Brief Description: Developing integrated academic and career and technical field of study programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Ormsby, Priest, Quall, Jarrett, Haler, P. Sullivan, Fromhold, Schual-Berke, Orcutt, Hunter, Linville, Kenney, Conway, Wood, Simpson and Hudgins.

Hearing Date: 2/23/07

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

In August 2006, Congress reauthorized the Perkins Act, the major source of federal funding for career and technical education (CTE) programs at the secondary and postsecondary level. One of the new features of the law is a requirement that states and local school districts create CTE "programs of study" which are recommended sequences of courses that career-oriented students should follow to ensure their education is both academically rigorous and of high technical quality. Programs of study are also intended to include options for dual credit, lead to an industry-recognized credential at the postsecondary level, and address emerging occupations.

In 2006, the Legislature enacted a number of laws pertaining to CTE. High schools are required to identify course equivalencies where CTE courses with high academic content can count as academic credits on a student's transcript and for graduation. A CTE collection of evidence was authorized as an alternative assessment to the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) for students in certain CTE programs leading to industry certification. Running Start for the Trades pilot projects and incentive grants were established to promote secondary pre-apprenticeship programs.

Summary of Bill:

Subject to funding, the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) provides grants to up to four partnerships to develop CTE fields of study programs in high demand fields. The partnerships are comprised of high schools, local workforce development councils, skills panels, community and technical colleges, apprenticeship councils, and other business and labor organizations.

Grant recipients develop and deliver an integrated curriculum in a high demand field of study such as health care, trades, mechanics and engineering, or other field.

Grant funds are for start-up costs, primarily to develop curriculum and assessments and provide professional development for teachers. Grant funds can also be used to upgrade equipment in the program to meet industry standards.

The curriculum and instruction in a field of study program must:

• integrate core academics (such as reading, writing, and mathematics) and high quality career and technical preparation based on industry standards for that field;
• be coherent, sequenced, and articulated to community and technical college courses to provide dual credit and direct transfer to post-secondary education; and
• emphasize projects and application of knowledge and skills and provide extensive opportunities for work-based learning and internships.

Students who are struggling with core academic skills receive supplemental assistance and instruction within the program, including assistance to create a CTE collection of evidence as an alternative assessment to the WASL. With assistance from the SPI and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, grant recipients also develop end-of-course assessments for their program that integrate academic and technical knowledge and skills. The Legislature's intent is to use these assessments as prototypes for possible future additional alternative assessments to the WASL for CTE students.

The grant program expires July 1, 2009.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.