HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1740

BYRepresentatives Betrozoff, Peery, G. Fisher, Rayburn, Cole, P. King, Ferguson, Miller, May, Heavey, Cantwell, Todd and Wood; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Changing requirements of student motivation, retention, and retrieval programs.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1987, the Legislature created and funded the student motivation, retention and retrieval program.  The program has provided funds to school districts with the 25 highest dropout rates in the state.  Funding for the program expires on June 30, 1989.

SUMMARY:

The 1987 student motivation, retention, and retrieval program will continue with funds available every two years to districts with the 25 highest dropout rates.  The money will be provided on a per student allocation based on the October 1st full time equivalent student population of the qualifying districts.  If some of the qualifying districts do not apply for the money, the funds may be distributed to other districts that the Superintendent of Public Instruction selects on a nonformula basis.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 3, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Judy Hartmann, Superintendent of Public Instruction; and John Kvamme, Tacoma School District.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    We believe that the program for drop outs should continue to be funded for those districts with the 25 highest drop out rates with money being distributed on a per student basis.  If these districts do not participate in the program, the Superintendent of Public Instruction should be allowed to provide funding to other interested districts on a nonformula basis.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.