[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6373424,"mediaKeyId","2145919-e0ffb57a539e7b06b589e1712d2ec255","parentId",2145919,"title","House panel hears bill to make financial education a statewide high school graduation requirement","audioSeconds",3745,"startMs",135000,"endMs",3880000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145919-e0ffb57a539e7b06b589e1712d2ec255&start=135&end=3880","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145919-e0ffb57a539e7b06b589e1712d2ec255/thumbnail_135000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6373424/Washington/House-panel-hears-bill-to-make-financial-education-a-statewide-high-school-graduation-requirement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373424-ef6918fd02c5dacbb8c006dd9efec6f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173396&Signature=juoESXqY4MUVCR9qd4utyUGwq-bChhbyJWaGG9SqaPtamAyZSDm7GFwwZxvERqb6rb9HRmLPFpbg7OpHForB0XceD6DeYiDon9qvsbU2eqQrcmICBR2XsCocuGbzEdNlHm89vVTz8Gvc5UvAOgkNY5~wwkTA6g3GmzQVraCLju8q8kCcdTdV6dcV0J3~Kv-JeUr27GwUfBFt7rMBoO-GI8akC5f1IQnnSgyaqv-hxXuaH1gCJygoQkHKty1a0ZY1oWUELnA7xtQajR~SRqp3~3afZ-VmvBPtIDpNercNIN8yp3pBkIQ5lsRufb6FQ~dMDOnmnZiRHWAXypVVBa~Cfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Education","date","2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 1285, which would require students to meet state financial education learning standards to receive a high school diploma beginning with the graduating class of 2031, received a public hearing before the House Education Committee in Olympia on Monday.

The bill was briefed by Ethan Moreno, nonpartisan staff to the committee. Moreno told lawmakers that the state’s financial education learning standards were adopted in statute by reference in 2015 and that the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has developed standards that start in kindergarten and continue through grade 12. Under HB 1285, districts and charter schools must provide instruction in the state standards beginning in or before the 2027–28 school year and publicize the offering and new requirement to students and parents no later than the 2027–28 school year. The bill also requires data collection and an implementation plan: by Dec. 15 this year districts must submit course lists and implementation needs to the Financial Education Public‑Private Partnership (FEPP), and the FEPP must deliver a statewide implementation plan to OSPI, the State Board of Education and legislative committees by the end of 2026.

Supporters said the requirement would ensure equitable access to basic personal‑finance knowledge. \"I have not run into one adult yet who said they were fully prepared exiting K–12 in this subject area,\" said Representative Skyler Rood, prime sponsor of the bill. Rood, the ranking member and prime sponsor, told the committee he removed a prior half‑credit prescription so the State Board’s Future Ready work can determine how the requirement fits into the broader graduation framework.

Tracy Godat, executive director of the Financial Education Public‑Private Partnership, told the committee FEPP already provides teacher training, reviews instructional materials and administers grants created by the Legislature in 2022 (Senate Bill 5720). \"Parents overwhelmingly want the schools to teach personal finance and we know students learn best from well trained educators using engaging, high quality curricula,\" Godat said. Jaylee Schultz of the State Board of Education said nearly all districts provide an opportunity for high‑school students to access financial education, and about one‑third of districts reported requiring it locally as a graduation requirement.

Students, nonprofit groups and industry representatives also testified in favor. Ashton Joshi, founder of the Ashwin Teen Financial Academy, and Matt Zovich, legislative director for the State Treasurer’s Office, urged lawmakers to move ahead so students statewide would gain comparable instruction. Several local school‑leadership and teacher groups praised the bill but urged careful, phased implementation and supports for teacher training and materials.

Opponents and some commenters raised implementation concerns. David Selamire, a drivers‑education instructor, warned that simplified classroom materials can omit legal detail and questioned whether teachers would have sufficient expertise to teach topics that interact with consumer law. The Washington State PTA supported the idea of financial education but asked that implementation be timed so it does not restrict student course options under the 24‑credit framework and suggested the requirement not begin until the class of 2032 unless further coordination occurs.

Committee staff noted a fiscal note had been requested but not yet received during the briefing. The committee recorded 134 pro, 461 con, and 1 other written sign‑ins on HB 1285 at the close of the public hearing. No committee vote or final action occurred at the hearing; the bill was presented for public testimony and further deliberation.

The bill contains multiple reporting deadlines and planning requirements intended to coordinate with the State Board of Education’s Future Ready work; supporters said the deadlines will help districts prepare, while several witnesses urged clearer timelines and communication templates for districts to notify families.

If advanced, the measure would direct FEPP and OSPI to monitor district offerings, collect data on courses and student reach, and recommend adjustments to ensure students have adequate opportunities to meet the financial education graduation standard.

