BILL REQ. #:  H-4436.1 

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 office of the superintendent of public instruction shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the following:
     (a) An update on the success of skills centers in assisting high school students prepare for future jobs, including the utilization of the centers, the types of programs offered in the centers, and the placement of students.
     (b) Recommendations to strengthen the ties between local school districts, skills center consortia, apprenticeship programs, and community and vocational colleges.
     (c) An analysis of the operating and capital funding challenges facing skills centers including recommendations. Such recommendations should discuss whether the skills center program should be funded in a similar way to the running start program.
     (2) At a minimum, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall consult with local high school skills center consortia, the state board for community and technical colleges, the work force training and education coordinating board, the state apprenticeship and training council, the center for career alternatives, the Washington association for career and technical education, and the Washington state work force development council.
     (3) The report is due to the appropriate committees of the legislature on December 1, 2004.