BILL REQ. #:  H-4229.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/07/12.   

     AN ACT Relating to establishing Washington works payments to increase graduation rates, address critical skill shortages, increase student success, and narrow the educational opportunity gap; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1)(a) The Washington works indicators work group is established, with eleven members as provided in this subsection:
     (i) One member representing each of the four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, appointed by the governing board of each institution;
     (ii) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (iii) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate; and
     (iv) One member representing and appointed by the governor.
     (b) The work group shall choose its chair from among its membership.
     (c) The council of presidents shall convene the initial meeting of the work group, provide staff support for the work group, and also pay expenses of the work group.
     (2) The work group shall develop a recommended plan for measuring, providing incentives for, and rewarding performance of four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016.
     (a) The work group shall examine and recommend appropriate metrics for measuring performance, which may include, but are not limited to:
     (i) Increasing graduation and completion rates, increasing graduation and completion rates in fields addressing critical skill shortages, increasing employment and continued education after graduation or completion, and narrowing the educational opportunity gap for disadvantaged students and minority students; and
     (ii) Making progress on statewide and institution-specific performance measures as demonstrated by data recommended by a national organization representing state chief executives and other data reported pursuant to RCW 28B.76.270.
     (b) The work group shall also design and recommend an appropriate means of rewarding performance, which shall be based on the student achievement initiative used to measure and reward performance of community and technical colleges, but may be modified to reflect the role and mission of the four-year institutions.
     (3) The work group shall report on its recommended plan to the legislature and the governor by December 1, 2012.
     (4) This section expires July 1, 2013.