To meet the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) graduation pathway option, students must meet the minimum score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) to be eligible to serve in a branch of the armed services at the time the student takes the test. The AFQT is a component of the ASVAB (not a separate test). Satisfying this graduation pathway option meets requirements in both English and math.
The current...
Educators
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SBE hosted a public forum in Bremerton on November 5 regarding the equity and adequacy of the new graduation pathway options. This was the second forum on pathways at that time.
The goal was to gather feedback from community members, parents, students and partners on new laws and their impact for students. ...
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Legislation passed in the 2019 session (HB 1599) established multiple graduation pathway options.
View the SBE one-pager on graduation pathway options and other changes from new graduation laws. See this and other communications...
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If you are a student or family member of a student, see the Families and Students page. Students are assigned an expected graduation year at the time they enter ninth grade (WAC 180-51-035). They are held to the graduation requirements of that graduation year regardless of the...
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The High School and Beyond Plan is a graduation requirement for every student. It's a process for students, parents, and teachers to guide students through high school and think about their future. Plans are personalized and designed to help students set, visualize, and work to achieve goals. A High School and Beyond Plan is one of the three components, along with Credit and Subject Area Requirements, and Graduation Pathway Options, that...
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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...
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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...
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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.
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Washington State Science Learning Standards: Resources for Teachers, Administrators, Parents, and Students
The Washington State 2013 K-12 Science Learning Standards (WSSLS) are the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These standards describe what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. The State Board of...
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At the meeting of the Washington State Board of Education, September 13, 2017, the following resolution was proposed and approved unanimously:
WHEREAS, Washington State’s Constitution states that it is the “paramount duty of the state to educate all children residing within its borders…”, and,
WHEREAS, under the U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982), all children have an equivalent right to attend public...
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The Board appreciates the progress the 2019 Legislature made in increasing flexibility in high school graduation requirements. During the second year of this biennium, the Board is committed to continued collaboration with the legislature and our other K-12 partners to implement and refine current state policies to ensure all of Washington’s students graduate prepared for civic engagement, careers, postsecondary education, and lifelong...
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On Sine Die (Thursday, March 12) J. Lee Schultz, SBE Director of Advocacy and Engagement, gave an overview of how Legislative session had gone so far to Board Members via ZOOM. You can find her PowerPoint presentation and the video recap of the presentation online.
High-level 2020 session...
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Statewide K-12 Accountability
The State Board of Education is responsible for implementing a standards-based accountability framework that creates a unified system of increasing levels of support for schools in order to improve student achievement (RCW 28A.305.130).
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Additional Resources
Date Title 2019 May 2Report from School Districts on Graduation Requirements District Comparison Spreadsheet for the Class of 2019 (Excel File)
2018 May 22Council of Presidents-...
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SBE collects compliance information annually
The State Board of Education (SBE) collects compliance information annually online (through igrants, form package 600) from each school district in Washington. See the message sent to district superintendents in July of 2020 about the process for the 2020-21 school year:...
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The following is courtesy of the Washington State Department of Health. Schools can share the following resources with their families and educators to help them identify and understand behavioral health impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic and to give them strategies and resources for reducing those impacts.
Toolbox for Families
The... -
Starting in 2015, the State Board of Education, with the support of a National Association of State Boards of Education Deeper Learning Stipend, has explored and discussed career readiness within the context of Washington’s high school diploma. The SBE has held joint meeting with Washington’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board and has met with and discussed career readiness with agency partners, parents, students, community...
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Please visit the OSPI Civics web page for more information.
Additional Resources
Legislature—Civic Education (http://leg.wa.gov/civiced/Pages/default.aspx)
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Statewide Indicators of Educational System Health
2018 Report on the Statewide Indicators of Educational System Health
Our 2018...
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Application Information | Approved List | Resources
The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) approved emergency rules Wednesday, April 8 that allow flexibility and local-approval following extensive school building closures due to...
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Equity Statement
The Washington State Board of Education uses equity as a guiding principle in carrying out its statutory charges, strategic planning, and policymaking.
The Board believes that the state’s school system exists to empower all students and assure they are ready to become productive, caring, and civically engaged community members.
The Board is committed to successful academic attainment for all students...
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The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) approved emergency rules Wednesday, April 8 that allow flexibility and local-approval following extensive school building closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
At a special Board Meeting April 8, the State Board of Education adopted emergency rules that allow school districts to apply for greater flexibility in awarding a diploma to high school seniors impacted by closures.
