child care subsidies; child care resource and referral; parental education and support; and training and professional development for early learning professionals;
     (c) "Family day care provider" means a child day care provider who regularly provides child day care and early learning services for not more than twelve children in the provider's home in the family living quarters;
     (d) "Nongovernmental private-public partnership" means an entity registered as a nonprofit corporation in Washington state with a primary focus on early learning, school readiness, and parental support, and an ability to raise a minimum of five million dollars in contributions;
     (e) "Service provider" means the entity that operates a community facility.
     (2) "Agency" does not include the following:
     (a) Persons related to the child in the following ways:
     (i) Any blood relative, including those of half-blood, and including first cousins, nephews or nieces, and persons of preceding generations as denoted by prefixes of grand, great, or great-great;
     (ii) Stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, and stepsister;
     (iii) A person who legally adopts a child or the child's parent as well as the natural and other legally adopted children of such persons, and other relatives of the adoptive parents in accordance with state law; or
     (iv) Spouses of any persons named in (i), (ii), or (iii) of this subsection (2)(a), even after the marriage is terminated;
     (b) Persons who are legal guardians of the child;
     (c) Persons who care for a neighbor's or friend's child or children, with or without compensation, where the person providing care for periods of less than twenty-four hours does not conduct such activity on an ongoing, regularly scheduled basis for the purpose of engaging in business, which includes, but is not limited to, advertising such care;
     (d) Parents on a mutually cooperative basis exchange care of one another's children;
     (e) Nursery schools or kindergartens that are engaged primarily in educational work with preschool children and in which no child is enrolled on a regular basis for more than four hours per day;
     (f) Schools, including boarding schools, that are engaged primarily in education, operate on a definite school year schedule, follow a stated academic curriculum, accept only school-age children, and do not accept custody of children;
     (g) Seasonal camps of three months' or less duration engaged primarily in recreational or educational activities;
     (h) Facilities providing care to children for periods of less than twenty-four hours whose parents remain on the premises to participate in activities other than employment;
     (i) Any agency having been in operation in this state ten years before June 8, 1967, and not seeking or accepting moneys or assistance from any state or federal agency, and is supported in part by an endowment or trust fund;
     (j) An agency operated by any unit of local, state, or federal government or an agency, located within the boundaries of a federally recognized Indian reservation, licensed by the Indian tribe;
     (k) An agency located on a federal military reservation, except where the military authorities request that such agency be subject to the licensing requirements of this chapter;
     (l) An agency that offers early learning and support services, such as parent education, and does not provide child care services on a regular basis.
     (3) "Applicant" means a person who requests or seeks employment in an agency.
     (4) "Department" means the department of ((early learning)) education created in section 103 of this act.
     (5) "Director" means the ((director)) secretary of ((the department)) education or the secretary's designee.
     (6) "Employer" means a person or business that engages the services of one or more people, especially for wages or salary to work in an agency.
     (7) "Enforcement action" means denial, suspension, revocation, modification, or nonrenewal of a license pursuant to RCW 43.215.300(1) or assessment of civil monetary penalties pursuant to RCW 43.215.300(3).
     (8) "Probationary license" means a license issued as a disciplinary measure to an agency that has previously been issued a full license but is out of compliance with licensing standards.
     (9) "Requirement" means any rule, regulation, or standard of care to be maintained by an agency.
     (10) "Secretary" means the secretary of education.

Sec. 203   RCW 43.215.020 and 2010 c 233 s 1, 2010 c 232 s 2, and 2010 c 231 s 6 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department of ((early learning is created as an executive branch agency. The department is vested with all)) education is responsible for the powers and duties transferred to it under this chapter and such other powers and duties as may be authorized by law.
     (2) The primary duties of the department under this chapter are to implement state early learning policy maximizing the integration with K-12 and postsecondary education and to coordinate, consolidate, and integrate child care and early learning programs in order to administer programs and funding as efficiently as possible. The department's duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
     (a) To support both public and private sectors toward a comprehensive and collaborative system of early learning that serves parents, children, and providers and to encourage best practices in child care and early learning programs;
     (b) To make early learning resources available to parents and caregivers;
     (c) To carry out activities, including providing clear and easily accessible information about quality and improving the quality of early learning opportunities for young children, in cooperation with the nongovernmental private-public partnership;
     (d) To administer child care and early learning programs;
     (e) To serve as the state lead agency for Part C of the federal individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA);
     (f) To standardize internal financial audits, oversight visits, performance benchmarks, and licensing criteria, so that programs can function in an integrated fashion;
     (g) To support the implementation of the nongovernmental private-public partnership and cooperate with that partnership in pursuing its goals including providing data and support necessary for the successful work of the partnership;
     (h) ((To work cooperatively and in coordination with the early learning council;
     (i)
)) To collaborate with the K-12 school system at the state and local levels to ensure appropriate connections and smooth transitions between early learning and K-12 programs;
     (((j))) (i) To develop and adopt rules for administration of the program of early learning established in RCW 43.215.141; and
     (((k) To develop a comprehensive birth-to-three plan to provide education and support through a continuum of options including, but not limited to, services such as: Home visiting; quality incentives for infant and toddler child care subsidies; quality improvements for family home and center-based child care programs serving infants and toddlers; professional development; early literacy programs; and informal supports for family, friend, and neighbor caregivers; and
     (l)
)) (j) Upon the development of an early learning information system, to make available to parents timely inspection and licensing action information through the internet and other means.
     (3) The department's programs shall be designed in a way that respects and preserves the ability of parents and legal guardians to direct the education, development, and upbringing of their children, and that recognizes and honors cultural and linguistic diversity. The department shall include parents and legal guardians in the development of policies and program decisions affecting their children.

Sec. 204   RCW 43.215.147 and 2008 c 152 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     (((1))) Within available funds, the ((council for children and families)) department shall fund evidence-based and research-based home visitation programs for improving parenting skills and outcomes for children. Home visitation programs must be voluntary and must address the needs of families to alleviate the effect on child development of factors such as poverty, single parenthood, parental unemployment or underemployment, parental disability, or parental lack of high school diploma, which research shows are risk factors for child abuse and neglect and poor educational outcomes.
     (((2) The council for children and families shall develop a plan with the department of social and health services, the department of health, the department of early learning, and the family policy council to coordinate or consolidate home visitation services for children and families and report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007, with their recommendations for implementation of the plan.))

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 205   The following acts or parts of acts, as now existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 43.215.030 (Director -- Appointment -- Salary) and 2006 c 265 s 104;
     (2) RCW 43.215.040 (Director -- Power and duties) and 2006 c 265 s 105;
     (3) RCW 43.215.090 (Early learning advisory council -- Statewide early learning plan) and 2010 c 234 s 3, 2010 c 12 s 1, & 2007 c 394 s 3;
     (4) RCW 43.215.125 (Washington head start program proposal -- Report) and 2009 c 564 s 941 & 2008 c 164 s 2;
     (5) RCW 43.215.440 (Early childhood education and assistance program -- State support -- Priorities -- Program funding levels) and 1994 c 166 s 10, 1990 c 33 s 214, 1987 c 518 s 102, & 1985 c 418 s 9;
     (6) RCW 43.215.445 (Early childhood education and assistance program -- Reimbursement of advisory committee expenses) and 1985 c 418 s 10; and
     (7) RCW 41.06.097 (Department of early learning -- Certain personnel exempted from chapter) and 2006 c 265 s 110.

PART 3
K-12 EDUCATION

Sec. 301   RCW 28A.300.020 and 2005 c 497 s 403 are each amended to read as follows:
     The superintendent of public instruction may appoint assistant superintendents of public instruction, a deputy superintendent of public instruction, and may employ such other assistants and clerical help as are necessary to carry out the supervisory duties of the superintendent ((and the state board of education. However, the superintendent shall employ without undue delay the executive director of the state board of education and other state board of education office assistants and clerical help, appointed by the state board under RCW 28A.305.130, whose positions are allotted and funded in accordance with moneys appropriated exclusively for the operation of the state board of education. The rate of compensation and termination of any such executive director, state board office assistants, and clerical help shall be subject to the prior consent of the state board of education)). The assistant superintendents, deputy superintendent, and such other officers and employees as are exempted from the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW, shall serve at the pleasure of the superintendent ((or at the pleasure of the superintendent and the state board of education as provided in this section. Expenditures by the superintendent of public instruction for direct and indirect support of the state board of education are valid operational expenditures by and in behalf of the office of the superintendent of public instruction)).

Sec. 302   RCW 28A.300.030 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 275 s 46 are each amended to read as follows:
     The department of education or the superintendent of public instruction, by rule ((or regulation)), may require the assistance of educational service district boards and/or superintendents in the performance of any duty, authority, or power imposed upon or granted to the department of education or the superintendent of public instruction by law or by the Constitution of the state of Washington, upon such terms and conditions as the department of education or the superintendent of public instruction shall establish. Such authority to assist the superintendent of public instruction shall be limited to the service function of information collection and dissemination and the attestment to the accuracy and completeness of submitted information. Authority to assist the department of education shall include provision of services to students, educators, and organizations in settings from early learning through postsecondary education as directed by the department of education.

Sec. 303   RCW 28A.300.035 and 1994 c 113 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     If the superintendent of public instruction or the ((state board)) department of education, in carrying out their powers and duties under Title 28A RCW, request the service of any certificated or classified employee of a school district upon any committee formed for the purpose of furthering education within the state, or within any school district therein, and such service would result in a need for a school district to employ a substitute for such certificated or classified employee during such service, payment for such a substitute may be made by the superintendent of public instruction or the department of education from funds appropriated by the legislature for the current use of the common schools and such payments shall be construed as amounts needed for state support to the common schools under RCW 28A.150.380. If such substitute is paid by the superintendent of public instruction or the department of education, no deduction shall be made from the salary of the certificated or classified employee. In no event shall a school district deduct from the salary of a certificated or classified employee serving on such committee more than the amount paid the substitute employed by the district.

Sec. 304   RCW 28A.300.040 and 2009 c 556 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to any other powers and duties as provided by law, the powers and duties of the superintendent of public instruction shall be:
     (1) To have supervision over all matters pertaining to the public schools of the state;
     (2) To report to the governor and the legislature such information and data as may be required for the management and improvement of the schools;
     (3) To maximize integration with early learning and postsecondary education and to coordinate and collaborate with the secretary of education and other department of education officials in carrying out the duties of the department of education;
     (4)
To prepare and have printed such forms, registers, courses of study, rules for the government of the common schools, and such other material and books as may be necessary for the discharge of the duties of teachers and officials charged with the administration of the laws relating to the common schools, and to distribute the same to educational service district superintendents;
     (((4))) (5) To travel, without neglecting his or her other official duties as superintendent of public instruction, for the purpose of attending educational meetings or conventions, of visiting schools, and of consulting educational service district superintendents or other school officials;
     (((5))) (6) To prepare and from time to time to revise a manual of the Washington state common school code, copies of which shall be made available online and which shall be sold at approximate actual cost of publication and distribution per volume to public and nonpublic agencies or individuals, said manual to contain Titles 28A and 28C RCW, rules related to the common schools, and such other matter as the state superintendent or the state board of education shall determine. Proceeds of the sale of such code shall be transmitted to the public printer who shall credit the state superintendent's account within the state printing plant revolving fund by a like amount;
     (((6))) (7) To file all papers, reports and public documents transmitted to the superintendent by the school officials of the several counties or districts of the state, each year separately. Copies of all papers filed in the superintendent's office, and the superintendent's official acts, may, or upon request, shall be certified by the superintendent and attested by the superintendent's official seal, and when so certified shall be evidence of the papers or acts so certified to;
     (((7))) (8) To require annually, on or before the 15th day of August, of the president, manager, or principal of every educational institution in this state, a report as required by the superintendent of public instruction; and it is the duty of every president, manager, or principal, to complete and return such forms within such time as the superintendent of public instruction shall direct;
     (((8))) (9) To keep in the superintendent's office a record of all teachers receiving certificates to teach in the common schools of this state;
     (((9))) (10) To issue certificates as provided by law and the rules of the professional educator standards board;
     (((10))) (11) To keep in the superintendent's office at the capital of the state, all books and papers pertaining to the business of the superintendent's office, and to keep and preserve in the superintendent's office a complete record of statistics, as well as a record of the meetings of the state board of education;
     (((11))) (12) With the assistance of the office of the attorney general, to decide all points of law which may be submitted to the superintendent in writing by any educational service district superintendent, or that may be submitted to the superintendent by any other person, upon appeal from the decision of any educational service district superintendent; and the superintendent shall publish his or her rulings and decisions from time to time for the information of school officials and teachers; and the superintendent's decision shall be final unless set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction;
     (((12))) (13) To administer oaths and affirmations in the discharge of the superintendent's official duties;
     (((13))) (14) To deliver to his or her successor, at the expiration of the superintendent's term of office, all records, books, maps, documents and papers of whatever kind belonging to the superintendent's office or which may have been received by the superintendent's for the use of the superintendent's office;
     (((14))) (15) To administer family services and programs to promote the state's policy as provided in RCW 74.14A.025;
     (((15))) (16) To promote the adoption of school-based curricula and policies that provide quality, daily physical education for all students, and to encourage policies that provide all students with opportunities for physical activity outside of formal physical education classes;
     (((16))) (17) To perform such other duties as may be required by law.

Sec. 305   RCW 28A.300.041 and 2009 c 310 s 1 are each amended 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)) department of education, shall begin design and development of an overall K-12 assessment system that meets the principles and characteristics described in this section. In designing formative and summative assessments, the superintendent shall solicit bids for the use of computerized adaptive testing methodologies.
     (8) ((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.)) Beginning December 1, 2012, and annually thereafter, the department of education and the superintendent of public instruction shall jointly report to the legislature regarding the K-12 assessment system, including a cost analysis of any changes and costs to expand availability and use of instructionally supportive formative assessments as well as efforts to align the K-12 assessment system with assessment development and implementation in early learning and higher education as appropriate.

