Rep. Maxwell says bill is a vital tool in preparing Washington students to participate in the global marketplace
OLYMPIA – Education reform continues with Rep. Marcie Maxwell’s (D-Renton) House Bill 1443, which outlines ways to strengthen instruction and support for Washington students, help close the opportunity gap and support education professionals.
“Education remains our state’s priority and our link to Washington’s thriving future,” Maxwell said. “Despite these tough economic times, we must maintain our commitment to providing a quality education program for all Washington students.”
In 2009, the Legislature approved House Bill 2261, a bill that set a solid foundation for reform by laying out a ten-year plan for transforming the state’s K-12 basic education funding system. Last year, the Legislature approved House Bill 2776, which authorized the first steps for implementing the new funding system. Rep. Maxwell was a leading co-sponsor on both of these bills.
After several months of in-depth discussions with the Quality Education Council and its work groups charged with recommending solutions for implementing reforms, Maxwell’s House Bill 1443 includes:
- Adopting the Common Core Standards to increase opportunities for success among students who move from state to state, improve assessments, and better prepare students for global participation.
- Delivering technical assistance to districts and schools to help develop strategies to reduce dropout rates.
- Incorporating the use of kindergarten readiness assessment in challenged elementary schools
to effectively prepare young children as they enter the K-12 system.
- Approving the use of Learning Assistance Programs (LAP) funds to assist students in science.
- Adopting consistent procedures for school districts to identify, assess, and select highly capable students.
- Identifying methods for recruiting and retaining diverse teachers and teachers within the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields.
House Bill 1443 has been referred to the House Education Committee for its first reading.