SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5940
As Passed Senate, March 14, 2001
Title: An act relating to career and technical education.
Brief Description: Strengthening career and technical education.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Regala, McAuliffe, Carlson, Kohl‑Welles, Eide, Kastama, Rasmussen and Finkbeiner; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Education: 2/22/01, 2/27/01 [DPS, DNP].
Passed Senate: 3/14/01, 37-12.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5940 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Carlson, Kastama, Kohl‑Welles, Prentice, Rasmussen and Regala.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senators Hewitt, Hochstatter and Zarelli.
Staff: Kelly Simpson (786‑7403)
Background: In 1993, the Legislature enacted education reform measures that include four general student learning goals required of school districts. Goal four requires districts to provide students with opportunities to understand the importance of work and how student actions affect future career opportunities. Additionally, current high school graduation requirements adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE) require students to take a minimum of one credit of occupational education.
Summary of Bill: The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must: (1) establish standards for career and technical programs that should include specified components; and (2) recommend a system of funding the implementation of the standards. Additionally, OSPI may provide technical assistance to school districts regarding career guidance and work with stakeholders to provide for the coordination of leadership activities with the curriculum of technical education programs.
Finally, OSPI must review and approve school districts' plans for the delivery of career and technical education.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Not all students are college-bound. Many desire to go on to vocational and technical careers. This bill would create comprehensive standards for career and technical education programs, bring visibility to the issue, and help to ensure that these programs continue in the schools. Furthermore, career pathways are a major piece of education reform measures and should be developed. Finally, all students, including career and technical students, should be supported as they attempt to accomplish their goals in life.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Senator Regala, prime sponsor; Kyra Kester, OSPI; Leska Wetterauer, Puyallup SD; Doug Angell, Bothell HS; John Aultman, New Market VSC; Sally Zeiger Hanson, SBCTC; Ellen O'Brian Saunders, Workforce Bd.; Tim Knue, Kathleen Lopp, WACTE; Rainer Houser, AWSP; Larry Davis, SBE; Carol Taylor Cann, PTA; Christie Perkins, WSSEC - Spec. Ed.
House Amendment(s): The House striking amendment deletes language that (1) indicates career and technical programs prepare students for entry-level jobs and prepare students for industry certification; (2) links career and technical programs to the labor market information system; (3) relates to an FTE formula and work force development councils; and (4) requires OSPI to make funding recommendations regarding standards implementation.