HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2697

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to vocational student leadership organizations.

Brief Description:  Requiring the state to continue funding vocational student leadership organizations.

Sponsors:  Representative Schoesler.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Education:  1/23/96, 2/2/96 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 19 members:  Representatives Brumsickle, Chairman; Elliot, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Vice Chairman; Cole, Ranking Minority Member; Keiser, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clements; Fuhrman; Hatfield; Linville; McMahan; Pelesky; Poulsen; Quall; Radcliff; Smith; Talcott; B. Thomas; Thompson and Veloria.

Staff:  Cheri Keller (786-7093).

Background:  There are five state-wide vocational student leadership organizations whose major role is to develop leadership skills for the students who are enrolled in vocational technical education programs in schools and skills centers.  The organizations are Future Farmers of America, Future Business Leaders of America, Future Homemakers of America, Distributive Education Clubs of America, and Vocational Industrial Clubs of America.

Vocational student leadership organizations prepare students for workforce experiences beyond high school.  Through the efforts of these organizations, students receive opportunities to develop leadership and vocational skills that may not be attained through classroom activities.  These organizations create opportunities for students to develop interpersonal and communication skills necessary for the critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making responsibilities of daily work force activities.

These organizations also provide opportunities for communities, businesses, and families to become actively involved with local schools. 

The funding for these programs has traditionally been provided through federal appropriations.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature recognizes the necessity of maintaining and promoting vocational student leadership organizations as an integral component of vocational technical education programs.  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is instructed to maintain support for the state-wide coordination of these organizations and to recognize the appropriateness of their role in making meaningful connections between vocational and academic education. 

If federal appropriations supporting these organizations are reduced or eliminated, the state shall promote and maintain them.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Vocational Student Organizations provide an excellent means for students to apply the skills they learn in the classroom in a way which makes the students better prepared to go to college and tackle the job market.  They are the reason that some students decide to stay in school and help motivate other students to be leaders of their communities, now and in the future.  Professional skills are developed through competitions, and presentation and collaboration skills are developed through leadership activities.  A major factor in the success of the vocational student organizations is the strong support that we receive from the state. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Schoesler, prime sponsor; Tanya Leithold, Jean Powell, Matt Smith, Greg Moreno, Marci Kison and Jared Templin, students (pro); and Jean Ameluxen, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (pro).