School Package Approved
The Washington House, hoping to encourage tougher but safer public schools, on Thursday voted to give local districts more power to toss out state rules, deal with gang members and unruly students, and involve more parents.
The package of education bills was dubbed the “ADCs” of public schools - Academic excellence, Discipline, and Community involvement.
Although some of the more conservative members of the Republican-controlled Legislature have criticized the Education Reform Act approved by the Democrats in 1993, they carefully couched their new wave of school legislation as complementing, not undercutting, the reform efforts.
Rep. Tim Hickel, R-Federal Way, sponsor of a plan to allow local schools much greater flexibility and autonomy, said Washington schools are being handed the demand to run world-class programs, and need all the help they can get, rather than more regulation and paperwork.
Most of the bills passed unanimously, after a raft of amendments satisfied many of the Democrats’ concerns.
The measures now go to the Senate, where similar legislation is being considered. Both houses expect to vote soon on a bill to authorize charter schools - largely deregulated, publicly financed independent schools that sign a contract with the district or other chartering agency.
House Education Chairwoman Peggy Johnson, R-Shelton, a former teacher, said the measures give teachers and administrators the tools they need to create safe, disciplined classrooms where rigorous learning can take place.
The legislation gives local school boards, parents and teachers unprecedented power to design creative approaches that meet the local goals, Johnson said.
Some of the bills approved by the House include:
HB1303, Hickel’s “Principal Empowerment Bill” that would allow a school to get district permission to waive most state and local regulations. Collective-bargaining agreements and safety and civil rights requirements could not be waived.
HB1841, sponsored by Rep. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, to strengthen schools’ ability to deal with gangs, intruders, drug and alcohol problems, dress codes and discipline.
HB1581, by Rep. Mark Sterk, R-Spokane, to give schools more options in dealing with disruptive students and offenders. Sex offenders would be barred from attending the same school as the victim or the victim’s siblings.
HB1378, sponsored by Rep. Renee Radcliff, R-Mukilteo, would let schools contract with skill centers or alternative schools to educate dropouts or those who get kicked out of regular classes.
HB2042, by Johnson, would require all districts to give reading tests to their second-graders by the 1998-99 academic year. Those not reading at grade level would get extra help.