HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 2618

BYRepresentatives G. Fisher, Walker, Peery, Betrozoff, Kremen, Cole, Belcher, Phillips, Brumsickle, Hine, H. Myers, Leonard, Nelson, Jones, Anderson, Jacobsen, Wineberry, Winsley, May, Ferguson, Moyer, Todd and Spanel

Creating the parent-teacher partnership task force.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (18)

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

House Staff:Bob Butts (786-7841)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Education and as further amended by the Committee on Appropriations.  (27)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Appelwick, Belcher, Bowman, Braddock, Brekke, Dorn, Doty, Ebersole, Hine, Holland, Inslee, May, McLean, Nealey, Padden, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

House Staff:      Janet Peterson (786-7143)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Research has shown that parents play a vital role in the education of their children, both before and after the child begins attending school.  Students are more likely to be successful in school and society when their parents actively participate in their child's education.

The Legislature has created several programs to enhance parental involvement in education, such as Project Even Start, which focuses on improving literacy of parents, and requirements that school districts encourage parental involvement in school classes and activities. In addition, some school districts and non-profit organizations have specific programs that strive to increase parental involvement.

SUMMARY:

The Parent-Teacher Partnership Task Force is created to make recommendations on how to get parents more involved in the education of their children. Recommendations of the task force must be submitted to the Legislature by December 1, 1990, and the task force terminates on May 1, 1991.

The task force must identify problems that occur from the lack of parental involvement, investigate any correlation between parental involvement and student achievement, evaluate current parental involvement programs in the state, evaluate programs in other states, and make specific recommendations.

The task force must consist of representatives from the Legislature, the governor's office, state agencies, parents, school teachers, and administrators. Provisions are made to ensure representation from Western and Eastern Washington.  The chair of the task force is chosen by the members, and the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction must provide staff support.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 10, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Education) Representative Greg Fisher.

(Appropriations) No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Education) No one.

(Appropriations) No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Education) It is well documented that parental involvement in a child's education is beneficial.  Washington needs to analyze what other states are doing to maximize parental involvement, and determine if we can learn from the successes of other states.

(Appropriations) None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Education) None.

(Appropriations) None.