SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2359

           AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 24, 1992

Brief Description:  Creating the academic and vocational integration development program.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Dorn, Neher, Peery, Winsley, Riley, Brough, Ebersole, Ferguson, Rasmussen, Mielke, Grant, Tate, Pruitt, Orr, Rayburn, Inslee, Jacobsen, G. Fisher, Kremen, G. Cole, J. Kohl, Mitchell, Ogden and Valle)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Erwin, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Craswell, Metcalf, Murray, Oke, Pelz, Rinehart, A. Smith, and Talmadge.

Staff:  Larry Davis (786‑7422)

Hearing Dates: February 20, 1992; February 24, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Employers, students, parents and others have expressed concern that high school curriculum does not adequately prepare students for obtaining jobs when students graduate.  This is especially a problem for students who do not continue their education.  In addition, it is felt that efforts are needed to make high school curriculum much more relevant to the student, thus making it more interesting.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) shall establish an academic and vocational integration development grant program.  The projects shall combine academic and vocational education into a single instructional system that is responsive to the educational needs of all students in secondary schools. 

Goals of the projects shall include:

(1)Integration of vocational and academic instructional curriculum;

(2)Emphasis on increased vocational, personal, and academic guidance and counseling; and

(3)Active participation of educators, employers, private and public community service providers, parents, and community members in the development and operation of the project.

The SPI shall select projects for grant awards, and monitor and evaluate the projects.  SPI also shall appoint a 10-member task force to advise the agency on the application, selection, monitoring, and evaluation of projects.

Initial applications shall be submitted to SPI not later than June 1, 1992.  Subject to available funding, additional applications may be submitted by November 1 of subsequent years.  The initial projects shall commence with the 1992-93 school year and may be conducted for up to six years.  The grant program expires June 30, 1999.

Application requirements are specified, including specific activities to be carried out as part of the project; budget plan for the project; identification of the evaluation and accountability processes to be used to measure school-wide student and project performance; identification and justification of any request for waiver of specific state statutes or administrative rules; and evidence that the school district employs a certified vocational education administrator.

Applicants may request the following waivers from the State Board of Education or the Superintendent of Public Instruction; length of the school year; teacher contact hour requirements; program hour offerings; teacher to student ratios; salary lid compliance requirements; the commingling of funds appropriated categorically for programs such as, but not limited to, highly capable students, transitional bilingual instruction, and learning assistance.

The SPI shall provide technical assistance to the selected projects and share information about the projects and program through the state clearinghouse for education information.  The SPI reports by December 15 of odd-numbered years to the Legislature on the progress of the projects under the academic and vocational integration development program.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Language is added to clarify the state Superintendent is to provide projects with technical assistance in coordination with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board, and the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The specific list of waivers from state requirements which projects can request is deleted and the State Board of Education and the state Superintendent are authorized to grant waivers consistent with law.

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill encourages integration of vocational and academic curriculum which will make learning more relevant and practical for students.  Academic skills can be reinforced through vocational education.  Integration is needed.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Rep. Randy Dorn; Gordy Peters, student and President, Washington State Chapter, Vocational Industrial Clubs of America; Kathleen Lopp, Washington Vocational Association; Tom Lopp, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Marilyn Ash, Washington Association of Vocational Administrators; Michael Hickman, Washington Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association; Rochelle Blackman, teacher, North Thurston High School; Stephanie Davis, Mike Norris, students, North Thurston High School