READ FIRST TIME 03/02/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to decreasing truancy and dropouts; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that there is a need to review current laws and rules that govern school attendance requirements. The legislature is concerned about the attendance of youth in the educational system and the impact truancy and students dropping out of school have on schools and communities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) To the extent funds are appropriated, the office of the superintendent of public instruction in conjunction with the administrative office of the courts, shall convene a work group to evaluate the following:
     (a) Review the implementation of the Becca bill and other school attendance measures to determine their consistent application across the state and their conformance with state law;
     (b) The definition of excused and unexcused absences;
     (c) Creating incentives for school districts to improve student attendance; and
     (d) Related data collection requirements on graduation, dropouts, student transfer, and other issues related to student attendance.
     (2) The work group shall include representatives of the following groups, agencies, and organizations:
     (a) The office of the superintendent of public instruction;
     (b) The state board of education;
     (c) Teachers;
     (d) School administrators;
     (e) School counselors;
     (f) Truancy officers and truancy board members;
     (g) The administrator for the courts;
     (h) Court judges;
     (i) Prosecuting attorneys;
     (j) The office of attorney general;
     (k) Institutions of higher education;
     (l) Members of the legislature; and
     (m) Other interested education organizations and personnel.
     (3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall report the findings of the work group to the governor, the state board of education, and the legislature no later than January 10, 2006.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act expires January 31, 2006.