RCW 28A.300.793
Outdoor learning grant program.
(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, or within funding made available, the outdoor learning grant program is established. The purpose of the grant program is to develop and support educational experiences for students in Washington public schools.
(2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall administer the grant program in accordance with this section.
(3) Within existing resources, the Washington state parks and recreation commission, the department of natural resources, the Washington department of fish and wildlife, the Washington department of agriculture, and the Washington conservation commission may partner with the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide relevant expertise on land management and work-integrated learning experiences and opportunities.
(4) Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall award grants to eligible school districts, federally recognized tribes, and outdoor education program providers. The office may consult with the Washington recreation and conservation office in awarding grants under this section.
(5)(a) The grant program must consist of two types of grants, including:
(i) Allocation-based grants for school districts to develop or support educational experiences; and
(ii) Competitive grants for federally recognized tribes and outdoor education providers to support existing capacity and to increase future capacity for outdoor learning experiences.
(b) In implementing student educational experiences under this section, school districts and outdoor education providers should ensure equitable access for students in all geographic regions, and high levels of accessibility for students with disabilities.
(6) Beginning in 2024, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, in accordance with RCW 43.01.036, must submit an annual report to the appropriate committees of the legislature with an evaluation of the program established by this section. The report may include information on other outdoor education and instructional time efforts and how they compare with programs funded through the outdoor learning grant program.
(7) For the purposes of this section, "school districts" includes state-tribal education compact schools established under chapter 28A.715 RCW.
[ 2022 c 112 § 2.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2022 c 112: "(1) The legislature finds that time outdoors helps children thrive physically, emotionally, and academically, yet over the past few generations, childhood has moved indoors. On average, today's kids spend up to 44 hours per week in front of a screen, and less than 10 minutes a day doing activities outdoors. For too many kids, access to the outdoors is determined by race, income, ability, and zip code. All children deserve equitable access to outdoor spaces where they can learn, play, and grow, but current access to outdoor educational opportunities is inequitable.
(2) From stress reduction to improved focus and engagement, and better academic performance, outdoor-based learning helps kids thrive. Research shows participants in outdoor educational activities have higher graduation rates, improved behavior in school and relationships with peers, higher academic achievement, critical thinking skills, direct experience of scientific concepts in the field, leadership and collaboration skills, and a deeper engagement with learning, place, and community. Outdoor educational programs also offer new opportunities for work-integrated learning in science, natural resources, education, land management, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and other employment sectors. Outdoor-based learning activities can also be a key element in the larger system of regular outdoor instructional time and outdoor experiences that includes STEM fields, after-school programs, summer camps, 4-H, scouting, and related programs which can spark a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.
(3) The legislature further finds that accessibility is a major obstacle to universal outdoor education. Most sites lack accommodation for children with disabilities and support staff for children who need social and emotional support. In addition, some youth may experience cultural barriers to outdoor learning experiences.
(4) Therefore, the legislature intends to establish a statewide grant program and corresponding outdoor education experiences program to address these needs and to ensure that all students have a chance to benefit from outdoor education." [ 2022 c 112 § 1.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 28A - Common School Provisions
Chapter 28A.300 - Superintendent of Public Instruction.
28A.300.010 - Election—Term of office.
28A.300.030 - Assistance of educational service district boards and superintendents—Scope.
28A.300.035 - Assistance of certificated or classified employee—Reimbursement for substitute.
28A.300.039 - Condensed compliance reports—Second-class districts.
28A.300.040 - Powers and duties.
28A.300.0401 - School district fiscal notes.
28A.300.041 - Statewide student assessment system—Redesign—Reports to the legislature.
28A.300.045 - Pupil tests and records—Rules.
28A.300.046 - "Student absence from school"—Rules—Collection of attendance and discipline data.
28A.300.060 - Studies and adoption of classifications for school district budgets—Publication.
28A.300.065 - Classification and numbering system of school districts.
28A.300.080 - Vocational agriculture education—Intent.
28A.300.090 - Vocational agriculture education—Service area established—Duties.
28A.300.100 - Vocational agriculture education—Superintendent to adopt rules.
28A.300.105 - Office of Native education—Duties—Report.
28A.300.106 - Native education public-private partnership account.
28A.300.108 - Tribal consultation training and schedule.
28A.300.112 - Ethnic studies materials and resources.
28A.300.115 - Holocaust instruction—Preparation and availability of instructional materials.
28A.300.116 - Holocaust instruction—Teacher training.
28A.300.118 - College credit program information—Notification to schools and parents.
28A.300.119 - Online learning programs for college credit—Information.
28A.300.120 - Administrative hearing—Contract to conduct authorized—Final decision.
28A.300.130 - Center for the improvement of student learning.
28A.300.131 - Parental involvement—Measures to evaluate level—Models and practices—Recognition.
28A.300.135 - Center for the improvement of student learning account.
28A.300.139 - Washington integrated student supports protocol.
28A.300.164 - Energy information program.
28A.300.170 - State general fund—Estimates for state support to public schools, from.
28A.300.185 - Family preservation education program.
28A.300.190 - Coordination of video telecommunications programming in schools.
28A.300.195 - Work-integrated learning matching grant program.
28A.300.196 - Work-integrated learning advisory committee.
28A.300.220 - Cooperation with workforce training and education coordinating board.
28A.300.230 - Findings—Integration of vocational and academic education.
