The bill aims to support the implementation of competency-based education in Washington state by amending existing laws and establishing new guidelines. It introduces definitions for "competencies" and "competency-based education," outlining the essential elements that characterize this educational approach, such as student empowerment, meaningful assessments, and mastery-based progression. The bill mandates the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to adopt rules by September 1, 2025, to authorize full-time enrollment funding for students in competency-based programs, and it requires the State Board of Education to design a process for identifying schools implementing this educational model.

Additionally, the bill amends RCW 28A.230.125 to include provisions for developing standardized high school transcripts that reflect competency-based education, and it establishes a new chapter in Title 28A RCW. It also repeals the existing RCW 28A.300.810 related to the innovative learning pilot program. The bill emphasizes the need for collaboration among various educational boards and institutions to create a format for competency-based transcripts and ensures that any potential barriers to student participation in interscholastic activities are reviewed. Finally, it stipulates that if specific funding for the act is not provided by June 30, 2025, the act will be null and void.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28A.230.125, 28A.300.810
Bill as Passed Legislature: 28A.230.125, 28A.300.810
Session Law: 28A.230.125, 28A.300.810