Washington State Board of Education Home Page

Mission and Vision
January 24 Presentation to Ed. Appropriations
Five Key Initiatives
Graduation Requirements
The Achievement Index

The Washington State Board of Education is responsible for strategic oversight of the public K-12 system. The 16 voluntary members (including both Governor-appointed and school-board elected, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and two student representatives), meet regularly to explore policy implications for our schools, to advocate for best practices, to engage the public in discourse about our education system, and to anticipate future challenges that lie ahead and provide strategies for how those challenges might be met.

Our website contains links to all Board meeting materials (the second tab above) and other resources that will help the public gather, understand, and engage with the important work of the Board.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us (at the number at the top of the page).

The State Board holds its public, bi-monthly meetings in venues across the state. Additionally, Board members and staff participate in a variety of meetings revolving around our work. Agenda and materials made available during those meetings are available here. Click on the meeting on the left to see the materials.

Board Meetings

2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
1998-2007 Minutes

Past Work Sessions

Note: No Work Sessions are Currently Running

Core 24/Meaningful High School Diploma
Systems Performance Accountability
Science Panel Advisory
Math Panel Advisory

2012 Board Meetings
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2013 Board Meetings
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2011 Board Meetings table
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2010 Board Meetings
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2009 Board Meetings
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2008 Board Meetings
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1998-2007 Minutes
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Core 24/MHSD Work Sessions
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Systems Performance Accountability
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Math Work Session
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Science Advisory Work Sessions
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The State Board will issued flyers, graphics, media releases, and op-eds pertaining to our initiatives.

Additionally, newspapers and other sources will release material relating or referring to the Board's work. The table below represents this collection, which can be sorted by subject, date, and graphic/release.

Subject	Date	Graphic/Release
{Subject}	{Date}	{Graphic/Release}

2011 Achievement Index

The Achievement Index (excel)

Note: As this is a large file, please right click on the link and select "Save As" or "Save Target As" to save to your computer. You will be able to view this chart on Excel 2003 or earlier (sans color), but will find better success if you are using Excel 2007 or Excel 2010.

The Achievement Index was developed by the Washington State Board of Education and offers individual school data from 2007-2011.

Information about the Achievement Index and the Washington Achievement Awards.

Webinar Overview (right). You will want to watch this in full screen mode and adjust the resolution to at least 720p. All of these adjustments can be made in the YouTube player (you will need to go to full screen mode (bottom-right button) to be able adjust the resolution
The Achievement Index Business Rules (pdf)
The Achievement Index Overview (pdf)
The Achievement Index FAQ (pdf)
The Achievement Index Map (pending) Note: As this is a large file, please right click on the link and select "Save As" or "Save Target As" to save to your computer.

Information about the Washington Achievement Awards

Washington Achievement Awards Criteria (pdf)
Washington Achievement Awards (link)

Background

In 2009, SBE partnered with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to create the Washington Achievement Index. Through the Measurement of Student Progress and the High School Proficiency Exams, as well as graduation data, the Index provides schools with a 'snapshot' of their achievement in language arts, math, science, and extended graduation rates. The Index takes into account improvement from the previous year and a school's relative performance compared to demographically similar schools.

chart What's new?

The Board adopted several graduation requirements changes during the November 2011 meeting. Districts needing additional time for implementation may seek an extension of the current Class of 2013 English, social studies, and elective credits requirements.

An overview of the graduation requirements changes for the class of 2016 (pdf).
An explanation of the process for districts seeking further time for implementation (pdf).

Why the change?

The state intends that graduation requirements prepare students for postsecondary education, gainful employment and citizenship (RCW 28A.150.220). SBE approved the Washington Career and College Ready Graduation Requirements in November 2010. These requirements are more likely to help students meet the state's intent, and to bring credit expectations of Washington students more in line with students in other states.

The Board took the first step in implementing career and college-ready graduation requirements with the adoption of several rule changes.

A document comparing the 2013 (in rule), 2016 (soon to be published in rule), and approved graduation requirements (not yet in rule) (pdf).
A separate document contains references for the statistics cited in the comparison document (pdf).

The Details

On November 11, 2011, the Board revised language in WAC 180-51-050 (pdf), substituting a non time-based definition of a credit for the prior, time-based 150 instructional hours credit definition.

The Board also created WAC 180-51-067 (pdf) to replace WAC 180-51-066 (pdf).

