SENATE BILL REPORT
2SSB 5181
AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 19, 1991
Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to technological and vocational education.
SPONSORS: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).
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5181 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Erwin, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Craswell, Metcalf, Murray, Oke, Pelz, Rinehart, A. Smith, and Talmadge.
Staff: Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)
Hearing Dates:January 23, 1991; February 5, 1991
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Majority Report: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5181 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, L. Kreidler, Metcalf, Murray, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Rinehart, Saling, L. Smith, Talmadge, West, Williams, and Wojahn.
Staff: Bill Freund (786-7715)
Hearing Dates:March 4, 1991; March 5, 1991
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 twenty‑first century.
SUMMARY:
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 .92 certificated instructional staff and .08 certificated administrative staff to each 16.67 annual average full‑time equivalent students in grades nine through twelve 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.
Vocational Teacher Recruitment and Training: $500,000 is appropriated to help provide for the recruitment, preparation, and training of vocational teachers.
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.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: available
Effective Date: July 1, 1991
TESTIMONY FOR:
This bill provides important enhancements for vocational-technical education. Vocational education is crucial for training and preparing the workforce of tomorrow.
The bill addresses the need for reform with the integration of vocational and academic education. Maintaining state of the art equipment is always a concern. Restoration of the 16.67 funding ratio is important and helps provide stability necessary for long range planning.
Extended learning experiences will help provide learning to students beyond the regular classroom time. Because of the anticipated teacher shortage, it is critical to bring individuals out of industry and train them to become teachers.
Vocational education is often competency based helping students learn how to meet expectations. The focus is to identify and teach core skills needed for students to become successful in any trade.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED (Education): PRO: Ronald Lemon, Seattle General Advisory Committee, Boeing and Industry; Stan W. McNaughten, Seattle School District Voc Ed and Lakewood School District; Dale A. Boose, Governor's Council on Investment in Human Capital; Fay Page, Washington State Parent Teacher Association; Kathleen Preston, Washington Vocational Association; Dennis Moroney, Washington Vocational Association; Buck Evans, OSPI; Tom Lopp, OSPI; Dennis Wallace, Yelm High School; Marilyn Baker, Higher Education Coordinating Board; Larry Stanley, Association of Washington Businesses, Advisory Committee on Investment in Human Capital; John Kvamme, Tacoma School District
TESTIFIED (Ways & Means): PRO: Senator Oke, prime sponsor; William Fleet, Seattle Marriott Hotel; Jack Starr, Highline School District; Allan Bumester, North Thurston School District; Kathleen Preston, Washington Vocational Association; Cory Streeter, student; Dennis Wallace, Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association