WSR 00-15-093

PROPOSED RULES

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION


[ Filed July 19, 2000, 11:50 a.m. ]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 00-12-017.

Title of Rule: Chapter 180-50 WAC, Courses of study and equivalencies (see sections below).

Purpose: To make necessary changes to the existing state minimum high school graduation requirements.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 28A.04.120.

Summary: Proposed amendments to WAC 180-50-100, 180-50-115, 180-50-120, 180-50-135, 180-50-300, 180-50-310 and 180-50-315; and proposed repeal of WAC 180-50-105, 180-50-125, and 180-50-130.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Aforementioned proposed changes align state minimum graduation requirements with education reform.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Larry Davis, State Board of Education, Olympia, (360) 753-6715.

Name of Proponent: State Board of Education.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Proposed amendments and repeal of sections to chapter 180-50 WAC to bring current state minimum graduation requirements in alignment with education reform.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Proposed amendments to WAC 180-50-100, 180-50-115, 180-50-120, 180-50-135, 180-50-300, 180-50-310 and 180-50-315; and proposed repeal of WAC 180-50-105, 180-50-125, and 180-50-130.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption.

Hearing Location: Lake Washington School District, 16250 N.E. 74th Street, Redmond, WA 97039, on August 23, 2000, at 8:30 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Laura Moore by August 3, 2000, TDD (360) 664-3631, or (360) 753-6715.

Submit Written Comments to: Rules Coordinator, State Board of Education, P.O. Box 47206, Olympia, WA 98504-7206, fax (360) 586-2357, by August 3, 2000.

Date of Intended Adoption: August 25, 2000.

July 19, 2000

Larry Davis

Executive Director

OTS-4203.2


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 90-17-009, filed 8/6/90, effective 9/6/90)

WAC 180-50-100
Authority and purpose.

(1) The general authority for this chapter is RCW 28A.305.130(((6))) (8) which authorizes the state board of education to prepare an outline of study for the common schools and RCW 28A.305.130(((8))) (9) which authorizes the state board of education to adopt rules ((and regulations)) to meet the educational needs of students.      Where applicable, specific statutory authority is cited within sections of this chapter.

     (2) The purposes of this chapter are to:

     (a) Implement RCW 28A.305.130 (8) and (9) by prescribing state requirements for a course of study in the common schools;

     (b) Implement courses of study specifically required by statutes;

     (c) Establish procedural and substantive requirements for the granting of credit for equivalent courses of study which may be in conjunction with or as a substitution for courses of study in common schools.

[Statutory Authority: 1990 c 33.      90-17-009, § 180-50-100, filed 8/6/90, effective 9/6/90.      Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120 (6) and (8).      84-21-004 (Order 12-84), § 180-50-100, filed 10/4/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 5-94, filed 1/19/94, effective 2/19/94)

WAC 180-50-115
Mandatory areas of study in the common school.

(1) ((Pursuant to RCW 28A.230.020 all)) School districts shall provide instruction in ((reading, penmanship, spelling, mathematics, geography, English grammar, physiology, hygiene, and history of the United States)) the subjects listed under RCW 28A.230.020.

     (2) ((Pursuant to RCW 28A.230.030, unless instruction in a language other than English will aid the educational advancement of the student, all students shall be taught in English.

     (3))) Pursuant to RCW 28A.230.130, ((after July 1, 1986,)) each school district offering a high school program shall provide students the opportunity to take a course of study which ((includes the preparation for)) affords them the opportunity to meet the uniform college and university entrance requirements as published by the ((council of postsecondary education)) higher education coordinating board. Districts are encouraged to offer such course of study through educational pathways that are required to be offered under RCW 28A.655.060 (3)(c), effective the 2002-03 school year.

     (3) Each school district offering a high school program is strongly encouraged to provide students the opportunity to take a course of study which:

     (a) Affords them the opportunity to acquire general work skills and knowledge and occupational skills for entry-level work; and/or

     (b) Affords them the opportunity to earn vocational-technical certification that articulates with postsecondary programs and/or apprenticeship opportunities.

