BILL REQ. #:  S-2139.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/02/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to K-12 skill centers; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that skill centers provide students with high quality educational opportunities through programs that combine academics with career and technical education. The legislature also finds that skill centers provide extremely valuable support to local businesses seeking skilled entry-level employees and to communities attempting to enhance local economic development opportunities. Through skill center programs, students learn the technical knowledge and skills necessary either to pursue additional education through apprenticeships, technical schools, or institutions of higher education, or go directly into entry-level employment and begin careers. The legislature finds that skill centers permit a number of school districts to cooperatively offer programs that the school districts cannot provide individually.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   To the extent that funds are appropriated, the superintendent of public instruction shall provide incentive funds to school districts that maintain or increase the number of students attending skill centers. The purpose of the funds is to help high schools maintain programs for students remaining in the high schools in the district and to provide incentives to send students to skill centers. The superintendent of public instruction may adopt rules to implement this section.