SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5263

BYSenators Gaspard, Bailey, Bender, Bauer, von Reichbauer, Johnson, Conner, Smitherman, Garrett, Talmadge, Moore, Wojahn, Warnke, Rinehart, Peterson, Vognild, Kiskaddon, Saling, Anderson and Benitz

Establishing a ratio of vocational education teachers to students.

Senate Committee on Education

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5263 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Kiskaddon, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Gaspard, Lee, Rinehart.

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 11, 1987; January 12, 1988; January 18, 1988

Senate Staff:Don Bennett (786-7424)

                  January 19, 1988

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1988

Senate Staff:Ken Kanikeberg (786-7715)

AS OF FEBRUARY 2, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Funding formulae for approved vocational education programs have been set in state operating budgets adopted by the Legislature rather than by statute in recent years.  The 1979-81 budget established the vocational funding formula based on a ratio of one certificated staff unit to each 16.67 average annual FTE (full time equivalent) student enrolled in vocational education programs approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  The 1981-83 and 1983-85 operating budgets allocated funds on a ratio of one certificated staff unit for each 18.3 average annual FTE.  The operating budget for the current biennium allocates funds to local school districts based on a ratio of one certificated staff unit to each 18.3 average annual FTE for the 1985-86 school year and one to 17.5 FTE for the 1986-87 school year.

SUMMARY:

Commencing with the 1987-88 school year, the statutory funding formula for allocating state funds for basic education shall include a ratio of one certificated person to each 17.1 average annual full time equivalent (FTE) vocational student in grades nine through twelve enrolled in vocational education programs approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Commencing with the 1988-89 school year, the statutory funding formula for allocating state funds for basic education shall include a ratio of one certificated person to each 16.67 average annual full time equivalent vocational student in grades nine through twelve enrolled in vocational education programs approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Any increase in funds generated by the change in the funding formula shall be used by local school districts to provide additional support for their vocational education programs commencing with the 1987-88 school year.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

For the 1988-89 school year, the formula for allocating state funds for basic education shall include a ratio of .92 certificated instructional staff and .08 certificated administrative staff to each 16.67 annual average full-time equivalent students in grades nine through twelve enrolled in vocational education programs approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Any increase in funds generated by the change in the funding formula shall be used by local school districts to provide additional support for their vocational education programs commencing with the 1988-89 school year.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is directed to adopt rules to establish program approval standards.

An appropriation of $3,383,000 to SPI for the enhanced funding ratio is included.

Appropriation:    $3,383,000 to SPI

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION: (FOR) Kathleen Preston, Washington Vocational Association; Janet Carlson, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association; Tom Copp, Tacoma School District; Ken Watson, Seattle School District; William Olfert, Washington State Council on Vocational Education; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association