Background:

In 2014 the Legislature established the 17-member Expanded Learning Opportunities Council (ELOC) to advise the Governor, the Legislature, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) on a comprehensive expanded learning opportunities system, with particular attention paid to solutions to summer learning loss. Provisions establishing and governing the ELOC expire August 31, 2019.

For purposes of the ELOC and its duties, "expanded learning opportunities" is defined to mean:

culturally responsive enrichment and learning activities that may focus on academic and nonacademic areas, the arts, civic engagement, service-learning, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and competencies for college and career readiness;
school-based programs that provide extended learning and enrichment for students beyond the traditional school day, week, or calendar; and
structured, intentional, and creative learning environments outside the traditional school day that are provided by community-based organizations in partnership with schools and align in-school and out-of-school learning through activities that complement classroom-based instruction.

In addition to providing guidance and assistance related to expanded learning opportunities, the ELOC is required to:

identify fiscal, resource, and partnership opportunities;
coordinate policy development;
set quality standards;
promote evidence-based strategies; and
develop a comprehensive action plan designed to implement expanded learning opportunities, address summer learning loss, provide academic supports, build strong partnerships between schools and community-based organizations, and track performance of expanded learning opportunities in closing the opportunity gap.

The membership of the ELOC is as follows:

three representatives from nonprofit community-based organizations;
one representative from regional workforce development councils;
one representative from each of the following organizations or agencies:
- the Washington State School Directors' Association;
- the state-level association of school administrators;
- the state-level association of school principals;
- the State Board of Education;
- the statewide association representing certificated classroom teachers and educational staff associates;
- the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI);
- the state-level parent-teacher association;
- higher education;
- the statewide association of public libraries;
- a person selected by the OSPI to represent low-income communities or communities of color;
- a person selected by the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee (EOGOAC); and
- a nonprofit organization with statewide experience in expanded learning opportunities frameworks.

The 2014 legislation directed the SPI to convene the ELOC, and staffing support is provided by the OSPI and other state agencies as necessary.

Center for the Improvement of Student Learning.

The Center for the Improvement of Student Learning (CISL), housed at the OSPI, serves as a clearinghouse for information, promising practices, and research that promotes and supports effective learning environments for all students, especially those in underserved communities. The duties of the CISL are contingent on funds appropriated for the purpose.

Washington Community Learning Center Program.

In 2007 the Legislature established the Washington Community Learning Center Program (Program). The Program, which is administered by the OSPI, supports out-of-school activities by school districts and community-based organizations such as academic tutoring, mentoring, recreational activities, counseling and character education, arts and music education, and other enrichment programs. Subject to the availability of funding, the OSPI may award Program grants to public and private organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria. Funding for the program was discontinued in the 2009-2011 Operating Budget.

Summer Knowledge Improvement Pilot Program.

In 2014 the Legislature established the Summer Knowledge Improvement Pilot Program (Pilot Program) to provide state funding for an additional 20 student learning days for three consecutive school years in selected schools. The stated purpose of the Pilot Program was to implement an extended school year qualifying schools to combat summer learning loss, and provide an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of an extended school year in improving student achievement, closing the educational opportunity gap, and providing successful models for other districts to follow. Funding for the Pilot Program concluded in fiscal year 2017. Provisions establishing and governing the Pilot Program are scheduled to expire on August 31, 2019.

Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill:

The Expanded Learning Opportunities Council (ELOC) is reconstituted within the Center for the Improvement of Student Learning (CISL) as the Expanded Learning Opportunities Advisory Council (ELOAC). The CISL is responsible for providing administrative and technical support to the ELOAC. Provisions establishing the ELOAC and prescribing its duties expire on June 30, 2021.

Provisions requiring the ELOC to identify fiscal, resource, and partnership opportunities are modified to require the ELOAC to also identify funding opportunities under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, and to identify funding partnership opportunities with community-based organizations. The ELOAC is furthermore directed, as appropriate, to work collaboratively with other entities, including the EOGOAC, the Work-Integrated Learning Advisory Committee proposed in Second Substitute Bill 1600, and appropriate staff within the OSPI.

New membership and governance provisions for the ELOAC are established. The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is charged with appointing members to the ELOAC, and a representative of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families is added to its membership, as are two additional representatives from regional workforce development councils. The ELOAC must also elect a chair and vice chair from among its membership.

With respect to reporting duties, the SPI is added to the list of recipients for the ELOAC's annual reports, and a recipient reference to the "Legislature" is changed to the education committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The contents of the ELOAC's annual report are increased and must include a gap analysis that identifies, at the school district level, where expanded learning opportunity gaps exist for certain student populations, school districts, or both, and whether the provision of additional expanded learning opportunities would enhance student academic achievement. The analysis required for the 2018 report must be a preliminary analysis, with a full analysis required in each subsequent annual report.

Additionally, the 2018 annual report of the ELOAC must include a review of the Washington Community Learning Center Program (Program). The purpose of the review is to ensure that the Program properly and effectively aligns with the duties and objectives of the ELOAC. In completing the review, the ELOAC must make any necessary recommendations for better aligning Program provisions with the duties and objectives of the ELOAC.

Other duties related to reducing summer learning loss and increasing expanded learning opportunities are modified. If funds are appropriated for initiatives to reduce summer learning loss or increase expanded learning opportunities, the ELOAC must advise the OSPI on the awarding of related grants to prioritize districts with gaps identified in the analysis required in the ELOAC's annual report, and satisfy other requirements.

Provisions establishing and governing the Summer Knowledge Improvement Pilot Program are repealed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Children who grow up in poverty have different experiences from those grow up in middle class environments. This bill will take the work of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Council (ELOC) and leverage it in a statewide capacity. The idea of utilizing expanded learning opportunities, such as practicing math in cooking courses that use fractions to measure ingredients, will help students across the education spectrum.

The ELOC has made strong recommendations and is ready to implement them. The ELOC should be extended and restructured as an advisory committee to support districts and expanded learning providers. These programs support academic learning, social emotional learning, and career building skills. Expanded learning is the insulation in the kindergarten through grade twelve pipeline.

The challenges that providers face in implementing expanded learning programs are numerous. This bill will extend the work of the ELOC—this is very important to providers. The important work of implementing a framework to support providers and to help students should continue. Without extension, the 3.5 years of work by the ELOC will be lost. The work of the ELOC is especially important in rural areas. Expanded learning programs impact the trajectory of kids' lives.

One part of education is inspiring kids to learn, and expanded learning programs help to do this. The work of the ELOC has informed the Legislature. Moving the ELOC into the Center for the Improvement of Student Learning (CISL), where it will align well with the actions of the CISL, will help to promote the ELOC's work. Continuity of membership on the ELOC is important, and stakeholders will be considering language to retain continuity.

Libraries are collaborating with expanded learning providers to help with services and resources. Preserving the ELOC will help to promote this work.

(Opposed) None.