WAC 180-51-067 requires students to earn 20 credits, and includes the following changes from WAC 180-51-066.

Increase English from 3 credits to 4 credits.
Increase social studies from 2.5 credits to 3 credits; require .5 credit of civics, per RCW 28A.230.093.
Decrease electives from 5.5 to 4 credits.
Make successful completion of Washington State History and Government a non-credit requirement, allowing districts the flexibility to offer the course at the middle and/or high school level (see social studies (pdf).
Clarify that the 2 credits of health and fitness includes .5 credits of health and 1.5 credits of fitness.
Create a “two for one” policy that would enable students taking a CTE-equivalent course to satisfy two graduation requirements while earning one credit.

A Flexible Implementation Schedule

Based on extensive feedback received by the Board, both during the November 9-10 meeting and in the months prior, the graduation requirements were modified to allow school districts to receive a two-year extension from the social studies and English credit requirements. This exemption period provides school districts additional time to plan for and implement the required changes. Districts seeking an extension will be required to file a written resolution composed by the local school board, stating the district's intent to delay the requirement of additional English or social studies credits. This resolution must be filed by June 1, 2012. Districts seeking this extension shall maintain the English, social studies, and elective credits in effect under WAC 180-51-066 for the period of the exemption.

More Resources

A memo explaining the resolution (pdf). This same memo was sent to all affected districts.
FAQ for the amendments to the social studies graduation requirements in WAC 180-51-066 (pdf)
FAQ for the amendments to the definition of high school credit, WAC 180-51-050 (pdf)
Feedback on Proposed Graduation Requirements, received prior to rule adoption (excel)
Concise Explanatory Statement in response to feedback (will be posted prior to filing the rule)
2011 Graduation Requirements District Comparison (excel)

Going Forward - Implementing a Career and College-Ready Graduation Requirements Framework

The November 2011 rule revisions are a step toward the Board's November 2010 Career and College-Ready Graduation Requirements Framework. The Board only moved forward with changes that have no state fiscal impact. The Board will not advocate for full implementation of the full 24 credit framework without adequate funding.

The materials below provide an overview of the 24 credits framework:

Background:

SBE Graduation Requirements 2010 Resolution (pdf)
Graduation Requirements Details - As Approved by SBE on November 10, 2010 (pdf)
Explanation of the Board's 2010 resolution (YouTube)
SBE Graduation Requirements 2010 Background and Rationale (YouTube)

Handouts and Flyers (at a glance):

An explanation of the process for districts seeking further time for implementation (pdf). This same memo was sent to all affected districts.
An overview of the graduation requirements changes for the class of 2016 (pdf).
A document comparing the 2013 (in rule), 2016 (soon to be published in rule), and approved graduation requirements (not yet in rule) (pdf).
A separate document contains references for the statistics cited in the comparison document (pdf).
FAQ for the amendments to the social studies graduation requirements in WAC 180-51-066 (pdf)
FAQ for the amendments to the definition of high school credit, WAC 180-51-050 (pdf)
Feedback on Proposed Graduation Requirements, received prior to rule adoption (excel)
Concise Explanatory Statement on WAC 180-51-067 (pdf), Amendments to WAC 180-51-066 (pdf) and WAC 180-51-050 (pdf)
2011 Graduation Requirements District Comparison (excel)

Waiver rule revision update (link)

Economy and Efficiency Waiver Update (Application Materials Now Available (in .doc form))

School administators may be interested in the application process for a 180-day economy and efficiency waiver. RCW 28A.305.141 created Economy and Efficiency Waivers (Option Two), which are only available to districts with fewer than 500 students. SBE can grant up to five total waivers:

Three waivers may be granted to districts with more than 150 but fewer than 500 students
Multiple districts have expressed interest in these waivers. Because the RCW limits the number of waivers SBE can grant, the application process may now be competitive.

Rather than continuing to grant these waivers on a first-come, first-served basis, SBE is setting an application deadline (January 25) so that all interested districts have an opportunity to apply.

SBE will review the applications in February and designate the waivers during the March 2012 Board meeting.

Please contact Sarah Rich at sarah.rich@k12.wa.us with any questions.

What is the definition of 'school day' and how does that relate to the waiver process?

School Day:
The legislature has defined a school day.

