Senate education plans maintain key standards, extend help to students

OLYMPIA – The Senate today passed a package of bills supporting a range of students, their success, and high academic standards for meaningful Washington diplomas.

“We have a real sense of urgency this year to move forward meaningful programs for students so that all of them have the chance to meet the standards. Our plans focus on ensuring that our students remain competitive nationally and internationally,” says Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, chair of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

Three of the most significant bills, all passing off the senate floor with a unanimous vote, range from a plan to provide help to students struggling to graduate high school because of the WASL or coursework issues, a plan to rescue Washington school libraries and a bill that recognizes a bachelor’s degree isn’t the only option toward a successful career.

The Senate’s graduation support measure, Senate Bill 6673, provides a targeted outreach program early enough to make a difference to students who aren’t on track to graduate high school, particularly geared toward students who are low-income, English language learners, children of color and those with learning disabilities – groups that have disproportionately low graduation rates.

“It doesn’t matter where a child lives or the color of their skin – they deserve the chance at success,” said McAuliffe, who sponsored the bill.

Senate Bill 6377, sponsored by Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, expands career and technical education programs in high schools, recognizing that different careers require different educations.

“We need to provide outreach, scholarships, and grants to attract those students into the career and technical education programs that are best suited to helping them start the careers they’re interested in,” said Hobbs.

The bill assists students who plan on a technical career to meet the state standard on the WASL or an alternative assessment, as well as allowing students to earn dual credit for high school and college, and leading to workforce entry, state-approved apprenticeships, or post-secondary education in a related field.

A third significant measure passed Wednesday night provides funding that moves to restore cuts to school libraries.

Sen. Tracey J. Eide, D-Federal Way, sponsored Senate Bill 6380, providing a state allocation of about $12 per student for school districts around the state to restore funding to libraries. More and more districts from around the state, including Spokane and Federal Way have cut school librarian positions and not had funding to keep pace with updating library materials.

“We expect our students to reach higher standards; at the same time we are taking away the tools to help them achieve their goals. That doesn’t make sense. It’s about giving them good materials, supportive teachers and a better chance at success in life,” said Eide.

Other education bills that passed Wednesday included:

Senate Bill 6534, sponsored by McAuliffe, is legislation to monitor state math standards and ensure relevancy to what students require in today’s world.

Senate Bill 6879, sponsored by McAuliffe sets a clear timeline – Dec. 1, 2008 – for the Joint Task on Basic Education Finance to complete their work and deliver funding options to the legislature. The task force is studying how the state defines and funds basic education – the first redefinition of basic education and new funding options since 1977. The measure also directs the task force to consider options to equalize certain school salaries across the state.

Senate Bill 5714 sponsored by Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, creates a pilot program for school districts to provide sequential Spanish and Chinese language instruction in elementary schools.

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