The House has reconvened, after an hour recess and nearly two hours of caucusing over education-related bills scheduled for action today.
When we last left the House, they had just heard an amendment on SHB 1443, a bill that would implement recommendations made by the Quality Education Council in its December report. Rep. Brad Klippert, R-Richland, had moved an amendment to authorize OSPI to adopt the common core standards no earlier than July 1, 2013.
Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle, said that delaying the adoption of common core could put our federal grants in jeopardy. Santos explained that standards were critical, and that having assessments that worked in alignment with standards should occur simultaneously.
Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, said that adopting common core standards nationalizes local school districts, and puts our kids' future in the hands of those that live 3,000 miles away. Also arguing for the Klippert amendment along similar lines was Rep. Jim McCune, R-Graham.
Klippert tried to close debate by readdressing why he wanted to offer the amendment, including an example of how this really would work in the classroom. He said his biggest concern is dumbing down the standards by going to a national standard.
Motion failed, 40-57.
The final amendment on the bill was offered by House Education ranking member Bruce Dammeier, R-Puyallup. The change would make the minimum instructional hour under the basic education act would hold it at 1,000 hours, and would not make the 1,080 hour requirement until the 2014-15 school year.
Unlike the former debate, the motion passed with no discussion.
Speaking to her bill, Rep. Marcie Maxwell, D-Renton, asked House members to support the bill, describing it as a "work horse" that drives certain ideas and policies forward that would not be costly or difficult for school districts to implement.
Also speaking in favor of the bill was Dammeier, who brought up three key areas he believes are key in the bill - 1. addressing the 150-hour seat time requirement and allowing school districts to set the definition of a credit; 2. doing a report to make sure funds are being spent effectively; and 3. tasks the compensation work group to look at professional development for teachers.
Several others spoke in favor of the bill, while a few remained concerned about the impacts of a constantly changing landscape for students, parents and teachers.
The bill passed 83-14.
Updates on the Legislature and state government from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
