Tag Archives: washington legislature

Weekly Legislative Update: February 2, 2024

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 2, 2024
Education Policy | districts, dual language, education, education reform, educator retention, equity, high school dual credit, Legislature, paraeducators, school, school districts, social emotional behavior, washington legislature

We have made it to the end of another week on the hill, and this one came with its first major cut-off of the session. Wednesday, January 31, was the last day for committees to pass bills out of their house of origin. Bills that were not scheduled for executive session and voted out of committee by 5pm on Wednesday, did not move forward. It was a flurry of activity and hearing schedules were packed. Lawmakers have to make the most of their time during short sessions because time between cut-offs is brief at best. Monday, February 5, is the fiscal committee cut-off, meaning that bills currently in the House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means committees will need to be voted out by end of day Monday.

We watched as various bills that were expected to move forward this session came to a standstill on Wednesday. Although not uncommon, there were quite a few bills that shared companion bills in the opposite house that did not move forward. SB 5559 , which concerned restraint or isolation of students in public schools, did not make it out of the Senate Ed committee on Wednesday, but its companion bill in the house, 3SHB 1479, did move forward.

A big win for Senator Wellman and the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee was moving forward SSB 5804, which would put the life-saving opioid reversal medication naloxone, or “narcan,” in all Washington K-12 public schools. As reported in Crosscut, this legislation is timely as Washington experiences a public health crisis driven by the rise in fentanyl related overdoses and deaths. Its companion in the house, HB 2029, did not move forward.

Fiscal Committee Hearings on TVW.org:

Senate Ways & Means Committee

Friday, February 2nd @ 1:30pm
Saturday, February 3rd @ 9am
Monday, February 5th @ 10am

House Appropriations Committee

Friday, February 2nd @ 10:30pm
Saturday, February 3rd @ 9am
Monday, February 5th @ 10:30am

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.

2SHB 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 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

3SHB 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 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

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.

3SHB 1479 : which concerns restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs (hearing time: 18:33 and 40:26 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

3SHB 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 in the House Rules Committee.

EsHB 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 ). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 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 ). The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 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 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 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 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations 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 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1935 : which promotes resource conservation practices that include student education and leadership opportunities in public schools (hearing time: 45:54 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 1956 : which directs the Secretary of Health to annually develop and distribute a statewide multimedia substance use prevention and awareness campaign that meets specified requirements and requires OSPI to distribute school and classroom substance use prevention and awareness materials (hearing time: 0:46 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations 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 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 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 ). The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 2038 : which concerns data collection on student transfers and withdrawals from public schools and school districts (hearing time: 1:18:20 ). The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

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 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 2110 : which concerns reorganizing statutory requirements governing high school graduation (hearing time: 48:53 ). The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 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 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 2236 : which directs OSPI to develop an Allied Health Professions Career and Technical Education Core Plus Program and provide available curriculum and instructional materials to districts and skill centers for optional use by the 2025-26 school year (hearing time 1:05:30 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 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 ). The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 2267 : which would provide public school students with opportunities for cultural expression at commencement ceremonies (hearing time: 56:00 ). The bill is in the House Rules committee.

SHB 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 ). The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 2398 : which would require school district instructional materials committees (IMCs) to include parents of students in a number equaling less than one half of the total membership of the IMC (hearing time: 11:08 ). The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SSB 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 ). The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5809 : which would authorize charter schools to apply for state grants on the same basis as school districts (hearing time: 1:05:54 ). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5849 : which requires that all students show competency in high school learning standards related to computer science in order to graduate from high school, but specifies that the requirements do not increase the number of high school credits required for graduation, beginning with the 2029 graduating class. The bill also provides various options in which students may demonstrate competency in computer science learning standards (hearing time: 1:18:12 ). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

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 ). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5851 : which requires public middle, junior high, and high schools to provide Holocaust and genocide instruction when this topic aligns with the social studies learning standards beginning with the 2027-28 school year (hearing time: 4:00 ). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

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 ). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 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 ). 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 ). The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5923: which tasks OSPI to review and update substance use prevention education materials and resources provided to students and families in middle and high schools and requires education to prevent fentanyl and other opioid use to be provided once a year to all students in seventh and ninth grade (hearing time: 14:11 and 58:18 ). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

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 ). 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 ). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

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 ). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 6205 : which would mandate instruction on the meaning and history of the pledge of allegiance in public schools (hearing time: 19:00 ). The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

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 ). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 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). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Odds and Ends

How daily mindfulness lessons are showing positive results in one Florida elementary school. This week from NPR, To Help These Kids Deal With Trauma, Mindfulness Lessons Over the Loudspeaker .

“Some educators prefer inquiry; some prefer direct instruction. Depending upon your biases, you’re likely to see a complicated, mixed body of research as glass half full or glass half empty.” From KQED’s MindShift, Two Groups of Scholars Revive the Debate Over Inquiry vs. Direct Instruction.

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Samantha Miller returns as CSTP’s Legislative Updates Coordinator for the 2024 legislative session. She writes weekly emails during the legislative session focusing on bills that impact Washington educators.

Samantha has degrees in both Political Science and History, as well as a Master in Teaching. Samantha has worked in Elementary Education for 6 years, most recently as a 3rd Grade general education teacher. The majority of her time is spent chasing around her two children who keep her very busy. Samantha enjoys running, working in her yard, listening to political podcasts, and spending time with her family.

Weekly Legislative Update – April 7, 2023

Posted by CSTP Staff on April 7, 2023
Education Policy | college, districts, education, education reform, equity, high school and beyond, HSBP, Legislature, licensure, principal, school, school districts, social emotional learning, special education, teaching, teaching certification, teaching license, washington certification, washington legislature

CSTP Updates

Happy Friday, Spring Break, Ramadan, Passover, and Easter as well! Phew! The session seems to be flying by and it is so packed with floor and committee action as well as the release, and debates of the budget proposals. According to the Seattle Times, “Spending on K-12 schools would account for nearly half of overall state spending for the next two years in both the House and Senate budget proposals. Legislators will have to hammer out an agreement on overall education spending and on a key area of that, special education.” Following the House budget vote earlier this week, appointed budget negotiators from both houses will continue to meet and debate on a final proposal. One of the last votes that lawmakers take this session will be on the final negotiated budget. Tuesday, April 4, marked the fiscal committee cut-off for the House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means Committees. Most education related bills made it through at the last minute, however, a few did fail to make the cut. The next cut-off comes next Wednesday, April 12, and will be the last day for lawmakers to consider and pass bills out of the opposite house. This is the last cut-off date before the end of session, Sine Die, which is scheduled for April 23.

Education Committee Hearings for Next Week on TVW.org

There are no committee meetings scheduled next week but we expect there will be a lot of floor action.

House Bills

2SHB 1013: which would require OSPI and Washington ESDs to jointly establish a regional apprenticeship pilot program with one site each in Eastern and Western Washington (hearing time: 6:18). The bill is in the Rules Committee.

SHB 1015: which revises minimum employment requirements for paraeducators. The bill has passed both chambers and has been signed by the House Speaker and the Senate President.

ESHB 1057: which would provide a benefit increase to certain retirees of the public employees’ retirement system plan 1 and the teachers’ retirement system plan 1. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

HB 1146: which would require 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 Rules Committee.

SHB 1207: which aims to prevent and respond to harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools through updated policies and procedures. The bill has passed both chambers.

E2SHB 1238: which would require K-5 elementary public schools, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, to offer universal free breakfasts and lunches if up to 30% of students at the school qualify for free or reduced lunch. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

ESHB 1277: which would establish rules to improve the consistency and quality of the implementation of the fundamental courses of study for paraeducators. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

HB 1308: which establishes a graduation pathway option that enables students to meet pathway requirements by completing a performance-based learning experience. The bill has passed both chambers.

2SHB 1316: which would lower dual enrollment program costs for eligible students from $65 to $42.50 per credit by creating a subsidy program, incentivizing reduction of per college credit fees charged to college in the high school students, and revising eligibility for the Running Start (RS) program tuition fee waiver. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

2SHB 1332: which would require all school districts to incorporate a tribal sovereignty curriculum into their social studies curricula by September 1, 2023, as well as require districts to consult with the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe(s) about incorporating materials about their history, culture, and government into their social studies curricula by September 1, 2025. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

ESHB 1377: which would require the posting of approved courses and providers of continuing education. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

ESHB 1436: which would increase the enrollment limit for special education funding over several years until the 2027-28 school year, when the limit is removed, and would increase special education excess cost multipliers for kindergarten through age 21 over four school years to 1.059 for students who spend at least 80 percent of the school day in a general education setting. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

2SHB 1550: which would establish the transition to kindergarten program to provide no-charge assistance to eligible children in need of additional preparation to be successful kindergarten students in the following school year. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SHB 1658:which would authorize high school students aged 16 and above to earn up to two elective credits through paid work experience if approval and alignment with the student’s High School and Beyond Plan are met. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SHB 1701: which concerns basic education services to youth who are served through institutional education programs. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Bills

SSB 5048: which would require colleges to provide enrollment and registration in College in the High School (CHS) courses at no cost to students in grades 9-12 at public high schools, and would require the legislature to appropriate funds to fund CHS courses, at inflation-adjusted rates. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SSB 5127: which would clarifyschool districts’ ability to redact personal information related to a student. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

E2SSB 5174: which would modify the student transportation allocation formula and expand the definition of “to and from school” to include the transportation of students participating in career connected and work based learning opportunities. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

ESB 5175: which would allow employment contracts between a school board and principal to be up to three years in length, as opposed to limited to a term of one year. The bill has passed both chambers.

