BILL REQ. #:  S-4599.1 

Read first time 01/25/2006.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to college and career readiness centers; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes that the state has committed itself to providing educational opportunities to students until age twenty-one or until they receive a high school diploma, whichever occurs first. The legislature further recognizes that the purpose of education reform has been to assure that all students are provided a rigorous educational experience that will prepare them for college or the work force. The legislature understands, however, that all students have different learning styles and learn at different rates and that some may require more time to earn a diploma than the standard four years of high school. For these older students, the legislature recognizes that additional opportunities outside of the traditional high school classroom may be necessary. It is the intent of the legislature to explore what learning environments are best suited to helping these students access the knowledge and skills necessary to become college or career ready.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) To the extent funds are appropriated, the office of the superintendent of public instruction in conjunction with the higher education coordinating board and the state board for community and technical colleges, shall convene a work group to explore the creation of college and career readiness centers as a way to provide additional learning opportunities for students between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one who were unable to graduate from high school with their peers but wish to continue their education and earn a diploma. The work group shall, at a minimum, consider the following issues:
     (a) Where college and career readiness centers should be located;
     (b) How to best administer the educational program at the centers in order to provide students with a flexible learning environment that accommodates the needs of older students;
     (c) How students should be provided information about college and career readiness centers;
     (d) Funding mechanisms for college and career readiness centers; and
     (e) Eligibility criteria for college and career readiness centers.
     (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 and faculty from the K-12 and higher education system;
     (d) School administrators;
     (e) School counselors;
     (f) Institutions of higher education;
     (g) Skill centers; and
     (h) Other interested organizations and personnel.
     (3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall report the findings of the work group under this section to the state board of education and the legislature no later than January 10, 2007.