The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Last week, the Washington State House of Representatives approved House Bill 1674, sponsored by Representative Skyler Rude (R-Walla Walla). The bill replaces the term “alternative with “personalized” in statute when referencing programs that allow students to fulfill public education requirements outside the traditional classroom.

Rude said the change is intended to remove the stigma attached with the term “alternative.”

“Names matter. The term ‘alternative’ signals to students who participate in these courses that what they’re doing is ‘different,’ and that can sometimes make students feel isolated from their peers,” Rude said in a media release.

“House Bill 1674 helps reduce the stigma associated with these programs, and I hope it will encourage more students to pursue nontraditional education courses when appropriate. Children and parents need choice when it comes to education during the formative years of a student’s life, and these personalized learning experiences are a great option for students who may not excel in a traditional classroom setting or who want hands-on experience that will help them later on in their careers,” he added.

The bill will advance to the Senate for further consideration.