     (c) Districts are encouraged to offer the course of study under this subsection through educational pathways that are required to be offered under RCW 28A.655.060 (3)(c), effective the 2002-03 school year.

     (4) In addition to the requirements in the above subsections, each such school district shall offer all required courses for a high school diploma as provided in ((chapter 180-51)) WAC 180-51-060, and shall provide an opportunity for high school students to take at least one course in the following areas of study:

     (a) Art;

     (b) Career/occupational education;

     (c) ((Computer)) Technology education;

     (d) ((Consumer education;

     (e))) Economics;

     (((f))) (e) A language other than English which may include American Indian languages and American sign language. Districts shall offer the equivalent of at least three years of instruction in at least one language other than English;

     (((g))) (f) Health education;

     (((h) Home and family life;

     (i))) (g) Family and consumer sciences, including, but not limited to, a work and family foundation course and a consumer and family resources course;

     (h) Music;

     (((j))) (i) Civics;

     (j) Foreign culture;

     (k) International relations;

     (l) Media literacy;

     (m) Political science;

     (n) Sociology; and

     (o) Remedial education, including at least, remedial education in reading, language arts, and mathematics.

     (5) Districts shall make available to all high school students enrolled therein the areas of study enumerated above either within the district, including cross-integration of curriculum, or by alternative means which shall include equivalent education programs set forth in this chapter, interdistrict cooperative programs as permitted by RCW 28A.225.220, and/or the full-time or part-time release of such students to attend nonresident districts pursuant to chapter 392-137 WAC.

     (6) ((Pursuant to RCW 28A.230.020)) Instruction ((about conservation, natural resources, and)) in science with special reference to the environment shall be provided at all grade levels pursuant to RCW 28A.230.020. The instruction is encouraged to include conservation and natural resources and is further encouraged to be taught in an interdisciplinary manner through science, the social studies, the humanities, and other appropriate areas with an emphasis on solving the problems of human adaptation to the environment.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010.      94-03-104 (Order 5-94), § 180-50-115, filed 1/19/94, effective 2/19/94.      Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130.      91-01-067, § 180-50-115, filed 12/14/90, effective 1/14/91.      Statutory Authority: 1990 c 33.      90-17-009, § 180-50-115, filed 8/6/90, effective 9/6/90.      Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120 (6) and (8).      84-21-004 (Order 12-84), § 180-50-115, filed 10/4/84.]


NEW SECTION
WAC 180-50-117
Mandatory areas of study in the common school.

(1) School districts shall provide instruction in the subjects listed under RCW 28A.230.020.

     (2) Pursuant to RCW 28A.230.130, each school district offering a high school program shall provide students the opportunity to take a course of study which affords them the opportunity to meet the uniform college and university entrance requirements as published by the higher education coordinating board. Districts are encouraged to offer such course of study through educational pathways that are required to be offered under RCW 28A.655.060 (3)(c), effective the 2002-03 school year.

     (3) Each school district offering a high school program is strongly encouraged to provide students the opportunity to take a course of study which:

     (a) Affords them the opportunity to acquire general work skills and knowledge and occupational skills for entry-level work; and/or

     (b) Affords them the opportunity to earn vocational-technical certification that articulates with postsecondary programs and/or apprenticeship opportunities.

     (c) Districts are encouraged to offer the course of study under this subsection through educational pathways that are required to be offered under RCW 28A.655.060 (3)(c), effective the 2002-03 school year.

     (4) In addition to the requirements in the above subsections, each such school district shall offer all required courses for a high school diploma as provided in chapter 180-51 WAC, and shall provide an opportunity for high school students to complete study in the following areas:

     (a) A language other than English which may include American Indian languages and American sign language. Districts shall offer the equivalent of at least three years of instruction in at least one language other than English;

     (b) Civics;

     (c) Economics;

     (d) Family and consumer sciences, including, but not limited to, a work and family foundation course and a consumer and family resources course;

     (e) Foreign culture;

     (f) International relations;

     (g) Media literacy;

     (h) Political science;

     (i) Sociology;

     (j) Technology education; and

     (k) Reinstruction education in at least reading, language arts, and mathematics.

