Happy Friday! We have made it through another whirlwind of a week on the hill. Lawmakers have been working at a non-stop pace, scheduling bills, taking public testimony on legislation and holding executive sessions on a wide variety of bills. This was the last full week before legislators face their first session cut-off. Wednesday, January 31st, is the House of Origin cutoff for policy committees. Bills that do not make it out of committee are considered, “dead,” and will not move forward. The following Monday, February 5th, is the House of Origin cutoff for fiscal committees (House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means). 

Last week, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal, introduced OSPI’s “roadmap to guide the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Washington’s schools.” This makes Washington the fifth state in the nation to publish state-level guidance on AI use in its public schools. “Our commitment is not just to integrate AI into the classroom,” stated Reykdal, in his opening message in the guidance. “It’s to do so with a vision that places our educators and students at the center of this digital revolution with a priority for human inquiry that uses AI for production, but never as the final thought, product, or paper.”

Education Hearings Scheduled for Next Week on TVW.org:

House Education Committee

• Monday, January 29th @ 1:30pm
• Tuesday, January 30th @ 4pm

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee

• Monday, January 29th @ 1:30pm
• Wednesday, January 31st @10:30am

Important Legislative Links

Legislative Website: Get information on bills, legislators, hearings and more.

Bill Tracker: Track specific bills, read bill reports.

TVW: Watch live and archived legislative proceedings.

Note about legislative updates:

CSTP relays these legislative updates to provide information on bills, budgets and legislative processes. CSTP doesn’t have a legislative agenda, but does track legislative issues most relevant to teaching.

Bills We’re Following

ESHB 1113: which requires the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to adopt rules for reviewing and vacating reprimands related to behavior that did not involve a student issued to certificated professional educators. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Committee.

HB 1146: which requires public schools to notify high school students and their families about available dual credit programs and any available financial assistance. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Committee.

SHB 1228: which would establish grant programs for establishing dual language education and tribal language education programs, as well as establish multilingual skill bonuses for certificated instructional staff and paraeducators (hearing time: 12:47). Testifying in support: representatives from the Inchelium SD, OneAmerica and several concerned citizens. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 31st at 1:30pm.

2SHB 1239: which would establish a simple, uniform, and easily accessible state-level process for the receipt and classification of complaints involving the elementary and secondary education system, and would require school districts to post the complaint process on their websites and make information available about the complaint process (hearing time: 39:40). Testifying in support: several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI and the WEA. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 29th at 1:30pm.

ESHB 1277: which requires improving the consistency and quality of the implementation of the fundamental course of study for paraeducators. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Committee.

E2SHB 1479: which concerns restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs (hearing time: 18:33 and 40:26). Testifying in support: representatives from the SCPTSA, Team Child, OSPI and several concerned citizens,  Testifying in opposition: representatives from WABA. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the Rural Ed Center and the School Alliance. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 30th at 4pm.

E2SHHB 1565: which requires a feasibility report for a statewide online platform for recruitment and hiring of public school employees, establishes teacher residency programs, requires a teacher exchange program report, intends to improve beginning educator quality and increase beginning educator retention and to establish minimum requirements for educator workforce research (hearing time: 1:20:54). The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 29th at 1:30pm.

HB 1608: which requires the Secretary of Health to issue a statewide standing order prescribing epinephrine and epinephrine autoinjectors to any school district for use by designated trained school personnel. The bill also permits school districts to maintain a supply of epinephrine and epinephrine autoinjectors (hearing time: 3:42). Testifying in support: representatives from the Arlington SD, the Wenatchee SD, the Moses Lake SD and a concerned citizen. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1879: which would name the curriculum used to inform students about tribal history, culture, and government after John McCoy (lulilaš) (hearing time: 00:37). Testifying in support: the Chair Woman of the Tulalip Tribes, several family members of the former Senator John McCoy and representatives from OSPI. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1914: which aims to improve special education services received by qualifying students by requiring school districts to provide parents information about the Office of the Education Ombuds with special education materials, and to provide parents with a monthly report about the quantity and method of special education services delivered to their students (hearing time: 1:37:53). Testifying in support: representatives from Team Child and WSIPC. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the Chehalis SD, The Arc of King County, OEO, and OSPI. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1915: which would require school districts by the 2025-26 school year to provide high school students with access to at least one-half credit of financial education instruction (hearing time: 22:26). Testifying in support: representatives from WALYAC, ATFA, the State Treasurer and a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the WEA and the SBE. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 1922: which would require OSPI to establish a grant program for the purchase and installation of vape detectors in public schools (hearing time: 1:36:19). Testifying as “other:” representatives from AWSP and the American Heart Association. Testifying in opposition: representatives from WASAVP. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 30th at 4pm. 

HB 1935: which promotes resource conservation practices that include student education and leadership opportunities in public schools (hearing time: 45:54). Testifying in support: representatives from the DNR, Climate Pledge Arena and several concerned citizens. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 29th at 1:30pm.

