Read first time 01/27/2004.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to studying the expansion of high school skills centers; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that local skills centers provide excellent opportunities for high school students to receive job training as part of the public educational system at no cost to the student. The legislature further finds that students learn the technical knowledge and skills to either gain advanced placement in apprenticeships, technical schools, two-year and four-year colleges and universities, or go directly to entry-level employment in a vocation. The legislature recognizes that these centers are extremely valuable tools for preparing students for future careers and supporting local businesses and economic development. The legislature finds that expansion of skills centers will benefit students, businesses, and local communities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall conduct a study of the vocational skills centers in Washington's public K-12 educational system. The review shall include:
     (a) An update on the success of skills centers in assisting high school students prepare for future jobs, including the utilization of centers, the types of progress offered in the centers, and the placement of students;
     (b) An analysis of the annual fiscal resources available for these skills centers, including a breakdown of federal, state, local, and private funding;
     (c) A description and analysis of any conflicts between the resource requirements of these skills centers and those of the school districts that are part of the consortium supporting the skills centers; and
     (d) A description and analysis of those factors that both encourage and discourage student enrollments in the skills centers from participating school districts.
     (2) At a minimum, the committee shall consult with local high school skills center consortia, the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, the work force training and education coordinating board, the state apprenticeship and training council, and the center for career and technical education.
     (3) In conducting this study, the committee may select a sample of skills centers that reflect regional differences within the state. A report shall be submitted to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature by March 15, 2005.