HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1918

BYRepresentatives Doty, Spanel, Van Luven, Jacobsen, Miller, Wood and Basich

Establishing the summer motivation and academic training program.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Doty, Fraser, Heavey, Inslee, Jesernig, Miller, H. Myers, Prince, Rector and Wood.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION FEBRUARY 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The state has initiated a series of efforts to reduce the drop-out rate of at- risk youths.  One of the most innovative efforts is the Summer Motivation and Academic Residential Training or SMART Program. The program provides 14 and 15 year old students with an opportunity to spend eight weeks during the summer on a college campus.  During those eight weeks, students receive an intense educational, motivational, and employment training experience.

The program combines emphasis on basic skills development (language arts, mathematics, and study skills), paid work experience, job skills training, career exploration, personal and career goal development, life skills enhancements, personal growth, and community service activities.  Activities included in the first year of the program were a parents' weekend; field trips to places like Boeing, Ross Dam, The Pacific Science Center, the Burke Museum, and sporting events; dinners with faculty members; and a range of on-campus job experiences.

The program was initiated in the summer of 1988, with 113 students scheduled to participate in programs at the University of Washington and Western Washington University.  Funding and staff support were provided by a multitude of agencies, making this program a model for other collaborative efforts.  An expanded effort is planned for the summer of 1989.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED: The Summer Motivation and Academic Residential Training Program is created.  The program will be a partnership between the state and private industry councils.  Its goal: to reduce the dropout rate of disadvantaged youth.  The primary purpose of the program is to assist students in developing the skills, abilities, and motivation required to complete high school, and to expose students to the educational opportunities available on a college or university campus.  Other purposes are also outlined.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board will be the lead agency for program administration.  Participating state agencies will serve on a program steering committee.  The board, in cooperation with the steering committee, has primary responsibility for site selection, program management, monitoring, and evaluation. Host sites may be public or independent colleges or universities able to feed and house 60 students. Five host sites will be selected in the summers of 1990 and 1991.

The board, with other state agencies named in the bill will work cooperatively with private industry councils, local school districts, institutions of higher education, and other state and local agencies to deliver the program. State agencies will provide staff support and assistance, and will help monitor and evaluate the program.

Participating students will be economically disadvantaged students selected by private industry councils.  Criteria for selection must be consistent with regulations in the federal Job Training Partnership Act.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The Department of Social and Health Services will be added to the list of agencies supporting the program.  Other appropriate agencies may also be included.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 17, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Shirley Ort, Higher Education Coordinating Board; Isiah Turner and Bill Basl, Employment Security Department; Merrit Long, State Board for Vocational Education; Jan Yoshiwara, State Board for Community College Education; Chris McElroy, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Veronica Jenkins; Tara Conn; Richard Mariotti, Camas School District; Mike Kennedy, Pacific Mountain Job Training Consortium; Dr. Stephen Lilly, Washington State University; Dr. Saundra Taylor, Western Washington University; Tomas Ybarra, The Evergreen State College; and Bernice Morehead, Department of Social and Health Services.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This program provides a form of early intervention for at-risk students.  It is based on a successful program in Texas that found that participating students had significantly higher rates of graduation and college enrollment than did at-risk students who did not participate in the program.  The program is a collaborative effort of state agencies, higher education institutions, private industry councils, the common schools, and volunteers.  Students receive academic assistance, job experiences, job readiness skills, mentoring and large doses of positive reinforcement.  The program provides an opportunity for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience success on a college campus.  The program has a side benefit of providing a training opportunity for college students wishing to work with at-risk children.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.