— Ending —","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Education - 1/23/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1285, which would require students to meet state financial education learning standards to receive a high school diploma beginning with the graduating class of 2031, received a public hearing before the House Education Committee in Olympia on Monday.","taxTitle","Education, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20259,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373414,"House Education Committee holds wide‑ranging hearing on safe‑and‑supportive schools bill that would revise parental and student rights and enforcement",4324,4332000,7223,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145919-e0ffb57a539e7b06b589e1712d2ec255&start=4332&end=7","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145919-e0ffb57a539e7b06b589e1712d2ec255/thumbnail_4332000.jpg","/articles/6373414/Washington/House-Education-Committee-holds-wideranging-hearing-on-safeandsupportive-schools-bill-that-would-revise-parental-and-student-rights-and-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373414-6f05312d77c6821466fc44efa8e76b33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173396&Signature=l2U1zruDhzrsoz9STbSXUtqzkbLYfgpZMirZ7ECHXjpsldy7ZdwjYbK1bL9P5FbRREZ-Mz-Gh9RvLOlf9rp2PnG5n3Loq9JGjcv79zmjaT6Ll8cYsxFyW-fM22ynlSau~jXsE0jxirGnx2oQQQ0Et2YTM0sl9N6FzXD6k9d5x06XU0s3Wv026HeDFkQmCvMMEu7ijQmobKRx0N0RA06XlVwreW95NeHn5Eyxlu2S51qIU6feSgGVH-B~pOXgUC-pwMU1xs3IrftZc5Wx4KKF07StGPAvOApP9Ssja1tG0rLU1SAy5c-Pm4lT5DE3bUQo8WvXx6oGkUR2GHxR9m~5sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1296, a comprehensive bill described by staff as promoting a \"safe and supportive public education system,\" drew one of the largest public‑testimony turnouts the House Education Committee has seen this session. The bill contains multiple components that would (1) declare a state policy prioritizing student safety, access to education and privacy; (2) modify the statutory list of parents’ rights adopted most recently by initiative; (3) limit certain disclosures to parents during criminal or child‑welfare investigations; (4) require school materials explaining student rights; (5) require school district policies addressing the needs of gender‑expansive students by Jan. 31, 2026; and (6) prohibit adverse employment actions against staff who support students’ legal rights or follow approved standards.

Ethan Moreno, committee staff, described the bill’s six component parts and the interplay of federal privacy law, state protections and existing statutory frameworks. Under the bill OSPI would be directed to adopt rules, provide technical assistance and could impose sanctions for noncompliance, including terminating all or part of state apportionment or categorical monies and placing a district on probation until compliance is achieved. Staff noted a fiscal note had been requested but not yet received.

The bill’s prime sponsor, Representative Monica Stonier, framed the proposal as intended to protect students’ access to learning and a sense of belonging. \"This bill is centered on ensuring that every student in our state has a safe and supportive school environment so that they can access the learning that we as a state are required to offer,\" Stonier said. Supporters argued HB 1296 clarifies how the parental‑rights initiative interacts with existing federal and state law, preserves student privacy in sensitive circumstances (for example in criminal or child‑welfare investigations) and protects educators from adverse employment actions for following learning standards or supporting students.

Student and youth speakers described personal experiences and urged passage. Howell Hall, a recent graduate and advocate, said educators need trusting relationships with students and that mandatory disclosure to parents could harm students in unsafe home situations. Several LGBTQ+ and student‑advocacy organizations presented data and research showing higher rates of bullying and suicide risk among gender‑diverse youth and said inclusive school policies are associated with better attendance and achievement.

School officials and school‑board representatives raised objections focused on enforcement mechanisms and district autonomy. Jill Lisonbee, a Richland School District director and a representative of the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA), said accountability must be targeted at individuals who violate the law rather than at whole districts; she cautioned that sanctioning funding or placing districts on probation could inadvertently harm students. Multiple school‑board and district speakers said existing enforcement mechanisms (recall, administrative and legal processes) are more appropriate remedies for unlawful acts by directors or employees.

Testimony was sharply divided in public comment tallies the committee read into the record: 1,212 pro, 1,479 con and 6 other sign‑ins on HB 1296 at the close of the hearing. Supporters include civil‑rights, LGBTQ+, public‑health and student‑advocacy groups that emphasized mental‑health risks to vulnerable youth and the protective effect of inclusive policies. Opponents included school‑board members and parent groups who argued the bill would undermine the parents’ bill of rights adopted by initiative and could risk state funding and local control.

