SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5367

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 12, 2019

Title: An act relating to creating the purple star award.

Brief Description: Creating the purple star award for military friendly schools.

Sponsors: Senators Wagoner, Bailey, Warnick, Honeyford and Wilson, L..

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/08/19, 2/12/19 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Creates the Purple Star Award to recognize military friendly schools.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Wilson, C., Vice Chair; Holy, Hunt, McCoy, Mullet, Padden, Pedersen, Salomon and Wagoner.

Staff: Alex Fairfortune (786-7416)

Background: The Legislature enacted the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children in 2009 to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families due to frequent moves and deployment of their parents. Article VIII of the Compact requires each member state to have a state council to coordinate compliance with the provisions of the compact. The membership of the state council must, at a minimum include:

the state superintendent of public instruction;
a superintendent of a school district with a high concentration of military children;
a representative from a military installation;
one representative each from the legislative and executive branches of government;
the state's compact commissioner who serves on the interstate council as well;
the state military family education liaison; and
other offices and stakeholder groups the state council deems appropriate.

Summary of Bill: The Purple Star Award is created to recognize military friendly schools that complete certain required and optional activities. The Purple Star Award must be awarded by the state council every two years beginning in 2020.

Required Activities. To be eligible for the Purple Star Award, a school must complete two required activities. First, the school must establish a staff point of contact for military students and families. This staff member must serve as the primary liaison between the family and the school, and work jointly with the state military family education liaison. They must also complete professional development on special considerations for military students and families, and inform teachers of these considerations when military-connected students have been identified. Second, a school must maintain a dedicated page on its website featuring resources for military families.

Optional Activities. A school must also complete at least one optional activity to be eligible for the Purple Star Award. These include (1) providing professional development for additional staff on special considerations for military students and families; (2) having the local school district board of directors pass a resolution publicizing the school's support for military children and families; or (3) hosting a military recognition event that demonstrates a military friendly culture.

State Council Responsibilities. The state council must create an application for the Purple Star Award, establish a timeline for application review, and develop criteria to be used when selecting recipients. The council must also determine if there are a limited or unlimited number of awards available, and if an awarded school may apply again in subsequent years.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 25, 2019.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is feel good bill. This program is already used in the state of Ohio. It is a challenge for kids to be the new kids every two to three years and this is an opportunity to participate in a program that lessens that burden. Fiscal impact will be low. Recognition is important and it motivates people. This bill gives schools a chance to be recognized and motivate them to be accepting of military families and children.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Keith Wagoner, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.