2009 Legislative Session Results 

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·          Introduced by Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, (D-Bothell) (D) on January 21, 2009, to implement the recommendations of the WASL work group. The recommendations include providing for multiple assessment formats, enable collection of data for better state and national comparison and to be balanced using many data points to measure progress, among other things.

·         Passed in the Senate (47 to 1) on March 4, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·         Received in the House on March 6, 2009.

·          Passed in the House (95 to 2) on April 14, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·         Signed with partial veto by Gov. Christine Gregoire on April 30, 2009, Directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to revise standardized testing forms and methods to allow for more accurate assessment that will inform classroom instruction and provide appropriate accountability,with special consideration given to special education students as well as the appeal process for students seeking an alternative assessment measure. Provides detailed directives to SPI with regard to a total redesign of statewide standardized testing. Section 4 regarding the feasibility and time line implementation of science and math requiremetns was vetoed.

House Bill 1110 (relating to advertising and marketing to students receiving home based education)

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·        Introduced by Rep. Pat Sullivan, (D-Covington) (D) on January 13, 2009, forbids school districts from advertising, marketing or soliciting for their programs to parents who have submitted a declaration of intent to homeschool. Does not apply to general school district mailings such as newsletters.

·         Passed in the House (94 to 0) on February 20, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·         Received in the Senate on February 23, 2009.

·         Passed in the Senate (45 to 0) on April 9, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·         Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on April 23, 2009, prohibits school districts from disseminating unsolicited information regarding learning programs to students and their parents who have filed a declaration of intent regarding home-based instruction. Excepts from the prohibition general mailings sent to all district households and materials provided in response to a parental request .

2009 House Bill 1946 (regarding higher education online technology)

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·         Introduced by Rep. Reuven Carlyle, (D) (D) on February 3, 2009, requires all institutions of higher education to use common online learning technologies. Includes but is not limited to existing learning management and web conferencing systems currently managed by the state board for community and technical colleges as well as professional development materials related to effective use of these tools. Requires the K-20 educational network board to convene a higher education technology transformation task force to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of education relative to the strategic and operational use of technology in public education.

·         Passed in the House (95 to 0) on March 6, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the Senate on March 10, 2009.

·           Passed in the Senate (46 to 0) on April 16, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the House on April 20, 2009. Passed in the House (98   to  0) on April 20, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·       Signed by the Governor, May 7, 2009.  Requires that the workgroup report preliminary findings and recommendations, based on its comprehensive analysis, by December 1, 2009, with a final report to follow by December 1, 2010.  Nullifies and voids the act if specific mention or funding is not provided in the operating budget. 

2009 Senate Bill 5676 (Career and technical education for middle school students)

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·         Introduced by Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, (D-Bothell) (D) on January 28, 2009, to develop and implement alternative pathways for an individual to obtain a teaching endorsement. This bill requires the professional educators standards board to develop these new pathways. The intent of the act is to provide additional opportunity in middle schools for improved instruction in the area of mathematics and sciences. (See also Companion HB 1356).

·         Passed in the Senate (34 to 14) on March 9, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·         Received in the House on March 11, 2009.

·         Passed in the House (69 to 29) on April 13, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·         Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on April 24, 2009, The limitation is removed that a middle school offering career and technical education receives an enhanced funding allocation only within funds appropriated for this purpose. The CTE program must be in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) to qualify for the enhancement. Middle schools offering qualifying programs are to be funded at the same level as a high school offering a similar program. In the event funding is not provided in the 2009-11 omnibus operating budget, the act is null and void.

2009 House Bill 2119 (Expanding dual high school and college credits)

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·         Introduced by Rep. Deb Wallace, (D-Vancouver) (D) on February 10, 2009, directs the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, and the public baccalaureate institutions to jointly develop rules governing the college in high school program, and to develop advising guidelines to assure that students and parents understand that college credits earned in high school dual credit programs may impact eligibility for financial aid.

·         Passed in the House (92 to 4) on March 10, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the Senate on March 12, 2009.

·           Passed in the Senate (45 to 2) on April 13, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the House on April 20, 2009. Passed in the House (93 to 2) on April 20, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·    Delivered to the Governor,  Aoril 23, 2009

·    Signed by the Governor, May 11, 2009.  Allows community and technical colleges to charge Running Start students certain fees and provides for low-income fee waivers.  Allows four-year institutions to charge Running Start students technology fees only and provides for low-income fee waivers.

2009 Senate Bill 5889 (Providing flexibility in the education system)

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·         Introduced by Sen. Steve Hobbs, (D-Lake Stevens) (D) on February 5, 2009, one of several bills that makes modifications in the provisions covering the state's common school operations to increase flexibility in the education system and to reduce costs.

·         Passed in the Senate (46 to 1) on March 10, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the House on March 13, 2009.

·           Passed in the House (97 to 1) on April 13, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the Senate on April 21, 2009, Senate moves to reconsider House amendments. Passed in the Senate by voice vote on April 21, 2009.

·         Received to the House on April 23, 2009, House removes previous amendments and offers a new amendment regarding child imunization. Passed in the House (94 to 1) on April 23, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·         Received to the Senate on April 25, 2009, Senate agrees to House action. Passed in the Senate (49 to 0) on April 25, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·     Delivered to the Governor

2009 Senate Bill 6168 (Limiting costs in state K-12 education programs)

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·         Introduced by Sen. Rodney Tom, (D-Medina) (D) on April 15, 2009, to specify that specified elementary and secondary education programs shall be implemented only to the extent funds are available.

