SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6471

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                  Education, January 23, 1996

Title:  An act relating to updating terminology relating to vocational education.

Brief Description:  Updating terminology relating to vocational education.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Kohl, Prince, Rasmussen, Bauer, Wood, Drew, Sheldon, Johnson, Haugen, Pelz, Oke, Goings and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  1/19/96, 1/23/96 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6471 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: Vocational education has expanded and changed over time.  Some view the term vocational education as outdated and not descriptive of the curriculum or skills currently taught in the programs. 

Summary of Substitute Bill: Terminology in the education code is changed from "vocational education" to "professional technical and vocational education."

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute also changes the terminology in the statutes governing the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  We support the bill but request that the changes also be made to the statutes governing the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.  This would keep the terminology consistent throughout the statutes addressing vocational education.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ellen O'Brien Saunders, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.