E2SSB 5243: which revises high school and beyond plan (HSBP) requirements, and would require OSPI to facilitate the transition and adoption of a common online platform for HSBPs. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

ESSB 5257: which would ensure that public schools provide daily recess for all elementary students with a minimum of 45 minutes when the school day is longer than five hours and a minimum of 30 minutes when the school day is shorter, as well as prohibit schools from withholding recess as a punitive action. The bill has passed both chambers.

E2SSB 5311: which would increase the special education excess cost multipliers for pre-K and K12 students over a four-year period and increase the special education enrollment funding cap from 13.5 percent to 14.5 percent. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

E2SSB 5315: which would require OSPI to establish standards for approval, monitoring, and investigating school district contracts with nonpublic agencies (NPAs) operating special education programs for students with disabilities, and requires that restraint and isolation procedures and notification requirements apply to NPAS. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

ESB 5355: which requires school districts to provide instruction on sex trafficking prevention and identification at least once between grades 7 and 12 beginning in the 2024-25 school year. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SSB 5617: which would require interdistrict cooperative agreements in a skill center to stipulate that any course equivalencies approved by OSPI or a host district must be honored by other participating school districts. The bill has passed both chambers.

ESB 5650: which concerns salary inflationary increases for K-12 employees. The bill has been delivered to the governor awaiting signature.

Odds and Ends

“In Washington, housing is one of the clearest predictors of whether a student might face suspension or expulsion from school.” On April 12, Project Homeless is hosting a discussion about some of the challenges homeless students face, as well as solutions. Read more on this and how you can join in or offer help, from the Seattle Times, What Do You Want To Know About K-12 Student Homelessness?

“Last month, education leaders from Utah, California, and Maryland visited three Washington schools to learn strategies for inclusive education to take back to their states,” read more from OSPI: Washington Schools Serve as Model for Inclusionary Practices.

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Samantha Miller returns as CSTP’s Legislative Updates Coordinator for the 2023 legislative session. She writes weekly emails during the legislative session focusing on bills that impact Washington educators. Samantha has degrees in both Political Science and History, as well as a Master in Teaching. Samantha has worked in Elementary Education for 6 years, most recently as a 3rd Grade general education teacher. The majority of her time is spent chasing around her two children who keep her very busy. Samantha enjoys running, working in her yard, listening to political podcasts, and spending time with her family.

Weekly Legislative Update – March 31, 2023

Posted by CSTP Staff on March 31, 2023
Education | college, covid-19, districts, education, education reform, equity, high school and beyond, HSBP, Legislature, principal, social emotional learning, special education, teaching, teaching certification, teaching license, washington certification, washington legislature

CSTP Updates

There is just one month left in the 2023 Legislative Session, and this week lawmakers were desperately trying to get last minute bills passed out of committee before Wednesday’s deadline, as well as working behind the scenes crafting this year’s budget. Wednesday marked the last day for bills to pass out of policy committees in the opposite house, except for fiscal committees. The House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means Committees have until Tuesday, April 4, to move bills out.

Last Friday, the State Supreme Court upheld the capital gains tax, reversing the previous superior court order. This means that the revenue raised by this tax can be assumed in our state’s next two-year budget, which comes as a relief to many lawmakers during this budget-drafting crunch time. While we are on the topic of budgets, Senate Democrats released their budget proposal late last week, and according to NPR, “The operating budget that Senate lawmakers released includes about $5 billion in new spending, and almost $3 billion of that would be for education, for things like teacher salaries, special education funding.” The House Democrats released their budget proposal Monday afternoon, and Crosscut reports, “The proposed House budget would spend nearly $70 billion over the next two years, an increase from the $59 billion budget plan approved two years ago. Among other things, it would expand the number of K-12 schools providing free breakfast and put $172 million toward boosting special education in K-12 schools. Now that both the house and senate have released their proposals, lawmakers will need to sit down to figure out a compromise by April 23, the end of the session.

Education Committee Hearings for Next Week on TVW.org

House Appropriations Committee

Monday, April 3 at 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, April 4 at 9:00 a.m.

Senate Ways & Means Education Committee

Monday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, April 4 at 10:00 a.m.

House Bills

2SHB 1013: which would require OSPI and Washington ESDs to jointly establish a regional apprenticeship pilot program with one site each in Eastern and Western Washington (hearing time: 6:18). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SHB 1015: which revises minimum employment requirements for paraeducators. The bill has passed both chambers and has been signed by the House Speaker and the Senate President.

ESHB 1057: which would provide a benefit increase to certain retirees of the public employees’ retirement system plan 1 and the teachers’ retirement system plan 1. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SHB 1109: which would provide additional special education funding to school districts in order to increase initial evaluations during summers. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

HB 1146: which would require 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 Rules Committee.

SHB 1207: which aims to prevent and respond to harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools through updated policies and procedures. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

2SHB 1238: which would require K-5 elementary public schools, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, to offer universal free breakfasts and lunches if up to 30% of students at the school qualify for free or reduced lunch. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

ESHB 1277: which would establish rules to improve the consistency and quality of the implementation of the fundamental courses of study for paraeducators. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

HB 1308: which establishes a graduation pathway option that enables students to meet pathway requirements by completing a performance-based learning experience. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

2SHB 1316: which would lower dual enrollment program costs for eligible students from $65 to $42.50 per credit by creating a subsidy program, incentivizing reduction of per college credit fees charged to college in the high school students, and revising eligibility for the Running Start (RS) program tuition fee waiver. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

2SHB 1332: which would require all school districts to incorporate a tribal sovereignty curriculum into their social studies curricula by September 1, 2023, as well as require districts to consult with the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe(s) about incorporating materials about their history, culture, and government into their social studies curricula by September 1, 2025. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

ESHB 1377: which would require the posting of approved courses and providers of continuing education. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

ESHB 1436: which would increase the enrollment limit for special education funding over several years until the 2027-28 school year, when the limit is removed, and would increase special education excess cost multipliers for kindergarten through age 21 over four school years to 1.059 for students who spend at least 80 percent of the school day in a general education setting. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

HB 1478: which establishes a statement of student rights for public schools and requires public schools to develop student-focused educational and promotional materials that incorporate the statement and to include the materials into required civics instruction. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

2SHB 1550: which would establish the transition to kindergarten program to provide no-charge assistance to eligible children in need of additional preparation to be successful kindergarten students in the following school year. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

2SHB 1565: which requires the development of an online platform for the recruitment and hiring of public school employees and establishes a teacher residency program. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

HB 1622: which aims to support the needs of students experiencing homelessness by aligning program goals, establishing common reporting requirements, and establishing examples of permitted expenditures for the OSPI program. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SHB 1658: which would authorize high school students aged 16 and above to earn up to two elective credits through paid work experience if approval and alignment with the student’s High School and Beyond Plan are met. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SHB 1701: which concerns basic education services to youth who are served through institutional education programs. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Senate Bills

SB 5019: which removes “classified staff providing student and staff safety” from the definition of physical, social, and emotional support staff and the specific funding considerations for that group. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SSB 5048: which would require colleges to provide enrollment and registration in College in the High School (CHS) courses at no cost to students in grades 9-12 at public high schools, and would require the legislature to appropriate funds to fund CHS courses, at inflation-adjusted rates. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SSB 5072: which would establish new requirements for identifying students who may be eligible for highly capable services, including conducting universal screenings once in or before second grade, and again before sixth grade. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

ESSB 5102: which requires school districts and school boards to provide every student with access to school library information and technology programs. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SSB 5127: which would clarifyschool districts’ ability to redact personal information related to a student. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

E2SSB 5174: which would modify the student transportation allocation formula and expand the definition of “to and from school” to include the transportation of students participating in career connected and work based learning opportunities. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

ESB 5175: which would allow employment contracts between a school board and principal to be up to three years in length, as opposed to limited to a term of one year. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

E2SSB 5243: which revises high school and beyond plan (HSBP) requirements, and would require OSPI to facilitate the transition and adoption of a common online platform for HSBPs. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

ESSB 5257:which would ensure that public schools provide daily recess for all elementary students with a minimum of 45 minutes when the school day is longer than five hours and a minimum of 30 minutes when the school day is shorter, as well as prohibit schools from withholding recess as a punitive action. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

E2SSB 5311: which would increase the special education excess cost multipliers for pre-K and K12 students over a four-year period and increase the special education enrollment funding cap from 13.5 percent to 14.5 percent. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

E2SSB 5315: which would require OSPI to establish standards for approval, monitoring, and investigating school district contracts with nonpublic agencies (NPAs) operating special education programs for students with disabilities, and requires that restraint and isolation procedures and notification requirements apply to NPAS. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

ESB 5355: which requires school districts to provide instruction on sex trafficking prevention and identification at least once between grades 7 and 12 beginning in the 2024-25 school year. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SSB 5617: which would require interdistrict cooperative agreements in a skill center to stipulate that any course equivalencies approved by OSPI or a host district must be honored by other participating school districts. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SSB 5626: which requires OSPI to establish a grant program for expanding the capability of school districts to integrate media literacy and digital citizenship into public school instruction. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

ESB 5650: which concerns salary inflationary increases for K-12 employees. The bill has passed both chambers and has been signed by the House Speaker and the Senate President.

