- See also: K-12 education content standards in the states
This page features information about K-12 areas of instruction required by state statute in Washington public schools.
Background
- See also: K-12 education content standards in the states and K-12 curriculum authority, requirements, and statutes in the states
State education officials may develop content standards and curricula, depending on the state, in order to facilitate instruction in public schools. In some states, lawmakers also adopt required areas of instruction by statute.
K-12 content standards and curriculum development
State or local education officials may develop K-12 curricula for classroom instruction that generally includes lessons and materials used in a particular course of study.[1] Depending on the state, K-12 curricula may reflect or incorporate state content standards—educational learning and achievement goals that state education officials either require or recommend that local schools satisfy in K-12 instruction.
Areas of instruction required by statute
Some state laws require the inclusion of specific areas of instruction in K-12 public school curricula. In these cases, lawmakers—rather than state education officials—mandate certain education requirements for students. Laws governing specific areas of instruction in K-12 curricula vary by state.
Statutorily required areas of instruction in Washington
The following table provides information about selected areas of instruction required by statute in Washington, as of 2023. The statutes provided may not be comprehensive. The statutory text is provided below the table.
| Statutorily required areas of instruction in Washington
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| Area(s) of instruction
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Statute(s)
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| Mathematics, social sciences, physical sciences, life sciences, civics, history (including different cultures and participation in representative government), geography, arts, health, fitness, and personal finance |
Washington Revised Code 28A.150.210
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| Reading, handwriting, orthography, written and mental arithmetic, geography, the history of the United States, English grammar, physiology, hygiene with special reference to the effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the human system, and science with special reference to the environment |
Washington Revised Code § 28A.230.020 (2022)
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| Career and technical education |
Washington Revised Code 28A.230.010
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| Physical education |
Washington Revised Code 28A.230.040
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| Physical education |
Washington Revised Code 28A.230.050
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| AIDS education |
Washington Revised Code 28A.230.070
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| Civics course in high school |
Washington Revised Code 28A.230.094
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| The constitutions of the United States and the state of Washington |
Washington Revised Code 28A.230.170
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| Cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
Washington Revised Code 28A.230.179
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| Computer science |
Washington Revised Code 28A.230.300
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| Languages other than English |
Washington Revised Code § 28A.150.220 (2022)
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Washington Revised Code 28A.150.210:
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Basic education—Goals of school districts.
A basic education is an evolving program of instruction that is intended to provide students with the opportunity to become responsible and respectful global citizens, to contribute to their economic well-being and that of their families and communities, to explore and understand different perspectives, and to enjoy productive and satisfying lives. Additionally, the state of Washington intends to provide for a public school system that is able to evolve and adapt in order to better focus on strengthening the educational achievement of all students, which includes high expectations for all students and gives all students the opportunity to achieve personal and academic success. To these ends, the goals of each school district, with the involvement of parents and community members, shall be to provide opportunities for every student to develop the knowledge and skills essential to:
- (1) Read with comprehension, write effectively, and communicate successfully in a variety of ways and settings and with a variety of audiences;
- (2) Know and apply the core concepts and principles of mathematics; social, physical, and life sciences; civics and history, including different cultures and participation in representative government; geography; arts; and health and fitness;
- (3) Think analytically, logically, and creatively, and to integrate technology literacy and fluency as well as different experiences and knowledge to form reasoned judgments and solve problems; and
- (4) Understand the importance of work and finance and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities.[2]
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Washington Revised Code § 28A.230.020 (2022):
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Common school curriculum.
All common schools shall give instruction in reading, handwriting, orthography, written and mental arithmetic, geography, the history of the United States, English grammar, physiology and hygiene with special reference to the effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the human system, science with special reference to the environment, and such other studies as may be prescribed by rule of the superintendent of public instruction. All teachers shall stress the importance of the cultivation of manners, the fundamental principles of honesty, honor, industry and economy, the minimum requisites for good health including the beneficial effect of physical exercise and methods to prevent exposure to and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, and the worth of kindness to all living creatures and the land. The prevention of child abuse may be offered as part of the curriculum in the common schools.[2]
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Washington Revised Code 28A.230.010:
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Course content requirements—Access to career and technical statewide equivalency courses—Duties of school district boards of directors—Waivers.
(2) Until September 1, 2021, school district boards of directors must provide high school students with the opportunity to access at least one career and technical education course that is considered a statewide equivalency course as determined by the office of the superintendent of public instruction under Washington Revised Code 28A.700.070...[2]
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Washington Revised Code 28A.230.040:
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Physical education in grades one through eight.
