SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5942

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.

Background: The Legislature has authorized school districts to contract with alternative educational service providers for students. The Washington National Guard Youth Challenge Program (Program) is one of the alternative educational providers that has been listed in statute since 2002. High school dropouts or those at risk of dropping out, ages 16–18, are eligible to apply for the 17-month Program, which includes a five-month residential phase followed by a 12-month mentoring phase. Program graduates can recover up to eight credits, which is approximately 1.3 years of high school credits. The goal is to return graduates to their home high school to graduate on time with their peers.

The Legislature created the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) in 1983. WSIPP is governed by a board of directors that represents the Legislature, Governor, and public universities. WSIPP’s mission is to conduct non-partisan research at the direction of the Legislature or board of directors. Fiscal and administrative services for WSIPP are provided by The Evergreen State College.

Summary of Bill: WSIPP must conduct a longitudinal outcome evaluation of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program to determine the impact of the Program on students as they proceed through high school and into postsecondary education or their careers. The study is a retrospective study that examines students who were in the Program up to ten years ago, depending on the data availability, and follows the students through high school and beyond. The study will examine K–12, postsecondary, employment, and other outcomes of at least three student cohorts for five years after program completion. The evaluation must compare outcomes of students who participated in the program with a similar group of eligible students who did not participate and include a cost-benefit analysis of program effectiveness. WSIPP must provide a report to the Governor and Legislature by December 15, 2016.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The National Guard started this program in Washington ten years ago and the National Guard would like to have a longitudinal study of this program. We have anecdotal stories that this program transforms lives and is effective. But a study will really tell us about the level of success of this program. The program targets dropouts. It has an intensive residential phase followed by a mentoring phase when the students are back at their residential high school. I would like to honor the National Guard by sponsoring and passing this study.