Odds and Ends

“Called “un-grading,” the idea is meant to ease the transition to higher education…” This week from NPR Ed, To Help New Students Adapt, Some Colleges are Eliminating Grades.

“I provide my students with examples from their real world that show they need a basic understanding of the science to comprehend the things taking place around them every day,” from MindShift this week, How Science Class Can Help Students Explore Inequities in Their Communities.

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – March 24, 2023

Posted by CSTP Staff on March 24, 2023
Education Policy | college, covid-19, districts, education, education reform, equity, high school and beyond, HSBP, Legislature, licensure, principal, school, school districts, social emotional learning, special education, teaching, teaching certification, teaching license, washington certification, washington legislature

CSTP Updates

Happy Friday! Here we are with just a month left of the 2023 Legislative Session. Sine Die, the last day of session, is scheduled for April 23, and it will be here before we know it. This week, lawmakers were busy holding committee hearings with packed agendas, including public testimony on a number of bills as well as caucusing and holding executive sessions. These last few days before the final policy committee cut-off, March 29, can seem like a whirlwind on the hill.

March’s revenue forecast was released on Monday the 20th, and the updated financial predictions come at a time when legislators are working to draft a new two-year budget. “Washington’s state operating budget is the spending plan that doles out dollars to the state’s schools, parks, prisons, public lands and social services, such as the foster care and mental health programs” reports Crosscut this week. Senate Democrats are scheduled to release their proposed two-year budget plan late this week, according to a spokesperson for the caucus. House Democrats could release their proposed spending blueprint as early as next week.

Education Committee Hearings for Next Week on TVW.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, March 27 at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 28 at 4:00 p.m.

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Monday, March 27 at 1:30 p.m.

House Bills

SHB 1015: which revises minimum employment requirements for paraeducators (hearing time: 5:39). The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SHB 1109: which would provide additional special education funding to school districts in order to increase initial evaluations during summers (hearing time: 1:17). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SHB 1113: which would require the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to adopt rules for reviewing and vacating reprimands issued to certificated professional educators (hearing time: 20:08). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

HB 1146: which would require schools to notify high school students and their families about available dual credit programs and any available financial assistance (hearing time: 00:38). The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SHB 1207: which aims to prevent and respond to harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools through updated policies and procedures (hearing time: 5:51). The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

2SHB 1238: which would require K-5 elementary public schools, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, to offer universal free breakfasts and lunches if up to 30% of students at the school qualify for free or reduced lunch (hearing time: 1:15). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

ESHB 1277: which would establish rules to improve the consistency and quality of the implementation of the fundamental courses of study for paraeducators (hearing time: 00:29). The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

ESHB 1377: which would require the posting of approved courses and providers of continuing education (hearing time: 11:30). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

2SHB 1479: which would prohibit students from being subjected to isolation, mechanical restraint, or chemical restraint by school staff, except for school resource officers under some circumstances, and specifies that existing isolation rooms must remain unlocked, and no new isolation rooms may be created, and, by January 1, 2024, isolation rooms must be removed or repurposed (hearing time: 23:17). This issue of student restraint in Vancouver Public Schools received press this week in this article from Crosscut. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

SHB 1504: which requires public schools, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, to provide daily recess for all students in kindergarten through grade 5, and grade 6 if the students attend an elementary school. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

2SHB 1565: which requires the development of an online platform for the recruitment and hiring of public school employees and establishes a teacher residency program (hearing time: 26:57). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SHB 1658: which would authorize high school students aged 16 and above to earn up to two elective credits through paid work experience if approval and alignment with the student’s High School and Beyond Plan are met (hearing time: 1:19). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

SHB 1701: which concerns basic education services to youth who are served through institutional education programs (hearing time: 18:52). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Senate Bills

SSB 5054: which would modify instructional hours to include time students spend in educational activities under the supervision of non-certificated staff while teachers participate in professional learning communities (PLCs) as well as encourage school districts to adopt a school calendar that includes at least four hours per week for teachers to engage in PLCs during the school day (hearing time: 46:09). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

ESSB 5102: which requires school districts and school boards to provide every student with access to school library information and technology programs (hearing time: 00:46). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SSB 5127: which would clarify school districts’ ability to redact personal information related to a student. The bill is in the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee.

ESB 5175: which would allow employment contracts between a school board and principal to be up to three years in length, as opposed to limited to a term of one year (hearing time: 12:09). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SB 5180: which aims to support the retention of teachers by removing barriers to licensure and creating a streamlined pathway to licensure mobility (hearing time: 17:42). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

ESB 5462: which would direct OSPI to review and update relevant state learning standards at all grade levels to include the histories, contributions, and perspectives of LGBTQ people, and historically marginalized and underrepresented groups, by December 1, 2024 (hearing time: 38:31). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SSB 5626: which requires OSPI to establish a grant program for expanding the capability of school districts to integrate media literacy and digital citizenship into public school instruction (hearing time: 20:28). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

ESB 5650: which concerns salary inflationary increases for K-12 employees. The bill has passed out of the House Appropriations Committee.

Odds and Ends:

“I love how my Black students, in particular, can’t tell the difference between my African American studies class and my American history class…” This week from MindShift, Illinois Teachers Create Black History Courses to Fill in Gaps in US History for Students.

This week from NPR Education, What We Do (and Don’t) Know About Teacher Shortages, and What Can Be Done About Them.

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – March 17, 2023

Posted by CSTP Staff on March 17, 2023
Education Policy | college, districts, education, education reform, equity, high school and beyond, HSBP, Legislature, licensure, paraeducators, principal, social emotional learning, special education, teaching, teaching certification, teaching license, washington certification, washington legislature

CSTP Updates

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! This week lawmakers were back in committees, holding public hearings and executive sessions on bills from the opposite house. After last week’s origin cut-off, legislators find themselves on the downhill side of the legislative session, where the number of bills that remain alive is more manageable, and the amount of time between cut-off dates is shorter. March 29 is the next cut-off, and all bills will need to be passed out of committee, except for fiscal, in the opposite house.

At this point of the session, we are also expecting to hear details from lawmakers regarding budget proposals: Operations, Capital and Transportation. Budget negotiations occur largely behind closed doors, but we will be sure and update budget information as we learn it. Last Thursday, Governor Inslee held a media conference at the state capitol, referencing budget hopes and proposals and highlighting his priorities for 2023-2025 as well.

Education Committee Hearings for Next Week on TVW.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, March 20 at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 21 at 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 23 at 8:00 a.m

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Monday, March 20 at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 22 at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 23 at 1:30 p.m.

House Bills

SHB 1015: which revises minimum employment requirements for paraeducators (hearing time: 5:39). The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SHB 1109: which would provide additional special education funding to school districts in order to increase initial evaluations during summers (hearing time: 1:17). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee and scheduled for executive session on March 20.

SHB 1113: which would require the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to adopt rules for reviewing and vacating reprimands issued to certificated professional educators (hearing time: 20:08). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

2SHB 1238: which would require K-5 elementary public schools, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, to offer universal free breakfasts and lunches if up to 30% of students at the school qualify for free or reduced lunch (hearing time: 1:15). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

ESHB 1277: which would establish rules to improve the consistency and quality of the implementation of the fundamental courses of study for paraeducators (hearing time: 00:37). The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

HB 1308: which establishes a graduation pathway option that enables students to meet pathway requirements by completing a performance-based learning experience (hearing time: 1:14). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

2SHB 1316: which would lower dual enrollment program costs for eligible students from $65 to $42.50 per credit by creating a subsidy program, incentivizing reduction of per college credit fees charged to college in the high school students, and revising eligibility for the Running Start (RS) program tuition fee waiver (hearing time: 15:17). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

2SHB 1332: which would require all school districts to incorporate a tribal sovereignty curriculum into their social studies curricula by September 1, 2023, as well as require districts to consult with the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe(s) about incorporating materials about their history, culture, and government into their social studies curricula by September 1, 2025 (hearing time: 26:26). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

ESHB 1377: which would require the posting of approved courses and providers of continuing education (hearing time: 11:30). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

ESHB 1436: which would increase the enrollment limit for special education funding over several years until the 2027-28 school year, when the limit is removed, and would increase special education excess cost multipliers for kindergarten through age 21 over four school years to 1.059 for students who spend at least 80 percent of the school day in a general education setting (hearing time: 23:37). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

2SHB 1479: which would prohibit students from being subjected to isolation, mechanical restraint, or chemical restraint by school staff, except for school resource officers under some circumstances, and specifies that existing isolation rooms must remain unlocked, and no new isolation rooms may be created, and, by January 1, 2024, isolation rooms must be removed or repurposed. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

SHB 1504: which requires public schools, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, to provide daily recess for all students in kindergarten through grade 5, and grade 6 if the students attend an elementary school. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

2SHB 1565: which requires the development of an online platform for the recruitment and hiring of public school employees and establishes a teacher residency program (hearing time: 26:57). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

SHB 1701: which concerns basic education services to youth who are served through institutional education programs (hearing time: 18:52). The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

Senate Bills

SSB 5054: which would modify instructional hours to include time students spend in educational activities under the supervision of non-certificated staff while teachers participate in professional learning communities (PLCs) as well as encourage school districts to adopt a school calendar that includes at least four hours per week for teachers to engage in PLCs during the school day (hearing time: 46:09). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SSB 5102: which requires school districts and school boards to provide every student with access to school library information and technology programs. The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SSB 5127: which would clarifyschool districts’ ability to redact personal information related to a student. The bill is in the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee.