The...
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Governor-appointed former Board Member, Connie Fletcher, is recognized nationally for comitment to closing achievement gaps and support for students, educators
OLYMPIA, WA -- The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) announced Tuesday... -
**SBE will hold a Public Forum in Bremerton on November 5 regarding the equity and adequacy of the new graduation pathway options enacted by legislation.
- Register online
- Share the invite on Twitter or...
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The Board typically meets bimonthly.
2020 Meetings:
Date Place City January 15-16 ESD 113 Tumwater March 11-12 Tacoma Public Schools Professional Development Building Tacoma March 26 Virtual Meeting ZOOM April 8 Virtual Meeting ZOOM May 13-14... -
Following the passage of HB 1599 (2019) SBE began the rulemaking process to address changes to the graduation requirements outlined in the bill. The proposed rules address changes based on three other... -
Click on your year to see the state graduation requirements. Students are assigned an expected graduation year at the time they enter ninth grade (WAC 180-51-035). They are held to the graduation requirements of that graduation year regardless of the year they actually complete high school. [Back to Graduation...
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Click on your year to see the state graduation requirements. Students are assigned an expected graduation year at the time they enter ninth grade (WAC 180-51-035). They are held to the graduation requirements of that graduation year regardless of the year they actually complete high school. [Back to Graduation...
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NOTICE: New legislation was passed in the 2017 legislative session that affects assessment graduation requirements. We are working to update these webpages. For more information, click here.
Click on your year to see the state graduation requirements. Students are assigned an expected graduation year at the time they enter ninth grade (...
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NOTICE: New legislation was passed in the 2017 legislative session that affects assessment graduation requirements. We are working to update these webpages. For more information, click here.
Click on your year to see the state graduation requirements. Students are assigned an expected graduation year at the time they enter ninth grade (...
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Click on your year to see the state graduation requirements. Students are assigned an expected graduation year at the time they enter ninth grade (WAC 180-51-035). They are held to the graduation requirements of that graduation year regardless of the year they actually complete high school. [Back to Graduation...
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Graduation pathway options have replaced the explicit link between the state assessment and graduation. The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) today adopted rules regarding graduation requirements at a public meeting in Bremerton. In addition, the rules update the High School and Beyond Plan, and clarify and update credit graduation requirements to align with...
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SBE staff hosted a webinar on August 6 to describe the proposed changes to graduation requirements rules and answered questions from the field. You can find the recording, PowerPoint, and materials linked in the post-webinar email that was sent to registrants. Find also the timeline for adoption of these rules. Staff...
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As a state, we are experiencing great uncertainty with the recent COVID-19 outbreak. There is little left without impact. Like many of you, we have had to consider alternative and digital options in order to continue working to serve our students and the education community. That’s why, today, April 1 (National Census Day) is good opportunity to remind you of the completely digital or mail-in options for this...
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The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) was first administered in 1969, and is the largest continuing and nationally representative assessment of what the nation’s students know and can do in mathematics, reading, and other subjects. Standard administration practices are used to provide a common measure of student achievement. NAEP is given to a representative sample of students across the country. Results are reported for...
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The January Board Meeting was broadcasted live via ZOOM. Find highlights and links to the videos in the post-meeting highlight message. Follow SBE on Facebook or Twitter for updates.
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SBE will host its January Board Meeting at ESD 113 in Tumwater January 15 and 16. The following post highlights items from the agenda. Find the full packet and agenda on the SBE Meetings page.
ED Report
Executive Director, Randy Spaulding's update for January will include information on Board membership and staffing, a brief... -
The following is a brief summary of the July Board Meeting held this past week:
McKenna Roberts, new student member. During the July meeting, junior McKenna Roberts (Okanogan) was sworn-in as the east-side student representative.
Legislative panel. Senator Lisa Wellman, Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos,...
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On June 17, 2020, the State Board of Education held a work session to discuss the long-term impacts of COVID-19 school building closures, related disruptions to learning, and the challenges with reopening schools during the ongoing public health crisis. Board members discussed policy options to support schools in reopening and to facilitate serving students in a more equitable and effective way. The discussion helped identify the top priority...
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Follow SBE on Twitter or...
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See the latest blog post re: 2020 Legislative session.This past week has been jam packed with the release of budget proposals and the house policy cutoff. The big agenda item in the House Education committee was the...
