SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5527
As of February 6, 2023
Title: An act relating to adding additional courses to the list of courses approved as a graduation pathway option.
Brief Description: Adding additional courses to the list of courses approved as a graduation pathway option.
Sponsors: Senators Mullet, Boehnke, Wellman and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/06/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds Advanced Placement (AP) European History, Seminar, Research, Seminar: English, African American Studies, and Precalculus to the list of English language arts and mathematics courses that may be utilized toward a graduation pathway when earned with a C+ grade, or 3 or higher on the AP exam.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION
Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)
Background:

Advanced Placement Courses.  Advanced placement (AP) courses are exam-based dual credit courses that allow students to take an exam and apply to receive postsecondary credit based on the score received.  Course curriculums are developed by the College Board; individual courses must be audited by the College Board for approval.
 
High School Graduation Requirements.  Washington State students must meet various requirements to graduate high school and receive a diploma.  Students must complete 24 credits in specified subject areas as determined by the State Board of Education (SBE).  Students must also complete a High School and Beyond Plan, and satisfy any local requirements.
 
Students must meet the requirements of at least one graduation pathway to receive their high school diploma. These include:

  • meeting or exceeding a set standard on statewide English language arts (ELA) and mathematics assessments;
  • completing and qualifying for college credit in dual credit courses in ELA and mathematics;
  • earning high school credit in a high school transition course in ELA and mathematics;
  • earning high school credit with a C+ grade or receiving particular scores in AP, international baccalaureate, or Cambridge international courses in ELA and mathematics;
  • meeting or exceeding set scores on the SAT or ACT;
  • meeting standards in the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery; or
  • completing a sequence of career and technical education (CTE) courses.

 

School districts are encouraged to make all graduation pathway options available to their students, and to expand their list of options until all are offered, but districts are granted discretion in determining which pathway options they offer.

 
For English language arts, successfully completing any of the following AP courses meets the standard: AP English Language and Composition Literature, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, United States History, World History, United States Government and Politics, or Comparative Government and Politics.
 
For mathematics, successfully completing any of the following AP courses meets the standard: AP Statistics, Computer Science, Computer Science Principles, or Calculus.
Summary of Bill:

Additional courses are added to the list courses that students may use to satisfy a graduation pathway upon receiving either a C+ grade, or a 3 or higher on the AP exam in ELA and mathematics.
 
The additional ELA courses include: AP European History, Seminar, Research, Seminar: English and African American Studies.
 
AP Precalculus is added to the list of mathematics courses whose completion meets the standard.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 27, 2023.
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: The bill updates the statutory list of courses.  The courses added to the list help students develop skills that will help them in whatever career path they choose.  The additional courses will allow students to better personalize their education.


OTHER: Having to name individual courses creates situations where statute has to be amended each time there is a change in courses or a name change.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Mark Mullet, Prime Sponsor; Linda Drake, Washington State Board of Education; Brooke Davies, The College Board.
OTHER: Kristin Murphy, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.