S-1194

AN ACT Relating to programs for students with learning problems; amending RCW 28A.630.050 and 28A.630.060; adding a new section to chapter 28A.630 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 28A.630.050 and 1990 c 33 s 522 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The superintendent of public instruction ((~~may~~)) shall select at least two and up to ((~~five~~)) ten school districts to participate in a pilot program for prevention of learning problems and academic delays. The program shall begin with the 1989-90 school year and conclude at the end of the ((~~1990-91~~)) 1994-95 school year.

(2) If at the end of a pilot school year, for school years 1989-90 and 1990-91, the number of specific learning disabled students served by a participating school district in handicapped education programs has decreased as a result of the pilot project, the district shall be reimbursed based upon the number, or percentage, whichever is greater, of specific learning disabled students served in special education during the school year prior to commencement of the pilot project. These funds will be used to support the pilot project for prevention of learning problems and academic delays: PROVIDED, That school districts participating in the pilot prevention program established under this section who have ongoing pilot projects previously approved by the superintendent of public instruction shall utilize the school year prior to initiation of such pilot project as the base for the reimbursement calculation under this subsection when the number of specific learning disabled students identified has decreased as a result of participation in the pilot program established under this section. Beginning in school year 1991-92, participating districts shall be reimbursed based on four percent of the total school district full-time equivalent student enrollment.

(3) School districts applying to participate in the pilot program established under this section shall submit to the superintendent of public instruction a proposed program budget for the ((~~1989-90 school year and a preliminary budget plan for the 1990-91~~)) first school year of participation. These proposed budgets or budget plans shall outline the resources to be used by the district in the identification and early prevention of learning problems. Districts selected to participate shall submit an updated budget proposal to the superintendent of public instruction prior to the ((~~1990-91~~)) each subsequent school year.

(4) Applications submitted by school districts shall also include:

(a) Assurances that the school district will not deny access to special education programs for handicapped students entitled to services under RCW 28A.155.010 through 28A.155.100;

(b) A description of methods to be used by the district to identify students for additional instruction or other services provided under the pilot project;

(d) A plan for evaluating the effectiveness of the district's project at the end of ((~~the 1990-91~~)) each school year, using student test scores and other indicators of academic progress and, as appropriate, vocational progress, as determined by the district; and

(e) Other information as may be required by the superintendent of public instruction.

(5) For the purposes of this section, "state allocation for handicapped students" includes state handicapped education moneys allocated for students served in special education programs provided under RCW 28A.155.010 through 28A.155.100 and basic education allocations generated by such students under the state funding formula adopted pursuant to RCW 28A.150.260.

(6) This section shall expire December 31, ((~~1991~~)) 1995.

Sec. 2. RCW 28A.630.060 and 1990 c 33 s 523 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Prior to December 1, 1991, the superintendent of public instruction shall submit a report on the pilot program established under RCW 28A.630.050 to the legislature and the governor. The report shall include an analysis of the effectiveness of the program and recommendations on whether the program should be ((~~continued or~~)) expanded to other districts.

(2) Prior to December 1, 1995, the superintendent of public instruction shall submit a report on the pilot program established under RCW 28A.630.050 to the legislature and the governor. The report shall include an analysis of the effectiveness of the program and recommendations on whether the program should be continued or expanded to other districts.

(3) This section shall expire December 31, ((~~1991~~)) 1995.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall create an implementation review board for the pilot program for prevention of learning problems which shall be made up of one representative from each of the participating districts. The members of the implementation review board shall review all rules adopted by the superintendent of public instruction pertaining to this program and report to the legislature and governor before December 1, 1991, on ways to improve or reduce the paperwork necessary to conduct this program.

(2) This section shall expire December 31, 1991.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28A.630 RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction may create a new program code in the accounting manual for public school districts in the state of Washington to track expenditures and revenues related to RCW 28A.630.050 and 28A.630.060.