SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6389
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. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, January 29, 2018
Title: An act relating to career and technical education in alternative learning experience programs.
Brief Description: Regarding career and technical education in alternative learning experience programs.
Sponsors: Senators Zeiger, Hobbs, Wellman and Hasegawa.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/25/18, 1/29/18 [DP-WM, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Zeiger, Ranking Member; Hawkins, Hunt, Padden, Pedersen and Rivers.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Rolfes, Vice Chair; Billig and Mullet.
Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)
Background: Alternative-Learning Experience. Alternative-learning experience (ALE) courses are courses with learning activities that occur either in part or wholly outside of a regular classroom setting. These courses may include components of direct instruction, and are supervised, monitored, assessed, evaluated, and documented by a certificated teacher employed by the school district. All ALE courses are subject to a student learning plan, implemented according to district rules and policies.
Vocational Courses. Vocational and career and technical education (CTE) courses are designed to give students technical or skill training in a variety of fields. These courses are often offered by community or technical colleges with equivalent credits at the high school level. CTE courses are also available through the ALE program.
Students enrolled in vocational courses are funded at an enhanced rate. In the 2018-19 school year, the regular student rate will be $7,486.09, with an enhanced CTE rate of $8,333.09. In 2016-17, there were 930.69 full-time equivalent students in CTE ALE courses.
Summary of Bill: Allocated state funding for students in vocational ALE courses including vocational program funding enhancements, is required.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: With high-demand for CTE courses, funding enhancements would help provide additional offerings for students. Higher-level ALE courses require funds to hire quality teachers and offer better educational pathways for students who are not necessarily college-bound. Increased funding towards ALE courses would help with the integrity of CTE coursework.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Hans Zeiger, Prime Sponsor; Rebecca Wallace, Executive Director of CTE, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Rhett Nelson, Director of Alternative Learning, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Mark Christiano, Washington Virtual Academy; Carolyn Logue, K-12, Inc.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.