HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1428

BYRepresentatives Betrozoff, Peery, Rasmussen, Walker, Dorn, Pruitt, Holland, Schoon, Brumsickle, Horn, Fuhrman, Silver, McLean, May, Brough, Moyer, D. Sommers, Tate, Youngsman, Ferguson, Wood and Phillips

Creating awards for outcome-based education programs.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (17)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Jones, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1988 the Legislature directed the Superintendent of Public Instruction to conduct a study of outcomes based education and make recommendations on the development of an outcomes based system and field testing of such a system.  The Temporary Committee on Assessment and Accountability of Educational Outcomes recommended continued field testing of outcome based systems.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The Legislature recognizes that success is based on students becoming highly educated through the use of the most effective educational methods available coupled with a well defined mission for the schools, its staff, students and the community.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is empowered to administer appropriated funds for the recognition of school districts for schools which have shown significant and continuous improvement in student performance in basic skills.  Measurements must be based on the implementation of an outcome based education model in operation for at least one year.  The outcome based education model must contain:  A clear statement of the school's mission, identification of outcomes or exit behaviors expected of students, a set of research-based principles that will guide decision making and the development of an instructional process and curriculum that support achievement of desired student outcomes.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall adopt rules for the allocation of funds to school district applicants based on such conditions as the Superintendent shall identify.

Selected districts shall distribute through the education clearinghouse a description of their outcome-based programs.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Provisions specifying the amount of the award and administration of the award program are removed.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction is empowered to administer the appropriated funds and develop rules for the allocation of such funds.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 25, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ann Foley, Nanna Brantigan, and Karen Elliot, College Place Middle School; Dallas Blair, University Place School District; Catherine Bock, Board Member, Lake Washington School District; Allen Donaldson, Highline School District; Walter Ball; Association of Washington School Principals; Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association; Don Johnson, Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    A lot of research has been done in education.  Based on this research and our experience there are four things that we know:  1) All students can learn, 2) Nothing succeeds like success; 3) Teachers do have control and can control conditions that promote success; and 4) Although outcome based education is not a quick fix, the results are remarkable.  When a student understands what is to be learned, how mastery will be demonstrated and that he or she will be given the time it takes to learn the material, learning becomes something precise and possible rather than a mystery.  When the student is clear about what he or she is to learn and the school and the community have a clear picture of the goals of the school and desired student outcomes there is a transformation. Teachers are empowered to use their knowledge on how to teach and become part of the decision making process.  There is also a standardization between teachers within a grade level.  There is time and interest in finding ways to help every child learn at his or her own pace.  Outcome based education is clearly applicable to all students including those students with special needs.  It is time to throw out old beliefs that some children can't learn.  All children can learn if we provide proper instruction and the time to learn.  All of us do not learn at the same rate or in the same way.  Our job is to help children succeed.  Outcome based learning is the key to the success we desire.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.