HB 1956: which aims to address fentanyl and other substance use prevention education (hearing time: 0:46). Testifying in support: representatives from the Governor’s Office, the Colville Business Council, the Everett PD, Snohomish CO Public Health, AESD, a concerned citizen and several High School students. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 2018: which would require OSPI to conduct a two year pilot program where selected sites implement a strategy to restrict student mobile device use during instructional hours and to report to the OSPI with certain information related to implementing the restriction, and would requires the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) to develop a model policy for restricting student mobile device use during instructional hours based on the information gathered from the pilot program (hearing time 1:21:44). Testifying in support: the superintendent of the Reardan-Edwall SD, Chehalis SD and a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 30th at 4pm. 

HB 2037: which would require, beginning with the 2027-28 school year, public schools to provide instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides and crimes against humanity when the topic aligns with the social studies learning standards (hearing time: 51:04). Testifying in support: representatives from the Holocaust Center for Humanity, The Forgotten Europe Project and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the Khmer Community of Seattle/King County and several concerned citizens. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 29th at 1:30pm.

HB 2038: which concerns data collection on student transfers and withdrawals from public schools and school districts (hearing time: 1:18:20). Testifying in support: representatives from WSIPC. Testifying in opposition: a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the WEA, WHO and OSPI. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 29th at 1:30pm.

HB 2058: which would require all school districts to provide breakfast and lunch without charge to any requesting students, beginning with the 2024–25 school year (hearing time: 31:24 and 1:04:15). Testifying in support:representatives from WSSDA, WEA, OSPI, WCAAP, Food Lifeline, and Save the Children Action Network. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Washington State Policy Center. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 2110: which concerns reorganizing statutory requirements governing high school graduation (hearing time: 48:53). Testifying in support: representatives from the SBE. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 2130: which would extend eligibility for special education services to the end of the school year in which a student eligible for special education services turns 22 years of age (hearing time: 0:44). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, WSCA and a concerned citizen. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 29th at 1:30pm.

HB 2236: which would expand and strengthen career and technical education core plus programs (hearing time 1:05:30). Testifying in support: representatives from the Manufacturing Industrial Council, CSR Marines Seattle, Washington Skills Centers, West Sound Tech and Skills Center, a concerned citizen, Renton SD and WACTA. Testifying as “other:” representatives of AGC, AWB and OSPI. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 2239: which would encourage school districts to provide instruction on skills that promote social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health and wellness (hearing time: 16:12). Testifying in support: representatives from Roots of Inclusion and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: a concerned citizen. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 29th at 1:30pm.

HB 2267: which would provide public school students with opportunities for cultural expression at commencement ceremonies (hearing time: 56:00). Testifying in support: a concerned citizen. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 2331: which would bar school boards from refusing to approve, or prohibiting the use of, an educational material on the basis that it relates to the study of contributions of individuals or groups that are part of a protected class, and would establish new requirements for written complaints about instructional materials (hearing time: 11:08). Testifying in support: a National Board Certified Teacher Librarian, representatives from the WLA, Momsrising and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: several concerned citizens and representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSSDA. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 29th at 1:30pm.

HB 2398: which would require parent representation on instructional materials committees (hearing time: 5:34 and 43:18). Testifying in support: several concerned citizens and representatives from the Washington Policy Center. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the WEA, a concerned citizen and WSSDA. The bill is scheduled for executive session on January 29th at 1:30pm.

SB 5804: which would require school districts to maintain at least one set of opioid reversal medication doses within each high school (hearing time: 11:24 and 45:14). Testifying in support: several students from Lake Washington SD and representatives from WASAVP. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5809: which would authorize charter schools to apply for state grants on the same basis as school districts (hearing time: 1:05:54). Testifying in support: representatives from Why Not You Academy, Rainier Valley Leadership Academy and Pride Schools. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WEA. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5819: which would make financial education instruction a graduation prerequisite and a required component of public education beginning in elementary school (hearing time: 44:24). Testifying in support: the WA State Treasurer, representatives from FEPPP, Washington Credit Unions, WBBA, NGPF and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSPTA, SBE and the WEA.

SB 5849: which concerns a computer science competency graduation requirement (hearing time: 1:18:12). Testifying in support: representatives from Code.Org, CS Forward, Sammamish Robotics, CSTA and OSPI. Testifying in opposition: a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the WEA, WSPTA, SBE and Roosevelt HS PTA.

SB 5850: which would establish a grant program for community-based organizations  to support students who are chronically absent, and would require each ESD to develop and offer staff training on early warning systems to identify and locate students who are chronically absent (hearing time: 1:12:13). Testifying in support: representatives from AYDEPI, Big Brothers Big Sisters, OSPI, LIFRC, AESD, SBCTC, UWKC and Kiona-Benton City School District. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee and scheduled for executive session on January 30th at 4pm.

SB 5851: which concerns the requirement of Holocaust and genocide education in public schools (hearing time: 4:00). Testifying in support: representatives from the Holocaust Center for Humanity, WEA, JCRC and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: representatives from WESN and a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” several concerned citizens.

