SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5203

BYSenators Gaspard, Benitz, McDermott, Bailey, Bauer, Johnson, Bender, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, Rinehart, von Reichbauer, Barr, Garrett and Moore; by request of Commission for Vocational Education

Permitting a two-year tuition waiver under the Washington award for vocational excellence.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 19, 1987; January 26, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Gaspard, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Patterson, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke.

Senate Staff:Don Bennett (786-7424)

                  February 11, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature established the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) in 1984 to recognize outstanding performance in occupational training programs.  Up to three graduating vocational or technical students from each legislative district are honored each year.  Award recipients are entitled to a one-year tuition and fee waiver at any of the state universities, regional universities, The Evergreen State College, the community colleges, or public vocational- technical institutes.

The Commission for Vocational Education administers the award program in cooperation with other public education organizations and business and labor groups.  Nominations for the award are made by local schools and their vocational advisory committees.  The state WAVE committee, composed of representatives of business, labor, vocational educators, school board members, community college trustees, and school administrators, selects the award recipients.  In the first two years of the program, 268 students have received the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence.

SUMMARY:

The Commission for Vocational Education, or its successor agency, is responsible for the development and administration of the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence.

Award recipients are entitled to a waiver of tuition and fees for two years, including summer school, at the state universities, regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and the community colleges.  WAVE honorees must maintain a 3.0 grade point average, or the equivalent, for the first year in order to qualify for the second year of the waiver.

The duration of the two-year waiver is defined as six quarters or four semesters.  The tuition waiver may be used for undergraduate studies only.

At least two of the three WAVE recipients from each legislative district should be graduating high school students.  Students who have completed at least one year of a vocational-technical program at a community college or public vocational-technical institute may also be recognized.

The award recipient may have fees waived at a public vocational- technical institute for two years.  The student must receive an above average rating in the first year to qualify for the second-year waiver.

Students receiving awards in 1987 and thereafter will be entitled to two-year waivers.  In 1988, students who have completed one year of a vocational-technical program at a community college or vocational- technical institute will be eligible for consideration as well as graduating high school students.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Effective Date:January 1, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Merritt D. Long, Executive Director, Commission for Vocational Education; Linda Broderick, Deputy Director, Commission for Vocational Education; Dr. John Terrey, Executive Director, State Board for Community College Education; Dennis Coplen, Executive Director, Council on Vocational Education; Morry Foss, Past President, Washington Vocational Association; Rainer Houser, Principal, W.F. West High School, Chehalis; President-elect, Association of Washington School Principals