Every pupil attending grades one through eight of the public schools shall receive instruction in physical education as prescribed by rule of the superintendent of public instruction: PROVIDED, That individual pupils or students may be excused on account of physical disability, religious belief, or participation in directed athletics.[2]
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Washington Revised Code 28A.230.050:
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Physical education in high schools.
All high schools of the state shall emphasize the work of physical education, and carry into effect all physical education requirements established by rule of the superintendent of public instruction: PROVIDED, That individual students may be excused from participating in physical education otherwise required under this section on account of physical disability, employment, or religious belief, or because of participation in directed athletics or military science and tactics or for other good cause.[2]
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Washington Revised Code 28A.230.070:
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AIDS education in public schools—Limitations—Program adoption—Model curricula—Student's exclusion from participation.
(1) The life-threatening dangers of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and its prevention shall be taught in the public schools of this state. AIDS prevention education shall be limited to the discussion of the life-threatening dangers of the disease, its spread, and prevention. Students shall receive such education at least once each school year beginning no later than the fifth grade...[2]
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Washington Revised Code 28A.230.094:
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High school civics course.
(1)(a) Beginning with or before the 2020-21 school year, each school district that operates a high school must provide a mandatory one-half credit stand-alone course in civics for each high school student. Except as provided by (c) of this subsection, civics content and instruction embedded in other social studies courses do not satisfy the requirements of this subsection...[2]
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Washington Revised Code 28A.230.170:
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Study of constitutions compulsory—Rules.
The study of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Washington shall be a condition prerequisite to graduation from the public and private high schools of this state. The superintendent of public instruction shall provide by rule for the implementation of this section. The superintendent of public instruction may adopt a rule permitting students who meet the criteria in Washington Revised Code 28A.230.122 to meet the prerequisite through noncredit-based study.[2]
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Washington Revised Code 28A.230.179:
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction.
(1) Each school district that operates a high school must offer instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation to students as provided in this section. Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be included in at least one health class necessary for graduation...[2]
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Washington Revised Code 28A.230.300:
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Computer science.
(1) Beginning no later than the 2022-23 school year, each school district that operates a high school must, at a minimum, provide an opportunity to access an elective computer science course that is available to all high school students. School districts are encouraged to consider community-based or public-private partnerships in establishing and administering a course, but any course offered in accordance with this section must be aligned to the state learning standards for computer science or mathematics...[2]
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Washington Revised Code § 28A.150.220 (2022):
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Basic education—Minimum instructional requirements—Program accessibility—Rules.
(2) Each school district shall make available to students the following minimum instructional offering each school year:
- (a) For students enrolled in grades one through twelve, at least a district-wide annual average of one thousand hours, which shall be increased beginning in the 2015-16 school year to at least one thousand eighty instructional hours for students enrolled in grades nine through twelve and at least one thousand instructional hours for students in grades one through eight, all of which may be calculated by a school district using a district-wide annual average of instructional hours over grades one through twelve; and
- (b) For students enrolled in kindergarten, at least four hundred fifty instructional hours, which shall be increased to at least one thousand instructional hours according to the implementation schedule under Washington Revised Code 28A.150.315.
(3) The instructional program of basic education provided by each school district shall include:
- (a) Instruction in the *essential academic learning requirements under Washington Revised Code 28A.655.070;
- (b) Instruction that provides students the opportunity to complete twenty-four credits for high school graduation, beginning with the graduating class of 2019 or as otherwise provided in Washington Revised Code 28A.230.090. Course distribution requirements may be established by the state board of education under Washington Revised Code 28A.230.090;
- (c) If the *essential academic learning requirements include a requirement of languages other than English, the requirement may be met by students receiving instruction in one or more American Indian languages;
- (d) Supplemental instruction and services for students who are not meeting academic standards through the learning assistance program under Washington Revised Code 28A.165.005 through 28A.165.065;
- (e) Supplemental instruction and services for eligible and enrolled students and exited students whose primary language is other than English through the transitional bilingual instruction program under Washington Revised Code 28A.180.010 through 28A.180.080;
- (f) The opportunity for an appropriate education at public expense as defined by Washington Revised Code 28A.155.020 for all eligible students with disabilities as defined in Washington Revised Code 28A.155.020; and
- (g) Programs for highly capable students under Washington Revised Code 28A.185.010 through 28A.185.030...[2]
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See also
External links