Sec. 306   RCW 28A.300.042 and 2009 c 468 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     All student data-related reports required of the superintendent of public instruction and the department of education in this title must be disaggregated by at least the following subgroups of students: White, Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Pacific Islander/Hawaiian Native, low income, transitional bilingual, migrant, special education, and students covered by section 504 of the federal rehabilitation act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794).

Sec. 307   RCW 28A.300.050 and 2006 c 263 s 819 are each amended to read as follows:
     The department of education and the superintendent of public instruction shall provide technical assistance to the professional educator standards board in the conduct of the activities described in RCW 28A.410.040 and 28A.410.050.

Sec. 308   RCW 28A.300.1361 and 2009 c 468 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((superintendent of public instruction)) department of education shall take all actions necessary to secure federal funds to support enhancing data collection and data system capacity in order to monitor progress in closing the achievement gap and to support other innovations and model programs that align education reform and address disproportionality in the public school system.

Sec. 309   RCW 28A.300.160 and 1995 c 399 s 21 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The ((office of the superintendent of public instruction)) department of education shall be the lead agency and shall assist the department of social and health services, ((the department of community, trade, and economic development)) early learning providers, and school districts in establishing a coordinated primary prevention program for child abuse and neglect.
     (2) In developing the program, consideration shall be given to the following:
     (a) Parent, teacher, and children's workshops whose information and training is:
     (i) Provided in a clear, age-appropriate, nonthreatening manner, delineating the problem and the range of possible solutions;
     (ii) Culturally and linguistically appropriate to the population served;
     (iii) Appropriate to the geographic area served; and
     (iv) Designed to help counteract common stereotypes about child abuse victims and offenders;
     (b) Training for school age children's parents and school staff, which includes:
     (i) Physical and behavioral indicators of abuse;
     (ii) Crisis counseling techniques;
     (iii) Community resources;
     (iv) Rights and responsibilities regarding reporting;
     (v) School district procedures to facilitate reporting and apprise supervisors and administrators of reports; and
     (vi) Caring for a child's needs after a report is made;
     (c) Training for licensed day care providers and parents that includes:
     (i) Positive child guidance techniques;
     (ii) Physical and behavioral indicators of abuse;
     (iii) Recognizing and providing safe, quality day care;
     (iv) Community resources;
     (v) Rights and responsibilities regarding reporting; and
     (vi) Caring for the abused or neglected child;
     (d) Training for children that includes:
     (i) The right of every child to live free of abuse;
     (ii) How to disclose incidents of abuse and neglect;
     (iii) The availability of support resources and how to obtain help;
     (iv) Child safety training and age-appropriate self-defense techniques; and
     (v) A period for crisis counseling and reporting immediately following the completion of each children's workshop in a school setting which maximizes the child's privacy and sense of safety.
     (3) The primary prevention program established under this section shall be a voluntary program and shall not be part of the basic program of education.
     (4) Parents shall be given notice of the primary prevention program and may refuse to have their children participate in the program.

Sec. 310   RCW 28A.300.250 and 1991 c 366 s 402 are each amended to read as follows:
     The department of education and the superintendent of public instruction shall aggressively solicit eligible schools, child and adult day care centers, and other organizations to participate in the nutrition programs authorized by the United States department of agriculture.

Sec. 311   RCW 28A.300.500 and 2007 c 401 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction is authorized to establish a longitudinal student data system for and on behalf of school districts in the state that is integrated with the research and data work of the department of education. The primary purpose of the data system is to better aid research into programs and interventions that are most effective in improving student performance, better understand the state's public educator workforce, and provide information on areas within the educational system that need improvement.
     (2) The confidentiality of personally identifiable student data shall be safeguarded consistent with the requirements of the federal family educational rights privacy act and applicable state laws. Consistent with the provisions of these federal and state laws, data may be disclosed for educational purposes and studies, including but not limited to:
     (a) Educational studies authorized or mandated by the state legislature;
     (b) Studies initiated by other state educational authorities and authorized by the office of the superintendent of public instruction or the department of education, including analysis conducted by the education data center established under RCW 43.41.400; and
     (c) Studies initiated by other public or private agencies and organizations and authorized by the office of the superintendent of public instruction or the department of education.
     (3) Any agency or organization that is authorized by the office of the superintendent of public instruction or the department of education to access student-level data shall adhere to all federal and state laws protecting student data and safeguarding the confidentiality and privacy of student records.
     (4) Nothing in this section precludes the office of the superintendent of public instruction or the department of education from collecting and distributing aggregate data about students or student-level data without personally identifiable information.

Sec. 312   RCW 28A.300.505 and 2007 c 401 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction in collaboration with the department of education shall develop standards for school data systems that focus on validation and verification of data entered into the systems to ensure accuracy and compatibility of data. The standards shall address but are not limited to the following topics:
     (a) Date validation;
     (b) Code validation, which includes gender, race or ethnicity, and other code elements;
     (c) Decimal and integer validation; and
     (d) Required field validation as defined by state and federal requirements.
     (2) The superintendent of public instruction in collaboration with the department of education shall develop a reporting format and instructions for school districts to collect and submit data on student demographics that is disaggregated by distinct ethnic categories within racial subgroups so that analyses may be conducted on student achievement using the disaggregated data.

Sec. 313   RCW 28A.305.130 and 2009 c 548 s 502 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((The purpose of the state board of education is to provide advocacy and strategic oversight of public education; implement a standards-based accountability framework that creates a unified system of increasing levels of support for schools in order to improve student academic achievement; provide leadership in the creation of a system that personalizes education for each student and respects diverse cultures, abilities, and learning styles; and promote achievement of the goals of RCW 28A.150.210. In addition to any other powers and duties as provided by law, the state board of education shall:
     (1) Hold regularly scheduled meetings at such time and place within the state as the board shall determine and may hold such special meetings as may be deemed necessary for the transaction of public business;
     (2) Form committees as necessary to effectively and efficiently conduct the work of the board;
     (3) Seek advice from the public and interested parties regarding the work of the board;
     (4)
)) (1) For purposes of statewide kindergarten through grade twelve accountability, the secretary of education shall:
     (a) Adopt and revise performance improvement goals in reading, writing, science, and mathematics, by subject and grade level, once assessments in these subjects are required statewide; academic and technical skills, as appropriate, in secondary career and technical education programs; and student attendance, ((as the board deems)) appropriate to improve student learning. The goals shall be consistent with student privacy protection provisions of RCW 28A.655.090(7) and shall not conflict with requirements contained in Title I of the federal elementary and secondary education act of 1965, or the requirements of the Carl D. Perkins vocational education act of 1998, each as amended. The goals may be established for all students, economically disadvantaged students, limited English proficient students, students with disabilities, and students from disproportionately academically underachieving racial and ethnic backgrounds. The ((board)) secretary may establish school and school district goals addressing high school graduation rates and dropout reduction goals for students in grades seven through twelve. The ((board)) secretary shall adopt the goals by rule. However, before each goal is implemented, the ((board)) secretary shall present the goal to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate for the committees' review and comment in a time frame that will permit the legislature to take statutory action on the goal if such action is deemed warranted by the legislature;
     (b) Identify the scores students must achieve in order to meet the standard on the Washington assessment of student learning and, for high school students, to obtain a certificate of academic achievement. The ((board)) secretary shall also determine student scores that identify levels of student performance below and beyond the standard. The ((board)) secretary shall consider the incorporation of the standard error of measurement into the decision regarding the award of the certificates. The ((board)) secretary shall set such performance standards and levels in consultation with the ((superintendent of public instruction)) P-20 education council created in section 107 of this act and after consideration of any recommendations that may be developed by any advisory committees that may be established for this purpose. The initial performance standards and any changes recommended by the ((board)) secretary in the performance standards for the tenth grade assessment shall be presented to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate by November 30th of the school year in which the changes will take place to permit the legislature to take statutory action before the changes are implemented if such action is deemed warranted by the legislature. The legislature shall be advised of the initial performance standards and any changes made to the elementary level performance standards and the middle school level performance standards;
     (c) Annually review the assessment reporting system to ensure fairness, accuracy, timeliness, and equity of opportunity, especially with regard to schools with special circumstances and unique populations of students, and ((a recommendation to the superintendent of public instruction of)) recommend any improvements needed to the system; ((and))
     (d) ((Include in the biennial report required under RCW 28A.305.035,)) Annually report to the legislature information on the progress that has been made in achieving adopted goals ((adopted by the board));
     (((5))) (e) Accredit, subject to such accreditation standards and procedures as may be established by the ((state board)) department of education, all private schools that apply for accreditation, and approve, subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.195.010, private schools carrying out a program for any or all of the grades kindergarten through twelve: PROVIDED, That no private school may be approved that operates a kindergarten program only: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no private schools shall be placed upon the list of accredited schools so long as secret societies are knowingly allowed to exist among its students by school officials; and
     (((6))) (f) Articulate with the institutions of higher education, workforce representatives, and early learning policymakers and providers to coordinate and unify the work of the public school system((;
     (7) Hire an executive director and an administrative assistant to reside in the office of the superintendent of public instruction for administrative purposes. Any other personnel of the board shall be appointed as provided by RCW 28A.300.020. The board may delegate to the executive director by resolution such duties as deemed necessary to efficiently carry on the business of the board including, but not limited to, the authority to employ necessary personnel and the authority to enter into, amend, and terminate contracts on behalf of the board. The executive director, administrative assistant, and all but one of the other personnel of the board are exempt from civil service, together with other staff as now or hereafter designated as exempt in accordance with chapter 41.06 RCW; and
     (8) Adopt a seal that shall be kept in the office of the superintendent of public instruction
)).

Sec. 314   RCW 28A.310.010 and 2009 c 381 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:
     It shall be the intent and purpose of this chapter to establish educational service districts as regional agencies which are intended to:
     (1) Provide cooperative and informational services to local school districts and to other education providers as appropriate;
     (2) Assist the department of education and the superintendent of public instruction ((and the state board of education)) in the performance of their respective statutory or constitutional duties; and
     (3) Provide services to school districts and to the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss and the school for the blind to assure equal educational opportunities and other education providers as appropriate.

Sec. 315   RCW 28A.310.200 and 2009 c 381 s 27 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to other powers and duties as provided by law, every educational service district board shall:
     (1) Approve the budgets of the educational service district in accordance with the procedures provided for in this chapter;
     (2) Meet regularly according to the schedule adopted at the organization meeting and in special session upon the call of the chair or a majority of the board;
     (3) Approve the selection of educational service district personnel and clerical staff as provided in RCW 28A.310.230;
     (4) Fix the amount of and approve the bonds for those educational service district employees designated by the board as being in need of bonding;
     (5) Keep in the educational service district office a full and correct transcript of the boundaries of each school district within the educational service district;
     (6) Acquire by borrowing funds or by purchase, lease, devise, bequest, and gift and otherwise contract for real and personal property necessary for the operation of the educational service district and to the execution of the duties of the board and superintendent thereof and sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of that property not necessary for district purposes. No real property shall be acquired or alienated without the prior approval of the superintendent of public instruction and the acquisition or alienation of all such property shall be subject to such provisions as the superintendent may establish. When borrowing funds for the purpose of acquiring property, the educational service district board shall pledge as collateral the property to be acquired. Borrowing shall be evidenced by a note or other instrument between the district and the lender;
     (7) Under RCW 28A.310.010, upon the written request of the board of directors of a local school district or districts served by the educational service district, the educational service district board of directors may provide cooperative and informational services not in conflict with other law that provide for the development and implementation of programs, activities, services, or practices that support the education of preschool through twelfth grade students in the public schools or that support the effective, efficient, or safe management and operation of the school district or districts served by the educational service district, or assist the department of education in providing services to students, educators, and organizations in settings from early learning through postsecondary education;
     (8) Adopt such bylaws and rules for its own operation as it deems necessary or appropriate; and
     (9) Enter into contracts, including contracts with common and educational service districts and the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss and the school for the blind for the joint financing of cooperative service programs conducted pursuant to RCW 28A.310.180(3), and employ consultants and legal counsel relating to any of the duties, functions, and powers of the educational service districts.

Sec. 316   RCW 28A.310.210 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 275 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to other powers and duties prescribed by law every educational service district board shall be authorized to((:
     (1)
)) pay the expenses of its members in accordance with law for attendance at statewide meetings of educational service district board members.
     (((2) Pay dues from educational service district funds in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars per board member per year for membership in a statewide association of educational service district board members: PROVIDED, That dues to such an association shall not be paid unless the formation of such an association, including its constitution and bylaws, is approved by a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the educational service district boards within the state: PROVIDED FURTHER, That such association if formed shall not employ any staff but shall contract either with the Washington state school directors' association or with the superintendent of public instruction for staff and informational services.))

Sec. 317   RCW 28A.310.270 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 275 s 24 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to other powers and duties as provided by law, each educational service district superintendent shall:
     (1) Serve as chief executive officer of the educational service district and secretary of the educational service district board.
     (2) Visit the schools in the educational service district, counsel with directors and staff, and assist in every possible way to advance the educational ((interest in)) interests of the department of education and the educational service district.

Sec. 318   RCW 28A.310.280 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 275 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to other powers and duties as provided by law, each educational service district superintendent shall:
     (1) Perform such record keeping, including such annual reports as may be required, and liaison and informational services to local school districts, the department of education, and the superintendent of public instruction as required by rule ((or regulation)) of the department of education or the superintendent of public instruction ((or state board of education)): PROVIDED, That the department of education and the superintendent of public instruction ((and the state board of education)) may require some or all of the school districts to report information directly when such reporting procedures are deemed desirable or feasible.
     (2) Keep records of official acts of the educational service district board and superintendents in accordance with RCW ((28A.21.120, as now or hereafter amended)) 28A.310.310.
     (3) Preserve carefully all reports of school officers and teachers and deliver to the successor of the office all records, books, documents, and papers belonging to the office either personally or through a personal representative, taking a receipt for the same, which shall be filed in the office of the county auditor in the county where the office is located.

