BILL REQ. #:  Z-0551.1 

Read first time 01/28/09.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to middle school career and technical education; amending RCW 28A.230.130; adding a new section to chapter 28A.660 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that significant efforts are under way to improve mathematics and science instruction in Washington's public schools through development and adoption of new learning standards, identification of aligned curriculum, and expanded opportunities for professional development for teachers. A significant emphasis has also been made on improving career and technical education programs focused on high-demand programs. Middle schools have successfully served one thousand four hundred full-time equivalent students in career and technical programs rich in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through a grant program. The legislature concludes that opportunities for hands-on and applied learning in these programs should be extended to middle school students on an ongoing, statewide basis so that students are prepared to take advantage of more advanced coursework in high school and postsecondary education.

Sec. 2   RCW 28A.230.130 and 2007 c 396 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All public high schools of the state shall provide a program, directly or in cooperation with a community college or another school district, for students whose educational plans include application for entrance to a baccalaureate-granting institution after being granted a high school diploma. The program shall help these students to meet at least the minimum entrance requirements under RCW 28B.10.050.
     (2) All public high schools of the state shall provide a program, directly or in cooperation with a community or technical college, a skills center, an apprenticeship committee, or another school district, for students who plan to pursue career or work opportunities other than entrance to a baccalaureate-granting institution after being granted a high school diploma. These programs may:
     (a) Help students demonstrate the application of essential academic learning requirements to the world of work, occupation-specific skills, knowledge of more than one career in a chosen pathway, and employability and leadership skills; and
     (b) Help students demonstrate the knowledge and skill needed to prepare for industry certification, and/or have the opportunity to articulate to postsecondary education and training programs.
     (3) ((Within funds specifically appropriated therefor,)) A middle school that receives approval from the office of the superintendent of public instruction to provide a career and technical program in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics directly to students shall receive funding at the same rate as a high school operating a similar program. Additionally, a middle school that provides a hands-on experience in ((math and)) science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with an integrated curriculum of academic content and career and technical education, and includes a career and technical education exploratory component shall also qualify for the career and technical education funding.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.660 RCW to read as follows:
     The professional educator standards board shall develop and implement alternative pathways to endorsement for individuals to become certified to teach career and technical education at the middle school level in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The pathways shall offer endorsement to individuals who pass an appropriate content knowledge assessment for the endorsement area, recognize a minimum level of related industry experience in the endorsement area, or a combination thereof.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Section 2 of this act takes effect September 1, 2009.