SB 5180: which aims to support the retention of teachers by removing barriers to licensure and creating a streamlined pathway to licensure mobility. The bill is in the House Education Committee.

E2SSB 5243: which revises high school and beyond plan (HSBP) requirements, and would require OSPI to facilitate the transition and adoption of a common online platform for HSBPs (hearing time: 25:40). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

E2SSB 5311: which would increase the special education excess cost multipliers for pre-K and K12 students over a four-year period and increase the special education enrollment funding cap from 13.5 percent to 14.5 percent (hearing time: 1:12). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

ESB 5462: which would direct OSPI to review and update relevant state learning standards at all grade levels to include the histories, contributions, and perspectives of LGBTQ people, and historically marginalized and underrepresented groups, by December 1, 2024 (hearing time: 38:31). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SSB 5626: which requires OSPI to establish a grant program for expanding the capability of school districts to integrate media literacy and digital citizenship into public school instruction (hearing time: 20:03). The bill is in the House Education Committee.

ESB 5650: which concerns salary inflationary increases for K-12 employees. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

Odds and Ends:

Is our society going through “a huge transition,” as the allure of a college degree is starting to fade? This week from The Seattle Times, WA College-Going Rate Dropped Sharply During Pandemic.

“In Washington state, more teachers left the classroom after last school year than at any point in the last three decades…” From MindShift, Teacher Turnover Hits New Highs Across the US.

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – March 3, 2023

Posted by CSTP Staff on March 3, 2023
Education Policy | college, districts, education, education reform, Legislature, paraeducators, principal, special education, teaching, washington legislature

CSTP Updates

We have made it through the first two major cut-offs and are cruising right on to the halfway point of the 2023 Legislative Session. Last week was jam packed with fiscal committee hearings and executive sessions, leaving lawmakers scrambling to add last minute amendments in order to ensure that their bill made it out of committee. The next major cut-off date is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, and is the deadline for bills to pass in their house of origin.

In a mid-February meeting with the State Board of Education (SBE), State Superintendent, Chris Reykdal, sketched out the money pressures currently facing Washington public schools. He expanded on the topic in an interview with the Seattle Times that was published on Monday. In this interview, Reykdal addressed these growing financial stressors and why he thinks the state is not doing enough to fund education. He sighted the possible school closures that the Bellevue School District announced a few weeks ago, and noted that Seattle Public Schools is also starting to talk about consolidating some schools to save money. Reykdal stated, “We’re down to enrollment levels we thought we’d see in about 10 years, which is 1.06 million students. If you’re a district that’s experiencing this disproportionately, it almost puts a freeze on your budget. … It is a perfect storm, and we are preparing ourselves for a number of districts who are going to find themselves in more financial distress.”

Education Committee Hearings for Next Week on TVW.org

House Education Committee:

Tuesday, March 7 at 8 a.m.
Thursday, March 9 at 8 a.m.

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Thursday, March 9 at 1:30pm

House Bills:

2SHB 1013: which would require OSPI and Washington ESDs to jointly establish a regional apprenticeship pilot program with one site each in Eastern and Western Washington. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 1015: which revises minimum employment requirements for paraeducators. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

ESHB 1057: which would provide a benefit increase to certain retirees of the public employees’ retirement system plan 1 and the teachers’ retirement system plan 1. The bill has passed out of the House Rules Committee.

SHB 1109: which would provide additional special education funding to school districts in order to increase initial evaluations during summers. The bill has passed out of the House Rules Committee.

SHB 1113: which would require the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to adopt rules for reviewing and vacating reprimands issued to certificated professional educators. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

SHB 1207: which aims to prevent and respond to harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools through updated policies and procedures. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

2SHB 1238: which would require K-5 elementary public schools, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, to offer universal free breakfasts and lunches if up to 30% of students at the school qualify for free or reduced lunch. The bill is in the House Rules Committee. This bill was highlighted in Crosscut this week.

2SHB 1239: which would establish a simple and uniform system for complaints related to, and instituting a code of educator ethics for, conduct within or involving public elementary and secondary schools. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

2SHB 1305: which would make changes to the requirements to initial student evaluations for special education and to the development and implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) in order to improve access to a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1308: which establishes a graduation pathway option that enables students to meet pathway requirements by completing a performance-based learning experience. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

ESHB 1377: which would require the posting of approved courses and providers of continuing education. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

HB 1436: which authorizes school districts to apply to OSPI for additional special education funding beyond state excess cost allocations, and increases excess cost multipliers for special education students over four school years. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

2HB 1550: which would establish the transition to kindergarten program to provide no-charge assistance to eligible children in need of additional preparation to be successful kindergarten students in the following school year. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

2SHB 1565: which requires the development of an online platform for the recruitment and hiring of public school employees and establishes a teacher residency program. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 1658: which would authorize high school students aged 16 and above to earn up to two elective credits through paid work experience if approval and alignment with the student’s High School and Beyond Plan are met. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1692: which would create a nonpartisan Legislative District Student Council, composed of 11 student members, in each legislative district to serve as advisory bodies to examine and make recommendations on issues affecting youth and education. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 1701: which concerns basic education services to youth who are served through institutional education programs. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

Senate Bills:

SSB 5048: which would eliminate college in the high school fees. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5054: which would modify instructional hours to include time students spend in educational activities under the supervision of non-certificated staff while teachers participate in professional learning communities (PLCs) as well as encourage school districts to adopt a school calendar that includes at least four hours per week for teachers to engage in PLCs during the school day. The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SSB 5072: which would establish new requirements for identifying students who may be eligible for highly capable services, including conducting universal screenings once in or before second grade, and again before sixth grade (hearing time: 11:57). The bill is in the House Education Committee and scheduled for executive session March 7 at 8 a.m.

SSB 5085: which would remove statutory limitations on the scope of collective bargaining in regards to supervisors, or principals and assistant principals, and would require specific evaluation criteria when transferring a principal/assistant principal to a subordinate certificated position. This bill would prohibit school district employment applications from including a question asking whether the applicant has ever been on a plan of improvement, or under an investigation. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5102: which requires school districts and school boards to provide every student with access to school library information and technology programs. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5127: which would clarify school districts’ ability to redact personal information related to a student. The bill has passed out of the Senate Rules Committee.

2SSB 5174: which would modify the student transportation allocation formula and expand the definition of “to and from school” to include the transportation of students participating in career connected and work based learning opportunities. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5175: which would allow employment contracts between a school board and principal to be up to three years in length, as opposed to limited to a term of one year. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5180: which aims to support the retention of teachers by removing barriers to licensure and creating a streamlined pathway to licensure mobility. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5243: which revises high school and beyond plan (HSBP) requirements, and would require OSPI to facilitate the transition and adoption of a common online platform for HSBPs. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

2SSB 5311: which would increase the special education excess cost multipliers for pre-K and K12 students over a four-year period and increase the special education enrollment funding cap from 13.5 percent to 14.5 percent. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

2SSB 5315: which would require OSPI to establish standards for approval, monitoring, and investigating school district contracts with nonpublic agencies (NPAs) operating special education programs for students with disabilities, and requires that restraint and isolation procedures and notification requirements apply to NPAS. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

ESB 5462: which would direct OSPI to review and update relevant state learning standards at all grade levels to include the histories, contributions, and perspectives of LGBTQ people, and historically marginalized and underrepresented groups, by December 1, 2024. The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SB 5527: which would add additional courses to the list of courses approved as a graduation pathway option. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5647: which requires safe school plans to include how substitute teachers and other temporary employees receive necessary information, including school safety policies and procedures and the three basic functional drill responses. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5650: which concerns salary inflationary increases for K-12 employees. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

Odds and Ends:

Looking for additional tools to use in your classroom to help kids cope with stressors? From NPR Ed, How Grown Ups Can Help Kids Transition to Post-Pandemic School Life.

All schools in Washington state are now required to teach sexual health education. This week, The Seattle Times’ Education Lab reported on a new local podcast that provides a window into those classroom conversations in the Seattle area. “We really wanted to get ahead of that fear about what’s being talked about,” said Chris Johnson, director of prevention and education services at KCSARC. Check out, Seattle-Area Podcast Explores How to Talk to Kids About Consent.

