HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5830

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to student records for students transferring between private and public schools.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions for students transferring between private and public schools.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Quigley, Fairley, Loveland, Haugen, Sheldon and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  3/16/95, 3/28/95 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Brumsickle, Chairman; Elliot, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Cole, Ranking Minority Member; Poulsen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clements; Dickerson; G. Fisher; Fuhrman; Hatfield; Quall; Radcliff; Talcott; B. Thomas and Veloria.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives McMahan; Pelesky and Thompson.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  Both public and private schools have requested better access to information about students transferring to their schools.  Under current law, student information must be forwarded only when the student transfers among public schools.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Private schools are required to have a policy that when a student transfers from the private school, the school must transmit information about the student's academic performance, special placement, and disciplinary history to the public or private school where the student has transferred. The information must be transmitted by phone, FAX, or other means within two school days after receiving the request, and the records sent as soon as any obligations between the student and the school have been met.

When a student transfers from a public school to an approved private school, the public school must transmit information about the student's academic performance, special placement, and history of disciplinary action to the private school where the student has transferred.  The information must be transmitted by phone, FAX, or other means within two school days after receiving the request, and the records sent as soon as possible.  The public school may hold the official transcript when the student has not paid a fine or fee.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Language was added to clarify that private schools must send records as soon as any obligations between the student and the school have been met.  Language was added to clarify the transmission of records.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill is about the health and safety of students in both private and public schools.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Walter Ball, Association of Washington School Principals (pro).