AN ACT Relating to primary block education; adding new sections to chapter 28A.03 RCW; creating a new section; and making appropriations.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28A.03 RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall develop a model plan for providing support and technical assistance to school districts deciding to develop and implement programs in "continuous progress" or "primary block" education in grades kindergarten through three. The model shall be designed to provide support and technical assistance for district-developed programs that emphasize student progress in and through grades kindergarten through three based on ability and skill rather than age.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.03 RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction may establish a program to award funds on a grant basis to school districts for pilot primary block education programs. If the superintendent establishes the program, the superintendent shall adopt rules under chapter 34.04 RCW establishing evaluative criteria for the selection of pilot primary block education programs and the award of grants for the programs. The superintendent of public instruction may appoint an advisory committee to assist in establishing the criteria for the selection of pilot primary block education programs and to make recommendations to the superintendent regarding the award of grants.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28A.03 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Pursuant to the establishment of a program to award grants to school districts for pilot primary block education programs as provided under section 2 of this act, school districts shall be required to submit written grant applications to the superintendent of public instruction no later than July 1 of any state fiscal year in which funds may be available for purposes of awarding grants for pilot primary block education programs.

(2) The advisory committee that the superintendent of public instruction may appoint under section 2 of this act, if appointed, shall, no later than July 20 of any state fiscal year in which funds may be available for the purposes of awarding grants for pilot primary block education programs, review the grant applications and make recommendations to the superintendent regarding the award of grants.

(3) The superintendent of public instruction shall select school districts for pilot primary block education program grant awards no later than August 1 of any state fiscal year in which funds may be available for such purposes.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28A.03 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The legislature finds that business organizations have suggested that the primary block structure can result in positive educational experiences and achievement for pupils in grades kindergarten through three. The legislature finds further that business organizations have expressed publicly the importance of both establishing new partnerships and strengthening existing cooperative relationships between the education, business and industry, and government sectors of the state. Therefore, the superintendent of public instruction may accept, receive, and administer for the purposes of section 2 of this act such gifts, grants, and contributions as may be provided from public and private sources for the purposes of section 2 of this act.

(2) There is hereby established a revolving fund known as the primary block education grant program revolving fund into which such gifts, grants, and contributions shall be placed and from which the superintendent of public instruction may make expenditures pursuant to sections 2 through 6 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 28A.03 RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction may allocate state funds as may be appropriated by the state for the purposes of section 2 of this act only on a matching basis with gifts, grants, and contributions from public and private sources as may be provided and which the superintendent may accept, receive, and administer under section 4 of this act: PROVIDED, That no less than fifty percent of each grant award allocated and expended pursuant to this act shall consist of moneys received pursuant to section 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 28A.03 RCW to read as follows:

The superintendent of public instruction shall submit, biennially, a report to the legislature evaluating the achievement of students who participate in pilot primary block education programs as may be funded through grants awarded by the superintendent of public instruction under section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) The sum of eighteen thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of section 1 of this act.

(2) The sum of thirty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of sections 2 through 6 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by the legislature by July 1, 1987, sections 2 through 6 of this act shall be null and void. Sections 2 through 6 of this act shall be of no effect unless such specific funding is so provided. If such funding is so provided, this act shall take effect when the legislation providing the funding takes effect.