HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2352

BYRepresentatives Prentice, Brumsickle, Cole, May, Anderson, Valle, Betrozoff, Leonard, Inslee, Rayburn, Wineberry, Rector, Kremen and Winsley

Creating the student-to-student pilot program.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (17)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Jones, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Communities need to try a variety of programs to encourage students to stay in school.  For low income students the need for employment may force them to consider leaving school.  At the same time, school districts often need individuals to serve as tutors for other students.  Often in teaching someone else we learn the skill or material much better ourselves.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The Student-to-Student Pilot Program is created to hire low income sophomores, juniors and seniors to tutor students in grades kindergarten through nine.  The tutors will be paid at least the state minimum wage. The tutoring program will operate after school hours.  Low income students are those students eligible for free or reduced priced lunches.

Districts applying for the grants shall outline how they will identify potential tutors, select students to be tutored, and provide training and supervision to the tutors.  Districts must also decide how to evaluate tutors and whether to offer the program during the summer.

A minimum of three districts shall receive funding for a Student-to-Student Pilot Program.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall evaluate the program based on outcome based performance indicators.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  A project evaluation by the Superintendent of Public Instruction is added.  The appropriation is removed, and implementation is subject to an appropriation being made for this purpose.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 10, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Margarita Prentice; Ken Watson, Seattle School District; and James Kelly, African American Commission.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Student-to-Student program will provide a method of reinforcing learning and self-esteem for students who are at risk of dropping out while providing increased academic skills and a role model for younger students.  This is a program that recognizes that students can help one another.  It also provides a flexible and supportive program which can meet the needs of both students.  We strongly encourage strengthening the evaluation component to that we will be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the program.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.