FINAL BILL REPORT

E2SHB 1600

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

C 206 L 18

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Increasing the career and college readiness of public school students.

Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Santos, Pettigrew, Harris, Young, Stonier, Pike, Appleton, Johnson, Fey, Bergquist, Hudgins, Kraft, Slatter and Tarleton).

House Committee on Education

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

In addition to its constitutional charge of supervising all matters pertaining to public schools, the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and its office have numerous and broad responsibilities prescribed in statute, including:

Career and Technical Education.

As defined in statute, "career and technical education," or CTE, is a planned program of courses and learning experiences that begins with exploration of career options and supports basic academic and life skills. State law specifies that CTE enables the achievement of high academic standards; leadership; options for high skill, high wage employment preparation; and advanced and continuing education.

Career Connect Washington.

In May of 2017 the Governor commenced a Career Connect Washington initiative (Career Connect Washington) to significantly increase the number of students who pursue good-paying jobs after high school through career-ready education. Funding for Career Connect Washington has been provided from the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and private donations. In December of 2017 the Office of the Governor announced the awarding of eight grants throughout the state totaling $6.4 million for Career Connect Washington.

Summary:

Work-Integrated Learning Initiative.

The Work-Integrated Learning Initiative (Initiative) is established. The purpose of the Initiative is to promote work-integrated learning experiences for students by providing:

"Work-integrated learning" is defined to include early, frequent, and systematic learning experiences that are essential for preparing Washington youth for high-demand, family-wage jobs in Washington, and that engage students in grades 5 through 12 or through high school dropout reengagement plans.

Applicant schools receiving funding through participation in the Initiative must meet specified requirements, including:

Matching Grant Program.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) may contract with a statewide nonprofit organization with expertise in promoting and supporting work-integrated learning from early learning through postsecondary education to establish a matching grant program to fund projects implemented by schools selected to participate in the Initiative.

The matching grant program, if established, must include the following minimum requirements for the applicant schools:

Grant funds awarded through the program may be expended only to the extent that they are equally matched by private sector cash contributions for the program. Also, by November 15, 2020, and yearly thereafter, the OSPI must provide an evaluation to the Governor and the education and economic development committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Work-Integrated Learning Advisory Committee.

The SPI, in consultation with the Employment Security Department and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board), must convene a Work-Integrated Learning Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) to provide advice to the Legislature and the education and workforce sectors on creating opportunities for students to: explore and understand a wide range of career-related opportunities through applied learning; engage with industry mentors; and plan for career and college success.

The chair or co-chairs of the Advisory Committee must be selected by its members, and staff support must be provided by the OSPI.

The Advisory Committee is tasked with:

The Advisory Committee must, at a minimum, be composed of the following members:

In addition, the Advisory Committee must convene a subcommittee that includes members representing manufacturing, industry, labor, apprenticeships, and other members with specialized expertise.

Provisions establishing the Advisory Committee and prescribing its duties expire on September 1, 2022.

Votes on Final Passage:

2017 Regular Session

House

94

4

Senate

49

0

(Senate amended)

House

(House refused to concur)

2017 First Special Session

House

90

2

2017 Second Special Session

House

91

3

2018 Regular Session

House

98

0

Senate

48

0

Effective:

June 7, 2018