Sec. 319   RCW 28A.310.340 and 1990 c 33 s 286 are each amended to read as follows:
     It is the intent of the legislature that a basic core of uniform services be provided by educational service districts and be identified in statute so that biennial budget requests for educational service districts may be based upon measurable goals and needs. Educational service districts as noted in RCW 28A.310.010, are intended primarily to:
     (1) Provide cooperative and informational services to local districts and to perform functions for those districts when such functions are more effectively or economically administered from the regional level;
     (2) Assist the state educational agencies, the department of education, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction ((and the state board of education)) in the legal performance of their duties; and
     (3) Assist in providing pupils with equal educational opportunities.
     The purpose of RCW 28A.310.350 and 28A.310.360 is to further identify those core services in order to prepare educational service district budgets for the 1979-81 biennium, and those bienniums beyond.

Sec. 320   RCW 28A.310.400 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 275 s 35 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((superintendent of public instruction)) department of education shall be responsible for the provision of legal services to all educational service districts: PROVIDED, That any educational service district board may contract with any county for the legal services of its prosecuting attorney.

Sec. 321   RCW 28A.315.005 and 1999 c 315 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Under the constitutional framework and the laws of the state of Washington, the governance structure for the state's public common school system is comprised of the following bodies: The legislature, the governor, the superintendent of public instruction, the ((state board)) department of education, the educational service district boards of directors, and local school district boards of directors. The respective policy and administrative roles of each body are determined by the state Constitution and statutes.
     (2) Local school districts are political subdivisions of the state and the organization of such districts, including the powers, duties, and boundaries thereof, may be altered or abolished by laws of the state of Washington.

Sec. 322   RCW 28A.315.115 and 1985 c 385 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     Persons possessing the status of any of the following positions shall not be eligible to be a member of a regional committee: The secretary of education, the superintendent of public instruction, ((a member of the state board of education,)) an educational service district superintendent, a member of a board of directors of a school district, a member of an educational service district board, a member of a governing board of either a private school or a private school district which conducts any grades kindergarten through twelve, officers appointed by any such governing board, and employees of a school district, an educational service district, the ((office of the superintendent of public instruction)) department of education, a private school, or a private school district.

Sec. 323   RCW 28A.315.185 and 2006 c 263 s 509 are each amended to read as follows:
     To the extent funds are appropriated, the superintendent of public instruction, in cooperation with the educational service districts and the ((Washington state school directors' association)) state association representing the school district boards of directors, shall conduct an annual training meeting for the regional committees, educational service district superintendents, and local school district superintendents and boards of directors. Training may also be provided upon request.

Sec. 324   RCW 28A.410.010 and 2005 c 497 s 203 are each amended to read as follows:
     The Washington professional educator standards board shall establish, publish, and enforce rules determining eligibility for and certification of personnel employed in the common schools of this state, including certification for emergency or temporary, substitute or provisional duty and under such certificates or permits as the board shall deem proper or as otherwise prescribed by law. The rules shall require that the initial application for certification shall require a record check of the applicant through the Washington state patrol criminal identification system and through the federal bureau of investigation at the applicant's expense. The record check shall include a fingerprint check using a complete Washington state criminal identification fingerprint card. ((The superintendent of public instruction may waive)) Professional educator standards board rules may provide for a waiver of the record check for any applicant who has had a record check within the two years before application. The rules shall permit a holder of a lapsed certificate but not a revoked or suspended certificate to be employed on a conditional basis by a school district with the requirement that the holder must complete any certificate renewal requirements established by the ((state board of education)) professional educator standards board within two years of initial reemployment.
     In establishing rules pertaining to the qualifications of instructors of American sign language the board shall consult with the national association of the deaf, "sign instructors guidance network" (s.i.g.n.), and the Washington state association of the deaf for evaluation and certification of sign language instructors.
     The superintendent of public instruction shall act as the administrator of any such rules and have the power to issue any certificates or permits and revoke the same in accordance with professional educator standards board rules.

Sec. 325   RCW 28A.410.090 and 2009 c 396 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Any certificate or permit authorized under the provisions of this chapter, chapter 28A.405 RCW, or rules ((promulgated)) adopted thereunder by the professional educator standards board, may be revoked or suspended by the authority authorized to grant the same based upon a criminal records report authorized by law, or upon the complaint of any school district superintendent, educational service district superintendent, or private school administrator for immorality, violation of written contract, unprofessional conduct, intemperance, or crime against the law of the state. School district superintendents, educational service district superintendents, or private school administrators may file a complaint concerning any certificated employee of a school district, educational service district, or private school and this filing authority is not limited to employees of the complaining superintendent or administrator. Such written complaint shall state the grounds and summarize the factual basis upon which a determination has been made that an investigation by the superintendent of public instruction is warranted.
     (b) If the superintendent of public instruction has reasonable cause to believe that an alleged violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it has occurred based on a written complaint alleging physical abuse or sexual misconduct by a certificated school employee filed by a parent or another person, but no complaint has been forwarded to the superintendent by a school district superintendent, educational service district superintendent, or private school administrator, and that a school district superintendent, educational service district superintendent, or private school administrator has sufficient notice of the alleged violation and opportunity to file a complaint, the superintendent of public instruction may cause an investigation to be made of the alleged violation, together with such other matters that may be disclosed in the course of the investigation related to certificated personnel.
     (2) A parent or another person may file a written complaint with the superintendent of public instruction alleging physical abuse or sexual misconduct by a certificated school employee if:
     (a) The parent or other person has already filed a written complaint with the educational service district superintendent concerning that employee;
     (b) The educational service district superintendent has not caused an investigation of the allegations and has not forwarded the complaint to the superintendent of public instruction for investigation; and
     (c) The written complaint states the grounds and factual basis upon which the parent or other person believes an investigation should be conducted.
     (3)(a) Any such certificate or permit authorized under this chapter or chapter 28A.405 RCW shall be revoked by the authority authorized to grant the certificate upon a guilty plea or the conviction of any felony crime specified under RCW 28A.400.322, in accordance with this section. The person whose certificate is in question shall be given an opportunity to be heard.
     (b) Mandatory permanent revocation upon a guilty plea or the conviction of felony crimes specified under RCW 28A.400.322(1) shall apply to such convictions or guilty pleas which occur after July 23, 1989, and before July 26, 2009.
     (c) Mandatory permanent revocation upon a guilty plea or conviction of felony crimes specified under RCW 28A.400.322(2) shall apply to such convictions or guilty pleas that occur on or after July 26, 2009.
     (d) Revocation of any certificate or permit authorized under this chapter or chapter 28A.405 RCW for a guilty plea or criminal conviction of a crime specified under RCW 28A.400.322 occurring prior to July 23, 1989, shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section.
     (4)(a) Any such certificate or permit authorized under this chapter or chapter 28A.405 RCW shall be suspended or revoked, according to the provisions of this subsection, by the authority authorized to grant the certificate upon a finding that an employee has engaged in an unauthorized use of school equipment to intentionally access material depicting sexually explicit conduct or has intentionally possessed on school grounds any material depicting sexually explicit conduct; except for material used in conjunction with established curriculum. A first time violation of this subsection shall result in either suspension or revocation of the employee's certificate or permit as determined by the office of the superintendent of public instruction. A second violation shall result in a mandatory revocation of the certificate or permit.
     (b) In all cases under this subsection (4), the person whose certificate is in question shall be given an opportunity to be heard ((and has the right to appeal as established in RCW 28A.410.100)). Certificates or permits shall be suspended or revoked under this subsection only if findings are made on or after July 24, 2005. For the purposes of this subsection, "sexually explicit conduct" has the same definition as provided in RCW 9.68A.011.
     (5) Any such certificate or permit authorized under this chapter or chapter 28A.405 RCW shall be revoked by the authority authorized to grant the certificate upon a finding that the certificate holder obtained the certificate through fraudulent means, including fraudulent misrepresentation of required academic credentials or prior criminal record. In all cases under this subsection, the person whose certificate is in question shall be given an opportunity to be heard ((and has the right to appeal as established in RCW 28A.410.100)). Certificates or permits shall be revoked under this subsection only if findings are made on or after July 26, 2009.

Sec. 326   RCW 28A.410.200 and 2009 c 531 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) The Washington professional educator standards board is created, consisting of ((twelve)) thirteen members to be appointed by the governor to four-year terms ((and the superintendent of public instruction. On August 1, 2009, the board shall be reduced to twelve members)).
     (b) Vacancies on the board shall be filled by appointment or reappointment by the governor to terms of four years.
     (c) No person may serve as a member of the board for more than two consecutive full four-year terms.
     (d) The governor shall biennially appoint the chair of the board. No board member may serve as chair for more than four consecutive years.
     (2) A majority of the members of the board shall be active practitioners with the majority being classroom based. Membership on the board shall include individuals having one or more of the following:
     (a) Experience in one or more of the education roles for which state preparation program approval is required and certificates issued;
     (b) Experience providing or leading a state-approved teacher or educator preparation program;
     (c) Experience providing mentoring and coaching to education professionals or others; and
     (d) Education-related community experience.
     (3) In appointing board members, the governor shall consider the individual's commitment to quality education and the ongoing improvement of instruction, experiences in the public schools or private schools, involvement in developing quality teaching preparation and support programs, and vision for the most effective yet practical system of assuring teaching quality. The governor shall also consider the diversity of the population of the state.
     (4) All appointments to the board made by the governor are subject to confirmation by the senate.
     (5) Each member of the board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of the board in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (6) The governor may remove a member of the board for neglect of duty, misconduct, malfeasance or misfeasance in office, or for incompetency or unprofessional conduct as defined in chapter 18.130 RCW. In such a case, the governor shall file with the secretary of state a statement of the causes for and the order of removal from office, and the secretary of state shall send a certified copy of the statement of causes and order of removal to the last known post office address of the member.
     (7) ((Members of the board shall hire an executive director and an administrative assistant to reside in the office of the superintendent of public instruction for administrative purposes only)) The board shall perform the following activities related to the executive director of the board: (a) Develop a process for recommending candidates for the position of executive director and, upon a vacancy occurring, submit a list of three qualified candidates for executive director to the secretary; and (b) submit an annual evaluation of the executive director to the secretary of education.
     (8) Members of the board may create informal advisory groups as needed to inform the board's work.

Sec. 327   RCW 28A.410.210 and 2009 c 531 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     The purpose of the professional educator standards board is to establish policies and requirements for the preparation and certification of educators that provide standards for competency in professional knowledge and practice in the areas of certification; a foundation of skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to help students with diverse needs, abilities, cultural experiences, and learning styles meet or exceed the learning goals outlined in RCW 28A.150.210; knowledge of research-based practice; and professional development throughout a career. The Washington professional educator standards board shall:
     (1) Establish policies and practices for the approval of programs of courses, requirements, and other activities leading to educator certification including teacher, school administrator, and educational staff associate certification;
     (2) Establish policies and practices for the approval of the character of work required to be performed as a condition of entrance to and graduation from any educator preparation program including teacher, school administrator, and educational staff associate preparation program as provided in subsection (1) of this section;
     (3) Establish a list of accredited institutions of higher education of this and other states whose graduates may be awarded educator certificates as teacher, school administrator, and educational staff associate and establish criteria and enter into agreements with other states to acquire reciprocal approval of educator preparation programs and certification, including teacher certification from the national board for professional teaching standards;
     (4) Establish policies for approval of nontraditional educator preparation programs;
     (5) Conduct a review of educator program approval standards at least every five years, beginning in 2006, to reflect research findings and assure continued improvement of preparation programs for teachers, administrators, and school specialized personnel;
     (6) Specify the types and kinds of educator certificates to be issued and conditions, including certificate suspension and revocation, for certification in accordance with subsection (1) of this section ((and)), RCW 28A.410.010, and as authorized by law;
     (7) Apply for and receive federal or other funds on behalf of the state for purposes related to the duties of the board;
     (8) Adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW that are necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of this chapter;
     (9) Maintain data concerning educator preparation programs and their quality, educator certification, educator employment trends and needs, and other data deemed relevant by the board;
     (10) Serve as an advisory body to the department of education and the superintendent of public instruction on issues related to educator recruitment, hiring, mentoring and support, professional growth, retention, educator evaluation including but not limited to peer evaluation, and revocation and suspension of licensure;
     (11) Submit, by October 15th of each even-numbered year, a ((joint)) report ((with the state board of education)) to the legislative education committees((,)) and the governor((, and the superintendent of public instruction. The report shall address the progress the boards have made and the obstacles they have encountered, individually and collectively, in the work of achieving the goals set out in RCW 28A.150.210)) regarding the work accomplished by the board as directed by this chapter and any recommendations for improvements related to the effective and efficient discharge of these duties and the programs administered;
     (12) Establish the prospective teacher assessment system for basic skills and subject knowledge that shall be required to obtain residency certification pursuant to RCW 28A.410.220 through 28A.410.240;
     (13) By January 2010, set performance standards and develop, pilot, and implement a uniform and externally administered professional-level certification assessment based on demonstrated teaching skill. In the development of this assessment, consideration shall be given to changes in professional certification program components such as the culminating seminar; and
     (14) Conduct meetings under the provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW.

