Public school tools

AN ACT Relating to supporting the use of assessment, diagnostic, 1
and learning tools in public schools; adding a new section to chapter 2
28A.655 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration 3
date. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature recognizes that RCW 6
28A.655.070 requires the superintendent of public instruction to 7
provide school districts with a collection of diagnostic tools that 8
educators may use to evaluate the academic status of individual 9
students. Further, these tools must be designed to be inexpensive, 10
easily administered, and quickly and easily scored, with results 11
provided in a format that may be easily shared with parents and 12
students.13
(2) The legislature also acknowledges that RCW 28A.655.200 14
directs the office of the superintendent of public instruction to 15
offer training at statewide and regional staff development activities 16
in the interpretation of diagnostic assessments and the application 17
of instructional strategies that will increase student learning based 18
on diagnostic assessment data. 19
(3) The legislature intends to continue to support the use of 20
assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools by establishing a 21
S-0043.1
SENATE BILL 5008
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Braun, Wellman, Dozier, Harris, King, Nobles, Riccelli,
Wagoner, Warnick, and J. Wilson
Prefiled 12/03/24. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee
on Early Learning & K-12 Education.
p. 1 SB 5008
temporary grant program to provide funding to help school districts 1
and public schools purchase or maintain access to these tools.2
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.655 3
RCW to read as follows: 4
(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this 5
specific purpose, the office of the superintendent of public 6
instruction shall establish a grant program to support the use of 7
assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools for students in grades 8
kindergarten through 12 in math and English language arts.9
(2) The purpose of the grant program is to provide funding to 10
help support public schools and school districts purchase or maintain 11
access to a digital platform with assessment, diagnostic, and 12
learning tools that will identify students' individual needs and help 13
monitor student progress and growth. 14
(3)(a) School districts, charter schools, and state-tribal 15
education compact schools may apply for these grants. Applicants must 16
describe their plan for the use of this funding and how they will 17
provide professional development so staff can effectively use these 18
tools. The assessment tools must have a criterion-referenced 19
component. 20
(b) The office of the superintendent of public instruction must 21
award grants based on need and ensure that grant recipients vary by 22
geographic location and size. 23
(4) The office of the superintendent of public instruction may 24
adopt rules for the grant program established under this section.25
(5) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall 26
report on the outcomes of the grant program established by this 27
section by November 1st of each year that grants are awarded. Reports 28
must include information on how the grant funding was used, student 29
demographics, and the impact on math and English language arts test 30
scores. 31
(6) This section expires December 31, 2028. 32
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p. 2 SB 5008