Committee members asked a range of technical and legal questions during the briefing: staff confirmed the bill draws on FERPA definitions and regulations for certain record categories and noted that some language (for example the \"sole possession\" teacher‑note exclusion) tracks federal regulations. Members also asked whether OSPI’s sanction authority could conflict with the state constitutional requirement to provide uniform funding; staff said they would research the constitutional question. Staff and the sponsor acknowledged the bill will require careful drafting and amendments; the sponsor said she is working on changes addressing accountability and enforcement language.

No committee vote was taken during the hearing. Committee leadership reminded testifiers that the session was long and that time limits meant not all signatories were able to testify in person; members asked stakeholders to submit proposed amendments for the committee to review.

— Ending —","House Bill 1296, a sweeping proposal to require districts to adopt materials on student rights, update transgender‑related policies, and authorize OSPI enforcement measures, drew extensive testimony and sharply divided public comment on Monday in Olympia.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6373419,"Committee hears bill to create voluntary exit survey for transferring or withdrawing students",2933,1471000,4404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2145919-e0ffb57a539e7b06b589e1712d2ec255&start=1471&end=4404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2145919-e0ffb57a539e7b06b589e1712d2ec255/thumbnail_1471000.jpg","/articles/6373419/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-create-voluntary-exit-survey-for-transferring-or-withdrawing-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6373419-38e0d979dd4d8758d3a1b32a5c688622/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173396&Signature=PubKVzraqQb10VUc~6YLP-jcn5yqRdTx0kXwazXogdh5doyJLo74DEhF0p1N9fi-WeZmmDOYy~qj1VssYYN~AJ6YIDCH17Jz3R6uHj9BKG~5PIu7A8DJuLIKGurAfTjXEC1CPb2LvOYlNflU8sPadDD2vMBHaTZtyZoI~OKHYrZqBh0JJzpCky3R9bkcJ-Px0aV6prRJsGzAkwnq5k7rzYnEKrGfvI0XcdF~ax~dV7nFT0Yxl5xK5w1YMvBOdEiq~GyTv-q2vPD4hslpKVNwExenN29o1PN5HmEdhU6hHHvxdWzhLB5HyJaBaEYeXrqM12vYeJiIhJEz1QRmW-aKyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1289, which would direct the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative (WSIPC) to create a confidential, voluntary online survey for parents or guardians of students who transfer or withdraw from Washington public schools, received a public hearing before the House Education Committee.

Damian Morton Snipper, a graduate intern with the Office of Program Research, summarized the bill for the panel, saying the survey’s stated purpose is to collect data about why students transfer or withdraw and to provide annual summaries of responses to the districts where the transfers occurred and to legislative committees. The bill would encourage districts to notify parents about the survey, require the cooperative to make an aggregate summary public annually, and set an operational date of Sept. 1, 2025.

Damian told the committee the cooperative provides data and technology services to districts through an interlocal agreement among nine educational service districts. Dr. Dana Anderson, chief executive officer of WSIPC, said the cooperative supports the bill’s timeline if the scope is limited. \"If it's a closed survey, that's relatively simple to deploy,\" Anderson said, and added that WSIPC has begun initial design work and conducts regular cybersecurity audits. She also flagged language around equitable access — including multilingual options and accessibility — as drivers of scope and cost.

Several testifiers supported the idea but urged broader or clarified measures. Former Representative McClintock, the bill’s prime sponsor, said an exit survey can provide information districts can use to retain students and offered that expanding to a broader engagement survey could be discussed. The Washington Education Association supported the concept but suggested including families who keep their students in public schools to create a larger, more informative data set. The Washington Coalition for Gifted Education asked for amendments to ensure public, disaggregated reporting (for example by originating district, destination school type and student demographics) and proposed mandatory district delivery of the survey at unenrollment events even though parent response would remain voluntary.

Committee members asked about cost: staff said the fiscal note indicated no cost to districts. Representative Ortiz‑Self asked whether the survey would be offered in multiple languages; WSIPC said language‑access provisions would need to be specified and could affect deployment. The cooperative and other witnesses noted FERPA and federal privacy obligations apply; WSIPC said it is subject to annual audits and serves data for roughly 700,000 students and 3.2 million active users.

At the close of the public hearing the committee recorded 31 pro, 505 con, and 1 other written sign‑ins. No committee vote occurred during the hearing; the bill was presented for testimony and potential amendment.

— Ending —","House Bill 1289, which would direct the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative to create a confidential, voluntary online survey for parents or guardians of students who transfer or withdraw from public schools, received a public hearing before the House Education Committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House panel hears bill to make financial education a statewide high school graduation requirement

House Education Committee holds wide‑ranging hearing on safe‑and‑supportive schools bill that would revise parental and student rights and enforcement

Committee hears bill to create voluntary exit survey for transferring or withdrawing students