Sec. 328   RCW 28A.410.220 and 2008 c 176 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Beginning not later than September 1, 2001, the Washington professional educator standards board shall make available and pilot a means of assessing an applicant's knowledge in the basic skills. For the purposes of this section, "basic skills" means the subjects of at least reading, writing, and mathematics. Beginning September 1, 2002, except as provided in (c) of this subsection and subsection (4) of this section, passing this assessment shall be required for admission to approved teacher preparation programs and for persons from out-of-state applying for a Washington state residency teaching certificate.
     (b) On an individual student basis, approved teacher preparation programs may admit into their programs a candidate who has not achieved the minimum basic skills assessment score established by the Washington professional educator standards board. Individuals so admitted may not receive residency certification without passing the basic skills assessment under this section.
     (c) The Washington professional educator standards board may establish criteria to ensure that persons from out-of-state who are applying for residency certification and persons applying to master's degree level teacher preparation programs can demonstrate to the board's satisfaction that they have the requisite basic skills based upon having completed another basic skills assessment acceptable to the Washington professional educator standards board or by some other alternative approved by the Washington professional educator standards board.
     (2) The professional educator standards board shall set performance standards and develop, pilot, and implement a uniform and externally administered professional-level certification assessment based on demonstrated teaching skill. In the development of this assessment, consideration shall be given to changes in professional certification program components such as the culminating seminar.
     (3) Beginning not later than September 1, 2002, the Washington professional educator standards board shall provide for the initial piloting and implementation of a means of assessing an applicant's knowledge in the subjects for which the applicant has applied for an endorsement to his or her residency or professional teaching certificate. The assessment of subject knowledge shall not include instructional methodology. Beginning September 1, 2005, passing this assessment shall be required to receive an endorsement for certification purposes.
     (4) The Washington professional educator standards board may permit exceptions from the assessment requirements under subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section on a case-by-case basis.
     (5) The Washington professional educator standards board shall provide for reasonable accommodations for individuals who are required to take the assessments in subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section if the individuals have learning or other disabilities.
     (6) With the exception of applicants exempt from the requirements of subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section, an applicant must achieve a minimum assessment score or scores established by the Washington professional educator standards board on each of the assessments under subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section.
     (7) The Washington professional educator standards board and ((superintendent of public instruction)) the department of education, as determined by the Washington professional educator standards board, may contract with one or more third parties for:
     (a) The development, purchase, administration, scoring, and reporting of scores of the assessments established by the Washington professional educator standards board under subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section;
     (b) Related clerical and administrative activities; or
     (c) Any combination of the purposes in this subsection.
     (8) Applicants for admission to a Washington teacher preparation program and applicants for residency and professional certificates who are required to successfully complete one or more of the assessments under subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section, and who are charged a fee for the assessment by a third party contracted with under subsection (7) of this section, shall pay the fee charged by the contractor directly to the contractor. Such fees shall be reasonably related to the actual costs of the contractor in providing the assessment.
     (9) ((The superintendent of public instruction is responsible for supervision and providing support services to administer this section.
     (10)
)) The Washington professional educator standards board shall ((collaboratively)) select or develop and implement the assessments and minimum assessment scores required under this section ((with the superintendent of public instruction)) and shall provide opportunities for representatives of other interested educational organizations to participate in the selection or development and implementation of such assessments in a manner deemed appropriate by the Washington professional educator standards board.
     (((11))) (10) The Washington professional educator standards board shall adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW that are reasonably necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of this section.

Sec. 329   RCW 43.06B.010 and 2006 c 116 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) There is hereby created the office of the education ombudsman within the ((office of the governor)) department of education for the purposes of providing information to parents, students, and others regarding their rights and responsibilities with respect to the state's public elementary and secondary education system, and advocating on behalf of elementary and secondary students.
     (2)(a) The governor shall appoint an ombudsman who shall be a person of recognized judgment, independence, objectivity, and integrity and shall be qualified by training or experience or both in the following areas:
     (i) Public education law and policy in this state;
     (ii) Dispute resolution or problem resolution techniques, including mediation and negotiation; and
     (iii) Community outreach.
     (b) The education ombudsman may not be an employee of any school district((, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, or the state board of education)) while serving as an education ombudsman.
     (3) Before the appointment of the education ombudsman, the governor shall share information regarding the appointment to a six-person legislative committee appointed and comprised as follows:
     (a) The committee shall consist of three senators and three members of the house of representatives from the legislature.
     (b) The senate members of the committee shall be appointed by the president of the senate. Two members shall represent the majority caucus and one member the minority caucus.
     (c) The house of representatives members of the committee shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. Two members shall represent the majority caucus and one member the minority caucus.
     (4) If sufficient appropriations are provided, the education ombudsman shall delegate and certify regional education ombudsmen. The education ombudsman shall ensure that the regional ombudsmen selected are appropriate to the community in which they serve and hold the same qualifications as in subsection (2)(a) of this section. The education ombudsman may not contract with ((the superintendent of public instruction, or)) any school, school district, or current employee of a school((,)) or school district((, or the office of the superintendent of public instruction)) for the provision of regional ombudsman services.

Sec. 330   RCW 43.06B.030 and 2006 c 116 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Neither the education ombudsman nor any regional educational ombudsmen are liable for good faith performance of responsibilities under this chapter.
     (2) No discriminatory, disciplinary, or retaliatory action may be taken against any student or employee of any school district, the office of the superintendent of public ((education [instruction], or the state board)) instruction, or the department of education, for any communication made, or information given or disclosed, to aid the education ombudsman in carrying out his or her duties and responsibilities, unless the same was done without good faith or maliciously. This subsection is not intended to infringe upon the rights of a school district to supervise, discipline, or terminate an employee for other reasons or to discipline a student for other reasons.
     (3) All communications by the education ombudsman or the ombudsman's staff or designee, if reasonably related to the education ombudsman's duties and responsibilities and done in good faith, are privileged and that privilege shall serve as a defense to any action in libel or slander.

Sec. 331   RCW 43.06B.050 and 2006 c 116 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     The education ombudsman shall report on the work and accomplishment of the office and advise and make recommendations to the governor((,)) and the legislature((, and the state board of education annually. The initial report to the governor, the legislature, and the state board of education shall be made by September 1, 2007, and there shall be annual reports)) annually by September 1st of each year ((thereafter)). The annual reports shall provide at least the following information:
     (1) How the education ombudsman's services have been used and by whom;
     (2) Methods for the education ombudsman to increase and enhance family and community involvement in public education;
     (3) Recommendations to eliminate barriers and obstacles to meaningful family and community involvement in public education; and
     (4) Strategies to improve the educational opportunities for all students in the state, including recommendations from organizations and groups provided in RCW 43.06B.020(8).

Sec. 332   RCW 72.40.010 and 2009 c 381 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     There are established at Vancouver, Clark county, a school which shall be known as the state school for the blind, and a separate school which shall be known as the state school for the deaf. The primary purpose of the state school for the blind and the state school for the deaf is to educate and train hearing and visually impaired children.
     The school for the blind shall be under the direction of the superintendent with the advice of the board of trustees. The superintendent shall report to the secretary of education. The school for the deaf shall be under the direction of the director of the center for childhood deafness and hearing loss or the director's designee ((and)) with the advice of the board of trustees. The director shall report to the secretary of education.

Sec. 333   RCW 72.40.015 and 2009 c 381 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss is established within the department of education to provide statewide leadership for the coordination and delivery of educational services to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The activities of the center shall be under the ((authority)) direction of the director and advice of the board of trustees. ((The superintendent and board of trustees of the state school for the deaf as of July 26, 2009, shall be the director and board of trustees of the center.))
     (2) The center's primary functions are:
     (a) Managing and directing the supervision of the state school for the deaf;
     (b) Providing statewide leadership and support for the coordination of regionally delivered educational services in the full range of communication modalities, for children who are deaf or hard of hearing; and
     (c) Collaborating with appropriate public and private partners for the training and professional development of educators serving children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Sec. 334   RCW 72.40.019 and 2009 c 381 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((governor)) secretary of education shall appoint a director for the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss. The director shall have a master's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in school administration or deaf education, five or more years of experience teaching or providing habilitative services to deaf or hard of hearing students, and three or more years administrative or supervisory experience in programs for deaf or hard of hearing students.

Sec. 335   RCW 72.40.0191 and 2009 c 381 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to any other powers and duties prescribed by law, the director of the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss:
     (1) Shall be responsible for the supervision and management of the center, including the state school for the deaf, and the property of various kinds. The director may designate an individual to oversee the day-to-day operation and supervision of students at the school;
     (2) Shall employ members of the faculty, administrative officers, and other employees, who shall all be subject to chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, unless specifically exempted by other provisions of law;
     (3) Shall provide technical assistance and support as appropriate to local and regional efforts to build critical mass and communication-rich networking opportunities for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families;
     (4) Shall establish the course of study including vocational training, with the assistance of the faculty and the approval of the board of trustees;
     (5) Shall((, as approved by the board of trustees,)) control and authorize the use of the facilities for night school, summer school, public meetings, applied research and training for the instruction of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, outreach and support to families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, or other purposes consistent with the purposes of the center;
     (6) Shall purchase all supplies and lease or purchase equipment and other personal property needed for the operation or maintenance of the center;
     (7) Shall prepare((, submit to the board of trustees for approval,)) and administer the budget consistent with RCW 43.88.160 and the budget and accounting act, chapter 43.88 RCW generally, as applicable;
     (8) Shall provide technical assistance and support to educational service districts for the regional delivery of a full range of educational services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing, including but not limited to services relying on American Sign Language, auditory oral education, total communication, and signed exact English;
     (9) As requested by educational service districts, shall recruit, employ, and deploy itinerant teachers to provide in-district services to children who are deaf or hard of hearing;
     (10) May establish criteria, in addition to state certification, for the teachers at the school and employees of the center;
     (11) May establish((, with the approval of the board of trustees,)) new facilities as needs demand;
     (12) May adopt rules, under chapter 34.05 RCW, ((as approved by the board of trustees and)) as deemed necessary for the governance, management, and operation of the center;
     (13) May adopt rules((, as approved by the board of trustees,)) for pedestrian and vehicular traffic on property owned, operated, and maintained by the center;
     (14) Except as otherwise provided by law, may enter into contracts as the director deems essential to the purpose of the center;
     (15) May receive gifts, grants, conveyances, devises, and bequests of real or personal property from whatever source, as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, whenever the terms and conditions will aid in carrying out the programs of the center; sell, lease, or exchange, invest, or expend the same or the proceeds, rents, profits, and income thereof except as limited by the terms and conditions thereof; and adopt rules to govern the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds, rents, profits, and income thereof;
     (16) May adopt rules((, as approved by the board of trustees,)) providing for the transferability of employees between the center and the school for the blind consistent with collective bargaining agreements in effect; and
     (17) May adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW((, as approved by the board of trustees,)) and perform all other acts not forbidden by law as the director deems necessary or appropriate to the administration of the center.

Sec. 336   RCW 72.40.020 and 1985 c 378 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((governor)) secretary of education shall appoint a superintendent for the state school for the blind. The superintendent shall have a master's degree from an accredited college or university in school administration or blind education, five years of experience teaching blind students in the classroom, and three years administrative or supervisory experience in programs for blind students.

Sec. 337   RCW 72.40.024 and 2009 c 381 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to the powers and duties under RCW 72.40.022 and 72.40.0191, the superintendent of the school for the blind and the director of the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, or the director's designee, shall:
     (1) Monitor the location and educational placement of each student reported to the superintendent and the director, or the director's designee, by the educational service district superintendents;
     (2) Provide information about educational programs, instructional techniques, materials, equipment, and resources available to students with visual or auditory impairments to the parent or guardian, educational service district superintendent, and the superintendent of the school district where the student resides; and
     (3) Serve as a consultant to the department of education and the office of the superintendent of public instruction, provide instructional leadership, and assist school districts in improving their instructional programs for students with visual or hearing impairments.

Sec. 338   RCW 72.41.010 and 1985 c 378 s 28 are each amended to read as follows:
     It is the intention of the legislature in creating a board of trustees for the state school for the blind to perform the duties set forth in this chapter, that the board of trustees perform needed advisory services to the legislature, to the secretary of education, and to the superintendent of the Washington state school for the blind, in the development of programs for the visually impaired, and in the operation of the Washington state school for the blind.

Sec. 339   RCW 72.41.020 and 1993 c 147 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     There is hereby created a board of trustees for the state school for the blind to be composed of a resident from each of the state's congressional districts now or hereafter existing. Trustees with voting privileges shall be appointed by the ((governor with the consent of the senate)) secretary of education. A representative of the parent-teachers association of the Washington state school for the blind, a representative of the Washington council of the blind, a representative of the national federation of the blind of Washington, one representative designated by the teacher association of the Washington state school for the blind, and a representative of the classified staff designated by his or her exclusive bargaining representative shall each be ex officio and nonvoting members of the board of trustees and shall serve during their respective tenures in such positions.
     Trustees shall be appointed by the ((governor)) secretary of education to serve for a term of five years except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of any term shall be appointed within sixty days of the vacancy and appointed only for the remainder of the term.
     One trustee shall be a resident and qualified elector from each of the state's congressional districts. The board shall not be deemed to be unlawfully constituted and a trustee shall not be deemed ineligible to serve the remainder of the trustee's unexpired term on the board solely by reason of the establishment of new or revised boundaries for congressional districts. No voting trustee may be an employee of the state school for the blind, a member of the board of directors of any school district, a member of the governing board of any public or private educational institution, a school district or educational service district administrator, appointed after July 1, 1986, or an elected officer or member of the legislative authority or any municipal corporation.
     The board of trustees shall organize itself by electing a chairman from its members. The board shall adopt a seal and may adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations as it deems necessary for its own government. A majority of the voting members of the board in office shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may convene from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent members in such manner as prescribed in its bylaws, rules, or regulations. The superintendent of the state school for the blind shall serve as, or may designate another person to serve as, the secretary of the board, who shall not be deemed to be a member of the board.

Sec. 340   RCW 72.41.040 and 1985 c 378 s 30 are each amended to read as follows:
     The board of trustees of the state school for the blind:
     (1) Shall monitor and inspect all existing facilities of the state school for the blind, and report its findings to the superintendent;
     (2) Shall study and recommend comprehensive programs of education and training and review the admission policy as set forth in RCW 72.40.040 and 72.40.050, and make appropriate recommendations to the superintendent;
     (3) Shall submit a list of three qualified candidates for superintendent to the ((governor)) secretary of education and shall advise the superintendent about the criteria and policy to be used in the selection of members of the faculty and such other administrative officers and other employees, who shall with the exception of the superintendent all be subject to chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, unless specifically exempted by other provisions of law. All employees and personnel classified under chapter 41.06 RCW shall continue, after July 1, 1986, to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing the state civil service law;
     (4) Shall submit an evaluation of the superintendent to the ((governor)) secretary of education by July 1st of each odd-numbered year and may recommend to the ((governor)) secretary of education that the superintendent be removed for misfeasance, malfeasance, or ((wilful)) willful neglect of duty;
     (5) May recommend to the superintendent the establishment of new facilities as needs demand;
     (6) May recommend to the superintendent rules and regulations for the government, management, and operation of such housing facilities deemed necessary or advisable;
     (7) May make recommendations to the superintendent concerning classrooms and other facilities to be used for summer or night schools, or for public meetings and for any other uses consistent with the use of such classrooms or facilities for the school for the blind;
     (8) May make recommendations to the superintendent for adoption of rules and regulations for pedestrian and vehicular traffic on property owned, operated, or maintained by the school for the blind;
     (9) Shall recommend to the superintendent, with the assistance of the faculty, the course of study including vocational training in the school for the blind, in accordance with other applicable provisions of law and rules and regulations;
     (10) May grant to every student, upon graduation or completion of a program or course of study, a suitable diploma, nonbaccalaureate degree, or certificate;
     (11) Shall participate in the development of, and monitor the enforcement of the rules and regulations pertaining to the school for the blind;
     (12) Shall perform any other duties and responsibilities prescribed by the superintendent.

