Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Appropriations Committee

HB 1969

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: Promoting predictable funding for school districts that provide residential education.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh, Appleton, Kagi, Seaquist, Hurst, O'Brien, Morrell, Green, Dickerson and Sullivan.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires allocations to school districts for institutional education programs not be less than 90 percent of allocations from the prior year, beginning in the 2009-10 school year.

Hearing Date: 1/19/10

Staff: Ben Rarick (786-7349).

Background:

The state funds a 220-day educational program for children in certain institutions. Institutional education funding is allocated to local school districts, educational service districts, or other entities that provide the educational program on a monthly basis. The five types of institutions receiving institutional education program funding are:

  1. Residential habilitation centers, which provide 24-hour-a-day care of children with disabilities. The disabilities range from profoundly mentally retarded, physically impaired, or severe behavior disorders. There are three centers maintained by the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Mental Health of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

  2. State group homes, which provide 24-hour-a-day services for adjudicated youth. There are six group homes maintained by the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration of the DSHS.

  3. Institutions for juvenile delinquents, which provide 24-hour-a-day diagnosis, confinement, and rehabilitation of juveniles committed by the courts. There are five institutions maintained by the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration of the DSHS.

  4. County detention centers, which provide 24-hour-a-day treatment and care for juveniles who have been placed under protective custody or have committed a criminal offense. There are 21 centers maintained by county governments.

  5. State corrections facilities, which provide 24-hour-a-day incarceration of adults and juveniles committed as adults. Institutional education funding is provided for the education of juveniles under 18 years of age. There is one correctional facility operated by the Department of Corrections that houses juvenile inmates.

State funding for each type of institution is provided based on a formula similar to the basic education funding formula. Each full-time equivalent student generates staff units, which in turn generate dollars for salaries, benefits, and other costs of the program. Institutional education allocations are based on annual average full-time equivalent student enrollment, which reflect the average of student counts taken once per month throughout the year.

During the 2007-2008 school year, there were approximately 1,573 full time equivalent students served through institutional educational programs. The average per student allocation was approximately $11,943. The 2007-2009 budget included approximately $38.9 million for institutional education funding.

Summary of Bill:

Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, each school district shall receive allocations for institutional education that are not less than 90 percent of the prior year's allocation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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