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – February 24, 2023

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 24, 2023
Education Policy | college, districts, education, education reform, Legislature, paraeducators, principal, running start, schools, special education, teaching, washington legislature

CSTP Updates

Hello and happy Friday! The 105-day schedule does not allow for much time to take in the loss or celebration of bills as they move quickly through the committee process. Last Friday, February 17, was the policy committee cut-off in the house of origin. The OSPI sponsored bill, SB 5505, which introduced the idea of a “balanced school calendar,” failed to make it out of committee alongside several other bills. Today, February 24 is the fiscal committee cut-off. Bills that are not passed out of the House Appropriations or Senate Ways & Means Committees by end of day today will not move forward.

This session, bills that expand access to education programs that allow many students to earn college credit while in high school have received broad support thus far, and continue to be progressing toward the governor’s desk. Dual-credit programs, such as Running Start and College in the High School, give Washington State students the opportunity to earn college credit and their high school diploma simultaneously. Crosscut reports that these dual credit programs also happen to cost significantly less than traditional four-year universities for both students and the state. The four dual credit bills still in play are: HB 1146, which requires students and families to be informed of dual credit opportunities offered in their district, SSB 5048, which eliminates College in the High School fees, and both HB 1316 and HB 1003 which aim to expand access more broadly by removing barriers such as add-on course fees and lack of financial coverage for summer classes.

Education Committee Hearings for Next Week on TVW.org

House Appropriations Committee

Friday, February 24 at 9:00 am

House Education Committee

Wednesday, March 1 at 8:00 am

House Bills:

HB 1003: which would lower dual credit program costs for eligible students with financial need by creating a subsidy program, reducing per college credit fees for college in the high school students, and revising eligibility for the Running Start program tuition fee waiver, and would also make the Running Start program permanent to pilot institutions. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1013: which would require OSPI and Washington ESDs to jointly establish a regional apprenticeship pilot program with one site each in Eastern and Western Washington. The bill has passed out of the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 1015: which revises minimum employment requirements for paraeducators. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee.

HB 1057: which would provide a benefit increase to certain retirees of the public employees’ retirement system plan 1 and the teachers’ retirement system plan 1. The bill has passed out of the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1109: which would provide additional special education funding to school districts in order to increase initial evaluations during summers. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 1113: which would require the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to adopt rules for reviewing and vacating reprimands issued to certificated professional educators. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee.

HB 1207: which aims to prevent and respond to harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools through updated policies and procedures. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 1238: which requires public schools, beginning with the 2023-24 school year, to provide breakfast and lunch each school day to any requesting students and at no charge to the students. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee and scheduled for executive session today at 9am.

SHB 1239: which would establish a simple and uniform system for complaints related to, and instituting a code of educator ethics for, conduct within or involving public elementary and secondary schools. The bill has passed out of the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 1277: which would establish rules to improve the consistency and quality of the implementation of the fundamental courses of study for paraeducators. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 1305: which would make changes to the requirements to initial student evaluations for special education and to the development and implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) in order to improve access to a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee and scheduled for executive session today at 9am.

SHB 1316: which would lower dual enrollment program costs for eligible students from $65 to $42.50 per credit by creating a subsidy program, incentivizing reduction of per college credit fees charged to college in the high school students, and revising eligibility for the Running Start (RS) program tuition fee waiver. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 1332: which would require all school districts to incorporate a tribal sovereignty curriculum into their social studies curricula by September 1, 2023, as well as require districts to consult with the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe(s) about incorporating materials about their history, culture, and government into their social studies curricula by September 1, 2025. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 1377: which would require the posting of approved courses and providers of continuing education. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1550: which would establish the transition to kindergarten program to provide no-charge assistance to eligible children in need of additional preparation to be successful kindergarten students in the following school year. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee and scheduled for executive session today at 9am.

SHB 1565: which requires the development of an online platform for the recruitment and hiring of public school employees and establishes a teacher residency program. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1701: which concerns basic education services to youth who are served through institutional education programs. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

Senate Bills:

SSB 5048: which would eliminate college in the high school fees. The bill has passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5102: which requires school districts and school boards to provide every student with access to school library information and technology programs. The bill has passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5127: which would clarifyschool districts’ ability to redact personal information related to a student. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5180: which aims to support the retention of teachers by removing barriers to licensure and creating a streamlined pathway to licensure mobility. The bill has passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5248: which would reappropriate COVID-19 relief funding for grants to be used on high quality tutoring and rigorous extended learning programs. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee and scheduled for executive session today at 9am.

SB 5355: which requires school districts to provide instruction on sex trafficking prevention and identification at least once between grades 7 and 12 beginning in the 2024-25 school year. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5527: which would add additional courses to the list of courses approved as a graduation pathway option. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5626: which requires OSPI to establish a grant program for expanding the capability of school districts to integrate media literacy and digital citizenship into public school instruction. The bill has passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5650: which concerns salary inflationary increases for K-12 employees. The bill has passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Odds and Ends:

“How can educators establish opportunities for students to tell their stories and find themselves in the stories of others?” From MindShift, Matching Students with Books is a Sacred Task. How Can Educators Select Stories that Boost Belonging?

After my 2nd grader came home asking me how to write her name in cursive it got me thinking, will her generation ever know how to read or write in cursive? From the Atlantic Magazine, I found this thought provoking article. Gen Z Never Learned to Read Cursive.

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – February 17, 2023

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 17, 2023
Education Policy | districts, education, education reform, Legislature, paraeducators, principal, schools, special education, teaching, washington legislature

CSTP Updates

Today is the first cut-off date for lawmakers trying to get bills passed out of committee in their house of origin. Bills that do not get “exec’d” out of committee by end of day today and sent to their respective fiscal committees will be considered “dead,” and no longer move forward. Over next week, the focus will shift to the House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means Committees who will hold daylong hearings on the bills referred to them from the various policy committees. The fiscal committee deadline is next Friday, February 24.

It is worth mentioning that HB 1308, a State Board of Education priority bill, that establishes a “performance-based” graduation pathway option for students, passed out of the House Education Committee on Monday. According to the testimony of the State Board, this new option would allow students to show what they know and can do in real-world, hands-on ways that align with their individual goals for after high school.

Fiscal Committee Hearings for Next Week on TVW.org

House Appropriations Committee

Monday, February 20 at 1:30pm
Tuesday, February 21 at 1:30pm
Wednesday, February 22 at 1:30pm
Thursday, February 23 at 9am
Friday, February 24 at 9am

Senate Ways & Means Committee

Monday, February 20 at 9am
Tuesday, February 21 at 9am
Wednesday, February 22 at 1:30pm
Thursday, February 23 at 9am
Friday, February 24 at 9am

Bills We’re Following:

SHB 1015: which revises minimum employment requirements for paraeducators. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee.

HB 1057: which would provide a benefit increase to certain retirees of the public employees’ retirement system plan 1 and the teachers’ retirement system plan 1. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1109: which would provide additional special education funding to school districts in order to increase initial evaluations during summers. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 1113: which would require the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to adopt rules for reviewing and vacating reprimands issued to certificated professional educators. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee.

HB 1207: which aims to prevent and respond to harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools through updated policies and procedures. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SHB 1228: which establishes grant programs for establishing or expanding dual language education programs and tribal language education programs and would establish multilingual skill bonuses for certificated instructional staff and paraeducators. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 1273: which would establish new and revised requirements for High School and Beyond Plans (HSBPs) that are a prerequisite for graduating from a public high school. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 1277: which would establish rules to improve the consistency and quality of the implementation of the fundamental courses of study for paraeducators. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1308: which establishes a graduation pathway option that enables students to meet pathway requirements by completing a performance-based learning experience. The bill has passed out of committee.

SHB 1377: which would require the posting of approved courses and providers of continuing education. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 1411: which would direct OSPI to distribute funding to school districts and institutional education providers to partner with community-based organizations that support students to offer cross-sector trainings on topics such as social-emotional learning, mental and behavioral health management, and teaching students to be peer mediators. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1605: which directs OSPI to develop funding procedures in order to support small districts with less than 2,750 students, to ensure significant participation in skill centers. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SHB 1609: which requires school districts to provide resources for the operation of school library information and technology programs and to ensure that each student has access to a library technology program that meets specified requirements. The bill has passed out of committee.

SHB 1658: which would authorize high school students aged 16 and above to earn up to two elective credits through paid work experience if approval and alignment with the student’s High School and Beyond Plan are met. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 1701: which concerns basic education services to youth who are served through institutional education programs. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 1710: which would use COVID-19 relief funding on high quality tutoring and rigorous extended learning programs. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SSB 5048: which would eliminate college in the high school fees. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5102: which requires school districts and school boards to provide every student with access to school library information and technology programs. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5127: which would clarifyschool districts’ ability to redact personal information related to a student. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5180: which aims to support the retention of teachers by removing barriers to licensure and creating a streamlined pathway to licensure mobility. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5339: which would add free school breakfast and lunch to the state’s program of basic education beginning in the 2023-24 school year. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5408: which would establish the Ninth Grade Success Grant Program, which funds the creation of ninth grade success teams that can identify and support incoming high school students who are at risk of not graduating. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5441: which would require larger school districts to designate inclusive curricula coordinators and smaller school districts to work with their educational service districts (ESDs) to promote the development and adoption of curricula that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5527: which would add additional courses to the list of courses approved as a graduation pathway option. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5626: which requires OSPI to establish a grant program for expanding the capability of school districts to integrate media literacy and digital citizenship into public school instruction. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5650: which concerns salary inflationary increases for K-12 employees. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5668: which would require OSPI to develop procedures that provide 1.0 FTE of funding to certain small school districts that send students to skill centers. The bill has passed out of committee.

