SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5830

               As Passed Senate, March 15, 1995

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:  2/9/95, 2/17/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/15/95, 44-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Pelz, Vice Chair; Finkbeiner, Gaspard, Hochstatter, Johnson and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786-7422)

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 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 records of disciplinary action, to the public or private school where the student has transferred. The information must be transmitted within two school days after receiving the request, and the records sent as soon as possible.

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 records of disciplinary action, to the private school where the student has transferred.  The information must be transmitted within two school days after receiving the request, and the records sent as soon as possible.  The public school can hold the official transcript when the student has not paid a fine or fee.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill focuses on kids and the need for schools to have information to appropriately place and serve the student, whether the school is public or private.  Information can be shared, but the documents can be held until outstanding obligations are satisfied.  This facilitates sharing and provides the necessary flexibility needed by schools.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Walter Ball, AWSP; Stephen Dinger, WFIS.