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ZOOM Recording Day 1 (part 1)
Agenda items include: Board Norms, Washington School Improvement Framework, School RecognitionZOOM Recording Day 1 (part 2)
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SBE has convened a mastery-based (also known as competency-based) learning work group. The group, established in law, identifies barriers to mastery-based learning and explores ways to increase student access to relevant and robust academic pathways that are aligned to personal career and postsecondary goals. SBE's latest report provides the work group’s...
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Student Board Member, Margarita Amezcua, presented to the State Board of Education last week on her experience with migrant and bilingual education in Washington. You can view/listen to her whole presentation on YouTube. Margarita highlighted a group at her school dedicated to supporting students called ...
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The State Board of Education hosted a student voice panel on August 24 from 12:30-2:00 p.m. facilitated by Margarita Amezcua (SBE's west-side student Board member). The session was entitled "Modern Day Racism in Education."
The goal of this panel was to give policymakers a better understanding of the problems that students of color face in the education system and the broader world, so that...
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The Washington State high school diploma was developed to be flexible, meaningful, and achievable. All students deserve a meaningful education that helps them achieve their academic and life goals. Whether deciding to pursue a career as a doctor or a machinist, serve in the military or enter the technology sector, Washington State students have numerous career choices post-high school. Washington state’s high school diploma provides...
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Sign up for email updates on the topics of your choice, including the weekly email update from SBE!
2020 (Quarter 4)
Date/Issue Tuesady, October 20 (Issue 35) - Webinar recording (... -
Read the November Board Meeting recap: November in Bremerton.
You can also review meeting and additional materials online and watch ...
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New graduation requirements in Washington have sparked important conversations since rules were adopted in November. SBE hosted its third forum on new graduation pathway options for students (required for the Class of 2020 and beyond) in Tumwater...
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The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will conduct elections this fall to fill positions on the State Board of Education and board positions on the state’s nine educational service districts (ESD). State Board of Education candidates... -
During a Board meeting this fall, Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, President of the California State Board of Education, and CEO of the Learning Policy Institute visited the SBE and presented about the ideas in a recent article “Restarting and Reinventing School Learning in the Time of COVID and Beyond.” She was able to touch on many points, but one of the most engaging was her...
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Date Media 2018 February Washington High School Achievement: A Matched Pairs Examination of Three- and Four-Year High Schools January Impacts of a Narrowed Curriculum... -
2013 Anti-Bullying Resolution
Supporting Inclusion of Students in Anti-Bullying Policymaking
Adopted on November 15, 2013
WHEREAS the State Board of Education affirms its commitment to strongly support the inclusion of students in the development of anti-bullying policies...
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Resolution to Approve Washington State Graduation Requirement Framework: Career and College Ready
Adopted on January 9, 2014
WHEREAS, Our children are our state’s future and our education system must prepare them now for the continuing challenges of the 21st century; and
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2014 Resolution on the McCleary School Funding Decision and school funding proposals entertained during the 2015 Legislative Session
Adopted on September 10, 2014
WHEREAS the Washington State Constitution establishes, as the paramount duty of the state, to make ample provision...
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2014 Resolution to Raise Awareness of School Discipline Concerns and Best Practices
Adopted on March 6, 2014
WHEREAS the State Board of Education affirms its commitment to improving school discipline practices in Washington by collaborating with districts and communities, to promote best...
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State Board of Education Resolutions
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2010 | 2009 | 1993
2019 Resolutions
September 12, 2019 >...
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Current rulemaking activity | General rulemaking FAQ | Feedback
The State Board of Education has the authority to creates rules for public and approved private schools in Washington state. Rules developed by SBE can be found in Title 180 WAC.Sign up for...
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Composition of the Board will include 16 members:
- 5 members elected by public school directors - 2 in eastern Washington, 3 in western Washington
- 1 member at-large elected by private schools
- The superintendent of public instruction
- 7 members appointed by the governor
- 2 student members selected by the Association of Washington Student Leaders Student Steering Committee
All...
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SBE shared this graphic timeline of the rulemaking process in the September Board Meeting materials. It shows what has...
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The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) recently hosted it's annual Board retreat in Yakima September 10-12. One of the days featured a presentation about the upcoming release of SBE's annual report (...