SB 5710: which would create a grant program within OSPI to provide funding to educational service districts (ESDs) in order to offer students in rural areas access to a mental health professional using telemedicine. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Odds and Ends:

This was a feel good article for me, from NPR Ed, Wishes for 2023. “My dream for human kind is for everyone to have homes. The homes would be nice. And the homes would have all of the resources they need. –Francis, 1st grade.”

“When it comes to creating policy and changing the system to improve outcomes for students of color, being in the majority could be helpful.” This week from the Seattle Times’ Education Lab, Students of Color Are Now the Majority in WA Public Schools.

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – February 10, 2023

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 10, 2023
Education Policy | districts, education, education reform, Legislature, paraeducators, principal, schools, special education, teaching, washington legislature

CSTP Updates

Legislative Update for February 10, 2023

Hello and happy Friday! This is the last week before lawmakers face their first legislative cut-off of the 2023 session. Next Friday, February 17, is the last day for legislators to pass bills out of committee in their respective house of origin, except for fiscal committees. Bills that do not make it out of committee are considered “dead” and will no longer be considered for any action during the remainder of session. The fiscal committee cut-off date is the following Friday, February 24.

Although there were several bills that drew significant attention this week, SB 5505 and HB 1479, are worth highlighting. SB 5505, the highly anticipated, “balanced calendar bill,” aims to combat learning loss by adding 5 days to the traditional 180-day school year, as well as adjust the school calendar to get longer breaks spread throughout the year and prevent summer learning loss. According to OSPI, “A foundation of the balanced calendar is continuous access to food, instruction, care, and education resources, which research shows is especially important in preventing summer learning loss for students who may not have the benefits of travel, camps, and trips to the library.”

HB 1479 would prohibit students from being subjected to isolation or restraint and its companion bill in the senate, SB 5559, also received a public hearing this week. The Seattle Times reported that in Washington, students with disabilities were exposed to restraint and isolation at higher rates as well as elementary school students who were disproportionately restrained and isolated at an age when they are still learning to regulate behaviors and emotions. HB 1479 is scheduled for executive session next Thursday, February 16 at 8am.

Education Hearings for Next Week on TVW.org

House Education Committee

Monday, February 13 at 1:30pm
Tuesday, February 14 at 4pm
Thursday, February 16 at 8am

Senate Early Learning & K12 Education

Monday, February 13 at 1:30pm
Wednesday, February 15 at 1:30pm

New Bills

HB 1749: which promotes instruction in public schools about the historical and cultural contributions of Filipino Americans.

SB 5692: which would increase the maximum per pupil limit for enrichment levy authority.

SB 5710: which would provide access to behavioral health services to youth in rural and underserved areas.

Bills We’re Following:

HB 1013: which would require OSPI and Washington ESDs to jointly establish a regional apprenticeship pilot program with one site each in Eastern and Western Washington. The bill is currently in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1015: which revises minimum employment requirements for paraeducators. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee.

HB 1071: which would require OSPI to allocate state funding to school districts for one school resource officer (SRO) on each public school campus (hearing time 0:59 and 57:33). Testifying in support: representatives from the Chehalis SD, WACOPS and the WASPC. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the ACLU of WA, HEA, and a concerned citizen.

HB 1109: which would provide additional special education funding to school districts in order to increase initial evaluations during summers. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1207: which aims to prevent and respond to harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools through updated policies and procedures. The bill is currently in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1273: which would establish new and revised requirements for High School and Beyond Plans (HSBPs) that are a prerequisite for graduating from a public high school. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 1277: which would establish rules to improve the consistency and quality of the implementation of the fundamental courses of study for paraeducators. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1308: which establishes a graduation pathway option that enables students to meet pathway requirements by completing a performance-based learning experience (hearing time: 41:59). Testifying in support: representatives from the SBE, BIAW, Central Valley SD, WSPTA, Rural Ed Center and Vancouver PS. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WA Round Table. Testifying as “other”: representatives from OSPI, Lakewood Cares, Lake Washington SD and WSSDA. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 16 at 8am.

HB 1316: which would lower dual enrollment program costs for eligible students from $65 to $42.50 per credit by creating a subsidy program, incentivizing reduction of per college credit fees charged to college in the high school students, and revising eligibility for the Running Start (RS) program tuition fee waiver. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 1332: which would require all school districts to incorporate a tribal sovereignty curriculum into their social studies curricula by September 1, 2023, as well as require districts to consult with the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe(s) about incorporating materials about their history, culture, and government into their social studies curricula by September 1, 2025. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 1377: which would require the posting of approved courses and providers of continuing education. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 16 at 8am.

HB 1479: which would prohibit students from being subjected to isolation, mechanical restraint, or chemical restraint by school staff, except for school resource officers under some circumstances, and specifies that existing isolation rooms must remain unlocked, and no new isolation rooms may be created, and, by January 1, 2024, isolation rooms must be removed or repurposed (hearing time: 59:44). Testifying in support: representatives from Disability Rights WA, several concerned citizens, PAVE The Arc of WA and OSPI. Testifying in opposition: a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the Central Valley SD, WEA, WSPTA and PSE. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 16 at 8am.

HB 1504: which requires public schools, beginning with the 2024-25 school year, to provide daily recess for all students in kindergarten through grade 5, and grade 6 if the students attend an elementary school (hearing time: 1:00:42 and 1:31:25). Testifying in support: a concerned citizen, Issaquah HS, WEA, Renton SD, KC Play Equity Coalition and Ellensburg HS. Testifying as “other”: representatives from OSPI, WSSDA and WSPTA. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 16 at 8am.

HB 1550: which would establish the transition to kindergarten program to provide no-charge assistance to eligible children in need of additional preparation to be successful kindergarten students in the following school year (hearing time: 42:34). Testifying in support: representatives from the Yakima SD, a concerned citizen, the Spokane PS, Quincy SD and Concrete SD. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WEA, Sammamish Montessori School, the Rural Ed Center, the Stevenson-Carson SD and North Mason SD. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the Walla Walla SD, West Valley SD and the AESD. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 16 at 8am.

HB 1565: which requires the development of an online platform for the recruitment and hiring of public school employees and establishes a teacher residency program (hearing time: 3:51). Testifying in support: representatives from PESB, WEA, Foundation for Tacoma Students, OSPI, WSPTA, WACTE, SWEA, Rural Ed Center and AWSP. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 16 at 8am.

HB 1609: which requires school districts to provide resources for the operation of school library information and technology programs and to ensure that each student has access to a library technology program that meets specified requirements (hearing time: 1:46:46). Testifying in support: representatives from the WLA, Capitol HS, Camas HS, Bellevue HS, Shoreline SD, OSPI and WSSDA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Kettle Falls SD. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 16 at 8am.

HB 1622: which aims to support the needs of students experiencing homelessness by aligning program goals, establishing common reporting requirements, and establishing examples of permitted expenditures for the OSPI program (hearing time: 1:08:23 and 1:24:00). Testifying in support: representatives from Building Changes, Council for the Homeless and the Lynnwood City Council. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 16 at 8am.

HB 1658: which would authorize high school students aged 16 and above to earn up to two elective credits through paid work experience if approval and alignment with the student’s High School and Beyond Plan are met (hearing time: 1:30:44). Testifying in support: representatives from the WFIA and WSPTA. Testifying as “other”: representatives from WSSDA, OSPI and SBE. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 16 at 8am.

HB 1701: which concerns basic education services to youth who are served through institutional education programs (hearing time: 35:37). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI. Testifying as “other”: representatives from DCYF and WEA. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 16 at 8am.

HB 1710: which would use COVID-19 relief funding on high quality tutoring and rigorous extended learning programs. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

SB 5024: which would require school districts to post certain assessment results on their websites, as well as provide parents and legal guardians with certain rights regarding access to specified information and communication based on their preferences (hearing time: 27:26). Testifying as “other”: representatives from WSSDA.

SSB 5048: which would eliminate college in the high school fees. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5102: which requires school districts and school boards to provide every student with access to school library information and technology programs.The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee and scheduled for public hearing on February 14 at 4pm.

SSB 5127: which would clarify school districts’ ability to redact personal information related to a student. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5248: which would reappropriate COVID-19 relief funding for grants to be used on high quality tutoring and rigorous extended learning programs. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5264: which would require paraeducators to receive a passing grade on a Paraeducator Board-approved assessment, rather than the Education Testing Service paraeducator assessment (hearing time: 1:00). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, PESB, the Rural Ed Center, AWSP and PSE.

