SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5636

     AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 3, 1993

Brief Description:  Creating the Washington state council for lifelong learning and community involvement in education.

SPONSORS: Senators Skratek, Pelz, Drew, McAuliffe, A. Smith and M. Rasmussen

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5636 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Pelz, Chairman; McAuliffe, Vice Chairman; Gaspard, Hochstatter, McDonald, Moyer, Nelson, M. Rasmussen, Rinehart, Skratek, and Winsley.

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1993; March 3, 1933

BACKGROUND:

Many different state agencies and local community organizations provide educational services for persons of all ages.  Examples include parenting courses offered by community and technical colleges, courses such as landscape design offered in the evening by a community school located at an elementary school site, or literacy training offered by the local public library.  These opportunities are in addition to programs offered by the public schools and institutions of higher education.  Coordination of these services has been suggested to help expand learning opportunities for citizens throughout the state.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Council for Lifelong Learning and community involvement in education is created.  The council is composed of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the president of the State Board of Education, the chair of the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, the chair of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the chair of the Work-force Training and Education Coordinating Board, the chair of the Family Policy Council, the Director of the Department of Community Development, the Commissioner of the Employment Security Department, the Director of Labor and Industries, the State Librarian, and appointees by the Governor representing business, labor and other lifelong learning and community service groups.

The council is responsible for identifying programs offered by state agencies that promote lifelong learning and community involvement in education and for identifying barriers to coordination.  The council provides assistance to local communities and administers grants for coordinated programs.  The council is responsible for promoting lifelong learning programs throughout the state and helping communities exchange information.  The council is required to coordinate, to the extent possible, with other statewide organizations such as the Family Policy Council.

The council must report to the Legislature every two years, beginning in December of 1994.

Local communities may develop plans for lifelong learning and community involvement in education.  Plans submitted to the council shall identify the area served, the resources available, the lead agency, and the needs of the community.  A plan is required before a community may apply for a grant.  Communities may request technical assistance.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Responsibility for the Lifelong Learning and Community Involvement in Education Program is given to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  A new council is not created.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction is responsible for coordinating with applicable state agencies, identifying statutory changes, providing technical assistance and promoting model programs.  The appropriation is reduced from $500,000 to $49,000.

Appropriation:  $49,000

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Many communities are beginning to collaborate to provide lifelong learning programs.  With the state setting policy, further collaboration will be promoted.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Mary Gies, Washington Community Education Association (pro); Barbara Schneider, Washington Association of Partners in Education (pro); Cohl Morrissey, Tahoma School District (pro)