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In about one week, on Thursday, September 17 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., SBE Board Members will host leaders in native education for a panel... -
School Spirit and Student-focused Support at the Yakama Nation Tribal SchoolTradition starts here. That’s the signage that greets students, teachers, and during this past week’s SBE annual...
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The State Board of Education (SBE) welcomes Mary Fertakis, M.Ed., and Jan Brown to the Board following this past fall’s election. Mary will represent Western Washington (region 3), and Jan will be the Board’s new Private Schools representative. MJ Bolt (SBE Vice Chair) ran uncontested and will continue to represent Eastern Washington (region 1).
“The Board is excited to welcome two new perspectives from Mary and Jan, and to... -
OLYMPIA, WA - The State Board of Education (SBE) welcomes returning member, Patty Wood (Kelso), following an election by school board members for Western Region for Position 4*. Wood will begin her second four-year term on January 11, 2021....
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Read highlights from this meeting.
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Visit SBE's Simbli site to access the latest meeting materials, as well as board minutes and the September business meeting agenda. Simply click on the agenda item within the "Meetings" section and you should see supporting materials. If you need assistance, please reach out to us. Find the recap for this meeting...
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SBE held its annual retreat and Board meeting September 15-17 and discussed graduation requirements rules, legislative priorities, private schools, and more. You can find a recording of the retreat and meeting on SBE’s meetings page, as well as links to approved/adopted items. Find also a link to SBE’s new document management system (...
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*** Find the latest entry in March here: Session Update (March 2020).
Of the more than 4,600 bills on the docket (including those automatically reintroduced from last session), fewer than 600 remain "alive" after Wednesday's... -
Find the latest blog post re: 2020 Legislative Session on the SBE blog.
The flurry of activity continues up on the hill, with over 2,900 bills already in play! This includes over 1,200 bills introduced since the start of session, plus about 1,700 reintroduced from last year (not counting about 500 that were adopted into law). The first policy cutoff deadline is on Friday, February 7. This...
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Summary: Governor J. Inslee has appointed Kevin Wang, former educator and Microsoft engineer to the Washington State Board of Education.Educator, engineer, and social entrepreneur, Kevin Wang of Bellevue was appointed to the State Board of Education and sworn-in during a virtual...
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Summary: At a special Board meeting, the Washington State Board of Education (SBE) reviewed the process for creating an emergency waiver program that would give districts more flexibility in certain graduation requirements following extensive school closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
At the special Board Meeting on Thursday, March 26, SBE reviewed the process for creating an emergency waiver program that will provide...
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SBE and the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) co-hosted an event this past week to take a deeper look into STEM education. The goal of the evening was to take a deeper look at the work that ISB Education is doing to help engage students more deeply with STEM in the K-12 system. Attendees completed a... -
The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) envisions an education system where students are engaged in personalized education pathways that prepare them for civic engagement, careers, postsecondary education, and lifelong...
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Last week, student Board Member, Autymn Wilde (Spokane Valley), gave her final presentation to the State Board of Education virtually. As a junior member last year, and this year, as mentor and senior, Autymn brought a passion for student support and advocacy for student well-being to the Board. In her...
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After last year's Legislative session, the High School Diploma in Washington contains three parts:- The High School and Beyond Plan (that students begin in middle school is a blueprint for a student's long-term goals).
- Credit and subject-...
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Two new Board Members were sworn in at the State Board of Education Meeting in January (both photographed with Chair Peter Maier).
Western Washington Region 3: Mary Fertakis, M.Ed.
Mary Fertakis, M. Ed. is one of the five elected members and represents Western Washington... -
COVID-19 (also known as the Novel Coronavirus) information
Many regions around the world are experiencing an expanding outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the virus known as COVID-19. This is an evolving situation that may have significant implications for Washington communities, including schools, in the months.
Public and private schools in Washington are developing plans for a safe return to school this fall so they...
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*Find information about the Emergency Waiver Program adopted in light of COVID-19 school building closures and a list of approved waivers.
Waivers Rule Criteria
- In November 2012, the State Board of Education adopted rules to establish criteria for evaluation of requests for waivers under RCW...
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What is Mastery-Based Learning (MBL)?
The state defined mastery-based learning (MBL) in E2SHB (Senate House Bill) 1599 Sec. 301:- Students advance upon demonstrated mastery of content;
- Competencies include explicit, measurable, transferable learning objectives...
View the graphic on mobile
