AN ACT Relating to creating a pilot project for tribal compact schools that accommodates cultural and agricultural events in school attendance requirements; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.715 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.715 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A pilot project is established for tribal compact schools to explore and implement options in adjusting school attendance and calendar requirements for the purpose of accommodating cultural and agricultural events and replacing graduation testing requirements with culturally relevant and community-based standards.

(2) Tribal compact schools participating in the pilot project may develop various options in implementing the pilot, including but not limited to:

(a) Obtaining a waiver, in accordance to RCW 28A.305.141, to the requirement of one hundred eighty school days per school year as provided under RCW 28A.150.220;

(b) Counting student participation in cultural or agricultural programs as instructional days for the purposes of RCW 28A.150.220(5);

(c) Categorizing the participation in cultural or agricultural events as an excused absence under RCW 28A.225.010;

(d) Exploring ways that cultural and agricultural events are reflected in data concerning absenteeism;

(e) Expanding the two-day limit of excused absences under RCW 28A.225.010(1)(e) for students participating in particular cultural and agricultural events as part of their educational development; or

(f) Replacing mandatory graduation testing requirements with culturally relevant and community-based standards.

(3) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit the amount of funding allocated to tribal compact schools participating in the pilot program.

(4) A tribal compact school participating in the pilot shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature every four years and include a recommendation on whether the pilot project should be modified, continued, or expanded.

(5) The pilot project shall expire August 1, 2030.

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