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Bill

SB 5008

Supporting the use of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools in public schools.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Braun and 9 co-sponsors

Creates a temporary OSPI grant program to fund K–12 math/ELA digital assessment tools, helping districts identify needs, track progress, and report outcomes through 2028.

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education at 10:30 AM.
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Bill Summary · SB 5008

Summary: SB 5008 — Supporting the use of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools in public schools

Overview

SB 5008 would create a temporary grant program to support the use of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools for students in grades K–12 in math and English language arts. The bill acknowledges existing state law that requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to provide diagnostic tools to districts and to offer related staff training. The proposed program aims to help school districts and public schools purchase or maintain access to digital platforms that identify student needs and monitor progress. The program is contingent on appropriations and would expire December 31, 2028. The OSPI would administer grants, set rules, and report outcomes.

Purpose and Intent

  • Recognize and build on RCW requirements that districts have access to inexpensive, easily administered diagnostic tools with shareable results, and that OSPI provide training on interpretation and instructional application.
  • Establish a temporary grant program to fund ongoing access to assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools for K–12 math and ELA.
  • Improve identification of student needs, monitor growth, and inform instructional decisions through a digital platform with assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools.

Key Provisions

  • New Grant Program: OSPI shall establish a grant program (subject to available appropriations) to support use of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools for K–12 math and ELA.
  • Purpose of Funding: Enable public schools and districts to purchase or maintain access to a digital platform that identifies individual student needs and tracks progress.
  • Eligible Applicants: School districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools may apply. Applicants must outline how the funding will be used and how professional development will be provided to staff; tools must include a criterion-referenced component.
  • Grant Award Criteria: OSPI must award grants based on need and ensure geographic and size diversity among recipients.
  • Rulemaking: OSPI may adopt rules governing the grant program.
  • Reporting: OSPI must report outcomes for each year grants are awarded by November 1, including how funds were used, student demographics, and the impact on math and ELA test scores.
  • Expiration: The grant program expires on December 31, 2028.
  • Legislative Timing: The bill is introduced in the 2025 Regular Session, with prefiling on 12/03/2024, first reading 01/13/2025, and a public hearing scheduled for 01/23/2025.

Affected Entities

  • Primary beneficiaries: Public schools and school districts, including charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools.
  • Stakeholders: School administrators, teachers, and staff who will implement and interpret the tools; students in kindergarten through 12th grade; families (through improved reporting and communication of progress).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Prefiled: December 3, 2024
  • First Reading: January 13, 2025
  • Committee Referral: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education
  • Public Hearing: January 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM (as listed in actions)
  • Expiration of Program: December 31, 2028
  • Funding contingent on future appropriations; no specific dollar amounts stated in the bill text provided.

Potential Impact

  • Better alignment of diagnostic tools with instructional practice through mandated professional development.
  • Enhanced ability to identify and address individual student needs, potentially improving math and ELA outcomes.
  • Data-driven reporting on tool usage, demographics, and performance outcomes to inform policy and practice.
  • Temporary, targeted investment that ends in 2028 unless extended or renewed through future legislation.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text provided, including its scope, requirements, and expiration.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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