     (5) Districts shall make available to all high school students enrolled therein the areas of study enumerated above either within the district, including cross-integration of curriculum, or by alternative means which shall include equivalent education programs set forth in this chapter, interdistrict cooperative programs as permitted by RCW 28A.225.220, and/or the full-time or part-time release of such students to attend nonresident districts pursuant to chapter 392-137 WAC.

     (6) Instruction in science with special reference to the environment shall be provided at all grade levels pursuant to RCW 28A.230.020. The instruction is encouraged to include conservation and natural resources and is further encouraged to be taught in an interdisciplinary manner through science, the social studies, the humanities, and other appropriate areas with an emphasis on solving the problems of human adaptation to the environment.

[]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 5-94, filed 1/19/94, effective 2/19/94)

WAC 180-50-120
Washington state history and government requirements.

(1) Grades 1-6.      A one-semester course -- i.e., 90 (50 minute) hours of instruction -- or its equivalent in Washington state history and government shall be required in the common schools in grades one through six combined, but not at each grade level.

     (2) Grades 7-12.      A one-semester course -- i.e., 90 (50 minute) hours of instruction -- or its equivalent in Washington state history and government shall be required in the common schools in grades seven through twelve combined, but not at each grade level.      Such course shall include a study of the Washington state Constitution and is encouraged to include information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indian people who were the first inhabitants of the state.      ((Pursuant to RCW 28A.230.170, 28A.230.060, and 28A.230.090 this course also shall be required for high school graduation unless waived pursuant to WAC 180-51-075.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.010.      94-03-104 (Order 5-94), § 180-50-120, filed 1/19/94, effective 2/19/94.      Statutory Authority: 1990 c 33.      90-17-009, § 180-50-120, filed 8/6/90, effective 9/6/90.      Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120 (6) and (8) and 28A.05.060.      85-12-037 (Order 13-85), § 180-50-120, filed 6/3/85.      Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120 (6) and (8).      85-04-007 (Order 1-85), § 180-50-120, filed 1/25/85; 84-21-004 (Order 12-84), § 180-50-120, filed 10/4/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 90-17-009, filed 8/6/90, effective 9/6/90)

WAC 180-50-135
Physical education -- Grade school and high school requirement.

(1) Grades 1-8.      An average of at least ((twenty)) one hundred instructional minutes per ((day)) week per year in physical education shall be required of all pupils in the common schools in the grade school (grades 1-8) program unless waived pursuant to RCW 28A.230.040.

     (2) Grades 9-12.      A ((one-year)) one credit course(( -- i.e., 180 (50 minute) hours of instruction -- ))or its equivalent shall be offered in physical education for each grade (grades 9-12) in the high school program.      ((Pursuant to RCW 28A.230.050 and 28A.230.090, two credits in physical education also shall be required for high school graduation unless waived pursuant to RCW 28A.230.050.))

[Statutory Authority: 1990 c 33.      90-17-009, § 180-50-135, filed 8/6/90, effective 9/6/90.      Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120 (6) and (8) and 28A.05.060.      85-20-026 (Order 19-85), § 180-50-135, filed 9/24/85.      Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120 (6) and (8).      84-21-004 (Order 12-84), § 180-50-135, filed 10/4/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 12-84, filed 10/4/84)

WAC 180-50-300
Equivalency course of study -- Credit for learning experiences conducted away from school or by persons not employed by the school district.

(1) Credit, including high school graduation credit, may be granted for school planned or approved learning experiences primarily conducted away from the facilities owned, operated, or supervised by the district or conducted primarily by individuals not employed by the district.

