REPORT FOR JANUARY 22
 

• HB 2810 would provide enhanced funding through the Learning Assistance Program for school districts with high numbers of English Language Learners and students in poverty.
• HB 2607 would direct the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to convene a workgroup and develop recommendations for teacher preparation and expected teacher competencies in how to teach English Language Learner students.
• HB 2634 would delay the reading and writing WASL graduation requirement for certain English Language Learner students.

The House Education Committee held a public hearing on three additional bills today: HB 2809, HB 2635 and HB 2983.

• HB 2809 would require the PESB to provide recommendations for strengthening the corps of K-12 math and science teachers.
• HB 2635 would make changes to current school district boundary rules. This past year, the House Education Committee formed a School District Boundary Workgroup to provide recommendations to clean up current laws regarding boundaries. The bill would make various changes regarding current Regional Committees and the work they must perform. One section of the bill, however, would remove the authority for a single school district to initiate a boundary change if the territory proposed for transfer is zoned residential and there are occupied dwellings. In this case, transfer petitions could only be initiated by voters in the territory. This section is intended to respond to the boundary dispute between Ridgefield and La Center — and other similar cases.
• HB 2983 would expand the Washington State Leadership Academy. Last session, a bill was passed establishing the Washington State Leadership Academy to provide training opportunities for school and district-level leaders, specifically principals and administrators. WASA and AWSP are the main partners in the Academy; however, the other "partner" in the Leadership Team — WSSDA — is not included. HB 2983 would specifically make WSSDA a named partner in the Academy. Additionally, the Academy's work would be expanded to require them to develop curriculum for school director leadership. It is fairly certain this bill will not move this year, but it is another example of the Legislature's desire to see school directors' skills and knowledge be enhanced.

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Legislative Reports are prepared by WSSDA's Governmental Relations staff team: Dan Steele (360/252-3010) and Sheila Chard (360/252-3011). If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us.