SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6389
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:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, January 29, 2018
Ways & Means, February 6, 2018
Title: An act relating to career and technical education in alternative learning experience programs.
Brief Description: Regarding career and technical education in alternative learning experience programs.
Sponsors: Senators Zeiger, Hobbs, Wellman and Hasegawa.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/25/18, 1/29/18 [DP-WM, w/oRec].
Ways & Means: 2/05/18, 2/06/18 [DPS, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Zeiger, Ranking Member; Hawkins, Hunt, Padden, Pedersen and Rivers.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Rolfes, Vice Chair; Billig and Mullet.
Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6389 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Rolfes, Chair; Frockt, Vice Chair; Braun, Ranking Member; Honeyford, Assistant Ranking Member; Bailey, Becker, Billig, Brown, Carlyle, Conway, Darneille, Fain, Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser, Mullet, Pedersen, Rivers, Schoesler, Van De Wege, Wagoner and Warnick.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Palumbo and Ranker.
Staff: Sarian Scott (786-7729)
Background: Alternative-Learning Experience. ALE courses are courses with learning activities that occur either in part or wholly outside of a regular classroom setting. These courses may include components of direct instruction, and are supervised, monitored, assessed, evaluated, and documented by a certificated teacher employed by the school district. All ALE courses are subject to a student learning plan, implemented according to district rules and policies.
Vocational Courses. Vocational and career and technical education (CTE) courses are designed to give students technical or skill training in a variety of fields. These courses are often offered by community or technical colleges with equivalent credits at the high school level. CTE courses are also available through the ALE program.
Students enrolled in vocational courses are funded at an enhanced rate. In the 2017-18 school year (SY) the regular student rate is $6,711, with the enhanced rate at $7,341. In the 2018-19 SY, the regular student rate will be $7,644, with an enhanced CTE rate of $8,342.
In the 2016-17 school year (SY), there were 930.69 full-time equivalent (FTE) students in CTE ALE courses, and in the 2015-16 SY there were 869.45 FTE students in CTE ALE courses.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute): Allocated state funding for students in vocational ALE courses including vocational program funding enhancements, is required. Vocational ALE funding enhancements must be used only for career and technical education purposes. Vocational funding enhancements are provided only to site-based ALE courses.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE (First Substitute):
Requires that vocational ALE funding enhancements be used only for career and technical education purposes.
Requires that vocational program funding enhancements be provided only to site-based alternative learning experience courses.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: With high-demand for CTE courses, funding enhancements would help provide additional offerings for students. Higher-level ALE courses require funds to hire quality teachers and offer better educational pathways for students who are not necessarily college-bound. Increased funding towards ALE courses would help with the integrity of CTE coursework.
Persons Testifying (Early Learning & K-12 Education): PRO: Senator Hans Zeiger, Prime Sponsor; Rebecca Wallace, Executive Director of CTE, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Rhett Nelson, Director of Alternative Learning, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Mark Christiano, Washington Virtual Academy; Carolyn Logue, K-12, Inc.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Early Learning & K-12 Education): No one.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Ways & Means): The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: This bill provides an ability to provide opportunities. This is an avenue to increase interest. Enhanced funds are not yet available to ALE classes. This bill allows for a better chance for students.
Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Jeff Bush, Insight School of Washington; Carolyn Logue, K12, Inc.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Ways & Means): No one.