SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5054
As of January 13, 2023
Title: An act relating to promoting and facilitating the use of professional learning communities.
Brief Description: Promoting and facilitating the use of professional learning communities.
Sponsors: Senators Wellman, Dhingra, Nobles, Salda?a, Valdez and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/16/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Modifies the definition of instructional hours to include hours students are engaging in educational activities under the supervision of noncertificated staff while teachers participate in professional learning communities (PLCs).
  • Encourages school districts to establish a school calendar that provides at least four hours per week for teachers to engage in PLCs during the school day.
  • Requires that, if providing time for PLCs, the framework characteristics of the PLC must be consistent with professional learning requirements and must be established through collective bargaining.
  • Provides a definition for professional learning community.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)
Background:

Professional Learning Communities.  A professional learning community (PLC) is generally a collaborating learning group comprised of colleagues within a particular work environment or field.  In education, this often takes the form of teachers conducting professional development or professional learning in a group-based setting.
 
Instructional Hours.  School districts in Washington must meet annual minimum requirements for providing instructional hours and school days.  Districts must offer students a district-wide average of at least 1080 hours for students in grades 9 through 12 and a minimum of 1000 instructional hours for students in kindergarten through grade 8.  School districts must also offer a minimum of 180 days of instruction each year to students in all grades.
Summary of Bill:

Professional Learning Communities.  "Professional learning community" is defined as a group of educators within a school or school district that meets regularly to share expertise, reflect on their practice, and work collaboratively to enhance their knowledge and skills to teach and support students' academic, social, and emotional learning and growth.  The definition also states that PLC can be made up of educators across different subject and support areas, grade levels and levels of leadership.
 
If a school district provides time for PLCs to promote ongoing professional learning during the school day, the framework characteristics of the PLC must be consistent with professional learning requirements and must be established through collective bargaining.
 
School districts are encouraged to promote and facilitate PLCs by establishing a school calendar that provides at least four hours per week for certificated instructional staff to engage in PLCs during the school day.
 
Instructional Hours.  The definition of instructional hours is modified to include hours students are engaging in educational activities under the supervision of noncertificated school staff while certificated staff participate in professional learning communities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 9, 2023.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.