The House passed a package of education, early learning, and child welfare bills Thursday that will support the development of children from all backgrounds and experiences.
Student success in schools
House Bill 2739, sponsored by Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self (D-Mukilteo), will require the Education Data Center to conduct a report analyzing the correlation of certain family factors with academic and behavioral indicators of student success.
“This student success bill moves us a little closer to ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed in our schools, “Ortiz-Self said. “I have a myriad of stories I can share about the conditions in which children come to our schools.”
Ultimately, Ortiz-Self said stories aren’t enough to solve the problems, but the data this bill will provide can.
HB 2739 passed 65-33 and will proceed to the Senate for review.
Providing early learning access for children in welfare
Some of the most vulnerable children are not getting access to early learning and developmental programs.
House Bill 2519, sponsored by Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island), will identify and prioritize children in the child welfare system for enrollment in in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). It will also direct Family Assessment Response (FAR) workers to assess homes for child well-being and safety when collaborating with a family to determine the need for child care, preschool, or home visiting services.
“Our families, our communities, and our state are stronger when we prioritize the educations of all young people not just those of means.” Senn said. “All children deserve the opportunity to excel, prosper and succeed—not just get by.”
Providing STEM scholarships for low- and middle-income students
In 2011 the Legislature established the Opportunity Scholarship Program to support low- and middle-income students in pursuing majors for high-demand science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) jobs.
House Bill 2612 will primarily increase the membership of the Opportunity Scholarship Program board to 11 members, giving the board flexibility to select more scholarship recipients. An expanded board more adequately reflects an expanded demand for STEM-qualified graduates.
Sponsored by Rep. Drew Hansen (D-Bainbridge Island), the bill will also authorize the board to elect to have the Washington State Investment Board invest funds in the scholarship and endowment accounts.
“One of our most fundamental values in our state is that we are all in this together,” Hansen said. “This bill makes some small changes to this program to help it work better and help it reach more kids.”
HB 2612 passed 75-23 and will proceed to the Senate for consideration.
Providing better, healthier, fresher school food
Academic success in our classrooms relies on nutritional success in our lunchrooms.
House Bill 2410 will encourage school districts across the state to prioritize creating healthy programs and dietary options in their cafeterias.
Sponsored by Rep. Marcus Riccelli (D-Spokane), the bill will direct the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish a competitive process for school districts to compete for funds with the “Apple a Day” nutrition program.
“It’s part of a bigger discussion on how we’re providing healthier food in our school,” Riccelli said.
Providing healthier foods in schools is also one of the key approaches to addressing the generation-long obesity epidemic. This bill provides resources to motivate schools in upgrading their kitchen and meet the growing demand for healthier food in Washington schools.
HB 2410 passed the House 91-7.