Current: RCW 28A.150.030 (Effective until September 1, 2011)
A school day shall mean each day of the school year on which pupils enrolled in the common schools of a school district are engaged in educational activity planned by and under the direction of the school district staff, as directed by the administration and board of directors of the district.

New definition: RCW 28A.150.203 (Effective on September 1, 2011)
"School day" means each day of the school year on which pupils enrolled in the common schools of a school district are engaged in academic and career and technical instruction planned by and under the direction of the school.

Under either definition, full-day parent teacher conferences are not considered a school day toward the required 180 days because the statute provides that all pupils need to be engaged in educational activity (until September 1, 2011) or academic and career and technical instruction (after September 1, 2011).

A late start, early release, or half day for parent teacher conferences is considered a school day toward the required 180 days.

Districts planning full day parent teacher conferences within a 180-day school year must apply for a waiver to be in compliance with the Basic Education Act. For more information contact Sarah Rich at sarah.rich@k12.wa.us or 360-725-6311.

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Waivers granted under Option 1, the permanent process (WAC 180-18-040 (1))

District	# of Days	# of Years	Date Granted	Exp. Date	New or Renew
{District}	{ds11::#_of_Days}	{ds11::#_of_Years}	{Date_Granted}	{Exp._Date}	{New_or_Renew}

Option 2 (Waivers granted under pilot process for efficiency & economy (RCW 28A.305.141)

District	Student Population	# of_Years	Granted	Exp. Date	New or Renew
{District}	{Student_Population}	{ds12::#_of_Years}	{Granted}	{Exp._Date}	{New_or_Renew}

Option 3 (pilot process) (WAC 180-18-050(3))

District	# of Days	# of Years	Date Granted	Exp. Date	New or Renew
{District}	{ds13::#_of_Days}	{ds13::#_of_Years}	{Date_Granted}	{Exp._Date}	{New_or_Renew}

Waivers granted from the credit-based graduation requirements of WAC 180-51-061 (1)(a) through (h) and WAC 180-51-066 (1)(a) through (h)

District	School	#_of_Yrs._	Granted_	Exp._Date_	New_or_Renew_
{District}	{School}	{ds1::#_of_Yrs._}	{Granted_}	{Exp._Date_}	{New_or_Renew_}

Ensuring Compliance. . .

Basic Education Act compliance forms must now be submitted online through Igrants, form package 600. The deadline for filling out the online form is September 15. This is a newer process for districts, so don't hesitate to call us at 360.725.6025 if you have questions.

Reporting basic education compliance online gives assurance to the State Board of Education (SBE) that school districts are in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Basic Education Act.

The following statutory requirements must to be reported to the SBE:

Kindergarten Minimum 180-day School Year (RCW 28A.150.220/WAC 180-16-215) – The kindergarten program consists of no less than 180 half days, or the equivalent, per school year. If a school district schedules a kindergarten program other than 180 half days, the district shall attach an explanation of its kindergarten schedule in the form’s submission.
Kindergarten Total Instructional Hour Offering (RCW 28A.150.220 /WAC 180-16-200) - The district makes available to students enrolled in kindergarten at least a total instructional offering of four hundred fifty hours.
Grades 1-12 Minimum 180-Day School Year (RCW 28A.150.220 /WAC 180-16-215) - The school year is accessible to all legally eligible students and consists of at least 180 separate school days (or less in the case of granted waivers) for students in Grades 1-12.
Grades 1-12 Total Instructional Hour Offering (RCW 28A.150.220 /WAC 180-16-200) - The district makes available to students enrolled in grades one through twelve at least a district-wide annual average total instructional hour offering of one thousand hours.

Schools are also asked to submit their State High School Graduation requirements through iGrants, using the example table below, so that the SBE database is an accurate reflection of current district requirements.

State High School Graduation Minimum Requirements (RCW 28A.230.090) (WAC 180-51-061) - All subject areas are aligned with the state's high school learning standards/essential academic learning requirements, and at a minimum, meet grades 9/10 grade level expectations. District high schools meet or exceed all state minimum graduation requirements. Districts will submit their graduation requirements through iGrants, using the example table below:

Subject	District Requirements for the Class of 2012
English
Math
Social Studies
Science (at least one lab)
Arts
Occupational Education / CTE
Health and Fitness
World Languages
Electives
Other District Requirements

More details are available on the Basic Education Compliance FAQ (pdf).