BILL REQ. #:  H-4464.1 

Read first time 01/17/08.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to adult literacy education; adding new sections to chapter 28B.50 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that it is in the state's best interest to promote and provide adult literacy education. In order to reach all of those in need of literacy instruction, the legislature finds that it is necessary to better understand adult literacy needs and available resources, and to more effectively advertise and promote adult literacy-related services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The Washington state institute for public policy shall study and, no later than December 1, 2008, report on the status of adult literacy education to the governor, the appropriate policy committees of the legislature, and the state board for community and technical colleges.
     (2) The study shall include:
     (a) A review of literacy rates nationally, in Washington, and in Washington counties;
     (b) A review of research literature on adult literacy, including literature focused on adult basic education, English language learners, and individuals with diagnosed and undiagnosed learning disabilities;
     (c) A description of literacy-related services provided by Washington state agencies and community-based organizations in the state; and
     (d) Analysis of data from Washington state agencies and community-based organizations in the state regarding literacy levels and other client and student characteristics.
     (3) Data and populations to be studied include:
     (a) Clients served by the department of social and health services;
     (b) Students enrolled in the state's common schools;
     (c) Students at the state's community and technical colleges;
     (d) Incarcerated individuals and others under the supervision of the department of corrections; and
     (e) Others as identified through the research process.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The state board for community and technical colleges shall conduct a media campaign to increase public awareness about the availability of adult, family, and workforce literacy services and resources, as well as the benefits from literacy which result, to the individual, the family, the community, and the workforce in the state. This campaign may include, but is not limited to, media such as the internet, television, radio, newspapers, books, and magazines. The state board for community and technical colleges may subcontract all or part of the activities associated with the media campaign to qualified private nonprofit organizations.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Following receipt of the report prepared by the Washington state institute for public policy in accordance with section 2 of this act, the state board for community and technical colleges shall coordinate and convene a one-day summit with the principal goal of informing the public, adult literacy instructional personnel, and local, state, and community leaders about the status of adult literacy and adult literacy education as reported by the institute. The state board for community and technical colleges may subcontract all or part of the activities associated with the summit to qualified private nonprofit organizations.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Beginning December 1, 2010, and every two years thereafter, the state board for community and technical colleges shall prepare and submit a status report to the governor and the appropriate legislative policy committees regarding state and national progress in increasing adult, family, and workforce literacy. The status report shall include:
     (1) A summary of state and local, as well as national, initiatives related to adult, family, and workforce literacy, including related funding mechanisms;
     (2) A description of the adult, family, and workforce literacy programs and services offered at the state's community and technical colleges and through community-based organizations in the state, including the numbers served by each;
     (3) A description of partnerships and planning efforts with local businesses, workforce investment boards, and nonprofit and community organizations directed at advertising and expanding access to adult, family, and workforce literacy programs and services, as well as making such services more available and affordable;
     (4) Performance measures and targets and whether and how these were met and will be met in the future;
     (5) Current information regarding proven and effective instructional techniques and technology for improving literacy outcomes; and
     (6) Strategies and recommendations to provide adult literacy instructional personnel with professional development opportunities and access to proven and effective instructional techniques.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   Sections 2 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.50 RCW.