HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SSB 6337

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Benitz, Bailey, Rinehart, Gaspard, Madsen, Owen, Anderson, von Reichbauer, Moore, Metcalf, Sutherland, Craswell, Murray, Newhouse, Bauer, McMullen, Vognild, Warnke, Johnson, Barr, Saling, Kreidler, Bender, Fleming, Talmadge, Conner and Lee)

Changing provisions relating to technological and vocational education.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (16)

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

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  (1)

      Signed by Representative K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 22, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Experts from business, labor, industry, and education agree that the state of Washington faces major shifts in the demands of the labor market and the preparation of its workforce.  Technological changes are happening rapidly.  The following changes have been suggested to help the education system better prepare students to enter the workforce of the 21st century:  encouraging innovations in technology and vocational education programs; providing for the integration of technology in education; improving the vocational student teacher ratio and setting standards for extended or supplemental contracts; developing course equivalencies; and improving equipment.

SUMMARY:

Innovations in Vocational Education for the Twenty-First Century.  The Innovations in Vocational Education for the Twenty-first Century Program is created to allow selected schools and school districts, educational service districts, interdistrict cooperatives, public vocational-technical institutes, skills centers, and community colleges to develop innovative vocational programs through encouraging collaboration and authorizing waivers of some statutes and rules.  The process for selecting grant recipients is developed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in consultation with the State Board of Education and the State Board for Community College Education.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction administers the program.

Pilot projects receive funding for two years, but may be extended by the Superintendent of Public Instruction for up to six years.  Annual reports to the superintendent are required.  Up to 21 projects may be selected by the superintendent each biennium.  Initial projects will be implemented during the 1990-91 school year.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board will review entrance requirements for the state's colleges and universities and may waive certain entrance requirements and establish course equivalencies.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction reports to the Legislature by January 15, 1991, and every two years thereafter. The program ends June 30, 1997.

Vocational Education Funding Formula.  Beginning with the 1990-91 school year, the formula for allocating state funds for basic education shall include a ratio of .92 certificated instructional staff and .08 certificated administrative staff to each 16.67 annual average full-time equivalent students in grades nine through 12 enrolled in secondary vocational education programs approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Increases in funds shall be used to provide additional state support for secondary vocational education programs.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall adopt by rule general program approval standards for secondary vocational programs.  The standards shall include provisions regarding the use of extended or supplemental contracts for certificated vocational education instructors.

Local Planning for Vocational Education Including Purchase of Equipment.  To be eligible to receive state funds for secondary vocational education programs, local school districts, skills centers, educational service districts, and public vocational technical institutes shall consult with local advisory committees on vocational education.  Local advisory committees shall be composed of members representative of the local community.

The local advisory committee shall provide advice, support, and assistance on vocational education programs and assist in the development of vocational education program improvement plans.  School districts are eligible to apply to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for funds to update equipment for secondary vocational education programs if they have developed program improvement plans.  The plans must be revised every two years and shall be part of the current vocational education planning process.

Funds shall be used to upgrade equipment.

Technology in Education.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction provides school districts with services including integrating technology into the curriculum and training teachers and administrators in the use of current and new technologies.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall make awards to teachers for selected school improvement and research projects on the use of technology in education.

Course Equivalencies--Admission Standards to Four-year Institutions:  The Higher Education Coordinating Board and each four-year institution of higher education are required to recognize the value and importance of vocational education courses in developing admission standards.  Efforts shall be made to designate applicable vocational education courses as course equivalencies.

Enactment of sections relating to "Innovations in Vocational Education for the Twenty-First Century," vocational education funding formula revisions, extended day contracts, equipment purchases, and the technology in education expansion and grants are contingent on funding in the budget.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Cliff Bailey; Senator Max Benitz; Kathleen Preston and Gil Mendoza, Washington Vocational Association; Ray Shindler, Washington Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association; Ken Endelman, Washington State Parent Teacher Association; and Jan Carlson, Superintendent of Public Instruction.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It is important that we recognize the needs of students planning to enter the work force after leaving our high schools.  We need to be sure that the vocational education programs provided for students are relevant to the real world of work.  Part of this is a consistent funding formula for vocational education and the use of modern equipment. If we are to provide vocational education we must be sure that students leave us with marketable skills.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.