Deeply hidden in Sec. 412 of EHB 2242, below sentence was added to RCW 28A.185.020:
“District practices for identifying the most highly capable students must prioritize equitable identification of low-income students.”
Sponsored by senators from both parties (Sullivan, Harris, Lytton, Taylor), EHB 2242 quickly passed house and senate in two days during a special session in 2017.
Although the law meant to help low-income students, school districts are using it as an excuse for giving preferential treatment based on race. The law needs to be amended to make sure that no preferential treatment by race is allowed.