H-2011.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2105
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State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By Representatives Wineberry, Dorn and Brumsickle
Read first time 03/11/93. Referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to creating the successful tutoring of at-risk students program; adding new sections to chapter 28A.630 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that approximately thirty percent of the K-12 student population are considered academically at risk for school failure. These students fall at or below the twenty-fifth percentile on standardized group achievement tests. The legislature further finds that individual tutorial programs have contributed to a significant improvement in the academic performance of at-risk students. Tutors are able to provide one-on-one instructional support to help students with basic skills, serve as role models, and increase the student's awareness of his or her personal and professional role in life. The legislature further finds, however, that few tutorial programs target middle school and high school students, which together comprise nearly sixty percent of at-risk students, and that few tutorial programs tie the tutorial assistance to a student's class curriculum and instruction. The legislature further finds that a comprehensive standardized tutorial training program will deliver quality tutorial services to at-risk students more effectively and also attract and retain large numbers of volunteer tutors to the program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.630 RCW to read as follows:
The successful tutoring of at-risk students, or STARS program is hereby created. The purpose of the program is to provide two-year grants to school districts to create or supplement tutoring programs designed to provide additional assistance to students who are at risk of school failure. Funds from the grants may be used to:
(1) Provide district-wide coordination of tutorial programs;
(2) Encourage and enhance partnerships among parents and members of the community, business and labor sectors, and other public and private organizations;
(3) Provide tutoring services to students in grades kindergarten through twelve;
(4) Provide training and support for tutors; and
(5) Take other actions necessary to develop and implement student tutoring programs.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28A.630 RCW to read as follows:
(1) School districts interested in receiving a successful tutoring of at-risk students program grant shall apply to the superintendent of public instruction by September 1, 1993, and by July 1 in odd-numbered years thereafter. Grant applications shall include a summary of any existing school district tutoring programs, proposed activities to be funded by the grant, an implementation time line, a proposed budget, how the success of the tutoring program will be evaluated, and other information as determined by the superintendent of public instruction. (2) The grants shall be awarded by October 15, 1993, for the initial grant cycle, and by September 1 in odd-numbered years thereafter. In awarding grants, the superintendent shall consider, among other factors, the number of at-risk students proposed to be served by the tutoring program and the likely effectiveness of the proposed tutoring program.
(3) Successful tutoring of at-risk students program grants shall not be used to supplant programs funded through categorical program funds.
(4) The superintendent of public instruction shall analyze the effectiveness of the successful tutoring of at-risk students program in assisting at-risk students and submit the analysis to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 1995.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The sum of two million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1995, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of the program established in sections 2 and 3 of this act.
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