5677-S AMH HE AMH101

SSB 5677 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on Higher Education

ADOPTED AS AMENDED 3/5/04

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that to achieve the goals of education reform and improve student learning and achievement, the separate public education systems should strive to create a seamless system of education from grades K-12 through higher education. The legislature further finds that a seamless system is a system where there is an easy transition from one system to another system. The legislature further finds that a seamless system begins with close collaboration and coordination between the state-level policy boards, as well as the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the council of presidents, and the legislature.

    NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 RCW to read as follows:

    Each year in September or December, an annual meeting shall focus attention on the practical implementation of cross-sector education policies. Participants in the annual meeting shall include the state board of education, the higher education coordinating board, the state board for community and technical colleges, the superintendent of public instruction, the council of presidents, the work force training and education coordinating board, and legislators from the higher education, education, and fiscal committees. A specific and focused agenda for the annual meeting shall include efforts to improve articulation among high schools and two and four-year institutions of higher education; efforts to increase student success in completing math requirements in high school and college through alignment of standards and improved instruction, advising, and assessment; and development of standards for the knowledge and skills students need to be ready for college-level work. The council of presidents shall coordinate the first annual meeting in 2004. Responsibility for coordinating subsequent annual meetings shall rotate among the state education agencies that participate in the meeting. Each year after the annual meeting, the coordinating agency shall summarize the results of the meeting and propose an action plan for the ensuing year to the higher education and education committees of the legislature."

    Correct the title accordingly.

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