SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5240

BYSenators Lee and McMullen

Establishing the Washington council for adult literacy.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1989; February 24, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5240 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McDonald, Murray, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Jack Brummel (786-7428)

                  February 27, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 24, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Estimates of illiteracy in the adult population in the United States range from 13 to 25 percent, depending on the standard used.  Literacy rates have historically declined in the U.S., but the demands for higher levels of literacy in the workforce have consistently grown due to an increasingly competitive world economy.  There are a number of private and public agencies which provide literacy services.  No state agency is responsible for ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to adult literacy efforts.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Council for Adult Literacy is established.  Council members include the Governor, state agency heads, and representatives of business, labor, volunteer literacy organizations, and libraries.  The council is to identify the extent of the illiteracy problem, develop a comprehensive plan for improved adult literacy services, and evaluate the effectiveness and cost efficiency of literacy training programs.  The council is to promote the use of literacy programs, provide mechanisms to upgrade skills of literary service providers, assist in the development and improvement of literacy coalitions, and provide an information clearinghouse to refer volunteers and students to programs.  The council distributes funds to the State Board for Community College Education to operate a literacy tutor coordination project.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The sections relating to the creation of the Council for Adult Literacy are removed.

Appropriation:    $400,000 for the council, $980,000 for literacy tutor coordination

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      requested January 23, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: William Sperling, Superintendent of Public Instruction (pro); Gil Carbone, SBCCE (pro); Felix Strozier, Tacoma Community House (pro); Christine Cassidy, Washington Literacy (pro); Thomas Horgdal, Karen Baird, South Puget Sound Community College (pro); Nancy Zussy, Washington State Library (pro); Mark Allen, Washington Library Association (pro)