HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2360
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 Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to eliminating the quality education council.
Brief Description: Eliminating the quality education council.
Sponsors: Representatives Lytton, Magendanz, Sullivan, Reykdal, Rossetti, Santos and Chandler.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Education: 1/25/16, 1/28/16 [DP];
Appropriations: 2/4/16 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/15/16, 97-0.
Passed Senate: 3/2/16, 47-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 19 members: Representatives Santos, Chair; Ortiz-Self, Vice Chair; Magendanz, Ranking Minority Member; Muri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Stambaugh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Caldier, Griffey, Hargrove, Hayes, S. Hunt, Kilduff, Klippert, Kuderer, McCaslin, Orwall, Pollet, Rossetti and Springer.
Staff: Ashley Fisher (786-7296) and Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 30 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Parker, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Wilcox, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buys, Cody, Condotta, Dent, Fitzgibbon, Haler, Harris, Hudgins, S. Hunt, Jinkins, Kagi, Lytton, MacEwen, Magendanz, Manweller, Robinson, Sawyer, Schmick, Springer, Stokesbary, Sullivan, Taylor, Tharinger, Van Werven and Walkinshaw.
Staff: Jessica Harrell (786-7349).
Background:
Quality Education Council.
The Quality Education Council (QEC) was created in 2009 to inform future educational policy and funding decisions of the Legislature and the Governor, identify measureable goals and priorities for Washington's education system for a 10-year time period, and enable the state to implement an evolving program of basic education. The QEC updates statewide strategic recommendations every four years.
The QEC identifies goals for issue areas, including basic education, ongoing strategies for coordinating statewide efforts to eliminate the achievement gap and reduce student dropout rates, and strategies to increase learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Technical Funding Formulas Working Group.
Convened by the Office of Financial Management, with the assistance of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the technical funding formulas working group (working group) provides details of funding formulas to support the instructional program of education. The working group also recommends to the Legislature an implementation schedule for phasing-in any increased program or instructional requirements along with recommending increases in funding for adoption by the Legislature. It is also tasked with other examination and reporting duties. The working group is monitored and overseen by the Legislature and the QEC.
Summary of Bill:
The QEC and the working group are eliminated.
Numerous statutes referencing the QEC are modified to delete the reference.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Education):
(In support) None.
(Opposed) The QEC did not meet last year and is a logical thing to eliminate. The QEC was assigned to look at McCleary, House Bill (HB) 2261 (2009), and HB 2776 (2010). The prototypical school model came out of that group.
Much of the appropriation that came to the QEC had to do with the OSPI staff. So if the funding is cut, the OSPI will be short four staff that do other work as well for the OSPI.
The QEC was created to have ongoing duties in advancing the state education program. That work does not stop with the implementation of HB 2261 (2009) and HB 2776 (2010). The duties set out for the QEC remain as relevant and important now as they were in 2009.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Appropriations):
(In support) The Legislature's work to create a great education system will continue. With that being said, the work of the Quality Education Council has run its course, and the work around policy will continue within other groups.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying (Education): Randy Dorn, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Jack Archer, State Board of Education.
Persons Testifying (Appropriations): Representative Lytton, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Education): None.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Appropriations): None.