HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 412

BYRepresentatives Ebersole, Betrozoff, Grimm, Silver, L. Smith, Spanel, Cole, B. Williams, Locke, Doty, Cooper, Walker, Holm, Pruitt, Schoon, Fuhrman, Holland, P. King, Wang, Peery, Sutherland, Kremen, Taylor, Winsley, Rayburn, Unsoeld, Rasmussen, Amondson, R. King, Sanders, Miller and Todd

Establishing a ratio of vocational education teachers to students.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do Pass (21).

      Signed by Representatives Ebersole, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Betrozoff, Cole, Cooper, Fuhrman, Holland, Holm, P. King, Peery, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Rust, Schoon, L. Smith Taylor, Todd, Valle and Walker.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 17, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The student teacher ratio in vocational education classes has fluctuated from 16.67 to 18.00 back to 17.25 per one thousand full time equivalent students.  These differences have been addressed in the appropriation act.

SUMMARY:

Beginning in the 1987-88 school year the formula adopted to fund basic education in chapter 28A.41.140 shall include the ratio of 16.67 certificated persons to one thousand annual full time equivalent students in grades nine through twelve enrolled in vocational education. This funding, however, shall be used by the local school district to provide additional support for their local vocational education program beginning in the 1987-88 school year.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    James Capelli, Clover Park School District; Dennis Coplen, Council on Vocational Education; Chuck Bailey, Washington State Labor Council; Don Susak, Vocational Director, Grays Harbor County; Bruce McBurney and Mark Rodewald, Shoreline Public Schools;  Morry Foss, Washington Vocational Association; Tom Lopp, Tacoma School District, Director of Secondary Vocational Education.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Educational opportunities should be available for all students.  In our changing economy vocational education plays an important role in allowing students to prepare for meaningful employment.  Vocational education is also essential to the continued economic development of the state of Washington.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.