With a packed agenda today, the House Education Committee heard bills that would support expanded learning opportunities, eliminate the culminating project as a state requirement, and delay implementation of the 1,080 hour requirement to the 2015-16 school year.
A student from East Valley (Yakima) spoke in favor of HB 2402, which would remove the culminating project as a state graduation requirement. In her remarks, the student mentioned that most students just see the culminating project as a hoop to jump through on their way to graduation. She pointed out that most students don't take the requirement seriously, particularly if they don't see any value in the effort.
Also speaking in favor were representatives from the League of Women Voters, WASA and a teacher from East Valley High School, LWV and WASA emphasized local control, and the option that this would still be available to districts that wanted to keep it as part of the mix. The teacher said that some students may conduct significant projects while others either don't have the time or don't have the inclination to make the senior project a meaningful event.
Signing in with concerns was the Workforce Development & Education Training Board, which emphasized that their concern was making sure students had an opportunity to reach into the community for workforce experience, but it didn't have to take place through the culminating project . The school principals association indicated a recent survey of members was split 2 to 1 in favor of eliminating the culminating project and shared some comments from both sides.
Signing in against the bill was the State Board of Education.
Committee members also heard from many in support of HB 2548, which would delay the 1,080 hour requirement from the 2014-15 school year to the 2015-16 school year and fix the instructional hours issue related to students graduating from high school who currently have the a five-day grace period at the end of the school year.
The bill was requested by Superintendent Dorn and is sponsored by Rep. Steve Bergquist, D-Renton.
Speaking in favor were representatives from OSPI, WEA, AWSP, WASA, Pat Jenkins, a school director from the Puyallup School District, and district superintendent Tim Yeomans.
Shawn Lewis of WEA suggested lawmakers pass the bill and keep the funding in the budget and allow districts the opportunity to use the funding in a flexible way and focus on students who are struggling.
Yeomans said that 24 credits, under the most recent State Board of Education framework, is important and asked lawmakers to redirect the funding to be used for phasing in the 24-credit requirement.
Ben Rarick of the State Board of Education said they were technically opposed to the bill, but supported the fix for seniors. Their opposition is to the section that would delay implementation of 1,080 hours. "We have made a commitment to an extra 80 hours, whether it is a few minutes in the day or an extra 15 days, and this bill would be a step backward."
The hearing is available on TVW.
Updates on the Legislature and state government from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
