House education package aims at “success for all students”

OLYMPIA — The House of Representatives approved a package of reforms today aimed at increasing student success at all levels of Washington’s public education system.

“Our goal is success for all students, no matter what age,” said State Rep. Kathy Haigh (D-Shelton), chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, who pointed out the consensus building that legislators went through to arrive at their priorities. “What we sought to do with this package is identify barriers to that success and then develop strategies to break those barriers down.”

"Washington is a national leader in creating high quality early learning opportunities that help children succeed in school and life,” said Rep. Ruth Kagi (D-Lake Forest Park), who chairs the House Early Learning and Children’s Services Committee. “Improving access to child care opportunities at college campuses and bringing our state’s early childhood education program up to Head Start standards will help keep us at the forefront of this exciting new frontier in education.”

House Bill 3168 sponsored by Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland) sets the path toward one, integrated Washington Head Start program by the year 2010. It directs the Department of Early Learning to develop a plan to align the state’s prekindergarten program called the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) with federal Head Start standards. In developing this plan, the Department of Early Learning will take into consideration where state flexibility would be recommended, for instance in serving our rural communities that may take longer to meet Federal Head Start standards (Passed 96-0).

"Our schools spend a lot of time and resources trying to bring many kids up to speed when they arrive at school unprepared," Goodman said. "We can ensure that more students arrive at school ready to learn by investing in the Head Start program, which is a proven model serving the most disadvantaged children and their parents in our communities.”

House Bill 2582 sponsored by Rep. Mary Helen Roberts (D-Lynnwood) will change childcare programs operated by the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, so they may award either competitive or matching childcare grants to public higher education institutions. This will expand the availability of childcare on campuses throughout the state (Passed 96-0).

“Childcare is essential for parents who are pursuing higher education. Access to affordable and reliable childcare is one of the biggest barriers to completing a degree,” said Roberts. “This program is also crucial for the children because it gets them on the learning path at a very early age.”

"Last year we passed an innovative five-point education plan to help students succeed every step of the way,” said state Rep. Dave Quall (D-Mount Vernon), House Education Committee Chairman. “Today we’re building on that plan with strategic measures that focus on specific areas like math and science that share the goal of success for every student in our state.”

State Rep. Pat Sullivan (D-Covington) sponsored several of the measures in the education package, including 2598 and 2808; they all seek to get kids to succeed so they can be prepared for advanced studies beyond high school.

House Bill 2598 would explore offering a high-quality online math curriculum at no cost to ensure kids have access to a curriculum that is fully aligned with statewide math standards (Passed 91-6); and

House Bill 2808 would help students graduate by providing additional resources including enhanced guidance counseling and learning opportunities to earn a diploma, as well as make progress in a career pathway that leads to a family wage job (Passed 97-0).

“We want our kids to become tomorrow’s competitive problem-solvers, so we need to do everything we can to help them get there,” said Sullivan. “Standardizing the math curriculum, using end-of-course tests, and providing additional academic resources will help more students graduate so they can take that leap into post-high school plans.”

House Bill 2775 sponsored by Rep. Don Barlow (D-Spokane) would reduce the school poverty threshold for nationally-certified teachers to receive an additional bonus (Passed 97-0).

“Middle and high school teachers deserve the additional bonus but they have a hard time qualifying for it because older students tend not to sign up for free or reduced lunch, even if they are poor,” explained Barlow. “So this bill levels the playing field by recognizing the challenges of poverty and providing bonuses to teachers in these schools as well.”

“My goal is to provide opportunities for all people in Washington to gain the skills necessary for the career of their choice.” said state Rep. Deb Wallace (D-Vancouver), who chairs the Higher Education Committee. “My transfer student bill of rights will establish a common system to label transferable courses, which will save both time and money, and the performance agreements will make state investments accountable to taxpayers.”

Wallace’s bill, HB 2783 would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to create and implement a “student bill of rights” to make transferring courses from one college to another easier (Passed 96-0).

House Bill 2641 sponsored by Rep. Fred Jarrett (D- Mercer Island) would create a pilot program to test performance agreements at the University of Washington and at Western Washington University (Passed 95-2).

“The goal is to improve access to high-valued degrees, and the schools have shown their interest in demonstrating the state's return on investment,” said Jarrett. “These performance agreements provide certainty in terms of reassuring taxpayers that our institutions of higher education are meeting the goals established by the Legislature.”

HB 2427 modifies provisions for a cosmetology apprenticeship program by turning it into a permanent program in which students can become licensed cosmetologists. (Rep. Phyllis Kenney, D – Seattle)

HB 2523 creates a World Language Supervisor role in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction so that schools can have one point of contact in regards to the diverse languages that may be offered. (Rep. Zack Hudgins, D -- Tukwila)

HB 2607 develops recommendations to improve standards for teachers of English language learners. (Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle)

HB 2629 modifies the mission and renames the Washington School for the Deaf and creates a panel to plan and implement two regionally-based deaf education programs. (Rep. Ruth Kagi, D – Lake Forest Park)

HB 2679 creates programs for students in foster care to encourage secondary education. (Rep. Mary Helen Roberts, D – Lynnwood)

HB 2722 creates an advisory committee to address the achievement gap for African-American students. (Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D-Seattle)

HB 2798 creates programs in which Washington grown foods will become available in schools. (Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D–Seattle)

HB 2810 enhances resources and assistance in school districts with concentrations of English language learners. (Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington)

HB 2811 creates the Healthy Student Grant Program for school districts and community-based organizations to offer innovative instruction and activities in health, fitness and nutrition. (Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington)

HB 2826 modernizes career and technical education programs in Washington middle and high schools. (Rep. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way)

HB 2869 extends bonuses for teachers that are certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards if they become principals and are able to maintain the certification. (Rep. Marko Liias, D–Mukilteo)

HB 2870 provides opportunities for professional development for instructional assistants. (Rep. Marko Liias, D-Mukilteo)

HB 3306 creates a group to encourage online classes in higher education institutions. (Rep. Deb Wallace, D–Vancouver)

HCR 4408 approves the statewide strategic master plan for higher education. (Rep. Deb Wallace, D-Vancouver)

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