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 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 (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 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: 27:07 and 37:11). Testifying in support: representatives from SBCTC, OSPI, UFWS and CWU.
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 (hearing time: 40:08). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, SBE and the CTUIR.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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 (hearing time: 3:09). Testifying in support: representatives from AWSP, Kentlake HS, Rogers HS and Seattle PS. The bill is 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.
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 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.
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 (hearing time: 50:57). Testifying is support: a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other”: representatives from WSSDA.
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.
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.