The State Board of Education is once again discussing changes to administrative rules related to school district requests for waivers from the standard 180-day requirement in statute.
SBE staff recommended today that the SBE proceed with rule making, including capping the number of waiver days to 5, and making what are now called the Option 1 waivers reserved for only local or temporary characteristics or circumstances that warrant an exception to the 180-day requirement. In addition, staff recommended criteria, including the use of strategies that are evidence- or research-based and likely to lead to the attainment of the goal, as part of an evaluation prior to approval.
Staff are suggesting that a new waiver - called an innovation waiver - would be created to address potential requests for specific schools (not school districts) who might need more than five days of waivers. Staff also recommended that the Fast Track waiver process adopted two years ago be merged into the Option 1 waivers.
SBE members asked many questions, and it isn't clear what direction the SBE may take. Staff are pushing that they get approval to file what is called a CR 101, that signals their intent to adopt the rule changes. A decision on that will be made at tomorrow's SBE meeting in Yakima.
Updates on the Legislature and state government from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Sen. Lisa Brown won't seek re-election
Senate Democratic Majority Leader Lisa Brown announced today that she will not seek re-election this November.
The 20-year legislator represents the 3rd legislative district (Spokane). Brown was elected to the House in 1992, and to the Senate in 1996. She served as the Senate Ways & Means Chair before becoming the majority leader in 2004.
Rep. Andy Billig, a Democrat from the same district, is likely to announce for Brown's seat. The race has already drawn city council member Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican.
Brown joins five of her Senate colleagues (four Democrats and one Republican) who also have opted to leave the state Legislature. Half of the Senate is up for re-election, while all 98 seats in the House are up.
The 20-year legislator represents the 3rd legislative district (Spokane). Brown was elected to the House in 1992, and to the Senate in 1996. She served as the Senate Ways & Means Chair before becoming the majority leader in 2004.
Rep. Andy Billig, a Democrat from the same district, is likely to announce for Brown's seat. The race has already drawn city council member Nancy McLaughlin, a Republican.
Brown joins five of her Senate colleagues (four Democrats and one Republican) who also have opted to leave the state Legislature. Half of the Senate is up for re-election, while all 98 seats in the House are up.
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