S-5526.1

SENATE BILL 6521

BySenators Wellman, Hunt, Mullet, and Wilson, C.

AN ACT Relating to creating an innovative learning pilot program; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:

(1) By July 1, 2020, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall create and administer an innovative learning pilot program to authorize full-time enrollment funding for students participating in approved mastery-based learning programs.

(2) To participate in the innovative learning pilot program, school districts must submit an application to the office of the superintendent of public instruction with the following components:

(a) A description of the mastery-based learning program that the school district intends to implement and the number of students that are expected to participate;

(b) An explanation of the goals of the mastery-based learning program and how the school district intends to measure and assess attainment of the goals; and

(c) A description of the partnerships between the school district and community businesses and organizations that will enhance project-based learning opportunities.

(3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction must review submitted applications and approve up to five applicant school districts that demonstrate the capacity to operate a mastery-based learning program likely to result in meaningful project-based learning opportunities aligned to the personal career goals of students.

(4) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of this section, including rules that define full-time enrollment standards for students based on regular participation in an approved mastery-based learning program rather than hours of seat time. Rules adopted pursuant to this section must permit participating school districts to report full-time equivalent students in an approved mastery-based program for general apportionment funding.

(5) By December 1, 2022, the office of the superintendent of public instruction must report to the legislature regarding the number of school districts that have applied to participate in the innovative learning pilot program.

(6) For purposes of this section, "mastery-based learning program" means an educational program where students participate in project-based learning aligned to personal career goals and advance upon demonstrated mastery of content. Mastery-based learning programs may include apprenticeships, internships, and off-campus programming that students attend as part of their project-based learning.

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