Has your district adopted standards-based grading? If so, please let us know. You could be featured in future state-wide SBE outreach! Standards-based grading is used in mastery-based education. See the table below from the Aurora Institute.
At the upcoming March 9-10 meeting, the State Board of Education will consider rules on graduation requirement emergency waivers for upcoming graduating classes, specifically focused on (but not limited to) the Class of 2023. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, similar emergency waiver rules have been adopted to help students struggling to graduate. The waiver was created as the pandemic impacted students’ ability to finish high school as they would have under normal conditions.
SBE held its latest Board meeting January 19-20, and discussed private schools, graduation requirements, charter schools, legislative session, and more.
New data has been collected (survey and focus groups) for the second year of a three-year project that will inform the State Board’s understanding of district perceptions regarding the new high school diploma graduation pathway options.
SBE is a 16-member board, including two student members. Under current law, all the board members can vote except for the student members. In 2019, the Board changed its bylaws to allow students to make an advisory vote, but a statutory change is needed to allow student votes to count. The State Board’s request legislation would extend voting authority to the student members on the Board, allowing them to vote in the same manner as other members.
On February 25, beginning at 1:00 p.m., the State Board of Education (SBE) will host a special meeting where the Board will review and discuss a draft of emergency rules about the emergency graduation requirements waiver program. The draft is available to the public. The Board will receive public comment, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. SBE will also collect written public comment (email SBE@k12.wa.us).
Student Board Members are valued voices on the State Board, and are able to participate in SBE's Student Voice Committee which explores ways students can have a more active role in education policy issues. Each year the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) selects a sophomore student to serve through their senior year on the AWSL Student Voice & Advocacy Board who will also represent Washington students on the State Board of Education (SBE). This year, we are seeking a passionate sophomore and student leader to represent Eastern Washington at a state-level!
The Washington State High School Diploma is comprised of three parts: the High School and Beyond Plan, credit and subject area requirements, and new graduation pathway options. Use any of the developed graphics in this shared folder to communicate about it! Reach out to us if you have suggestions for more content.
SBE and the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) hosted a webinar last week featuring Linda Drake (SBE Director of Career- and College Readiness) and Jerry Price (OSPI Social Studies Program Supervisor) about new graduation requirements around social studies. Please find a video recording of the presentation here: Webinar Recording.
New data has been collected (survey and focus groups) for the second year of a three-year project that will inform the State Board’s understanding of district perceptions regarding the new high school diploma 
