SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6269

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 6, 1992

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to special educational services demonstration projects.

SPONSORS: Senators Bailey, Rinehart, Bauer, Pelz, Murray and Oke

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)

Hearing Dates: February 6, 1992

BACKGROUND:

In 1991 the Legislature enacted Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1329.  The legislation was designed to encourage school districts, individually and cooperatively, to develop innovative special services demonstration projects to promote the efficient use of resources and increase student funding.  Additional purposes of the legislation included promoting noncategorical approaches to special service programs, to develop efficient and cost-effective means for identifying learning disabled students, and to grant waivers from state rules, especially those exceeding federal requirements.  The legislation authorized between ten and 25 school districts to be selected to participate. 

Seattle, Edmonds, and Olympia are the three districts that have been selected currently.  Between seven and 22 more districts will be selected.  The projects are authorized through the 1994-95 school year.

Due to the method for calculating funding, several districts have decided not to apply to participate in the pilot program.

SUMMARY:

The intent of the legislation authorizing special services demonstration projects is expanded to include discouraging unnecessary labeling of students when providing state funding for needed services.

The mechanism for funding the pilot programs is changed.  The  current method of each year determining the funding based upon the average for the past three years is eliminated and the projects will be funded on the average of the kindergarten through twelfth grade enrollment for the 1990-91 school year. This would apply to the handicapping conditions selected for the program.  The handicapping conditions are specified to include in addition to learning disabled, health impaired, mildly mentally retarded, and developmentally delayed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 6, 1992