5677-SAMHHEAMH101SSB 5677H COMM AMDBy Committee on Higher EducationADOPTED AS AMENDED 3/5/04 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert thefollowing:NEW SECTION.Sec. The legislature finds that to achieve thegoals of education reform and improve student learning and achievement,the separate public education systems should strive to create aseamless system of education from grades K12 through higher education.The legislature further finds that a seamless system is a system wherethere is an easy transition from one system to another system. Thelegislature further finds that a seamless system begins with closecollaboration and coordination between the statelevel policy boards,as well as the office of the superintendent of public instruction, thecouncil of presidents, and the legislature.NEW SECTION.Sec. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 RCWto read as follows: Each year in September or December, an annual meeting shall focusattention on the practical implementation of crosssector educationpolicies. Participants in the annual meeting shall include the stateboard of education, the higher education coordinating board, the stateboard for community and technical colleges, the superintendent ofpublic instruction, the council of presidents, the work force trainingand education coordinating board, and legislators from the highereducation, education, and fiscal committees. A specific and focusedagenda for the annual meeting shall include efforts to improvearticulation among high schools and two and fouryear institutions ofhigher education; efforts to increase student success in completingmath requirements in high school and college through alignment ofstandards and improved instruction, advising, and assessment; anddevelopment of standards for the knowledge and skills students need tobe ready for collegelevel work. The council of presidents shallcoordinate the first annual meeting in 2004. Responsibility for 1 coordinating subsequent annual meetings shall rotate among the stateeducation agencies that participate in the meeting. Each year afterthe annual meeting, the coordinating agency shall summarize the resultsof the meeting and propose an action plan for the ensuing year to thehigher education and education committees of the legislature. Correct the title accordingly.--- END --- 2