Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 1356
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: Providing for career and technical education opportunities for middle school students.
Sponsors: Representatives Alexander, Quall, Haigh, Anderson, Sullivan, Priest, Hunter, Ormsby, Chase, Morrell, Moeller, Conway, Kenney, Goodman, Carlyle, Hunt, Maxwell, Driscoll, Simpson and Kelley; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/28/09
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383)
Background:
Current state funding formulas for public schools provide an enhancement for high school students enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) courses approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). For the 2008-09 school year, the enhancement amounts to an average of approximately $900 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student. Legislation enacted in 2007 authorized the same enhancement, to the extent that funds are provided in the operating budget, for middle school CTE programs approved by the OSPI. A middle school providing a hands-on experience in math and science with an integrated curriculum of academic content and CTE exploration also qualifies for the enhanced funding.
The 2007-09 biennial budget (as amended by the 2008 supplemental budget) provided $2.3 million for this purpose, to be allocated based on student enrollment but limited to the amount of funds provided. The OSPI distributed the funds through a competitive grant process and required schools to focus on programs rich in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Seventy-six schools received grants in the first year for 1,378 FTE students, and 69 schools received grants in the second year for serving approximately 1,250 FTE students.
To receive approval from the OSPI as a CTE course, the course must be taught by a teacher with an endorsement in CTE. There are pathways to state certification and endorsement as a CTE teacher that give credit for occupational experience in the particular specialty area of instruction. At the middle school level, relatively few teachers are endorsed in CTE. The Professional Educator Standards Board is the entity authorized to set standards for teacher certification.
Summary of Bill:
The limitation is removed that a middle school offering career and technical education (CTE) receives an enhanced funding allocation only within funds appropriated for this purpose. The CTE program must be in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) to qualify for the enhancement. The Professional Educator Standards Board must develop and implement alternative pathways to receive a CTE endorsement for middle school teachers in STEM that include passing a content knowledge test, recognition of related industry experience, or some combination of the two.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/19/2009.
Effective Date: Section 2 authorizing the funding enhancement takes effect September 1, 2009; the remainder of the bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.