Holding the line on accountability and standards in schools is critical to student success, says Rep. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way.

He has introduced, House Bill 2030, which will clear up the confusing issue of student requirements in math and science while keeping the expectations high in reading and writing.

"We're at the most critical point in education policy since 1993," said Priest, who is lead Republican on the House K-12 Education Committee. "It is our responsibility, to all our students, to come up with clear policy that ensures they will have a fair and reasonable opportunity to get the knowledge we have promised and they deserve to be successful."

Priest said when it comes to math, the governor has already forced a practical delay for setting up a standard statewide curriculum.

"Now that the delay in math has occurred, practically if not legally yet, and science curricula is slated for a future date, we must create a clear pathway for our students to move forward in the meantime."

House Bill 2030 would leave in place the reading and writing proficiency requirements for graduation, and tackle the math and science curricula and remediation.

The bill would require the State Board of Education to review the current math assessment, and then determine curricula and standards best suited for schools by December 1, 2007.

The following December, science standards would be selected. The coursework would be aligned with an end-of-course assessment that would provide details that enable school districts to design courses with the appropriate content at the correct level.

"Students and teachers in the Thirtieth District and around the state have seen the achievement test results and admit that there needs to be a change in the system," said Priest.

"This bill would make changes to quickly allow for remediation and alternative assessment options for students. It would also simplify the process to make a more fair and equitable approach to testing for both math and science while holding the line on reading and writing standards for the class of 2008."

Priest added that rather than the current convoluted math and science tests, his bill creates an end-of-class approach that is easier for school districts to administer and ensures that teachers, students and parents get timely results.

The goal, he says, is to address remediation in these areas before the 10th grade and better prepare students for higher education, whether in a career and technical field or at a four-year institution.

"We want our students to take math and science courses, and to make sure they are learning the material. House Bill 2030 would set up a system that evaluates the student at the end of the math or science course rather than waiting until the tenth grade when we only have a couple years to make a difference for that student," said Priest.

"I know it's a more rigorous pathway, but it's also a better way to make sure our students are learning the skills they need to succeed."

Priest serves as the Ranking Republican on the House K-12 Education Committee. He also serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the newly-added House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Funding.