Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 1996

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: Requiring music education in elementary schools.

Sponsors: Representatives Ortiz-Self, Bergquist, Gregerson, Walkinshaw, Kagi, Tarleton, Condotta and Farrell.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires school districts, by the 2019-20 school year, to phase-in the opportunity for elementary students to receive an average of at least 100 minutes per week of instruction in music.

  • Provides that the arts experiences in all-day kindergarten include music.

Hearing Date: 3/12/15

Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).

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.

Elementary Schools. The approach to providing music education for students in elementary schools varies, as does the amount of time spent on music education. 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.

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. Schools receiving funding for all-day kindergarten must agree to provide, among other things, a curriculum that offers a rich, varied set of experiences that assist students in developing and acquiring a variety of specified skills and provide experiences in various subjects, including the arts.

Summary of Bill:

Music Education.

Elementary Schools. By the 2019-20 school year, school districts must phase-in the opportunity for every elementary student to receive an average of at least 100 minutes per week of music instruction, as prescribed by rule of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. In exceptional cases, people of unusual competence but without a teaching certificate may teach students music in elementary school as long as certificated staff exercises general supervision.

Kindergarten. The arts experiences that schools receiving funding for all-day kindergarten must agree to provide include music.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.