SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5553
As of January 14, 2022
Title: An act relating to providing data regarding early STEM metrics in the STEM education report card.
Brief Description: Providing data regarding early STEM metrics in the STEM education report card.
Sponsors: Senators Wilson, C., Das, Hasegawa, Lovick, Nguyen, Nobles, Randall and Wellman.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/14/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds early learning and child care data to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Report Card.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background:

In 2013, the STEM Education Innovation Alliance (Alliance) was established to advise the Governor and provide vision and guidance to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) initiatives, as well as other current or proposed programs and initiatives across the spectrum of early learning through post-secondary education, that are intended to increase learning opportunities and improve education outcomes in STEM. 

 

The Alliance was directed to develop a STEM Education Report Card to monitor progress in increasing learning opportunities and aligning strategic plans and activities to prepare students for STEM-related jobs and careers, with the longer-term goal of improving educational, workforce, and economic outcomes in STEM.  The report card must include certain information such as recent data of STEM indicators and measures and data regarding current and projected STEM job openings in the state. 
Summary of Bill:

The Alliance must add data regarding early STEM metrics to the STEM Education Report Card.  This data includes child care access and affordability, access to quality early learning, workforce development, and access to early learning interventions.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  Early learning begins at birth.  Quality early learning experiences help optimize children's learning, which helps them later succeed in school.  Adding early learning data to the existing STEM Education Report Card will help educators, businesses, and communities understand early learning opportunities and help them track and support STEM goals.  This data can inform multiple early learning efforts and help ensure these efforts are responding to community needs.  This bill is not about collecting math data on students.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Claire Wilson, Prime Sponsor; Bish Paul, Washington STEM; Jennifer Veltri, NW Washington STEM Network; Sarah Brady; Susan Barbeau, First 5 FUNdamentals.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.