SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6229

BYSenator Kiskaddon

Providing programs for the personal development and self-esteem of students.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 21, 1988; January 26, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6229 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  January 27, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 26, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Available research indicates that there is a relationship between students' school performance, social behavior, and level of self-esteem.  Classroom and building learning environments have a bearing on how well students perform in school and on how students view themselves.  An extended educational research project is proposed to examine the relationship between learning environments and students' personal development.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) will establish a pilot program to develop and field test a model learning environment to enhance students' personal development and school performance.  Implementation of the pilot project begins with the 1989-90 school year and the project concludes at the end of the 1998-99 school year.

The pilot project will follow students in kindergarten in the district selected to field test the model learning environment as they progress through grade nine.

The model learning environment project must include certain elements and characteristics, including a classroom student-to-adult ratio of 15:1, and an in-service component for the school and district staff involved in the project.  The SPI must establish a monitoring program to include assessment of the pilot project.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction must establish a working committee by June 1, 1988 to begin development of the design of the model learning environment.  The Superintendent must select on a grant application basis by January 31, 1989, one school district to conduct the field test of the model learning environment.  The design of the model learning environment must be completed by June 1, 1989.

The SPI and the State Board of Education are authorized to grant waivers from the provisions of certain statutes or administrative rules if such waivers are necessary to implement the pilot project.

The SPI must submit to the Legislature a biennial report on the model learning environment project.  The first report must be submitted by December 31, 1989.  A final report must be submitted by December 31, 2000.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The classroom student-to-adult ratio will be equivalent to the other regular classes in the district rather than not exceeding fifteen students per adult.

Appropriation:    $49,500 to the Superintendent of Public Instruction

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 15, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Bill Kiskaddon, Sponsor