BILL REQ. #:  S-1123.1 

Read first time 02/04/2005.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to improving educational opportunities for low-income students; creating a new section; and making appropriations.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1    (1) The legislature finds that more than forty percent of children from high-income families received a bachelor's degree or higher within five years of high school graduation, compared with only six percent of those in the lowest income group. Opening educational opportunities for these students can address and correct this disparity. Effective mentoring programs, along with financial assistance, prepare these low-income students to succeed and achieve their educational goals.
     (2) In order to broaden higher education opportunities, the legislature supports the Washington state achievers' scholarship program. This program: (a) Provides mentoring to ensure academic support is available to students while in high school, encourages college enrollment, and gives assistance when enrolled in college; (b) identifies and reduces financial barriers to college for talented, low-income students; and (c) leverages private funding for higher education financial assistance.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The sum of one million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, from the general fund to the office of the superintendent of public instruction to support community volunteer mentors working with students selected as achievers' scholars.
     (2) The sum of one million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, from the general fund to the office of the superintendent of public instruction to support community volunteer mentors working with students selected as achievers' scholars.