Sec. 341   RCW 72.42.010 and 2009 c 381 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:
     It is the intention of the legislature, in creating a board of trustees for the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss to perform the duties set forth in this chapter, that the board of trustees perform needed ((oversight)) advisory services to the ((governor and)) the legislature, the secretary of education, and the director of the center in the development of programs for the hard of hearing, and in the operation of the center, including the school for the deaf.

Sec. 342   RCW 72.42.021 and 2009 c 381 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The governance of the center and the school shall be vested in a board of trustees. The board shall consist of nine members appointed by the ((governor, with the consent of the senate)) secretary of education. The board shall be composed of a resident from each of the state's congressional districts and may include:
     (a) One member who is deaf or hard of hearing;
     (b) Two members who are experienced educational professionals;
     (c) One member who is experienced in providing residential services to youth; and
     (d) One member who is the parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing and who is receiving or has received educational services related to deafness or hearing impairment from a public educational institution.
     (2) No voting trustee may be an employee of the school or the center, a member of the board of directors of any school district, a member of the governing board of any public or private educational institution or an elected officer or member of the legislative authority of any municipal corporation. No more than two voting trustees may be school district or educational service district administrators appointed after July 1, 1986.
     (3) Trustees shall be appointed by the ((governor)) secretary of education to serve a term of five years, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of a term shall be appointed within sixty days of the vacancy and appointed only for the remainder of the term. Of the initial members, three must be appointed for two-year terms, three must be appointed for three-year terms, and the remainder must be appointed for five-year terms.
     (4) The board shall not be deemed unlawfully constituted and a trustee shall not be deemed ineligible to serve the remainder of the trustee's unexpired term on the board solely by reason of the establishment of new or revised boundaries for congressional districts. In such an event, each trustee may continue to serve in office for the balance of the term for which he or she was appointed so long as the trustee continues to reside within the boundaries of the congressional district as they existed at the time of his or her appointment. Vacancies which occur in a trustee position during the balance of any term shall be filled pursuant to subsection (3) of this section by a successor who resides within the boundaries of the congressional district from which the member whose office was vacated was appointed as they existed at the time of his or her appointment. At the completion of such term, and thereafter, a successor shall be appointed from the congressional district which corresponds in number with the congressional district from which the incumbent was appointed.

Sec. 343   RCW 72.42.041 and 2009 c 381 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     The board of trustees of the center:
     (1) Shall adopt ((rules and regulations)) procedures for its own governance;
     (2) Shall ((direct)) advise the director regarding the development of, ((approve,)) and monitor the enforcement of, policies((,)) and rules((, and regulations)) pertaining to the school and the center, including but not limited to:
     (a) The use of classrooms and other facilities for summer or night schools or for public meetings and any other uses consistent with the mission of the center;
     (b) Pedestrian and vehicular traffic on property owned, operated, or maintained by the center;
     (c) Governance, management, and operation of the residential facilities;
     (d) Transferability of employees between the center and the school for the blind consistent with collective bargaining agreements in effect; and
     (e) Compliance with state and federal education civil rights laws at the school;
     (3) Shall develop a process for recommending candidates for the position of director and upon a vacancy shall submit a list of three qualified candidates for director to the ((governor)) secretary of education;
     (4) Shall submit an evaluation of the director to the ((governor)) secretary of education by July 1st of each odd-numbered year that includes a recommendation regarding the retention of the director;
     (5) May recommend to the ((governor)) secretary of education at any time that the director be removed for conduct deemed by the board to be detrimental to the interests of the center;
     (6) Shall prepare and submit by July 1st of each even-numbered year a report to the ((governor)) secretary of education and the appropriate committees of the legislature which contains a detailed summary of the center's progress on performance objectives and the center's work, facility conditions, and revenues and costs of the center for the previous year and which contains those recommendations it deems necessary and advisable for the ((governor)) secretary of education and the legislature to act on;
     (7) ((Shall approve)) May make recommendations to the director regarding the center's budget and all funding requests, both operating and capital, submitted to the ((governor)) secretary of education;
     (8) ((Shall direct and approve)) May make recommendations to the director regarding the development and implementation of comprehensive programs of education, training, and as needed residential living, such that students served by the school receive a challenging and quality education in a safe school environment;
     (9) Shall ((direct,)) monitor((, and approve)) the implementation of a comprehensive continuous quality improvement system for the center;
     (10) Shall monitor and inspect all existing facilities of the center and report its findings in its biennial report to the ((governor)) secretary of education and appropriate committees of the legislature; and
     (11) May grant to every student of the school, upon graduation or completion of a program or course of study, a suitable diploma, nonbaccalaureate degree, or certificate.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 344   The following acts or parts of acts, as now existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 28A.305.011 (Board membership -- Terms -- Compensation) and 2006 c 263 s 105 & 2005 c 497 s 101;
     (2) RCW 28A.305.021 (Election of board members -- Restrictions) and 2005 c 497 s 102;
     (3) RCW 28A.305.035 (Joint report to the legislature) and 2006 c 263 s 103 & 2005 c 497 s 103;
     (4) RCW 28A.305.902 (Transfer of duties -- Review and recommendation -- 2006 c 263) and 2006 c 263 s 101;
     (5) RCW 28A.310.480 (Delegation to ESD of state board of education program, project or service -- Contract) and 1977 ex.s. c 283 s 6;
     (6) RCW 28A.345.010 (Association created) and 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.61.010;
     (7) RCW 28A.345.020 (Membership) and 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.61.020;
     (8) RCW 28A.345.030 (Powers of association) and 1991 c 66 s 1, 1990 c 33 s 372, 1989 c 325 s 1, 1983 c 187 s 1, 1979 c 151 s 13, 1974 ex.s. c 101 s 1, 1969 ex.s. c 184 s 4, & 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.61.030;
     (9) RCW 28A.345.040 (Coordination of policies -- Report) and 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.61.040;
     (10) RCW 28A.345.050 (Association dues -- Payment) and 1983 c 187 s 2, 1969 c 125 s 2, & 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.61.050;
     (11) RCW 28A.345.060 (Audit of staff classifications and employees' salaries -- Contract with department of personnel -- Copies) and 1986 c 158 s 3 & 1983 c 187 s 4;
     (12) RCW 28A.345.070 (Tribal relationships -- Achievement gap--Curriculum -- Reports to the legislature) and 2005 c 205 s 2; and
     (13) RCW 28A.345.902 (Effective date -- 1983 c 187) and 1983 c 187 s 8.

PART 4
K-12 EFFECTIVE WITH PASSAGE OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 401   A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this title unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Office of the superintendent of public instruction" means the department of education created in section 103 of this act.
     (2) "Superintendent of public instruction" means the secretary of education as defined in section 102 of this act.

Sec. 402   RCW 28A.300.041 and 2009 c 310 s 1 are each amended 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)) department of education((,)) shall begin design and development of an overall K-12 assessment system that meets the principles and characteristics described in this section. In designing formative and summative assessments, the ((superintendent)) department shall solicit bids for the use of computerized adaptive testing methodologies.
     (8) Beginning December 1, 2009, and annually thereafter, the superintendent and state board shall jointly report to the legislature regarding the K-12 assessment system, including a cost analysis of any changes and costs to expand availability and use of instructionally supportive formative assessments. Beginning December 1, 2013, and annually thereafter, the department of education shall report to the legislature regarding the K-12 assessment system, including a cost analysis of any changes and costs to expand availability and use of instructionally supportive formative assessments as well as efforts to align the K-12 assessment system with assessment development and implementation in early learning and higher education as appropriate.

Sec. 403   RCW 28A.310.010 and 2009 c 381 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:
     It shall be the intent and purpose of this chapter to establish educational service districts as regional agencies which are intended to:
     (1) Provide cooperative and informational services to local school districts and to other education providers as appropriate;
     (2) Assist the ((superintendent of public instruction and the state board)) department of education in the performance of ((their respective)) its statutory ((or constitutional)) duties; and
     (3) Provide services to school districts and to the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss and the school for the blind to assure equal educational opportunities and to other education providers as appropriate.

Sec. 404   RCW 28A.310.280 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 275 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to other powers and duties as provided by law, each educational service district superintendent shall:
     (1) Perform such record keeping, including such annual reports as may be required, and liaison and informational services to local school districts and the ((superintendent of public instruction)) department of education as required by rule ((or regulation of the superintendent of public instruction or state board)) of the department of education: PROVIDED, That the ((superintendent of public instruction and the state board)) department of education may require some or all of the school districts to report information directly when such reporting procedures are deemed desirable or feasible.
     (2) Keep records of official acts of the educational service district board and superintendents in accordance with RCW ((28A.21.120, as now or hereafter amended)) 28A.310.310.
     (3) Preserve carefully all reports of school officers and teachers and deliver to the successor of the office all records, books, documents, and papers belonging to the office either personally or through a personal representative, taking a receipt for the same, which shall be filed in the office of the county auditor in the county where the office is located.

Sec. 405   RCW 28A.310.340 and 1990 c 33 s 286 are each amended to read as follows:
     It is the intent of the legislature that a basic core of uniform services be provided by educational service districts and be identified in statute so that biennial budget requests for educational service districts may be based upon measurable goals and needs. Educational service districts as noted in RCW 28A.310.010, are intended primarily to:
     (1) Provide cooperative and informational services to local districts and to perform functions for those districts when such functions are more effectively or economically administered from the regional level;
     (2) Assist the ((state educational agencies, office of superintendent of public instruction and the state board)) department of education in the legal performance of ((their)) its duties; and
     (3) Assist in providing pupils with equal educational opportunities.
     The purpose of RCW 28A.310.350 and 28A.310.360 is to further identify those core services in order to prepare educational service district budgets for the 1979-81 biennium, and those bienniums beyond.

Sec. 406   RCW 28A.315.005 and 1999 c 315 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Under the ((constitutional framework and the)) laws of the state of Washington, the governance structure for the state's public common school system is comprised of the following bodies: The legislature, the governor, the ((superintendent of public instruction, the state board)) department of education, the educational service district boards of directors, and local school district boards of directors. The respective policy and administrative roles of each body are determined by the state Constitution and statutes.
     (2) Local school districts are political subdivisions of the state and the organization of such districts, including the powers, duties, and boundaries thereof, may be altered or abolished by laws of the state of Washington.

Sec. 407   RCW 28A.315.115 and 1985 c 385 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     Persons possessing the status of any of the following positions shall not be eligible to be a member of a regional committee: The ((superintendent of public instruction, a member of the state board)) secretary of education, an educational service district superintendent, a member of a board of directors of a school district, a member of an educational service district board, a member of a governing board of either a private school or a private school district which conducts any grades kindergarten through twelve, officers appointed by any such governing board, and employees of a school district, an educational service district, the ((office of the superintendent of public instruction)) department of education, a private school, or a private school district.

Sec. 408   RCW 28A.410.210 and 2009 c 531 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     The purpose of the professional educator standards board is to establish policies and requirements for the preparation and certification of educators that provide standards for competency in professional knowledge and practice in the areas of certification; a foundation of skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to help students with diverse needs, abilities, cultural experiences, and learning styles meet or exceed the learning goals outlined in RCW 28A.150.210; knowledge of research-based practice; and professional development throughout a career. The Washington professional educator standards board shall:
     (1) Establish policies and practices for the approval of programs of courses, requirements, and other activities leading to educator certification including teacher, school administrator, and educational staff associate certification;
     (2) Establish policies and practices for the approval of the character of work required to be performed as a condition of entrance to and graduation from any educator preparation program including teacher, school administrator, and educational staff associate preparation program as provided in subsection (1) of this section;
     (3) Establish a list of accredited institutions of higher education of this and other states whose graduates may be awarded educator certificates as teacher, school administrator, and educational staff associate and establish criteria and enter into agreements with other states to acquire reciprocal approval of educator preparation programs and certification, including teacher certification from the national board for professional teaching standards;
     (4) Establish policies for approval of nontraditional educator preparation programs;
     (5) Conduct a review of educator program approval standards at least every five years, beginning in 2006, to reflect research findings and assure continued improvement of preparation programs for teachers, administrators, and school specialized personnel;
     (6) Specify the types and kinds of educator certificates to be issued and conditions for certification, including certificate suspension and revocation, in accordance with subsection (1) of this section ((and)), RCW 28A.410.010, and as authorized by law;
     (7) Apply for and receive federal or other funds on behalf of the state for purposes related to the duties of the board;
     (8) Adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW that are necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of this chapter;
     (9) Maintain data concerning educator preparation programs and their quality, educator certification, educator employment trends and needs, and other data deemed relevant by the board;
     (10) Serve as an advisory body to the ((superintendent of public instruction)) department of education on issues related to educator recruitment, hiring, mentoring and support, professional growth, retention, educator evaluation including but not limited to peer evaluation, and revocation and suspension of licensure;
     (11) Submit, by October 15th of each even-numbered year, a ((joint)) report ((with the state board of education)) to the legislative education committees((,)) and the governor((, and the superintendent of public instruction. The report shall address the progress the boards have made and the obstacles they have encountered, individually and collectively, in the work of achieving the goals set out in RCW 28A.150.210)) regarding the work accomplished by the board as directed by chapter 28A.410 RCW and any recommendations for improvements related to the effective and efficient discharge of these duties and the programs administered;
     (12) Establish the prospective teacher assessment system for basic skills and subject knowledge that shall be required to obtain residency certification pursuant to RCW 28A.410.220 through 28A.410.240;
     (13) By January 2010, set performance standards and develop, pilot, and implement a uniform and externally administered professional-level certification assessment based on demonstrated teaching skill. In the development of this assessment, consideration shall be given to changes in professional certification program components such as the culminating seminar; and
     (14) Conduct meetings under the provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 409   The following acts or parts of acts, as now existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 28A.300.010 (Election -- Term of office) and 1990 c 33 s 250 & 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.03.010; and
     (2) RCW 28A.300.020 (Assistant superintendents, deputy superintendent, assistants -- Terms for exempt personnel) and 2005 c 497 s 403, 1996 c 25 s 2, & 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28A.03.020.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 410   (1)(a) All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or written material in the possession of the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall be delivered to the custody of the department of education. All cabinets, furniture, office equipment, motor vehicles, and other tangible property employed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall be made available to the department of education. All funds, credits, or other assets held by the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall be assigned to the department of education.
     (b) Any appropriations made to the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall, on the effective date of this section, be transferred and credited to the department of education.
     (c) If any question arises as to the transfer of any personnel, funds, books, documents, records, papers, files, equipment, or other tangible property used or held in the exercise of the powers and the performance of the duties and functions transferred, the director of financial management shall make a determination as to the proper allocation and certify the same to the state agencies concerned.
     (2) All employees of the office of the superintendent of public instruction engaged in performing the powers, functions, and duties transferred to the department of education are transferred to the jurisdiction of the department of education. All employees classified under chapter 41.06 RCW, the state civil service law, are assigned to the department of education to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing state civil service.
     (3) All rules and all pending business before the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall be continued and acted upon by the department of education. All existing contracts and obligations shall remain in full force and shall be performed by the department of education.
     (4) The transfer of the powers, duties, functions, and personnel of the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall not affect the validity of any act performed before the effective date of this section.
     (5) If apportionments of budgeted funds are required because of the transfers directed by this section, the director of financial management shall certify the apportionments to the agencies affected, the state auditor, and the state treasurer. Each of these shall make the appropriate transfer and adjustments in funds and appropriation accounts and equipment records in accordance with the certification.

