H-4287.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2697
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 54th Legislature 1996 Regular Session
By Representative Schoesler
Read first time 01/16/96. Referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to vocational student leadership organizations; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes the benefit of vocational student leadership organizations in preparing students for work force experiences beyond high school. Through the efforts of these organizations students receive opportunities to develop leadership and vocational skills that may not otherwise be attained through classroom activities.
The unique opportunities created by these organizations assist students in the development of important interpersonal and communication skills necessary for the critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making responsibilities of daily work force activities. The emphasis of these skills as essential to successful participation in our work force focuses student attention to the applicability of education and training to gainful employment.
These organizations are successful in promoting and connecting student learning to work force application while maintaining emphasis on individual student performance and personal development. Participating students develop high performance standards and work ethics through exposure to varied work environments, interactions with community and business leaders, and increased knowledge of employer expectations of performance. These interactions assist students in determining short and long-term employment goals and confirm the importance of education as a key to successful participation in our work force.
These organizations also provide valuable opportunities for communities, businesses, and families to become actively involved with local schools. Their involvement creates direct interactions between students and community leaders that increase the student's sense of community responsibility, the importance of individual involvement in community activities and work force efforts, and provide students with important role models in their own communities. Through this exposure students become positive role models and effective leaders within our schools, accentuating emphasis on the value of work and high standards for achievement.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
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 shall maintain support for the state-wide coordination of these organizations and shall recognize the appropriateness of their role in making meaningful connections between vocational and academic education. Whereas the funding for these programs has traditionally been provided through federal appropriations, should those resources be reduced or eliminated, the state shall support the continuation of these organizations to promote the integration of vocational and academic learning, develop student leadership, and enhance citizenship responsibilities.
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