HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1206

Title:  An act relating to vocational student leadership organizations.

Brief Description:  Requiring the superintendent of public instruction to maintain support for the state‑wide coordination of vocational student leadership organizations.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schoesler, Boldt, Grant, Regala, Doumit, Wolfe, McMorris, Dunn, Cole, Poulsen, DeBolt, Carlson, Honeyford, Sheahan, Johnson, Mielke, Blalock, Linville, Hatfield, Kessler, Tokuda, O'Brien, Anderson, Murray, Zellinsky, Conway, Keiser, Cooper, Scott and Butler.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  January 28, 1997.

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Joe Hauth (786-7111).

Background:

High schools offer vocational-technical programs that have several key elements: a vocationally certified instructor, an advisory committee comprised of business and industry professionals, and a student leadership component.  Vocational student leadership organizations are designed to foster student interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills within each vocational-technical program area as part of the overall  instructional program.  Such organizations may have state and national units which serve vocational programs at the local level. 

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.

The vocational-technical and adult education services division within the office of the superintendent of public instruction administers the approval process for vocational-technical programs and distributes federal and state funds.  The division also provides technical services for adult basic, industrial arts, career education, educational centers, and community schools programs.  WAC 392-105-003. 

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 superintendent of public instruction must continue to support and coordinate vocational student leadership organizations state-wide for vocational-technical programs, including:

CAgriculture;

CBusiness;

CFamily and consumer sciences;

CMarketing/diversified occupations;

CTrade/industrial;

CTechnology education; and

CHealth.

The superintendent of public instruction may contract with independent vocational student leadership organizational coordinators. 

Appropriation:  The sum of $200,000 from the general fund to the office of superintendent of public instruction.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 21, 1997.

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