FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6447

                          C 293 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Adopting a formula for transmitting funds for transfer students.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senator Prince)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

BACKGROUND:

In 1990, legislation was enacted to increase students' and parents' options in choosing what school district students attended.  Under this "choice program," procedures were established when resident school districts were required to release students, and nonresident school districts were required to adopt policies about accepting out-of-district students.  According to a December 1993 report from the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 1.5 percent of the student population, or 14,000 students, chose to attend schools in districts in which they did not live.

In 1993, legislation was enacted prohibiting the charge of transfer fees or tuition.

SUMMARY:

School districts may refuse admission to nonresident students if admitting the students would be a financial hardship to the district.

The House and Senate Education Committees are directed to study issues associated with transfer fees and report their findings to the Legislature by December 31, 1994.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    45   0

House     96   0    (House amended)

Senate    41   5    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1994