·         Passed in the Senate (43 to 4) on April 20, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·         Received in the House on April 22, 2009.

·         Passed in the House (95 to 0) on April 25, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

2009 House Bill 2343 (achieving savings in education programs)

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·          Introduced by Rep. Kathy Haigh, (D-Shelton) (D) on April 13, 2009, achieves savings in education programs by revising provisions relating to norm-referenced assessments and diagnostic assessments. Also seeks to revise training requirements for classified instructional assistants as well as requirements for conditional scholarship programs. Other areas where savings can be achieved are: professional development learning opportunities, career and technical student organization support services, teacher assistance programs and certification bonuses .

·         Passed in the House (77 to 21) on April 20, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the Senate on April 21, 2009.

·          Passed in the Senate (28 to 20) on April 23, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Delivered to the Governor

[History, Amendments & Comments] [Text and Analysis] [Add to Watch List]

·         Introduced by Rep. Pat Sullivan, (D-Covington) (D) on February 19, 2009, declares an intent to continue to review, evaluate, and revise the definition and funding of basic education in order to fulfill the state obligation under Article IX of the state Constitution to define and fund a program of basic education for the state. Declares an intent to fulfill the state's obligation under Article IX to establish a general and uniform system of public schools and build upon the actions previously taken by the legislature to address the inequities that exist in the current system. Declares an intent to schedule implementation of a redefined program of basic education and the resources necessary to support it, beginning in the 2011-12 school year. Declares that when the system has the capacity to fully implement these enhancements they will be included in a definition and funding of basic education.

·         Passed in the House (71 to 26) on March 12, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the Senate on March 16, 2009.

·           Passed in the Senate (26 to 23) on April 16, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the House on April 20, 2009. Passed in the House (67 to 31) on April 20, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·       Delivered to the Governor, April 23, 2009

2009 Senate Bill 5973 (Closing the achievement gap in education)

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·        Introduced by Sen. Claudia Kauffman, (D-Kent) (D) on February 11, 2009, establishes the achievement gap advisory committee within the office of superintendent of public instruction. Describes its member composition and duties in advising the superintendent, the professional educator standards board and the state board of education on ways to close the achievement gap.

·         Passed in the Senate (30 to 18) on March 9, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the House on March 11, 2009.

·       Passed in the House (98 to 0) on April 13, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]  

• Received in the Senate on April 22, 2009, Senate agrees to House amendments
• Passed in the Senate (33 to 15) on April 22, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 12, 2009.  Requires all student-related data from OSPI to be disaggregated by six specified racial or ethnic subgroups and five specified chracteristics.  Directs the PESB to identify model standards for cultural competency and to assist school districts with the largest achievement gaps in developing partnership programs for alternative route teacher preparation.  Requires OSPI to take action to secure federal funds to support initiatives to close the achievement gap.

2009 House Bill 2132 (Regarding instruction in civics)

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·        Introduced by Rep. David Quall, (D-Mt. Vernon) (D) on February 11, 2009, requires the state board of education, if the board increases the number of course credits in social studies that are required for high school graduation, to also require that at least one-half credit of that requirement be coursework in civics.

·          Passed in the House (94 to 0) on February 27, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the Senate on March 3, 2009.

·           Passed in the Senate (46 to 0) on April 16, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on April 25, 2009, requires the state board of education, if the board increases the number of course credits in social studies that are required for high school graduation, to also require that at least one-half credit of that requirement be coursework in civics.

2009 House Bill 1943 (regarding professional development for the early learning and school-age program workforce)

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·         Introduced by Rep. Ruth Kagi, (D-Lake Forest Park) (D) on February 3, 2009, requires the professional development consortium convened by the early learning advisory council to develop recommendations for a statewide system of preparation and continuing professional development for the early learning and school age program workforce. Expires July 1, 2011.

·         Passed in the House (94 to 0) on February 27, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·          Received in the Senate on March 3, 2009.

·           Passed in the Senate (45 to 0) on April 9, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·           Received in the House on April 20, 2009. Passed in the House (94 to 0) on April 20, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·       Delivered to the Governor, April 23, 2009

·      Signed by the Governor, May 7, 2009, effective date July 7, 2009.  Requires a status update in September 2009 and a report with final recommendations to the legislature and the Governor by December 2010.

2009 House Bill 1419 (regarding sexually aggressive youth)

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·         Introduced by Rep. Ruth Kagi, (D-Lake Forest Park) (D) on January 21, 2009, allows a child, who is at least eight years old, and the parents or legal guardians to receive intervention and counseling from the department of social and human services if the child has a complaint of sexually aggressive behavior leveled against him or her and if the complaint is found to be probable by a law enforcement agency. Does not require a conviction of legal action to be carried out for the child or parents to be eligible for services. Information on the complaint is to be kept confidential from the general public and only admissible to schools, law enforcement agencies and juvenile care agencies.

·          Passed in the House (96 to 0) on March 10, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·           Received in the Senate on March 12, 2009.

·           Passed in the Senate (47 to 0) on April 13, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]

·           Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on April 28, 2009, Clarifies that appropriate and available treatment services for sexually aggressive youth referred to the Department of Social and Health Services from law enforcement or a prosecutor may be offered to the child and his or her parents regardless of whether a dependency petition has been filed.

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