SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1646

As of March 19, 2001

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:  By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives D. Schmidt, Haigh, Talcott, Keiser, Cox, Schual‑Berke, Anderson, Pearson, Quall, Santos, Rockefeller, McDermott, Schindler, Conway, Bush, Dunn and Campbell).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  3/19/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Kelly Simpson (786‑7403)

Background:  Current law grants school districts a general power to contract.  Additionally, the law provides specific contracting authority for school districts to contract with alternative educational service providers to provide classes and other educational services for students who are likely to be expelled, have been suspended, present disciplinary problems, or are academically at risk.  Certain conditions apply when school districts contract with alternative educational service providers and the Superintendent of Public Instruction must adopt 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.  The program's mission is to provide work skills and alternative learning opportunities to meet the unique individual needs of students in order to increase positive behavioral and academic skills.  The program has a 22-week residential component, and a year-long post-residential mentoring phase.

Summary of Bill:  The Washington National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is added to the list of alternative educational service providers.  Funding must be allocated directly to the program based on statewide average rates for basic education, special education, categorical, and block grant programs.  The formula must be based on funding opening day enrollment and on one full-time equivalent student for each 100 hours of credit-generating instruction each month.  The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the Military Department, must adopt guidelines for the funding formula.  The State Board of Education must adopt rules on the acceptance of high school credits gained through the program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 23, 2001.

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