BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to programs for highly capable students; amending RCW 28A.150.370, 28A.185.020, and 28A.185.030; adding a new section to chapter 28A.185 RCW; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 28A.150.370 and 1990 c 33 s 114 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to those state funds provided to school districts for basic education, the legislature shall appropriate funds for pupil transportation, in accordance with RCW 28A.150.100 through ((~~28A.150.430~~)) 28A.150.420, 28A.160.150 through 28A.160.220, 28A.300.170, and 28A.500.010, for programs for highly capable students under chapter 28A.185 RCW, and for programs for handicapped students, in accordance with RCW 28A.155.010 through 28A.155.100. The legislature may appropriate funds to be distributed to school districts for population factors such as urban costs, enrollment fluctuations and for special programs, including but not limited to, vocational-technical institutes, compensatory programs, bilingual education, urban, rural, racial and disadvantaged programs, programs for gifted students, and other special programs.

Sec. 2. RCW 28A.185.020 and 1990 c 33 s 168 are each amended to read as follows:

((~~Supplementary~~)) Funds as ((~~may~~)) shall be provided by the state for this program, in accordance with RCW 28A.150.370, shall be categorical funding on an excess cost basis based upon a per student amount not less than two percent but not to exceed three percent of any district's full-time equivalent enrollment.

Sec. 3. RCW 28A.185.030 and 1984 c 278 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

Local school districts ((~~may~~)) shall establish and operate, either separately or jointly, programs for highly capable students. Such authority shall include the right to employ and pay special instructors and to operate such programs jointly with a public institution of higher education. Local school districts which establish and operate programs for highly capable students shall adopt identification procedures and provide educational opportunities as follows:

(1) In accordance with rules ((~~and regulations~~)) adopted by the superintendent of public instruction, school districts shall implement procedures for nomination, assessment and selection of their most highly capable students. Nominations shall be based upon data from teachers, other staff, parents, students, and members of the community. Assessment shall be based upon a review of each student's capability as shown by multiple criteria intended to reveal, from a wide variety of sources and data, each student's unique needs and capabilities. Selection shall be made by a broadly based committee of professionals, after consideration of the results of the multiple criteria assessment.

(2) Students selected pursuant to procedures outlined in this section shall be provided((~~, to the extent feasible,~~)) an educational opportunity which takes into account each student's unique needs and capabilities and the limits of the resources and program options available to the district, including those options which can be developed or provided by using funds allocated by the superintendent of public instruction for that purpose.

(3) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules establishing minimum program standards. The rules may address issues including hours of service, if and when it is appropriate to combine programs for highly capable students and other students, and evaluation standards for highly capable students.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28A.185 RCW to read as follows:

The state board of education shall adopt rules establishing the qualifications for certificated employees teaching highly capable students in a program for highly capable students.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The sum of one hundred forty thousand 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 to provide for a full-time coordinator of the program for highly capable students.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1993.