PART 5
COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Sec. 501   RCW 28B.50.030 and 2009 c 353 s 1, 2009 c 151 s 3, and 2009 c 64 s 3 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Adult education" means all education or instruction, including academic, vocational education or training, basic skills and literacy training, and "occupational education" provided by public educational institutions, including common school districts for persons who are eighteen years of age and over or who hold a high school diploma or certificate. However, "adult education" shall not include academic education or instruction for persons under twenty-one years of age who do not hold a high school degree or diploma and who are attending a public high school for the sole purpose of obtaining a high school diploma or certificate, nor shall "adult education" include education or instruction provided by any four-year public institution of higher education.
     (2) "Applied baccalaureate degree" means a baccalaureate degree awarded by a college under RCW 28B.50.810 for successful completion of a program of study that is:
     (a) Specifically designed for individuals who hold an associate of applied science degree, or its equivalent, in order to maximize application of their technical course credits toward the baccalaureate degree; and
     (b) Based on a curriculum that incorporates both theoretical and applied knowledge and skills in a specific technical field.
     (3) "Board" means the workforce training and education coordinating board.
     (4) "Board of trustees" means the local community and technical college board of trustees established for each college district within the state.
     (5) "Center of excellence" means a community or technical college designated by the ((college board)) department as a statewide leader in industry-specific, community and technical college workforce education and training.
     (6) "College board" means the ((state board for community and technical colleges created by this chapter)) department.
     (7) "Common school board" means a public school district board of directors.
     (8) "Community college" includes those higher education institutions that conduct education programs under RCW 28B.50.020.
     (9) "Department" means the department of education.
     (10)
"Director" means the ((administrative director for the state system of community and technical colleges)) secretary of education or the secretary's designee.
     (((10))) (11) "Dislocated forest product worker" means a forest products worker who: (a)(i) Has been terminated or received notice of termination from employment and is unlikely to return to employment in the individual's principal occupation or previous industry because of a diminishing demand for his or her skills in that occupation or industry; or (ii) is self-employed and has been displaced from his or her business because of the diminishing demand for the business' services or goods; and (b) at the time of last separation from employment, resided in or was employed in a rural natural resources impact area.
     (((11))) (12) "Dislocated salmon fishing worker" means a finfish products worker who: (a)(i) Has been terminated or received notice of termination from employment and is unlikely to return to employment in the individual's principal occupation or previous industry because of a diminishing demand for his or her skills in that occupation or industry; or (ii) is self-employed and has been displaced from his or her business because of the diminishing demand for the business's services or goods; and (b) at the time of last separation from employment, resided in or was employed in a rural natural resources impact area.
     (((12))) (13) "District" means any one of the community and technical college districts created by this chapter.
     (((13))) (14) "Forest products worker" means a worker in the forest products industries affected by the reduction of forest fiber enhancement, transportation, or production. The workers included within this definition shall be determined by the employment security department, but shall include workers employed in the industries assigned the major group standard industrial classification codes "24" and "26" and the industries involved in the harvesting and management of logs, transportation of logs and wood products, processing of wood products, and the manufacturing and distribution of wood processing and logging equipment. The commissioner may adopt rules further interpreting these definitions. For the purposes of this subsection, "standard industrial classification code" means the code identified in RCW 50.29.025(3).
     (((14))) (15) "High employer demand program of study" means an apprenticeship, or an undergraduate or graduate certificate or degree program in which the number of students prepared for employment per year from in-state institutions is substantially less than the number of projected job openings per year in that field, statewide or in a substate region.
     (((15))) (16) "K-12 system" means the public school program including kindergarten through the twelfth grade.
     (((16))) (17) "Occupational education" means education or training that will prepare a student for employment that does not require a baccalaureate degree, and education and training that will prepare a student for transfer to bachelor's degrees in professional fields, subject to rules adopted by the college board.
     (((17))) (18) "Qualified institutions of higher education" means:
     (a) Washington public community and technical colleges;
     (b) Private career schools that are members of an accrediting association recognized by rule of the higher education coordinating board for the purposes of chapter 28B.92 RCW; and
     (c) Washington state apprenticeship and training council-approved apprenticeship programs.
     (((18))) (19) "Rural natural resources impact area" means:
     (a) A nonmetropolitan county, as defined by the 1990 decennial census, that meets three of the five criteria set forth in subsection (((19))) (20) of this section;
     (b) A nonmetropolitan county with a population of less than forty thousand in the 1990 decennial census, that meets two of the five criteria as set forth in subsection (((19))) (20) of this section; or
     (c) A nonurbanized area, as defined by the 1990 decennial census, that is located in a metropolitan county that meets three of the five criteria set forth in subsection (((19))) (20) of this section.
     (((19))) (20) For the purposes of designating rural natural resources impact areas, the following criteria shall be considered:
     (a) A lumber and wood products employment location quotient at or above the state average;
     (b) A commercial salmon fishing employment location quotient at or above the state average;
     (c) Projected or actual direct lumber and wood products job losses of one hundred positions or more;
     (d) Projected or actual direct commercial salmon fishing job losses of one hundred positions or more; and
     (e) An unemployment rate twenty percent or more above the state average. The counties that meet these criteria shall be determined by the employment security department for the most recent year for which data is available. For the purposes of administration of programs under this chapter, the United States post office five-digit zip code delivery areas will be used to determine residence status for eligibility purposes. For the purpose of this definition, a zip code delivery area of which any part is ten miles or more from an urbanized area is considered nonurbanized. A zip code totally surrounded by zip codes qualifying as nonurbanized under this definition is also considered nonurbanized. The office of financial management shall make available a zip code listing of the areas to all agencies and organizations providing services under this chapter.
     (((20))) (21) "Salmon fishing worker" means a worker in the finfish industry affected by 1994 or future salmon disasters. The workers included within this definition shall be determined by the employment security department, but shall include workers employed in the industries involved in the commercial and recreational harvesting of finfish including buying and processing finfish. The commissioner may adopt rules further interpreting these definitions.
     (((21))) (22) "Secretary" means the secretary of education.
     (23)
"System" means the state system of community and technical colleges, which shall be a system of higher education.
     (((22))) (24) "Technical college" includes those higher education institutions with the mission of conducting occupational education, basic skills, literacy programs, and offering on short notice, when appropriate, programs that meet specific industry needs. For purposes of this chapter, technical colleges shall include Lake Washington Vocational-Technical Institute, Renton Vocational-Technical Institute, Bates Vocational-Technical Institute, Clover Park Vocational Institute, and Bellingham Vocational-Technical Institute.

Sec. 502   RCW 28B.50.090 and 2010 c 246 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((college board)) department shall have general supervision and control over the state system of community and technical colleges. In exercising the powers and duties under this chapter, the secretary shall maximize the integration with early learning, K-12, and other postsecondary education. In addition to the other powers and duties imposed upon the ((college board)) department by this chapter, the ((college board)) department shall be charged with the following powers, duties and responsibilities:
     (1) Review the budgets prepared by the boards of trustees, prepare a single budget for the support of the state system of community and technical colleges and adult education, and submit this budget as part of the department's budget submittal to the governor as provided in RCW 43.88.090;
     (2) Establish guidelines for the disbursement of funds; and receive and disburse such funds for adult education and maintenance and operation and capital support of the college districts in conformance with the state and district budgets, and in conformance with chapter 43.88 RCW;
     (3) Ensure, through the full use of its authority:
     (a) That each college district, in coordination with colleges, within a regional area, shall offer thoroughly comprehensive educational, training, and service programs to meet the needs of both the communities and students served by combining high standards of excellence in academic transfer courses; realistic and practical courses in occupational education, both graded and ungraded; and community services of an educational, cultural, and recreational nature; and adult education, including basic skills and general, family, and workforce literacy programs and services;
     (b) That each college district shall maintain an open-door policy, to the end that no student will be denied admission because of the location of the student's residence or because of the student's educational background or ability; that, insofar as is practical in the judgment of the ((college board)) department, curriculum offerings will be provided to meet the educational and training needs of the community generally and the students thereof; and that all students, regardless of their differing courses of study, will be considered, known and recognized equally as members of the student body: PROVIDED, That the administrative officers of a community or technical college may deny admission to a prospective student or attendance to an enrolled student if, in their judgment, the student would not be competent to profit from the curriculum offerings of the college, or would, by his or her presence or conduct, create a disruptive atmosphere within the college not consistent with the purposes of the institution. This subsection (3)(b) shall not apply to competency, conduct, or presence associated with a disability in a person twenty-one years of age or younger attending a technical college;
     (4) ((Prepare a comprehensive master plan for the development of community and technical college education and training in the state; and assist the office of financial management in the preparation of enrollment projections to support plans for providing adequate college facilities in all areas of the state. The master plan shall include implementation of the vision, goals, priorities, and strategies in the statewide strategic master plan for higher education under RCW 28B.76.200 based on the community and technical college system's role and mission. The master plan shall also contain measurable performance indicators and benchmarks for gauging progress toward achieving the goals and priorities;
     (5)
)) Define and administer criteria and guidelines for the establishment of new community and technical colleges or campuses within the existing districts;
     (((6))) (5) Establish criteria and procedures for modifying district boundary lines and consolidating district structures to form multiple campus districts consistent with the purposes set forth in RCW 28B.50.020 as now or hereafter amended and in accordance therewith make such changes as it deems advisable;
     (((7))) (6) Establish minimum standards to govern the operation of the community and technical colleges with respect to:
     (a) Qualifications and credentials of instructional and key administrative personnel, except as otherwise provided in the state plan for vocational education,
     (b) Internal budgeting, accounting, auditing, and financial procedures as necessary to supplement the general requirements prescribed pursuant to chapter 43.88 RCW,
     (c) The content of the curriculums and other educational and training programs, and the requirement for degrees and certificates awarded by the colleges,
     (d) Standard admission policies,
     (e) Eligibility of courses to receive state fund support;
     (((8))) (7) Establish and administer criteria and procedures for all capital construction including the establishment, installation, and expansion of facilities within the various college districts;
     (((9))) (8) Encourage innovation in the development of new educational and training programs and instructional methods; coordinate research efforts to this end; and disseminate the findings thereof;
     (((10))) (9) Exercise any other powers, duties and responsibilities necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter;
     (((11))) (10) Authorize the various community and technical colleges to offer programs and courses in other districts when it determines that such action is consistent with the purposes set forth in RCW 28B.50.020 as now or hereafter amended;
     (((12))) (11) Notwithstanding any other law or statute regarding the sale of state property, sell or exchange and convey any or all interest in any community and technical college real and personal property, except such property as is received by a college district in accordance with RCW 28B.50.140(8), when it determines that such property is surplus or that such a sale or exchange is in the best interests of the community and technical college system;
     (((13))) (12) In order that the ((treasurer for the state board for community and technical colleges appointed in accordance with RCW 28B.50.085)) department may make vendor payments, the state treasurer will honor warrants drawn by the ((state board providing for an initial advance on July 1, 1982, of the current biennium and)) department on July 1st of each succeeding biennium from the state general fund in an amount equal to twenty-four percent of the average monthly allotment for such budgeted biennium expenditures ((for the state board)) to the department for community and technical colleges as certified by the office of financial management; and at the conclusion of such initial month and for each succeeding month of any biennium, the state treasurer will reimburse expenditures incurred and reported monthly by the ((state board treasurer)) department in accordance with chapter 43.88 RCW: PROVIDED, That the reimbursement to the ((state board)) department for actual expenditures incurred in the final month of each biennium shall be less the initial advance made in such biennium;
     (((14))) (13) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (((12))) (11) of this section, may receive such gifts, grants, conveyances, devises, and bequests of real or personal property from private sources as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, whenever the terms and conditions thereof will aid in carrying out the community and technical college programs and may sell, lease or exchange, invest or expend the same or the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof according to the terms and conditions thereof; and adopt regulations to govern the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds, rents, profits and income thereof; and
     (((15))) (14) The ((college board)) department shall have the power of eminent domain for the purposes of this chapter.

