HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1646
As Reported by House Committee On:
Education
Title: An act relating to alternative educational service providers.
Brief Description: Including the Washington national guard youth challenge program as an alternative educational service provider.
Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Schmidt, Haigh, Talcott, Keiser, Cox, Schual‑Berke, Anderson, Pearson, Quall, Santos, Rockefeller, McDermott, Schindler, Conway, Bush, Dunn and Campbell).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Education: 1/28/02, 2/5/02 [DP2S].
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Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill |
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$Includes the Washington National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program as an alternative educational service provider and describes the funding formula for students enrolled in the program.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Haigh, Vice Chair; Talcott, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Cox, McDermott, Rockefeller, Santos, Schindler, Schmidt and Upthegrove.
Staff: Susan Morrissey (786‑7111).
Background:
By law, school districts are permitted to contract with outside organizations to provide classes and other educational services for eligible students. Eligible students include students who are likely to be expelled, present disciplinary problems, or are academically at-risk. The outside organizations are called alternative education service providers. They include other schools, alternative educational service programs not operated by the school district, education centers, skills centers, dropout prevention programs, and other public and private organizations offering educational programs for these students.
For at‑risk students, the school district and the service provider must specify the specific learning standards the students are expected to achieve. In addition, the placement of the student in the provider's alternative program must be jointly determined by the school district, the student's parent or legal guardian, and the alternative education service provider. School districts may require students who would otherwise be expelled or suspended to attend a program offered by an alternative education service provider.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) adopts rules for the reporting and documentation of student enrollment in these programs.
The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is a national program that seeks to provide educational assistance, structure, and mentoring to young people who have dropped out of school. Entering students must not have been convicted of a felony and must be drug free. The program has a 22‑week residential component, and a year‑long post‑residential mentoring phase. During the residential phase, students live in dormitories and take classes that will enable them to obtain a high school diploma or GED. The residential phase is very structured and includes activities similar to basic military training. The goal of the program is to have the students who leave it return to full‑time work or school, including post‑secondary education. Sixty percent of the cost of the program is borne by the federal government. Washington does not currently participate in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, but the state is in line to receive a federal grant if the Washington National Guard is able to sponsor a program in our state.
Summary of Second Substitute Bill:
The Washington National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is added to the list of alternative education service providers. Funding for the program will be allocated directly to the Washington Military Department based on statewide average rates for basic education, special education, and categorical and block grant programs. The formula shall be based on one full-time equivalent student for each 100 hours of credit generating instruction each month. The OSPI, in consultation with the Military Department, shall adopt rules for the funding formula. The State Board of Education will adopt rules on the acceptance of high school credits gained through the program.
Second Substitute Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:
Funding for the program will be allocated to the Military Department instead of the National Guard. The funding will not be based on opening day enrollment. The OSPI will adopt rules rather than guidelines for the funding of the program.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date of Second Substitute Bill: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program is a program that has changed the lives of hundreds of young dropouts in the states in which it operates. Through the program, young dropouts receive the education and training they need to finish high school and either enter college or find gainful employment. Eighty-six percent of the participants who finish the program have entered college, finished high school, or become employed in full-time jobs. Washington is in line for a federal grant to fund 60 percent of program costs. The other 40 percent would be provided through this legislation. The National Guard is already working on possible housing and classroom sites for the program and is ready to begin once all the pieces are in place.
(Concerns with substitute bill) The mechanics of the funding formula should be refined to remove funding based on opening day enrollment.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Representative Schmidt, prime sponsor; Lee S. Legowik, Washington Military Department; and Alton McDonald, Safe School for All Children.
(With concerns) Robert Butts, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.