SB 5852: would require that special education safety net awards only be adjusted for errors in applications or IEPs that materially affect the demonstration of need. (hearing time: 1:52 and 26:52). Testifying in support: representatives from WSSDA, Attorneys for Education Rights, OSPI, Mercer Island SD, SCPTSA and the Chehalis SD. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5870: which would expand eligibility for early learning programs (hearing time: 23:43). Testified in support: representatives from the WSA, ESD 105, OPPCO, MCCC, WBBA, MCFHC, WCCA, WSAHNC, and several concerned citizens.

SB 5882: which would phase in additional staffing allocations for paraprofessionals in instructional and non-instructional roles in an effort to improve the individualized support for student learning and behavioral needs (hearing time: 28:55). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, the Evergreen, Spokane, and Vancouver Public Schools, the WEA, PSE, NASW of WA, WSPTA, the Rural Ed Center, South Sound School Districts, the Northshore Education Assoc, a concerned citizen and WSSDA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Washington Policy Center, Conservative Ladies of WA and a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WAESN. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5883: provides that a school district has the burden of proof when it is a party to a special education due process hearing and creates an exception to this burden of proof requirement in circumstances when a parent seeks reimbursement for a unilateral parental placement (hearing time: 7:01 and 38:26). Testifying in support: representatives from Team Child, several concerned citizens, The Arc of King County, SCPTSA, ARCWA, Disability Rights WA, Seattle Special Education PTSA and SEAC. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the Mercer Island SD. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5923: which would address fentanyl and other substance use prevention education (hearing time: 14:11 and 58:18). Testifying in support: representatives from the Governor’s Office, CAPE Club of Oak Harbor, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, AESD, AWSP, OSPI, City of Everett Youth and Advisory Board and a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:”representatives from WASAVP. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5966: which prohibits certain restraint and isolation of students, expands the procedures following the use of restraint or isolation and directs school districts to adopt a restraint and isolation policy and procedure and a professional development plan (hearing time 1:11:51). Testifying in support: representatives from the Spokane PS and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:”representatives from PSE, WEA, OSPI, Roots of Inclusion, the Medical Lake SD, Lake Washington SD, and a concerned citizen. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the ACLU, Team Child, LEV, The Arc of King County and Open Doors WA. 

SB 6014: which would increase the K-12 special education enrollment funding cap from 15 percent to 17.25 percent (hearing time 19:51 and 1:06:02). Testifying in support: representatives from the Office of the Governor, OFM, WSPTA, WSSDA, ESD 113, WEA, Attorneys for Education Rights, Olympia SD, Clover Park SD, Aberdeen SD and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” SCPTSA. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 6018: which would designate early learning coordinators at educational service districts (hearing time: 51:07). Testified in support: representatives from Child Care Aware of WA, the Ferndale SD, PSESD, Rural Ed Center, OSPI and Fife PS.

SB 6082: which would increase the state allocation for paraeducator salaries by an additional average of $7 per hour per full-time equivalent and would establish minimum hourly wages for paraeducators based on training and certification (hearing time: 0:49). Testifying in support: Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal (OSPI), several paraeducators, representatives from OpenDoorsWA and theWEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from WABO.

SB 6123: which would establish the minimum state average allocation for salaries for classified administrative staff at $91,733, and for other classified staff to $54,633, beginning with the 2024-25 school year  (hearing time: 22:23). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA and PSE.

SB 6205: which would mandate instruction on the meaning and history of the pledge of allegiance in public schools (hearing time: 19:00). Testifying in support: several students from Eatonville Middle School and representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA.

SB 6208: which would prohibit school districts  from refusing to approve or prohibit the use of any instructional material on the basis that it relates or includes the study of any individual or group who is part of a protected class unless the content contains discriminatory bias (hearing time: 30:22). Testifying in support: representatives from the WLA, MomsRising and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of Washington and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSSDA.

SB 6216: which would establish a regional school-based mental and behavioral health student assistance program through the educational service districts (ESDs), and would create a grant program to support school districts in developing and implementing a plan for recognition, screening, and response to emotional or behavioral distress in students (hearing time: 1:02:39). Testifying in support: representatives from the AESD, Steilacoom SD, a concerned citizen, WA Youth Alliance, WCAAP, NAMIWA, OSPI, Children’s Alliance and Surprise Lake Middle School. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA and CCHR.

SB 6236: which would require a parent who intends for their child to homeschool, to file a signed declaration of intent in the school years when their child turns six and seven (hearing time: 1:27:34). Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Washington Homeschool Organization, HSLDA, several concerned citizens, and the Conservative Ladies of WA.

SB 6264: which would require the State Board of Education (SBE) to develop and recommend a process to identify and designate schools and school districts that are implementing competency-based education (CBE) and identify costs associated with this process (hearing time: 59:30). Testifying in support: representatives from the Council of Presidents, Medical Lake HS, SBE, WSPTA and SBCTC. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI.

Odds and Ends

The steady rise of “chronic absenteeism,” is becoming a real concern in Washington State. SB 5850 hopes to address this exact issue. For an in depth dive into the ramifications and possible solutions, tune into NPR’s 1A Podcast, Chronic Absenteeism is Changing K-12 Education. It is definitely worth a listen.

From the popular education blog, “TeachThought,” a deep dive into the world of assessments. 18 Inconvenient Truths About Assessment of Learning.