This bill authorizes Washington State school districts to adopt alternative learning standards, allowing them to create standards that align with state educational goals. It amends the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), specifically RCW 28A.150.220, to enable school district boards to develop these alternative standards, which must be consistent with the student learning goals in RCW 28A.150.210. The bill requires that these standards be published on the district's website and filed with the office of the superintendent of public instruction. It also clarifies that there is no requirement for students to attend school for a specific number of hours or take certain courses. Additionally, the bill modifies policies regarding instructional materials to ensure alignment with either state learning standards or the newly adopted district standards, emphasizing the inclusion of diverse and culturally representative materials.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the framework for comprehensive sexual health education, ensuring it is medically accurate and inclusive, while allowing parents to review the curriculum and request their child be excused from instruction. It introduces provisions for comprehensive school counseling programs and career and technical education, aligning them with state or district standards. A new section mandates a study to evaluate the differences between alternative and state learning standards, with results due by January 1, 2030. The bill also includes a provision to address conflicts between state law and federal requirements for funding, ensuring that any conflicting part of the act will be inoperative only to the extent of the conflict, while maintaining the rest of the act's applicability.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 28A.150.220, 28A.655.070, 28A.190.140, 28A.230.055, 28A.230.300, 28A.230.305, 28A.300.475, 28A.150.010, 28A.400.312, 28A.415.430, 28A.700.060, 28A.700.020