SSB 5339: which would add free school breakfast and lunch to the state’s program of basic education beginning in the 2023-24 school year. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5442: which would provide a per-pupil enrichment grant to charter schools in an amount equivalent to the state local effort assistance threshold: $1,550 per pupil. The bill would also authorize charter schools to apply for state grants on the same basis as school districts (hearing time: 29:00). Testifying in support: representatives from Rainier Prep, BESR, a concerned citizen, Summit Olympus Charter School and WI-HS.

SB 5505: which aims to address learning loss by expanding the mandatory number of school days for public K-12 schools from 180 days to 185 (hearing time: 45:53). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI and WASA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the WEA and WSSDA.

SB 5527: which would add additional courses to the list of courses approved as a graduation pathway option (hearing time: 49:25). Testifying in support: representatives from the SBE. Testifying as “other”: representatives from OSPI.

SB 5559: which would prohibit the isolation, mechanical restraint, or chemical restraint of students by school staff, including the phasing out of isolation rooms (hearing time: 55:32). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, ACLU, AASR, WSPTA, SSEPTSA, Arc of King County, CPI, several concerned citizens, Disability Rights WA, Seattle School Board, WFIS, PAVE and the SCPTSA. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the West Valley SD, PSE and the WEA. Crosscut has more on this: WA Bills Propose Initiatives to Bring Special Ed Students Back Home

SB 5626: which requires OSPI to establish a grant program for expanding the capability of school districts to integrate media literacy and digital citizenship into public school instruction (hearing time: 11:26). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, WLA, WSPTA, several concerned citizens, Capitol HS, Kent SD, CCI, AME and WSCSS. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 13 at 130pm.

SB 5650: which concerns salary inflationary increases for K-12 employees. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee and is scheduled for public hearing on February 14 at 4pm.

SB 5671: which would make experience factor adjustments for certificated instructional staff. The bill is scheduled for public hearing February 13 at 130pm.

Odds and Ends:

“When do we stop pushing for people to walk or talk in normative ways and instead acknowledge and embrace difference?” This week from MindShift: How Teachers can Disrupt Linear Development Models and Support Students with Disabilities.

“These students didn’t move out of state, and they didn’t sign up for private school or home school, according to publicly available data. In short, they’re missing.” From the Seattle Times’ Education Lab, Thousands of Kids are Missing from School. Where Did They Go?

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – February 3, 2023

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 3, 2023
Education Policy | districts, education reform, Legislature, paraeducators, principal, schools, special education, teaching, washington legislature

CSTP Updates

• February 6: Zooming In & Out on Inclusionary Practices Dr. Katie Novak and Shelley Moore
• March 21: Culturally Responsive Education in the Classroom: An Equity Framework for Pedagogy written by Dr. Adeyemi Stembridge

As we wrap up the fourth week of the 2023 Legislative Session, there continues to be SO MANY BILLS! Easily over 120 education bills remain in our tracker and more continue to trickle in daily. Legislators are working tirelessly to hear from the public on most of them, and this week we saw an emphasis on bills that target our youngest learners. SB 5020, which aims to lower the minimum age for compulsory school attendance from eight to six years old, turned out dozens of testifiers. The bill is sponsored by Senator Lisa Wellman, the chair of the Senate Early Learning & K12 Education Committee. When asked about the bill Wellman stated, “Those ages are critical for language development and other skills, to enable them to fulfill their best potential.” But many testifiers pushed back, arguing that the change could put children into school before they are ready and would put a burden on parents who are homeschooling their students in the early grades. SB 5020 passed out of committee and was sent to Ways & Means.

HB 1550, which aims to establish transitional kindergarten classrooms in public schools across our state, was also heard in the house this week. This bill gained huge support during its public hearing and OSPI sent out a press release on Wednesday, highlighting the benefits that “TK Programs” provide to our earliest learners. Superintendent Chris Reykdal stated, “Students who participate in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) outperform their peers in the state’s kindergarten readiness assessment, with the largest differences being in literacy and math.” HB 1550 is scheduled for executive session in the House Education Committee on February 9 at 8am.

Education Hearings for Next Week on TVW.org

House Education Committee

Monday, February 6 at 1:30pm
Tuesday, February 7 at 4pm
Thursday, February 9 at 8am

Senate Early Learning & K12 Education

Monday, February 6 at 1:30pm
Wednesday, February 8 at 1:30pm
Thursday, February 9 at 1:30pm

New Bills

HB 1692: which would create legislative district student advisory groups.

HB 1701: which concerns basic education services to youth who are served through institutional education programs.

HB 1710: which would use COVID-19 relief funding on high quality tutoring and rigorous extended learning programs.

SB 5650: which concerns salary inflationary increases for K-12 employees.

SB 5653: which concerns parental notification regarding a child’s health, well-being and education while a child is at school.

SB 5656: which establishes the school security and preparedness infrastructure grant program.

SB 5671: which would make experience factor adjustments for certificated instructional staff.

SB 5678: which would provide voluntary firearms safety instruction for students.

Bills We’re Following:

HB 1003: which would lower dual credit program costs for eligible students with financial need by creating a subsidy program, reducing per college credit fees for college in the high school students, and revising eligibility for the Running Start program tuition fee waiver, and would also make the Running Start program permanent to pilot institutions (hearing time: 37:11). Testifying in support: representatives from SBCTC, OSPI, Lake Washington SD, UFWS and CWU.

HB 1013: which would require OSPI and Washington ESDs to jointly establish a regional apprenticeship pilot program with one site each in Eastern and Western Washington (hearing time: 49:55). Testifying in support: a student representative from the SBE, representatives from Curlew SD, Marysville SD, NCESD, WSSCA, and the WTIA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of Washington. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the MCAWW. The bill is currently in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1015: which revises minimum employment requirements for paraeducators (hearing time: 3:32 and 17:44). Testifying in support: representatives from the Rural Ed Center, Highline SD, Lake Washington SD, PESB, WEA, PSE and the Lynden SD. The bill is currently in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1109: which would provide additional special education funding to school districts in order to increase initial evaluations during summers (hearing time: 9:33 and 35:39). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, WEA, WSSDA and WSPTA. Testifying as “other”: representatives from Lake Washington SD. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1113: which would require the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to adopt rules for reviewing and vacating reprimands issued to certificated professional educators (hearing time: 47:57). Testifying in support: a concerned citizen and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from OSPI. The bill is currently in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1146: which would require schools to notify high school students and their families about available dual credit programs and any available financial assistance (hearing time: 27:07 and 37:11). Testifying in support: representatives from SBCTC, UFWS and COP. The bill was passed out of committee.

HB 1207: which aims to prevent and respond to harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination in schools through updated policies and procedures (hearing time: 0:33 and 35:27). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI and Bellevue SD. The bill is currently in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1228: which establishes grant programs for establishing or expanding dual language education programs and tribal language education programs and would establish multilingual skill bonuses for certificated instructional staff and paraeducators. (hearing time: 0:33). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, Shelton SD, Wahluke SD, Yakima SD, the Latino Civic Alliance, Children Action Network, OSPI, several concerned citizens and the Highline PS.

HB 1238: which requires public schools, beginning with the 2023-24 school year, to provide breakfast and lunch each school day to any requesting students and at no charge to the students (hearing time: 128:08). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, SCAN, WSAND, WEA, Seattle PS, SBE, WSSDA, Bellingham PS and the WCAAP. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Chewelah SD.

HB 1239: which would establish a simple and uniform system for complaints related to, and instituting a code of educator ethics for, conduct within or involving public elementary and secondary schools (hearing time: 1:32:12). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI and the SCPTSA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA and Washington Policy Center. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the WEA.

HB 1273: which would establish new and revised requirements for High School and Beyond Plans (HSBPs) that are a prerequisite for graduating from a public high school (hearing time: 3:14). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI and WA STEM. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Lake Washington SD. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the West Valley SD. The bill is scheduled for Executive Session on February 9 at 8am.

HB 1277: which would establish rules to improve the consistency and quality of the implementation of the fundamental courses of study for paraeducators (hearing time: 14:23). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, PESB and Yelm Community Schools. The bill is currently in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1305: which would make changes to the requirements to initial student evaluations for special education and to the development and implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) in order to improve access to a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities (hearing time: 3:51). Testifying in support: representatives from the Arc of King County, SCPTSA, Team Child, Seattle Special Education PTSA and a concerned citizen. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Mercer Island SD and the Highline SD. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the WEA, WASCLA and the ESD 113. The bill is scheduled for Executive Session on February 9 at 8am.

HB 1308: which concerns expanding high school graduation pathway options. The bill is scheduled for public hearing on February 6 at 1:30pm.

HB 1377: which would require the posting of approved courses and providers of continuing education. The bill is scheduled for public hearing on February 7 at 4pm.

HB 1411: which would direct OSPI to distribute funding to school districts and institutional education providers to partner with community-based organizations that support students to offer cross-sector trainings on topics such as social-emotional learning, mental and behavioral health management, and teaching students to be peer mediators (hearing time: 24:46). Testifying in support: representatives from Schools Out WA and the Latino Pacific Alliance. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 9 at 8am.

