SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1986

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Higher Education & Workforce Development, March 25, 2009

Ways & Means, April 6, 2009

Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 3/24/09, 3/25/09 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means: 4/06/09 [DPA].

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Kilmer, Chair; Jarrett, Vice Chair; Becker, Ranking Minority Member; Hewitt, Jacobsen, Kastama, McAuliffe, Pflug, Shin and Stevens.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Tom, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Fairley, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, McDermott, Murray, Oemig, Parlette, Pflug, Pridemore, Regala, Rockefeller and Schoesler.

Background: Mentoring in schools has been defined in many ways, but in general it is commonly defined as a sustained relationship between a youth and an adult or an older youth to support, guide, and assist the younger person facing academic challenges and decisions. The number of mentoring programs has grown in recent years. Potential mentors are recruited from various sources including high schools, colleges and universities, professional, and religious communities, as well as neighborhood citizens. Appropriately matching mentors with younger students is a key component of most programs. While research on the effects of mentoring is scarce, some studies and program evaluations do support positive claims.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): Western Washington University (WWU) establishes a mentoring pilot project in partnership with a community or technical college identified by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). The goals of the mentoring program are to (1) encourage elementary students to complete high school and pursue college; (2) provide positive role models; and (3) develop a model that is scalable. The pilot project must be implemented within existing resources.

Pilot project institutions (1) recruit college students to serve as mentors in identified schools; (2) develop a curriculum to train mentors; (3) solicit grants, awards, and gifts; (4) develop outcome measures; and (5) provide community outreach and publicity. A preliminary report to the Legislature is due by December 1, 2010, and a final report is due on December 1, 2011.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): The requirement for a special state Work Study program grant for the pilot project is dropped.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Engrossed House Bill (Higher Education & Workforce Development): PRO: This bill accomplishes two things. First, it encourages civic engagement by college students. Second, it helps younger students set high goals. Similar efforts have been very successful in Wisconsin. This bill will help fulfill the goal in the strategic master plan for increasing the pipeline of students able to go from high school to college. It is designed to change the expectations of students and parents.

Persons Testifying (Higher Education & Workforce Development): PRO: Representative Hasegawa, prime sponsor; Sherry Burkey, WWU; Cynthia Torres-Jimanez, SBCTC; Rochelle Sharp, HECB.