Brief Description: Authorizing an interim study creating a master plan for education.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Carlson, Johnson, Shin, Jacobsen, McAuliffe, Schmidt, Rasmussen and B. Sheldon).

Hearing Date: 4/1/03

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

Across the nation, governance and planning for the three levels of public education (preschool, K-12, and postsecondary) is rarely overseen by the same state agencies or legislative committees. Some states have begun to form statewide partnerships in an attempt to coordinate policies in such areas as academic preparation and achievement standards, graduation and admission requirements, and teacher preparation. These efforts are described as creating "K-16," "P-16," or "PreK-20" systems.

According to the National Conference on State Legislatures, at least 24 states have statewide K-16 partnerships, most created through agreements between agencies rather than by legislation or other directive. Washington is not listed as one of these states.

In California the K-16 effort resulted in development of a California Master Plan for Education that covers all levels and aspects of public education: preschool through postsecondary and quality, accountability, governance, and funding. A committee convened by the California Legislature in 1999 created the plan through intensive work over a three-year period. The committee formed seven working groups with legislative, education, business, and community leaders participating.

Summary of Bill:

An interim study will be conducted to make recommendations for the development of a "Master Plan for Education Prekindergarten through University." Recommendations will address issues of access, achievement, accountability, affordability, and quality of Washington's schools and institutions of higher education.

The Senate and the House of Representatives Education and Higher Education Committees make up the study group. Co-chairs are selected by the study group, with one representing K-12 education and one representing higher education.

The study group will involve various interested parties in its work, including but not limited to educators from the public and private sector (including staff, faculty, administration, and governing board members); regional and national public policy groups; state organizations; advocacy groups; researchers; business and labor leaders; community leaders; parents; and students.

An interim report is completed by December 1, 2003, and a final report by December 1, 2004.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.