HB 1478: which establishes a statement of student rights for public schools and requires public schools to develop student-focused educational and promotional materials that incorporate the statement and to include the materials into required civics instruction (hearing time: 44:56). Testifying in support: representatives from the North Mason SD and a concerned citizen. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 9 at 8am.

HB 1504: which would ensure that elementary school students receive sufficient daily recess. The bill is scheduled for public hearing on February 7 at 4pm.

HB 1536: which would clarify requirements governing the withholding of high school diplomas. The bill is scheduled for public hearing on February 6 at 1:30pm.

HB 1550: which would establish the transition to kindergarten program to provide no-charge assistance to eligible children in need of additional preparation to be successful kindergarten students in the following school year (hearing time: 42:34). Testifying in support: representatives from the Yakima SD, a concerned citizen, the Spokane PS, Quincy SD and Concrete SD. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WEA, Sammamish Montessori School, the Rural Ed Center, the Stevenson-Carson SD and North Mason SD. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the Walla Walla SD, West Valley SD and the AESD. The bill is scheduled for executive session February 9 at 8am.

HB 1565: which aims to support and strengthen the professional education workforce through recruitment, residency, research, and retention strategies. The bill is scheduled for public hearing on February 6 at 1:30pm.

HB 1609: which concerns school library information and technology programs. The bill is scheduled for public hearing on February 7 at 4pm.

SB 5019: which removes “classified staff providing student and staff safety” from the definition of physical, social, and emotional support staff and the specific funding considerations for that group (hearing time: 26:34). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, NASW and OSPI. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the WSSDA, Lake Washington SD and PSE. The bill is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5020: which would lower the minimum age for compulsory school attendance from eight to six years old, and amend truancy provisions to align with this change, as well as require parents who homeschool to file an annual declaration of intent beginning at age 6 (hearing time: 46:17). Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA and several concerned citizens. The bill is currently in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5048: which would eliminate college in the high school fees. The bill is currently in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5054: which would modify instructional hours to include time students spend in educational activities under the supervision of non-certificated staff while teachers participate in professional learning communities (PLCs) as well as encourage school districts to adopt a school calendar that includes at least four hours per week for teachers to engage in PLCs during the school day (hearing time: 3:08). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of Washington. The bill is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5072: which would establish new requirements for identifying students who may be eligible for highly capable services, including conducting universal screenings once in or before second grade, and again before sixth grade (hearing time: 4:15). Testifying in support: representatives from the UW Faculty, OSPI, SBE, Rochester SD, Northshore SD, WA Coalition, WSSDA, WSPTA, Lake Washington SD, Michelson Elementary and the CSF. The bill is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5102: which requires school districts and school boards to provide every student with access to school library information and technology programs (hearing time: 0:58). Testifying in support: representatives from the WLA and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other”: representatives from WSSDA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Kettle Falls SD. The bill is scheduled for executive session on February 6 at 1:30pm.

SSB 5127: which would clarify school districts’ ability to redact personal information related to a student. The bill is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5174: which would modify the student transportation allocation formula and expand the definition of “to and from school” to include the transportation of students participating in career connected and work based learning opportunities (hearing time: 1:07:59). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, ESD 105, WEA, WSSDA, Pullman SD, College Success Foundation, Teamsters 174 and PSE. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Conservative Ladies of Washington. Testifying as “other”: representatives from Bellevue PS, Olympia PS, Seattle PS and Highline PS. The bill is currently in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5175: which would allow employment contracts between a school board and principal to be up to three years in length, as opposed to limited to a term of one year (hearing time: 43:08). Testifying in support: representatives from AWSP, Kentlake HS, Rogers HS, Seattle PS, Othello SD and Lakeside HS. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5180: which aims to support the retention of teachers by removing barriers to licensure and creating a streamlined pathway to licensure mobility (hearing time: 27:43). Testifying in support: representatives from the Department of Defense, the VLC, OSPI, CSG, NASDTEC, SSMCP and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the WACTE and the PESB. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5237: which would direct OSPI to establish procedures to investigate and address complaints alleging noncompliance with state laws regarding civil rights, certain curriculum requirements and student discipline. (hearing time: 59:17). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA and OSPI. Testifying in opposition: several concerned citizens, representatives from the Washington Policy Center the Conservative Ladies of Washington. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the WSSDA, Reardon-Edwall SD and a concerned citizen. The bill is currently in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5243: which revises high school and beyond plan (HSBP) requirements, and would require OSPI to facilitate the transition and adoption of a common online platform for HSBPs (hearing time: 22:53). Testifying in support: representatives from Washington STEM, OSPI, SBE and WSPTA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Lake Washington SD. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5248: which would reappropriate COVID-19 relief funding for grants to be used on high quality tutoring and rigorous extended learning programs (hearing time: 1:00). Testifying in support: representatives from Stand for Children WA, the High School Success Coalition, Foundation for Tacoma Students, Conservative Ladies of WA, the Washington Policy Center, Washington Round Table, a concerned citizen, and the AIA WA Council. Testifying as “other”: representatives from OSPI and WASBO. The bill is scheduled for executive session on February 6 at 1:30pm.

SSB 5257: which would ensure that public schools provide daily recess for all elementary students with a minimum of 45 minutes when the school day is longer than five hours and a minimum of 30 minutes when the school day is shorter, as well as prohibit schools from withholding recess as a punitive action (hearing time: 29:31). Testifying in support: representatives from the King County Play Equity Coalition, several WA State students, several concerned citizens, WSSDA, Special Olympics WA, SBE and the UW Faculty. Testifying as “other”: representatives from OSPI. The bill is currently in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 5311: which would increase the special education excess cost multipliers for pre-K and K12 students over a four-year period and increase the special education enrollment funding cap from 13.5 percent to 14.5 percent (hearing time: 23:26). Testifying in support: representatives from Governor Inslee’s office, OSPI, Pasco SD, the Ephrata School Board, WSSDA, Lake Washington SD and the Mercer Island SD. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the ESD 105 Schools Coalition, Spokane PS, a school psychologist from Seattle PS, The Arc of King County, Bellevue PS, Olympia PS, Highline PS, Orting SD, Chehalis SD, Pierce County School Districts and ESD 113. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Seattle Council PTSA and the WSPTA. The bill is currently in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5315: which would require OSPI to establish standards for approval, monitoring, and investigating school district contracts with nonpublic agencies (NPAs) operating special education programs for students with disabilities, and requires that restraint and isolation procedures and notification requirements apply to NPAS (hearing time: 1:01:59). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, the Arc of King County and Orting SD. Testifying in opposition: representatives from CHILD, Conservative Ladies of Washington, Brock’s Academy, Eaton Arrowsmith, a concerned citizen and WSIF. The bill is currently in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5339: which would add free school breakfast and lunch to the state’s program of basic education beginning in the 2023-24 school year (hearing time: 1:20). Testifying in support: representatives from Coordinated Care, WEA, Foundation of Tacoma Students, Franklin Pierce SD, Bethel SD, Helping Hands Food Bank, Faith Action Network, WCAAP and OSPI. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Chewelah SD, a concerned citizen and Oakesdale SD. The bill is currently in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5408: which would establish the Ninth Grade Success Grant Program, which funds the creation of ninth grade success teams that can identify and support incoming high school students who are at risk of not graduating (hearing time: 0:32). Testifying in support: representatives from CHSS, Renton SD, Grandview SD, Mount Baker SD, a concerned citizen and the North Mason SD.

SB 5441: which would require larger school districts to designate inclusive curricula coordinators and smaller school districts to work with their educational service districts (ESDs) to promote the development and adoption of curricula that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive (hearing time: 8:46). Testifying in support: representatives from the NYLC, Seattle PS, SBE, WEA, OSPI and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Conservative Ladies of WA, the Deer Park SD and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other”: representatives from WSSDA.

SB 5462: which would direct OSPI to review and update relevant state learning standards at all grade levels to include the histories, contributions, and perspectives of LGBTQ people, and historically marginalized and underrepresented groups, by December 1, 2024 (hearing time: 38:22 and 101:51). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA. Testifying in opposition: several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other”: representatives from WSSDA.

SB 5505: which aims to address learning loss by expanding the school year.

SB 5527: which would add additional courses to the list of courses approved as a graduation pathway option. The bill is scheduled for public hearing on February 6 at 1:30pm.

SB 5559: which concerns restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs. The bill is scheduled for public hearing on February 6 at 1:30pm.

Odds and Ends:

Take a look inside the growing movement across Washington to revitalize tribal languages. This week from The Seattle Times Education Lab, Inside the Movement to Revitalize Tribal Languages in WA.

With all the talk about early access to education this week, from The Atlantic, The Problem with Kindergarten.

Stories From School

Practice Meets Policy

Tag Archives: washington legislature

Weekly Legislative Update – March 3, 2023

CSTP Updates

House Bills:

Senate Bills:

Odds and Ends:

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – February 24, 2023

CSTP Updates

House Bills:

Senate Bills:

Odds and Ends:

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – February 17, 2023

CSTP Updates

Bills We’re Following:

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – February 10, 2023

CSTP Updates

Legislative Update for February 10, 2023

New Bills

Bills We’re Following:

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update – February 3, 2023

CSTP Updates

New Bills

Bills We’re Following:

Odds and Ends:

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller