SB 5677-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS PASSED 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.

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.

Provides that each year in September or December, an annual meeting shall focus attention on the practical implementation of cross-sector education policies.

Provides that 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.

Requires the council of presidents to 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.

VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5677-S

March 31, 2004

To the Honorable President and Members,

The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith, without my approval, Substitute Senate Bill No. 5677 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to cooperation among education policy boards;"

This bill would have required an annual meeting of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, and legislators from the higher education, education, and fiscal committees of the Legislature to discuss efforts and create action plans to: (1) improve articulation between high school and college, (2) align math content, instruction, standards and assessments in high school and college, and (3) develop standards for knowledge and skills needed for success in college.

Current law and other bills passed by the Legislature in the 2004 session duplicate the requirements of this bill. (See RCW 28A.305.285; Substitute House Bill No. 2382; Substitute Senate Bill No. 5139; Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2459, Section 602 (15); and Substitute House Bill 3103.)

For these reasons, I have vetoed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5677 in its entirety.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Locke

Governor