Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 1248
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Supporting music education for young children in public schools.
Sponsors: Representatives Maxwell, Pettigrew, Lytton, Stonier, Orwall, McCoy, Bergquist, Freeman, Tarleton, Morrell, Jinkins, Haigh, Goodman, Kirby, Upthegrove, Tharinger, Fey, Santos and Roberts.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/29/13
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
Music Education.
Providing students opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in "arts" is one of the statutory goals of Basic Education. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has developed Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) for grades kindergarten through 12 in four of the arts: music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. All school districts are required to provide instruction in the EALRs.
The approach to providing music education for students in elementary schools varies. Some school districts use an itinerant music teacher who travels from building to building during the week; others rely on the regular classroom teacher to provide music education. Others may have a dedicated music teacher for the building.
All-Day Kindergarten.
All school districts must provide half-day kindergarten for students. State funding to support all-day kindergarten is being phased in, beginning in schools with the highest percentage of low-income students. As of the 2012-13 school year, 222 schools received funding to implement all-day kindergarten, serving approximately 18,000 students.
Summary of Bill:
If funds are appropriated for this purpose, the OSPI allocates grants for a Music Does Matter program to support music education for young children. Funds are allocated to schools with state-funded all-day kindergarten programs. If funds are not sufficient to cover all kindergarten classes, the OSPI allocates funds first to schools with the highest percentage of low-income students.
The grant funds must be used to purchase a standards-based music curriculum specially designed for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students that may be taught by the regular classroom teacher. Grant recipients must implement this curriculum in state-funded all-day kindergarten classes.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.