     (2) School planned or approved learning experiences such as, but not limited to, travel study, work study, private lessons, and educational programs sponsored by governmental agencies may be accepted for credit upon compliance with ((procedures)) written policies established by the district.      ((Rules))

     (3) Written policies which permit the granting of credit for such out-of-school learning activities shall be adopted by the district board of directors and shall be available to students, parents, and the public((, and representatives of the superintendent of public instruction)) upon request.      Such ((rules)) policies shall include at least the following provisions:

     (((1))) (4) A proposal for approval of credit for such learning experiences shall be submitted to the personnel designated in the written policy for review, revision, and approval or disapproval prior to the experience and shall include at least the following information:

     (a) Name of program or planned learning experience;

     (b) Length of time for which approval is desired;

     (c) Objectives of the program or planned learning experience;

     (d) Which one or more of the subjects listed in the state learning goals and related essential academic learning requirements are part of the program or planned learning experience;

     (e) Which one or more of the subjects under WAC 180-50-115(4) or 180-50-117(4) are part of the program or planned learning experience;

     (f) Description of how credits shall be determined in accord with WAC 180-51-050(1);

     (((e))) (g) Content outline of the program and/or major learning activities and instructional materials to be used;

     (((f))) (h) Description of how student performance will be assessed;

     (((g))) (i) Qualifications of instructional personnel; ((and

     (h))) (j) Plans for evaluation of program; and

     (k) How and by whom the student will be supervised.

     (((2) The proposal shall be presented to the personnel designated by the district board of directors for review, revision, and approval or disapproval.

     (3))) (5) The reasons for approval or disapproval shall be communicated to the students((,)) and parents((,)) or guardians.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120 (6) and (8).      84-21-004 (Order 12-84), § 180-50-300, filed 10/4/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 17-87, filed 12/22/87)

WAC 180-50-310
Equivalency course of study -- Credit for correspondence courses, electronically mediated courses, and college courses.

Each common school district board of directors shall adopt ((rules)) policies governing the acceptance of correspondence or college courses for credit, including high school graduation credit.      Such rules shall limit acceptance to courses from approved schools or institutions and shall be available upon request for review by students, parents, and the public((, and representatives of the superintendent of public instruction)).      The following are approved schools:

     (1) Schools that are members of the National University Continuing Education Association or accredited by the ((National Home Study)) Distance Education and Training Council;

     (2) Community colleges, ((vocational-))technical ((institutes)) colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and approved private schools in Washington state; and

     (3) Other schools or institutions, including electronically mediated schools or programs, which are approved, after evaluation of a particular course offering, by the school district.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120(6).      88-01-108 (Order 17-87), § 180-50-310, filed 12/22/87.      Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120 (6) and (8).      84-21-004 (Order 12-84), § 180-50-310, filed 10/4/84.]


AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 13-85, filed 6/3/85)

WAC 180-50-315
Equivalency course of study -- Credit for work experience.

School districts may accept work experience training in lieu of either required or elective high school credits if such work experience training meets the following standards:

     (1) The work ((program)) experience training shall be supervised by the school;

     (2) The work experience training shall be ((definitely)) related to the school program of the student;

     (3) Credit given for work experience training shall represent growth in the student and the type of work done ((should have definite educational value)) shall involve one or more of the subjects listed in the state learning goals and related essential academic learning requirements, and shall be awarded in accord with WAC 180-51-050(1);

     (4) ((The job in which experience is gained shall provide varied experiences;

     (5))) A work experience training program shall be supplemented by an adequate program of guidance, placement, follow-up, and coordination between job and school;

     (((6))) (5) Work experience as a planned part of a school subject may be included in the credit given for that subject;

     (((7))) (6) One credit may be granted for not less than four hundred five hours of work experience training related to a student's school program;

     (((8))) (7) A student participating in a work experience training shall be legally employed and ((must have passed his sixteenth birthday)) shall not be less than sixteen years old;

     (((9))) (8) An employer's report of the student's work record, indicating satisfactory progress on the job, shall be filed with the school; and

     (((10))) (9) The regular state apprenticeship program, in which the training is worked out cooperatively with the school and meets the standards for high school graduation, is acceptable.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120 (6) and (8) and 28A.05.060.      85-12-037 (Order 13-85), § 180-50-315, filed 6/3/85.      Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.04.120 (6) and (8).      84-21-004 (Order 12-84), § 180-50-315, filed 10/4/84.]


REPEALER

     The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
WAC 180-50-105 Purposes.
WAC 180-50-125 United States history -- High school requirement.
WAC 180-50-130 Social studies course -- High school requirement.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office