SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6191

                    AS OF JANUARY 25, 1994

Brief Description:  Providing grants for school districts to develop a safe schools strategy.

SPONSORS: Senators McAuliffe, Erwin, M. Rasmussen, Bauer and Winsley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786‑7439)

Hearing Dates: January 26, 1994

BACKGROUND:

There is an increase in violence, the use of weapons, and substance abuse in communities.  This affects school students in their personal life, at school, and in the community.  Taking steps to provide students, staff, parents, and the community with skills and resources to cope with these issues can provide safer schools and communities for our children.

SUMMARY:

The office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in consultation with the Washington State Safe Schools Advisory Committee, shall award grants to school districts for the development and implementation of a comprehensive safe schools program.  To qualify for consideration for a grant a school district must create a safe schools team composed of an administrator, a teacher, a parent, a classified staff member, a student, and community members, including those involved in substance abuse prevention programs.  The safe schools team must participate in a statewide workshop to develop a safe schools program.  Additional grant application requirements are specified.

School districts receiving grants must annually report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for three years after receiving the grant.  An outside evaluator shall assess the effectiveness of the safe schools program.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall report to the Legislature on the results of the programs of the participating school districts no later than January 15, 1998. 

The OSPI, in consultation with the Washington State Safe Schools Advisory Committee, shall award grants to institutions of higher education for the development and implementation of a model conflict resolution training program to be used in teacher preparation programs.  Institutions of higher education receiving grants shall report annually, until December 1, 1997, to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education on the development and implementation of the program.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 18, 1994