Sec. 503   RCW 28B.50.250 and 1991 c 238 s 46 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((state board for community and technical colleges and the state board of education are hereby authorized to)) department may permit, on an ad hoc basis, the common school districts to conduct pursuant to RCW 28B.50.530 a program in adult education in behalf of a college district when such program will not conflict with existing programs of the same nature and in the same geographical area conducted by the college districts: PROVIDED, That federal programs for adult education shall be administered by the ((state board for community and technical colleges)) department, which agency is hereby declared to be the state educational agency primarily responsible for supervision of adult education in the public schools as defined by RCW ((28B.50.020)) 28B.50.030.

Sec. 504   RCW 28B.50.272 and 2007 c 277 s 102 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) To be eligible for participation in the opportunity grant program established in RCW 28B.50.271, a student must:
     (a) Be a Washington resident student as defined in RCW 28B.15.012 enrolled in an opportunity grant-eligible program of study;
     (b) Have a family income that is at or below two hundred percent of the federal poverty level using the most current guidelines available from the United States department of health and human services, and be determined to have financial need based on the free application for federal student aid; and
     (c) Meet such additional selection criteria as the ((college board)) department shall establish in order to operate the program within appropriated funding levels.
     (2) Upon enrolling, the student must provide evidence of commitment to complete the program. The student must make satisfactory progress and maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average for continued eligibility. If a student's cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0, the student may petition the institution of higher education of attendance. The qualified institution of higher education has the authority to establish a probationary period until such time as the student's grade point average reaches required standards.
     (3) Subject to funds appropriated for this specific purpose, public qualified institutions of higher education shall receive an enhancement of one thousand five hundred dollars for each full-time equivalent student enrolled in the opportunity grant program whose income is below two hundred percent of the federal poverty level. The funds shall be used for individualized support services which may include, but are not limited to, college and career advising, tutoring, emergency child care, and emergency transportation. The qualified institution of higher education is expected to help students access all financial resources and support services available to them through alternative sources.
     (4) The ((college board)) department shall be accountable for student retention and completion of opportunity grant-eligible programs of study. It shall set annual performance measures and targets and monitor the performance at all qualified institutions of higher education. The ((college board)) department must reduce funding at institutions of higher education that do not meet targets for two consecutive years, based on criteria developed by the ((college board)) department.
     (5) The ((college board and higher education coordinating board)) department shall work ((together)) to ensure that students participating in the opportunity grant program are informed of all other state and federal financial aid to which they may be entitled while receiving an opportunity grant.
     (6) The ((college board and higher education coordinating board)) department shall document the amount of opportunity grant assistance and the types and amounts of other sources of financial aid received by participating students. Annually, ((they)) the department shall produce a summary of the data.
     (7) The ((college board shall:
     (a) Begin developing the program no later than August 1, 2007, with student enrollment to begin no later than January 14, 2008; and
     (b) Submit a progress report to the legislature by December 1, 2008.
     (8) The college board
)) department may, in implementing the opportunity grant program, accept, use, and expend or dispose of contributions of money, services, and property. All such moneys received by the ((college board)) department for the program must be deposited in an account at a depository approved by the state treasurer. Only the ((college board)) department or a duly authorized representative thereof may authorize expenditures from this account. In order to maintain an effective expenditure and revenue control, the account is subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required to permit expenditure of moneys in the account.

Sec. 505   RCW 28B.50.536 and 1993 c 218 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((Subject to rules adopted by the state board of education under RCW 28A.305.190, the state board for community and technical colleges)) The department shall adopt rules governing the eligibility of persons sixteen years of age and older to take the general educational development test, rules governing the administration of the test, and rules governing the issuance of a certificate of educational competence to persons who successfully complete the test. Certificates of educational competence issued under this section shall be issued in such form and substance as ((agreed upon by the state board for community and technical colleges and superintendent of public instruction)) established by the department.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 506   The following acts or parts of acts, as now existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 28B.50.050 (State board for community and technical colleges) and 1991 c 238 s 30, 1988 c 76 s 1, 1984 c 287 s 64, 1982 1st ex.s. c 30 s 9, 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 s 74, 1973 c 62 s 13, 1969 ex.s. c 261 s 19, & 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28B.50.050;
     (2) RCW 28B.50.060 (Director of the state system of community and technical colleges -- Appointment -- Term -- Qualifications -- Salary and travel expenses -- Duties) and 1994 c 154 s 306, 1991 c 238 s 31, 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 s 75, 1973 1st ex.s. c 46 s 8, 1973 c 62 s 14, 1969 ex.s. c 261 s 20, & 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28B.50.060;
     (3) RCW 28B.50.070 (College board -- Organization -- Meetings -- Quorum--Biennial report -- Fiscal year) and 1987 c 505 s 15, 1986 c 130 s 1, 1977 c 75 s 26, 1973 c 62 s 15, & 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28B.50.070;
     (4) RCW 28B.50.080 (College board -- Offices and office equipment, including necessary expenses) and 1969 ex.s. c 223 s 28B.50.080;
     (5) RCW 28B.50.085 (College board -- Treasurer -- Appointment, duties, bond -- Depository) and 1991 c 238 s 32 & 1981 c 246 s 4; and
     (6) RCW 28B.50.254 (Advisory council on adult education -- Workforce training and education coordinating board to monitor) and 1991 c 238 s 19.

PART 6
HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

Sec. 601   RCW 28B.76.020 and 2010 c 245 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Board" means the ((higher education coordinating board)) department of education.
     (2) "Department" means the department of education.
     (3)
"Four-year institutions" means the University of Washington, Washington State University, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College.
     (((3))) (4) "Major expansion" means expansion of the higher education system that requires significant new capital investment, including building new institutions, campuses, branches, or centers or conversion of existing campuses, branches, or centers that would result in a mission change.
     (((4))) (5) "Mission change" means a change in the level of degree awarded or institutional type not currently authorized in statute.
     (6) "Secretary" means the secretary of education.

Sec. 602   RCW 28B.76.030 and 2004 c 275 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The purpose of the ((board)) department under this chapter is to:
     (1) ((Develop a statewide strategic master plan for higher)) Integrate within the strategic statewide plan for education under section 106(3) of this act planning for postsecondary education and continually monitor state and institution progress in meeting the vision, goals, priorities, and strategies articulated in the plan;
     (2) Based on objective data analysis, develop and recommend statewide policies to enhance the availability, quality, efficiency, and accountability of public higher education in Washington state;
     (3) Administer state and federal financial aid and other education services programs in a cost-effective manner;
     (4) ((Serve as an advocate on behalf of students and the overall system of higher education to the governor, the legislature, and the public;
     (5)
)) Represent the broad public interest above the interests of the individual colleges and universities; and
     (((6))) (5) Coordinate with the governing boards of the two and four-year institutions of higher education, ((the state board for community and technical colleges,)) the workforce training and education coordinating board, and if applicable, the superintendent of public instruction to create a seamless system of public education for the citizens of Washington state geared toward student success.

Sec. 603   RCW 28B.76.110 and 2004 c 275 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((higher education coordinating board)) department is designated as the state commission as provided for in Section 1202 of the education amendments of 1972 (Public Law 92-318), as now or hereafter amended; and shall perform such functions as is necessary to comply with federal directives pertaining to the provisions of such law.

Sec. 604   RCW 28B.76.210 and 2010 c 245 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The ((board)) department shall collaborate with the four-year institutions including the council of presidents, ((the community and technical college system,)) and when appropriate the workforce training and education coordinating board((, the superintendent of public instruction,)) and the independent higher educational institutions to identify budget priorities and levels of funding for higher education, including the two and four-year institutions of higher education and state financial aid programs. It is the intent of the legislature that recommendations from the ((board)) department reflect not merely the sum of budget requests from multiple institutions, but prioritized funding needs for the overall system of higher education as part of the department's budget request for the education system.
     (2) By December of each odd-numbered year, the ((board)) department shall distribute guidelines which outline the ((board's)) department's fiscal priorities to the institutions ((and the state board for community and technical colleges)) of higher education.
     (a) The institutions ((and the state board for community and technical colleges)) shall submit an outline of their proposed operating budgets to the ((board)) department no later than July 1st of each even-numbered year. Pursuant to guidelines developed by the ((board)) department, operating budget outlines submitted by the institutions ((and the state board for community and technical colleges after January 1, 2007)) after July 1, 2012, shall include all policy changes and enhancements that will be requested by the institutions ((and the state board for community and technical colleges)) in their respective biennial budget requests. Operating budget outlines shall include a description of each policy enhancement, the dollar amount requested, and the fund source being requested.
     (b) Capital budget outlines for the two-year institutions shall be submitted by August 15th of each even-numbered year, and shall include the prioritized ranking of the capital projects being requested, a description of each capital project, and the amount and fund source being requested.
     (c) Capital budget outlines for the four-year institutions must be submitted by August 15th of each even-numbered year, and must include: The institutions' priority ranking of the project; the capital budget category within which the project will be submitted to the office of financial management in accordance with RCW 43.88D.010; a description of each capital project; and the amount and fund source being requested.
     (d) The office of financial management shall reference these reporting requirements in its budget instructions.
     (3) The ((board)) department shall review and evaluate the operating and capital budget requests from four-year institutions and the community and technical college system under RCW 28B.50.090 based on how the requests align with the ((board's)) department's budget priorities((,)) and the missions of the institutions((, and the statewide strategic master plan for higher education under RCW 28B.76.200)).
     (4) The ((board)) department shall submit recommendations on the proposed operating budget and priorities to the office of financial management by October 1st of each even-numbered year((, and to the legislature by January 1st of each odd-numbered year)).
     (5) The ((board's)) department's capital budget recommendations for the community and technical college system and the four-year institutions must be submitted to the office of financial management ((and to the legislature by November 15th of each even-numbered year)). The ((board's)) department's recommendations for the four-year institutions must include a single, prioritized list of the major projects that the ((board)) department recommends be funded with state bond and building account appropriations during the forthcoming fiscal biennium. In developing this single prioritized list, the ((board)) department shall:
     (a) Seek to identify the combination of projects that will most cost-effectively achieve the state's goals. These goals include increasing baccalaureate and graduate degree production, particularly in high-demand fields; promoting economic development through research and innovation; providing quality, affordable educational environments; preserving existing assets; and maximizing the efficient utilization of instructional space;
     (b) Be guided by the objective analysis and scoring of capital budget projects completed by the office of financial management pursuant to chapter 43.88D RCW;
     (c) Anticipate (i) that state bond and building account appropriations continue at the same level during each of the two subsequent fiscal biennia as has actually been appropriated for the baccalaureate institutions during the current one; (ii) that major projects funded for design during a biennium are funded for construction during the subsequent one before state appropriations are provided for new major projects; and (iii) that minor health, safety, code, and preservation projects are funded at the same average level as in recent biennia before state appropriations are provided for new major projects.
     (6) Four-year institutions ((and the state board for community and technical colleges)) shall submit any supplemental budget requests and revisions to the ((board)) department at the same time they are submitted to the office of financial management. The ((board)) department shall submit recommendations on the proposed supplemental budget requests to the office of financial management ((by November 1st and to the legislature by January 1st)).

Sec. 605   RCW 28B.76.230 and 2010 c 245 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The ((board)) department shall develop a comprehensive and ongoing assessment process to analyze the need for additional degrees and programs, additional off-campus centers and locations for degree programs, and consolidation or elimination of programs by the four-year institutions. ((Board)) Department recommendations regarding proposed major expansion shall be limited to determinations of whether the major expansion is within the scope indicated in the most recent strategic ((master)) plan for ((higher)) education or most recent system design plan. Recommendations regarding existing capital prioritization processes are not within the scope of the evaluation of major expansion. Major expansion and proposed mission changes may be proposed by the ((board)) department, any public institution of higher education, or by a state or local government.
     (2) As part of the needs assessment process, the ((board)) department shall examine:
     (a) Projections of student, employer, and community demand for education and degrees, including liberal arts degrees, on a regional and statewide basis;
     (b) Current and projected degree programs and enrollment at public and private institutions of higher education, by location and mode of service delivery;
     (c) Data from the workforce training and education coordinating board ((and the state board for community and technical colleges)) on the supply and demand for workforce education and certificates and associate degrees; and
     (d) Recommendations from the technology transformation task force created in chapter 407, Laws of 2009, and institutions of higher education relative to the strategic and operational use of technology in higher education. These and other reports, reviews, and audits shall allow for: The development of enterprise-wide digital information technology across educational sectors, systems, and delivery methods; the integration and streamlining of administrative tools including but not limited to student information management, financial management, payroll, human resources, data collection, reporting, and analysis; and a determination of the costs of multiple technology platforms, systems, and models.
     (3) Every two years the ((board)) department shall produce, jointly with the ((state board for community and technical colleges and the)) workforce training and education coordinating board, an assessment of the number and type of higher education and training credentials required to match employer demand for a skilled and educated workforce. The assessment shall include the number of forecasted net job openings at each level of higher education and training and the number of credentials needed to match the forecast of net job openings.
     (4) The ((board)) department shall determine whether certain major lines of study or types of degrees, including applied degrees or research-oriented degrees, shall be assigned uniquely to some institutions or institutional sectors in order to create centers of excellence that focus resources and expertise.
     (5) The following activities are subject to approval by the ((board)) department:
     (a) New degree programs by a four-year institution;
     (b) Creation of any off-campus program by a four-year institution;
     (c) Purchase or lease of major off-campus facilities by a four-year institution or a community or technical college;
     (d) Creation of higher education centers and consortia;
     (e) New degree programs and creation of off-campus programs by an independent college or university in collaboration with a community or technical college; and
     (f) Applied baccalaureate degree programs developed by colleges under RCW 28B.50.810.
     (6) Institutions seeking ((board)) department approval under this section must demonstrate that the proposal is justified by the needs assessment developed under this section. Institutions must also demonstrate how the proposals align with or implement the statewide strategic ((master)) plan for ((higher)) education under ((RCW 28B.76.200)) section 106(3) of this act.
     (7) The ((board)) department shall develop clear guidelines and objective decision-making criteria regarding approval of proposals under this section, which must include review and consultation with the institution and other interested agencies and individuals.
     (8) The ((board)) department shall periodically recommend consolidation or elimination of programs at the four-year institutions, based on the needs assessment analysis.
     (9) In the case of a proposed major expansion or mission change, the needs assessment process under subsection (2) of this section constitutes a threshold inquiry. If the ((board)) department determines that the need for the proposed major expansion or mission change has not been justified, the inquiry is concluded. If the ((board)) department determines that the need for the proposed major expansion or mission change has been sufficiently established, the ((board)) department, in consultation with any directly involved institutions and other interested agencies and individuals, shall proceed to examine the viability of the proposal using criteria including, but not limited to:
     (a) The specific scope of the project including the capital investment requirements, the number of full-time equivalent students anticipated, and the number of academic programs planned;
     (b) The existence of an efficient and sustainable financial plan;
     (c) The extent to which existing resources can be leveraged;
     (d) The current and five-year projected student population, faculty, and staff to support the proposed programs, institution, or innovation;
     (e) The plans to accommodate expected growth over a twenty-year time frame;
     (f) The extent to which new or existing partnerships and collaborations are a part of the proposal; and
     (g) The feasibility of any proposed innovations to accelerate degree production.
     (10) After the ((board)) department completes its evaluation of the proposed major expansion or mission change using the needs assessment under subsection (2) of this section and viability determination under subsection (9) of this section, the ((board)) department shall make a recommendation to either proceed, modify, or not proceed with the proposed major expansion or mission change. The ((board's)) department's recommendation shall be presented to the governor and the legislature.

