HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 2SSB 5181

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to technological and vocational education.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to technological and vocational education.

Sponsor(s):  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Oke, Bailey, Rinehart, Erwin, Gaspard, Anderson, A. Smith, Metcalf, Craswell, Talmadge, Saling, Roach, Murray, Madsen, von Reichbauer, Nelson, Owen, Johnson, Newhouse, Bauer, Vognild, Barr, Rasmussen, L. Kreidler, Moore, Amondson and Thorsness).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, April 4, 1991, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 17 members:  Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Broback; Brumsickle; Cole; Dorn; Holland; P. Johnson; Jones; Neher; Orr; Phillips; Rasmussen; Roland; and H. Sommers.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

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.  It is suggested that encouraging innovations in technology and vocational education programs, providing for the integration of vocational and academic programs, improving the vocational student teacher ratio and setting standards for extended or supplemental contracts, developing course equivalencies, and improving equipment will help the education system better prepare students to enter the workforce of the 21st century.

Summary of Amended Bill:

Voc Ed Works 2000:  The Voc Ed Works 2000 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 programs through encouraging the integration of vocational and academic programs and encouraging collaboration.  Waivers of some statutes and rules are authorized.  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 are selected by the superintendent each biennium.  Initial projects will be implemented during the 1991-92 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, 1993, and every two years thereafter.  The program ends June 30, 1999.

Vocational Education Funding Formula:  Beginning with the 1991-92 school year, the formula for allocating state funds for basic education shall include a ratio of 0.92 certificated instructional staff and 0.08 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 councils on vocational education.  Local advisory councils shall be composed of members representative of the local community.

The local advisory council 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.  The plans shall be part of the current vocational education planning process.  Funds shall be used to upgrade equipment.

Vocational Agricultural Education:  Each vocational agriculture education service area shall encourage greater knowledge about environmentally sensitive agricultural and landscaping practices.

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.

Four-year colleges/universities are required to accept for admission purposes high school vocational education courses for a subject area if the course met high school graduation requirements for the same subject area.

Null and Void Clauses:  The following programs are made contingent on funding in the budget:  Voc Ed Works Program; vocational education funding formula; local planning for vocational education; and purchase of equipment.

Amended Bill Compared to Second Substitute Bill:  A provision was added that requires four-year colleges/universities to accept for admission purposes high school vocational education courses for a subject area if the course met high school graduation requirements for the same subject area.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 1991.

Testimony For:  An increasing number of national experts in education are recognizing the value and importance of vocational education.  This bill will encourage innovative vocational programs, enhance funding of vocational staff, and allow more integration between academics and vocational education.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Senator Bailey; Senator Oke; Kathleen Preston, Washington Vocational Association; and Tom Lopp, Superintendent of Public Instruction.