SENATE BILL REPORT
E2SHB 2383
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. |
As of February 26, 2014
Title: An act relating to integrating career and college readiness standards into K-12 and higher education policies and practices.
Brief Description: Integrating career and college readiness standards into K-12 and higher education policies and practices.
Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Reykdal, Tarleton, Pollet, Stonier, Tharinger, Ryu, Morrell, S. Hunt, Gregerson, Freeman and Santos).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/18/14, 71-27.
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/26/14.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Staff: Eric Wolf (786-7405)
Background: The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in consultation with the State Board of Education (SBE), is authorized to maintain and revise a statewide academic assessment system to measure student knowledge and skills on state learning standards. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are the state learning standards for English language arts and mathematics. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are a set of learning standards for science that will be implemented in the 2016-17 school year.
SBE also establishes graduation requirements, such as the High School and Beyond Plan (HSB). The HSB is a formal process designed to help middle school and high school students identify career and college pathways so they can align their courses with their post-high school goals.
The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) establishes policies and requirements for the preparation and certification of education professionals, and is an advisory body to OSPI.
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) provides leadership, coordination, and services for the 32 public community and technical colleges.
In November 2013 the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) adopted the Ten-Year Roadmap that sets out a plan to increase educational attainment in Washington.
Summary of Bill: Within their available resources, the following state agencies must perform analyses and submit recommendations to WSAC on the these topics:
SBE must examine options and strategies for making the HSB a more rigorous and meaningful tool for students to identify and pursue career and college pathways beginning in the eighth grade;
OSPI, in consultation with career and technical educators and directors, must identify and recommend specific strategies and resources needed to embed the CCSS and NGSS into career and technical education;
PESB must examine strategies being used to incorporate the CCSS and NGSS into educator certification, including preservice, professional certification, and continuing certification through professional growth plans;
SBCTC must continue convening college faculty and high school teachers to design and develop courses and curricula for students in their senior year of high school who do not meet the career and college-ready standard on the grade 11 assessments that align with the CCSS and NGSS. The purpose of these courses is to mitigate the need for remedial courses and ensure college or career readiness upon graduation;
WSAC must conduct an analysis of dual credit courses offered to high school students as a key strategy for increasing career and college readiness and educational attainment. WSAC must also examine barriers to access to, and outcomes in, the Running Start Program; and
OSPI and SBCTC must examine mentoring and service-learning opportunities available to K-12 and postsecondary students.
WSAC is directed to convene the participating agencies at least three times in 2014 to address these tasks and other tasks specified in the the Ten-Year Roadmap to ensure the strategies and recommendations from each agency are aligned and not duplicative. WSAC and the various education agencies are encouraged to collaborate with the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, labor representatives, and business representatives while they work to complete their assigned tasks.
WSAC must create a single report based on the recommendations of the education agencies, to be submitted to the Legislature by December 1, 2014.
If specific funding for the purposes of this bill is not provided in the budget by June 30, 2014, the bill is null and void.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill ensures that the state's education agencies align strategies for career and college readiness. The bill calls on agencies to take on additional tasks within existing resources because the agencies indicated that many of the tasks were already within the respective missions of each agency.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Reykdal, prime sponsor; Julia Suliman, SBE; Sheri Nelson, Assn. of WA Business.