SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5248

BYSenators Smitherman, Gaspard, Bailey and Johnson

Providing for the development of model curriculum guidelines for vocational or applied courses.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 21, 1987; January 26, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  February 16, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Current statute requires the State Board of Education to "...recognize the relevance of vocational and applied courses and allow such courses to fulfill in whole or in part the..." state's minimum high school graduation requirements.  Providing state- level guidelines for the application of vocational and applied courses to meet graduation requirements may assist in carrying out statutory intent.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction prepares model curriculum programs and/or curriculum guidelines in three subject areas each year.  The Superintendent is directed to include guidelines for the application of vocational and applied courses which can fulfill in whole or in part the state's minimum high school graduation requirements.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Judy Hartmann, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Merritt Long, Executive Director, Commission For Vocational Education; Kathleen Preston, Executive Director, Washington Vocational Association; Dennis Coplen, Executive Director, Washington State Council on Vocational Education