28A.300.235 - Development of model curriculum integrating vocational and academic education.
28A.300.238 - Career and technical education equipment—Competitive grant process—Rules.
28A.300.240 - International student exchange.
28A.300.250 - Participation in federal nutrition programs—Superintendent's duties.
28A.300.255 - Meal charge policies.
28A.300.270 - Violence prevention training.
28A.300.273 - Annual school safety summits.
28A.300.280 - Conflict resolution program.
28A.300.2851 - School bullying and harassment—Work group.
28A.300.288 - Youth suicide prevention activities.
28A.300.290 - Effective reading programs—Identification.
28A.300.295 - Identified programs—Grants for in-service training and instructional materials.
28A.300.300 - Effective reading programs—Information—Development and implementation of strategies.
28A.300.310 - Second grade reading assessment—Selection of reading passages—Costs.
28A.300.330 - Primary grade reading grant program.
28A.300.340 - Primary grade reading grant program—Timelines—Rules.
28A.300.360 - Grants for programs and services—Truant, at-risk, and expelled students.
28A.300.370 - World War II oral history project.
28A.300.375 - Washington history day program.
28A.300.380 - Career and technical student organizations—Support services.
28A.300.390 - Kip Tokuda memorial Washington civil liberties public education program—Findings.
28A.300.395 - Kip Tokuda memorial Washington civil liberties public education program—Intent.
28A.300.400 - Kip Tokuda memorial Washington civil liberties public education program—Definition.
28A.300.415 - Kip Tokuda memorial Washington civil liberties public education program—Short title.
28A.300.420 - Student court programs.
28A.300.430 - Collaboration with children's system of care demonstration sites.
28A.300.440 - Natural science, wildlife, and environmental education grant program.
28A.300.444 - Integration of environmental and sustainability content.
28A.300.450 - Financial education public-private partnership—Established.
28A.300.460 - Financial education public-private partnership responsibilities—Annual report.
28A.300.464 - Financial education public-private partnership—Contents of report.
28A.300.465 - Financial education public-private partnership account.
28A.300.466 - Financial education public-private partnership—Grant program.
28A.300.467 - Financial education public-private partnership—Model goals.
28A.300.468 - Financial education standards—Availability of materials.
28A.300.469 - State financial education learning standards.
28A.300.471 - Medical emergency response and automated external defibrillator program.
28A.300.475 - Comprehensive sexual health education.
28A.300.476 - Physical, social, and emotional support staff—Report.
28A.300.477 - Social-emotional learning committee.
28A.300.478 - Social-emotional learning standards and benchmarks.
28A.300.479 - Social-emotional learning resources.
28A.300.480 - Civic education travel grant program.
28A.300.485 - Enhanced civics education demonstration sites.
28A.300.490 - Task force on gangs in schools—Reports.
28A.300.500 - Longitudinal student data system.
28A.300.505 - School data systems—Standards—Reporting format.
28A.300.507 - K-12 data governance group—Duties—Reports.
28A.300.510 - After-school mathematics support program—Reports.
28A.300.520 - Policies to support children of incarcerated parents.
28A.300.530 - Individuals with dyslexia—Identification and instruction—Handbook—Reports.
28A.300.535 - Transgender student policy and procedure—Healthy youth survey.
28A.300.537 - Adverse childhood experiences—Healthy youth survey.
28A.300.544 - Students in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or both—Work group—Report.
28A.300.550 - Innovation schools—Identification—Website—Publicity.
28A.300.555 - Finding—Grants to improve readiness to learn.
28A.300.560 - Data on college credit through dual credit courses—Posting on website.
28A.300.565 - Grants to implement emergency response systems.
28A.300.570 - Support of reading and early literacy.
28A.300.574 - Dual language learning cohorts—Rules.
28A.300.575 - Washington state seal of biliteracy.
28A.300.580 - Phone interpretation services—Posting vendor information on website.
28A.300.585 - Computer science learning standards.
28A.300.587 - Computer science report.
28A.300.606 - Teacher and administrator professional learning—Working with paraeducators.
28A.300.615 - Substitute teachers—Hiring and compensation reporting.
28A.300.620 - Mentor training program goals—Professional development curricula.
28A.300.630 - School safety center.
28A.300.635 - School safety and student well-being advisory committee.
28A.300.640 - School-based threat assessment program—Model policy and procedure.
28A.300.650 - School resource officer training—Materials—Grant program—Report.
28A.300.700 - Dyslexia screening tools.
28A.300.710 - Dyslexia advisory council.
28A.300.720 - Dyslexia recommendations.
28A.300.750 - Basic education waivers for school districts.
28A.300.760 - Waiver applications annual report.
28A.300.770 - Highly capable students—Identification procedures.
28A.300.790 - Outdoor-based activities—Instructional days.
28A.300.793 - Outdoor learning grant program.
28A.300.795 - Outdoor learning grant program—Outdoor education experiences program.
28A.300.802 - Advisory groups—Travel—Compensation.
28A.300.810 - Innovative learning pilot program.
28A.300.815 - Financial aid advising day.
28A.300.820 - Elementary and secondary school emergency relief III account.
28A.300.825 - Secondary traumatic stress—Resources.
28A.300.840 - Media literacy and digital citizenship—Grant program.
28A.300.845 - Media literacy and digital citizenship—Regional conferences.
28A.300.900 - Registered preapprenticeship and youth apprenticeship recommendations.