HB 3082

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 3082

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Creating the sustainable environment culminating project grant program.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh, Priest, Quall, Seaquist, Dunshee, Sullivan and Ormsby.

Brief Summary of Bill

Establishes a competitive grant program to support environmentally related culminating projects.

Subject to funding, directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to work with nonprofit grant recipients to implement a statewide online database related to culminating projects.

Hearing Date: 2/4/08

Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).

Background:

Completion of a culminating project is one of the requirements for graduation from high school. Through a culminating project, students demonstrate their learning competencies and preparations related to the following learning goals:

thinking analytically, logically, and creatively;
integrating experience and knowledge to form reasoned judgments and solve problems; and
understanding the importance of work and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities.

School districts define, in written policies, the process to implement and assess this graduation requirement.

Summary of Bill:

A grant program is created to establish a regional approach to providing environmentally related culminating project opportunities for students. Educational Service Districts (ESDs) will disburse funds, on a competitive basis, to nonprofit organizations. The ESDs may pool grant funds and award a single grant to a single nonprofit organization.

Grant recipients must provide assistance to school districts such as instructional resources and support, professional development and equipment sharing, and the provision of sample curricula and project ideas. The culminating projects which are developed shall allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and leadership skills in a real-world, hands-on context. Students shall be provided the opportunity to interact with scientists, as well as policymakers and local leaders, and to use scientific protocols to share data and compare findings. A community mentoring component is required.

Grant recipients must report to the ESDs and the Legislature by December of 2009. These reports shall include the number of students served, the types and number of culminating projects completed, and feedback from students and teachers.

Subject to funding, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) shall work with the nonprofit grant recipients to implement a statewide online project database in which students can connect to project opportunities and where students may post their own projects. This database shall be housed and managed by the OSPI. .

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 1, 2008.

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