Good morning and happy Friday! We are quickly approaching the end of regular session and this week brought two cut-offs: bills from opposite houses had to be passed out of their respective fiscal committees by Monday's close, and today is the last day for lawmakers to pass opposite house bills on the floor. The budget bills were passed out of their respective fiscal committees last week, and final deliberations have begun.
The House Ed committee held a work session on Wednesday, which focused on emergency management plans, and local coronavirus response efforts. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, fielded questions from lawmakers about school closures, cleaning capabilities, funding and family notification. The committee also identified their interim priorities, here are a few: school-based health centers, dual credit opportunities, integrated student supports, and closing opportunity gaps.
Here is the OSPI Policy Shop update for week 8! This week's video breaks down house and senate budgets and how that might affect funding for priority educational issues.
BILLS PROGRESSING
3SHB 1660: Concerns the participation of students who are low income in extracurricular activities. Passed both chambers.
HB 2458: Concerns optional benefits offered by school districts. In Senate Rules committee.
SHB 2711: Increases equitable educational outcomes for foster care and homeless children and youth from prekindergarten to postsecondary education. In Senate Rules committee.
ESHB 2816: Nurtures positive social and emotional school and classroom climates. In Senate Rules committee.
SHB 2864: Establishes a running start summer pilot program. The pilot would start at 3 undetermined colleges or universities in the state. In Senate Rules committee. (hearing 2:15:54)
ESSB 5395: Concerns comprehensive sexual health education. This bill would require schools to select a curriculum and provide sexual health education for grades K-12. One of the most controversial bills of this session, 5395 continues to stir debate among lawmakers and the public over issues such as age appropriateness, local control, funding and curriculum adoption. This week's article from The Columbian breaks down the sex-ed legislation and its path to become law.
SB 6047: Prohibits retaliation against school district employees that report noncompliance with individualized education programs. In House Rules committee.
SB 6066: Expands ethnic studies materials and resources for public school students in grades kindergarten through six. In House Rules committee.
SSB 6191: Assessing the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences in middle and high school students to inform decision making and improve services. Passed both chambers. (hearing time: 4:00:01)
SSB 6521: Creates an innovative pilot learning program. This bill requires OSPI to create a program that would authorize full time enrollment funding for students who are enrolled in mastery-based learning programs. In house Rules committee. (hearing time: 4:15:41)
ODDS AND ENDS
Is a focus on "mindfulness" the key to lowering stress and anxiety in schools? This NPR article breaks down different mindfulness techniques and how they may provide benefits for students and even help improve their academics.
Check out this Seattle Times interview with the Washington teen who launched one of the first websites to track coronavirus information worldwide.
TVW: Watch live and archived legislative proceedings.
Note about
legislative updates:
CSTP relays these legislative updates to provide information on bills, budgets and legislative processes. CSTP doesn't have a legislative agenda, but does track legislative issues most relevant to teaching.
