BILL REQ. #:  S-4486.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/11/14.   

     AN ACT Relating to calculation and allocation of appropriations for alternative learning experience courses; amending RCW 28A.232.020; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that students enrolled in alternative learning experience courses benefit from career and technical education courses as much as students enrolled in traditional courses. Alternative learning experience courses may be offered on-site in a classroom, remotely, or partially or completely online, and may include courses in career and technical education. Funding for career and technical education courses is allocated at an enhanced rate compared to other courses to reflect the higher costs of training and equipment associated with career and technical education courses and hands-on vocational education. It is the intent of the legislature that the enhanced funding allocation for career and technical education courses only apply to those alternative learning experience courses in career and technical education that offer a sufficiently hands-on vocational education experience to students and require specialized equipment or training to offer to students, to be determined by the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

Sec. 2   RCW 28A.232.020 and 2013 2nd sp.s. c 18 s 503 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall separately calculate and allocate moneys appropriated under RCW 28A.150.260 to school districts for each full-time equivalent student enrolled in an alternative learning experience course. The calculation for alternative learning experience courses other than those in career and technical education shall be based on the estimated statewide annual average allocation per full-time equivalent student in grades nine through twelve in general education, excluding small high school enhancements, and including applicable rules and provisions of the omnibus appropriations act.
     (2)(a) For students enrolled in approved alternative learning experience courses in career and technical education besides online courses as defined in RCW 28A.250.010, the office of the superintendent of public instruction may determine that the alternative learning experience course in career and technical education requires specialized equipment or training to offer that justifies an enhanced funding allocation rate. In that case, the funding calculation shall be based on the estimated statewide annual average allocation per full-time equivalent student in grades nine through twelve in career and technical education, excluding small high school enhancements, and including applicable rules and provisions of the omnibus appropriations act.
     (b) Funding for online and other alternative learning experience courses in career and technical education that do not qualify for an enhanced funding allocation rate shall be calculated based on the estimated statewide annual average allocation per full-time equivalent student in grades nine through twelve in general education, excluding small high school enhancements, and including applicable rules and provisions of the omnibus appropriations act.
     (3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction may adopt rules necessary for the implementation of this section.