S-4173               _______________________________________________

 

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5038

                        _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

 

By Senators Gaspard and Bauer

 

 

Read first time 1/24/86 and referred to Committee on Education.

 

 


AN ACT Relating to primary block education; creating new sections; making appropriations; and providing an expiration date.

 

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

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.     (1)  There is hereby established a pilot project to develop and implement pilot programs in "continuous progress" or "primary block" education.  The purpose of the primary block education authorized in the pilot project is to permit students to progress in kindergarten through third grade based on ability and skill rather than age.

          (2) Funding under the pilot project shall be available to establish new programs and expand existing programs in primary block education.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.     (1)  The superintendent of public instruction shall appoint an advisory committee to establish criteria for program selection and make recommendations regarding the award of grants under the pilot project.  The committee shall be composed of no more than seven people geographically representative of the state. Individuals appointed to the committee shall be knowledgeable in child development and education.  There shall be at least one practicing teacher and one practicing principal on the committee.

          (2)  The superintendent of public instruction shall make completed applications available to the advisory committee.

          (3)  The superintendent of public instruction shall award grants to selected districts no later than August 1 of each year of the project.

          (4)  After consulting with the committee, the superintendent of public instruction shall prepare a study of the pilot project and compile a report to be delivered to the legislature no later than January 15, l990.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.     (1)  The advisory committee shall develop criteria for program selection and grants.  Criteria to be considered in program selection shall be made available to districts to assist districts in making their applications.  In developing criteria, the committee shall consider geography, program content, whether a district should be given a grant in more than one year, and other factors the committee determines appropriate.

          (2)  The advisory committee shall review applications for grants and make recommendations to the superintendent of public instruction no later than July 20 of each year of the project regarding the award of grants.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.     Districts shall submit applications to the superintendent of public instruction no later than July 1 of each project year.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5.     Up to four districts may receive grants in each project year: PROVIDED, That not more than eight programs may receive grants over the three school years the project is in operation.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6.     (1)  The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.

          (2)  The sum of four hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act:  PROVIDED, That not more than two hundred thousand dollars be available per year.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7.     This act shall expire February 1, 1990.