SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESHB 2300

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Education, February 24, 1998

Title:  An act relating to educational pathways.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to educational pathways.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Johnson, Keiser, Huff, Talcott, Hickel, Carrell, Linville, Lisk, Veloria, Skinner, Cairnes, Mason, Lambert, Mulliken, Backlund, Mitchell, Wolfe, Constantine, Kastama, Kenney, Gardner, Benson, Ogden, Butler, Carlson, Kessler, Costa, Anderson, Conway, Lantz and McDonald).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/20/98, 2/24/98 [DP, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Hochstatter, Chair; Finkbeiner, Vice Chair; Rasmussen and Zarelli.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senator McAuliffe.

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background:  Current law requires that students achieving a certificate of mastery must be provided an opportunity by the schools to pursue career and educational objectives through educational pathways that emphasize integration of academic and vocational education.  Educational pathways may include, but are not limited to, the following programs: work-based learning, school-to-work transition, tech prep, vocational-technical education, Running Start, and preparation for technical college, community college, or university education.

Summary of Bill:  Middle, junior high, and high schools using educational pathways must ensure that all participating students have access to courses and instruction needed to meet entrance requirements at baccalaureate institutions.  A student must be permitted to enter the educational pathway of the student's choice.

Before a student is accepted into an educational pathway, the school must inform the student's parent of the pathway chosen, the opportunities available to the student through the pathway, and the career objectives the student will be exposed to while pursuing the pathway.  If a student or a student's parent is not satisfied with the opportunities available through a selected pathway, the student must be permitted to transfer to any other pathway provided in the school.

Schools may not develop educational pathways that retain students in high school beyond the date that the students are eligible to graduate.  Additionally, schools may not require students who transfer between pathways to complete pathway requirements beyond the date that the students are eligible to graduate.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will ensure that parents will be brought into the decision process regarding pathways and that students will be able to transfer to a different pathway if they need to or choose to do so.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Rep. Johnson, prime sponsor; Rainer Houser, AWSP (pro).