SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5524

BYSenators Bailey, Rinehart, Lee, Gaspard, Smith, Bluechel, Johnson, Barr, Amondson, Pullen, Nelson, Moore, Craswell, Sellar, Anderson, West, Rasmussen, Metcalf, Fleming, Benitz, Patterson, Newhouse, Murray, Stratton, Bauer, Vognild, Warnke, Wojahn, Kreidler, McMullen, Smitherman, Williams, DeJarnatt, McCaslin and Thorsness; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Providing local education enhancement program funds.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 6, 1989; February 9, 1989

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

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  February 9, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 1, 1989; March 21, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5524 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Matson, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Ken Kanikeberg (786-7715)

                  March 22, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 21, 1989

BACKGROUND:

State funds were provided in the 1987-89 operating budget, in addition to basic education allocation funds, as a means to help districts enhance their local education programs according to district identified needs and priorities.  It is proposed that the procedures for administering the program be established in statute.

SUMMARY:

School districts are eligible to receive state funds for local education program enhancement in the following areas:  prevention and intervention services in elementary grades; reduction of class size; early childhood education; student at-risk programs; staff development and in-service programs; critical thinking; and other purposes as identified by the district.

New and existing education program enhancements funded under the program shall not become part of the state's obligation to provide a basic program of education.

To receive funds, each district must assess the needs of the schools in the district; prioritize the identified needs; and develop a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the local program enhancement(s) in benefitting students.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall distribute enhancement funds to districts on the basis of the number of annual average full-time equivalent students.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The appropriation of $56,788,000 is deleted.  The act is null and void if not specifically funded.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 30, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION:  FOR:  Don Johnson, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Howard Coble, Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington State School Directors' Association, Association of Washington School Principals; Leann Chaney, Washington Congress of Parents and Teachers

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  FOR: Don Johnson, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction