BILL REQ. #:  S-0345.2 

Read first time 01/17/2007.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to workplace entrepreneurial training for youth; amending RCW 28A.300.230, 28A.300.235, and 28A.630.881; adding a new section to chapter 28C.18 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; recodifying RCW 28A.630.881; and making appropriations.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 28A.300.230 and 1991 c 238 s 140 are each amended to read as follows:
     The legislature finds that global competition requires an alignment between economic development and workforce development and that the needs of the workforce and the economy necessitate enhanced vocational education opportunities in secondary education including entrepreneurial training and curriculum which integrates vocational and academic education. In order for the state's workforce to be competitive in the world market, employees need to understand how businesses operate and become successful. They also need competencies in both vocational/technical skills and in core essential competencies such as English, math, science/technology, geography, history, and critical thinking. Curriculum which integrates vocational and academic education reflects that many students learn best through applied learning, and that students should be offered flexible education opportunities which prepare them for both the world of work and for higher education.

Sec. 2   RCW 28A.300.235 and 1991 c 238 s 141 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall, with the advice of the workforce training and education coordinating board, develop model curriculum integrating vocational and academic education at the secondary level. The curriculum shall integrate vocational education for gainful employment with education in the academic subjects of English, math, science/technology, geography, and history, and with education in critical thinking. Upon completion, the model curriculum shall be provided for consideration and use by school districts.
     (2) The superintendent of public instruction shall, with the advice of the workforce training and education coordinating board, distribute grants for entrepreneurial education and development programs. School districts may apply for and administer these grants independently or jointly with other school districts or educational service districts.
     (a) The grants may be expended on proven effective programs including: Specialized curriculum for entrepreneurial studies offered as stand-alone classes or integrated into existing subjects; extended learning activities and use of volunteer instructors for classroom instruction; summer camps; weekend or evening workshops; creation of student enterprises; business plan competition; mentoring; and teacher training.
     (b) In selecting projects for grant awards, the superintendent of public instruction shall give additional consideration to applicants whose proposals include collaboration with community or business organizations or financial institutions.
     (c) Grant awards must be for new projects or expansion of existing projects. Those grant applicants with existing projects must show that the funds awarded will not go to the maintenance of effort of existing projects but will be used to carry out new or expanded activities.

Sec. 3   RCW 28A.630.881 and 1997 c 58 s 304 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds that students who do not prepare for postsecondary education, training, and employment are more likely to become dependent on state assistance programs than those who do make such preparation and that long-term employment and earning outcomes for youth can be significantly improved through school-to-work transition efforts, particularly through work-based learning experiences. The legislature intends that every effort be made to involve all youth in preparation for postsecondary education, training, and employment, including out-of-school youth.
     (2) The superintendent of public instruction shall, with the advice of the workforce training and education coordinating board, distribute grants for school-to-work transition programs. School districts may apply for and administer these grants independently or jointly with other school districts or educational service districts.
     (a) In selecting programs for grant awards, the superintendent of public instruction shall give additional consideration to applicants whose proposals include collaboration with community organizations or local businesses.
     (b) Grant awards must be for new projects or expansion of existing projects. Those grant applicants with existing projects must show that the funds awarded will not go to the maintenance of effort of existing projects but will be used to carry out new or expanded activities.
     (3) Washington is engaged in developing school-to-work transitions for all youth, which involves preparation for postsecondary education, training, and employment and requires outreach to out-of-school youth. All school-to-work transition projects in the state, therefore, whether funded by state or federal funds, shall contain an outreach component directed toward school-age youth not currently enrolled in school and demonstrate the involvement of all in-school youth in preparation for postsecondary education or training or employment. At the time a school-to-work grant is made, the superintendent of public instruction shall withhold twenty percent of the grant award and release the funds upon a showing that the project has satisfactorily included outreach to out-of-school youth and progress in involving students not traditionally engaged in preparation for postsecondary education, training, or employment.
     (((3))) (4) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide technical assistance to ensure that school districts establish and operate outreach efforts under this section, and to include out-of-school youth in school-to-work efforts within available funds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 28C.18 RCW to read as follows:
     In addition to any youth training activities that federal regulations require of local workforce development councils, the councils shall offer entrepreneurial training opportunities to youth.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   RCW 28A.630.881 is recodified as a new section in chapter 28A.300 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   (1) The sum of two million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the biennium ending June 30, 2009, for the purposes of RCW 28A.300.235(2).
     (2) The sum of two million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the biennium ending June 30, 2009, for the purposes of section 3(2) of this act.