Sec. 606   RCW 28B.76.240 and 2004 c 275 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((board)) department shall adopt statewide transfer and articulation policies that ensure efficient transfer of credits and courses across public two and four-year institutions of higher education. The intent of the policies is to create a statewide system of articulation and alignment between two and four-year institutions. Policies may address but are not limited to creation of a statewide system of course equivalency, creation of transfer associate degrees, statewide articulation agreements, applicability of technical courses toward baccalaureate degrees, and other issues. The institutions of higher education ((and the state board for community and technical colleges)) shall cooperate with the ((board)) department in developing the statewide policies and shall provide support and staff resources as necessary to assist in maintaining the policies. ((The board shall submit a progress report to the higher education committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2006, by which time the legislature expects measurable improvement in alignment and transfer efficiency.))

Sec. 607   RCW 28B.76.260 and 2004 c 55 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (((1))) The ((higher education coordinating board)) department must create a statewide system of course equivalency for public institutions of higher education, so that courses from one institution can be transferred and applied toward academic majors and degrees in the same manner as equivalent courses at the receiving institution.
     (((2) The board must convene a work group including representatives from the state board for community and technical colleges and the council of presidents, as well as faculty from two and four-year institutions, to:
     (a) Identify equivalent courses between community and technical colleges and public four-year institutions and among public four-year institutions, including identifying how courses meet requirements for academic majors and degrees; and
     (b) Develop strategies for communicating course equivalency to students, faculty, and advisors.
     (3) The work group may include representatives from independent four-year institutions. The work group must take into account the unique nature of the curriculum of The Evergreen State College in developing the course equivalency system.
     (4) The higher education coordinating board must make a progress report on the development of the course equivalency system to the higher education committees of the senate and house of representatives by January 10, 2005. The report must include options and cost estimates for ongoing maintenance of the system.
))

Sec. 608   RCW 28B.76.290 and 1993 c 77 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The ((board)) department shall coordinate educational activities among all segments of higher education taking into account the educational programs, facilities, and other resources of both public and independent two and four-year colleges and universities. The four-year institutions ((and the state board for community and technical colleges)) shall coordinate information and activities with the ((board)) department. The ((board)) department shall have the following additional responsibilities:
     (1) Promote interinstitutional cooperation;
     (2) Establish minimum admission standards for four-year institutions, including a requirement that coursework in American sign language or an American Indian language shall satisfy any requirement for instruction in a language other than English that the ((board)) department or the institutions may establish as a general undergraduate admissions requirement;
     (3) Establish transfer policies;
     (4) Adopt rules implementing statutory residency requirements;
     (5) Develop and administer reciprocity agreements with bordering states and the province of British Columbia;
     (6) Review and recommend compensation practices and levels for administrative employees, exempt under chapter 28B.16 RCW, and faculty using comparative data from peer institutions;
     (7) Monitor higher education activities for compliance with all relevant state policies for higher education;
     (8) Arbitrate disputes between and among four-year institutions or between and among four-year institutions and community colleges at the request of one or more of the institutions involved, or at the request of the governor, or from a resolution adopted by the legislature. The decision of the ((board)) department shall be binding on the participants in the dispute;
     (9) Establish and implement a state system for collecting, analyzing, and distributing information;
     (10) Recommend to the governor and the legislature ways to remove any economic incentives to use off-campus program funds for on-campus activities; and
     (11) Make recommendations to increase minority participation, and monitor and report on the progress of minority participation in higher education.

Sec. 609   RCW 28B.76.300 and 2004 c 275 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The ((board)) department shall annually develop information on the approximate amount of state support that students receive. For students at state-supported colleges and universities, the information shall include the approximate level of support received by students in each tuition category. That information may include consideration of the following: Expenditures included in the educational cost formula, revenue forgiven from waived tuition and fees, state-funded financial aid awarded to students at public institutions, and all or a portion of appropriated amounts not reflected in the educational cost formula for institutional programs and services that may affect or enhance the educational experience of students at a particular institution. For students attending a private college, university, or proprietary school, the information shall include the amount of state-funded financial aid awarded to students attending the institution.
     (2) ((Beginning July 30, 1993,)) The ((board)) department shall annually provide information appropriate to each institution's student body to each state-supported ((four-year)) institution of higher education ((and to the state board for community and technical colleges for distribution to community colleges and technical colleges)).
     (3) ((Beginning July 30, 1993,)) The ((board)) department shall annually provide information on the level of financial aid received by students at that institution to each private university, college, or proprietary school, that enrolls students receiving state-funded financial aid.
     (4) Beginning with the 1997 fall academic term, each institution of higher education described in subsection (2) or (3) of this section shall provide to students at the institution information on the approximate amount that the state is contributing to the support of their education. Information provided to students at each state-supported college and university shall include the approximate amount of state support received by students in each tuition category at that institution. The amount of state support shall be based on the information provided by the ((board)) department under subsections (1) through (3) of this section. The information shall be provided to students at the beginning of each academic term through one or more of the following: Registration materials, class schedules, tuition and fee billing packets, student newspapers, or via e-mail or kiosk.

Sec. 610   RCW 28B.76.310 and 2004 c 275 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The ((board)) department, in consultation with the house of representatives and senate committees responsible for higher education, the respective fiscal committees of the house of representatives and senate, the office of financial management, ((the state board for community and technical colleges,)) and the state institutions of higher education, shall develop standardized methods and protocols for measuring the undergraduate and graduate educational costs for the state universities, regional universities, and community colleges, including but not limited to the costs of instruction, costs to provide degrees in specific fields, and costs for precollege remediation.
     (2) ((By December 1, 2004, the board must propose a schedule of regular cost study reports intended to meet the information needs of the governor's office and the legislature and the requirements of RCW 28B.76.300 and submit the proposed schedule to the higher education and fiscal committees of the house of representatives and the senate for their review.
     (3)
)) The institutions of higher education shall participate in the development of cost study methods and shall provide all necessary data in a timely fashion consistent with the protocols developed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 611   The following acts or parts of acts, as now existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 28B.76.010 (Board created) and 1985 c 370 s 1;
     (2) RCW 28B.76.040 (Members -- Appointment) and 2002 c 348 s 1, 2002 c 129 s 1, & 1985 c 370 s 10;
     (3) RCW 28B.76.050 (Members -- Terms) and 2007 c 458 s 101, 2004 c 275 s 3, 2002 c 129 s 2, & 1985 c 370 s 11;
     (4) RCW 28B.76.060 (Members -- Vacancies) and 1985 c 370 s 12;
     (5) RCW 28B.76.070 (Bylaws -- Meetings) and 1985 c 370 s 13;
     (6) RCW 28B.76.080 (Members -- Compensation and travel expenses) and 1985 c 370 s 16, 1984 c 287 s 65, 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 s 77, & 1969 ex.s. c 277 s 12;
     (7) RCW 28B.76.090 (Director -- Duties -- Board use of state agencies) and 2007 c 458 s 102, 2004 c 275 s 4, 1987 c 330 s 301, & 1985 c 370 s 14;
     (8) RCW 28B.76.200 (Statewide strategic master plan for higher education -- Institution-level strategic plans) and 2007 c 458 s 201, 2004 c 275 s 6, & 2003 c 130 s 2;
     (9) RCW 28B.76.270 (Accountability monitoring and reporting system -- Institution biennial plans and performance targets -- Biennial reports to the legislature) and 2004 c 275 s 11; and
     (10) RCW 28B.76.330 (Coordination, articulation, and transitions among systems of education -- Biennial updates to legislature) and 2004 c 275 s 17 & 1994 c 222 s 3.

PART 7
MISCELLANEOUS TECHNICAL REVISIONS

Sec. 701   RCW 43.41.400 and 2009 c 548 s 201 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) An education data center shall be established in the office of financial management. The education data center shall jointly, with the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee, conduct collaborative analyses of early learning, K-12, and higher education programs and education issues across the P-20 system within the department of education, which also includes ((the department of early learning,)) the superintendent of public instruction unless its powers and duties are transferred, ((the professional educator standards board, the state board of education, the state board for community and technical colleges,)) the workforce training and education coordinating board, ((the higher education coordinating board,)) public and private nonprofit four-year institutions of higher education, and the employment security department. The education data center shall conduct collaborative analyses under this section with the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee and provide data electronically to the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee, to the extent permitted by state and federal confidentiality requirements. The education data center shall be considered an authorized representative of the state educational agencies in this section under applicable federal and state statutes for purposes of accessing and compiling student record data for research purposes.
     (2) The education data center shall:
     (a) In consultation with the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee and the agencies and organizations participating in the education data center, identify the critical research and policy questions that are intended to be addressed by the education data center and the data needed to address the questions;
     (b) Coordinate with other state education agencies to compile and analyze education data, including data on student demographics that is disaggregated by distinct ethnic categories within racial subgroups, and complete P-20 research projects;
     (c) Collaborate with the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee and the education and fiscal committees of the legislature in identifying the data to be compiled and analyzed to ensure that legislative interests are served;
     (d) Annually provide to the K-12 data governance group a list of data elements and data quality improvements that are necessary to answer the research and policy questions identified by the education data center and have been identified by the legislative committees in (c) of this subsection. Within three months of receiving the list, the K-12 data governance group shall develop and transmit to the education data center a feasibility analysis of obtaining or improving the data, including the steps required, estimated time frame, and the financial and other resources that would be required. Based on the analysis, the education data center shall submit, if necessary, a recommendation to the legislature regarding any statutory changes or resources that would be needed to collect or improve the data;
     (e) Monitor and evaluate the education data collection systems of the organizations and agencies represented in the education data center ensuring that data systems are flexible, able to adapt to evolving needs for information, and to the extent feasible and necessary, include data that are needed to conduct the analyses and provide answers to the research and policy questions identified in (a) of this subsection;
     (f) Track enrollment and outcomes through the public centralized higher education enrollment system;
     (g) Assist other state educational agencies' collaborative efforts to develop a long-range enrollment plan for higher education including estimates to meet demographic and workforce needs;
     (h) Provide research that focuses on student transitions within and among the early learning, K-12, and higher education sectors in the P-20 system; and
     (i) Make recommendations to the legislature as necessary to help ensure the goals and objectives of this section and RCW 28A.655.210 and 28A.300.507 are met.
     (3) The department of ((early learning,)) education, superintendent of public instruction unless its powers and duties are transferred, ((professional educator standards board, state board of education, state board for community and technical colleges,)) workforce training and education coordinating board, ((higher education coordinating board,)) public four-year institutions of higher education, and employment security department shall work with the education data center to develop data-sharing and research agreements, consistent with applicable security and confidentiality requirements, to facilitate the work of the center. Private, nonprofit institutions of higher education that provide programs of education beyond the high school level leading at least to the baccalaureate degree and are accredited by the Northwest association of schools and colleges or their peer accreditation bodies may also develop data-sharing and research agreements with the education data center, consistent with applicable security and confidentiality requirements. The education data center shall make data from collaborative analyses available to the education agencies and institutions that contribute data to the education data center to the extent allowed by federal and state security and confidentiality requirements applicable to the data of each contributing agency or institution.

PART 8
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 801   The code reviser shall prepare legislation for the 2012 session to correct obsolete references resulting from the enactment of this bill.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 802   Sections 101 through 110 and 115 of this act constitute a new title in the Revised Code of Washington.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 803   Sections 101 through 109, 111 through 117, 201 through 205, 313, 315, 316, 317, 320, 323 through 326, 328, 329, 331 through 344, 501 through 506, 601 through 611, and 701 of this act take effect July 1, 2012.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 804   (1) Sections 301 through 312, 314, 318, 319, 321, 322, 327, and 330 of this act take effect July 1, 2012, if the proposed amendments to Article III of the state Constitution eliminating the superintendent of public instruction as a statewide elected official (Z-..../11), is validly submitted to and is not approved and ratified by the voters at the next general election.
     (2) If the proposed amendment is approved and ratified, the sections listed in subsection (1) of this section are void in their entirety.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 805   (1) Sections 401 through 410 of this act take effect January 16, 2013, if the proposed amendments to Article III of the state Constitution eliminating the superintendent of public instruction as a statewide elected official (Z-..../11), is validly submitted to and is approved and ratified by the voters at the next general election.
     (2) If the proposed amendment is not approved and ratified, sections 118 and 401 through 410 of this act are void in their entirety.

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