SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHJM 4020

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Education, February 24, 2000

Brief Description:  Requesting a review of special education paperwork.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Wensman, Quall, Cox, Keiser, Talcott, Rockefeller, Thomas, Haigh, Carlson, Schindler, D. Schmidt, Sump, Mulliken, Benson, Barlean, H. Sommers, Pennington, Lisk, Dunn, Delvin, McDonald, Schual‑Berke, O'Brien and Esser).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/16/2000, 2/24/2000 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Brown, Goings, Hochstatter, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background:  Currently there is no model form that captures all the federal, state, and local reporting requirements for the special education program.  The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is revising a set of standard Washington forms.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The Legislature asks that Congress pass, and the President approve, legislation that requires a review of special education paperwork.  Congress is encouraged to provide a set of model forms at the federal level to determine the most appropriate amount and type of paperwork needed to protect students while helping them achieve their educational goals.  The federal model forms should be coordinated with Washington State=s model forms.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  A request for model forms at the federal level is added.  The amendment removed language:  addressing Washington=s lack of knowledge as to who is responsible for the excess special education paperwork; committing the Superintendent of Public Instruction, local school districts and others to work to limit the amount of paperwork; and that the parents and teachers of special education students should determine the type and amount of paperwork that is appropriate.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  Special education teachers are spending an inordinate amount of time on paperwork.  There are reporting requirements at the federal, state, and local levels.  The redundant reporting could be reduced without taking away any protections for the students.  Encouraging school districts to use the set of state-developed forms instead of district forms will eliminate a lot of paper while still having enough information to assure accountability.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO: Representative Mike Wensman, prime sponsor; PRO w/concerns:  Christie Perkins, Special Education Coalition.