SENATE BILL REPORT

2SSB 5269

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Bailey, Rinehart, Anderson, Johnson, Barr, Murray, Metcalf, Craswell, Lee, Hansen, Gaspard, Newhouse, Bender, Fleming, Bauer, Thorsness, Benitz, Smith, Vognild, Stratton, Nelson, Rasmussen, Kreidler, Wojahn, DeJarnatt, Madsen, Talmadge, Saling, McMullen and Sutherland)

Providing for improvements in technology and vocational education.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 17, 1988; January 26, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5269 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Fleming, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

                  January 31, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 1, 1989; March 21, 1989

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5269 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Matson, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Ken Kanikeberg (786-7715)

                  April 4, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, APRIL 3, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Experts from business, labor, industry, and education agree that the state of Washington faces major shifts in the demands of the labor market and the preparation of its workforce.  Technological changes are happening rapidly.  It is suggested that encouraging innovations in technology and vocational education programs, providing for the integration of technology in education, improving the vocational student teacher ratio, and improving equipment will help the education system better prepare students to enter the workforce of the twenty-first century.

SUMMARY:

INNOVATIONS IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY:  The Innovations in Vocational Education Program for the Twenty-first Century is created to allow selected schools and school districts, educational service districts, interdistrict cooperatives, public vocational-technical institutes, skills centers, and community colleges to develop innovative programs through encouraging collaboration and authorizing waivers of some statutes and rules.  The process for selecting grant recipients is developed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction in consultation with the State Board of Education and the State Board for Community College Education.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction administers the program.

Pilot projects receive funding for two years, but may be extended by the Superintendent of Public Instruction for up to six years.  Annual reports to the Superintendent are required.  Up to 21 projects are selected by the Superintendent each biennium.  Initial projects will be implemented beginning January 1, 1990.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board will review entrance requirements for the state's colleges and universities and may waive certain entrance requirements and establish course equivalencies.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction reports to the Legislature by January 15, 1991, and every two years thereafter. The program ends June 30, 1996.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA:  Beginning with the 1989-90 school year, the formula for allocating state funds for basic education shall include a ratio of .92 certificated instructional staff and .08 certificated administrative staff to each 16.67 annual average full-time equivalent students in grades nine through twelve enrolled in secondary vocational education programs approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Increases in funds generated by the change in formula shall be used to provide additional state support for secondary vocational education programs.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall adopt by rule general program approval standards for secondary vocational programs.  The standards shall include provisions regarding the use of extended or supplemental contracts for certificated vocational education instructions.

LOCAL PLANNING FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INCLUDING PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT:  To be eligible to receive state funds for secondary vocational education programs, local school districts, skills centers, educational service districts, and public vocational technical institutes shall consult with local advisory councils on vocational education.  Local advisory councils shall be composed of members representative of the local community.

The local advisory council shall provide advice, support, and assistance on vocational education programs and assist in the development of vocational education program improvement plans.  School districts are eligible to apply to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for funds to update equipment for secondary vocational education programs if they have developed program improvement plans.  The plans must be revised every two years.  The plans shall be part of the current vocational education planning process.

Funds shall be used to upgrade equipment.

TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION:  The Superintendent of Public Instruction provides to school districts services including integrating technology into the curriculum and training teachers and administrators about the use of current and new technologies.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall make awards to teachers for selected school improvement and research projects in the use of technology in education.

The act is null and void if specific funding is not provided.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:July 1, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION:  FOR:  Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association;  Kathleen Preston and Gil Mendoza, Washington Vocational Association; Connie Rickman, Lincoln High School, Tacoma; Tom Lopp, Tacoma School District;  Jim Taylor, Washington Association of Vocational Administrators;  Dan Coyne, Washington State Dairymen's Federation;  Tim Strege, Council of Vocational Technical Institutes;  Bruce McBurney and Mason Kirby, Shoreline School District;  Marlyta Deck, Washington Cattlemen's Association;  Karen Hansen, Puyallup School District;  Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators;  Bruce Briggs, Washington State Nursery Association;  Judy Hartmann and Jan Carlson, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Ray Shindler and Dennis Wallace, Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association;  Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors Association;  Mel Parse and Tom LaVack, Washington Vocation Association, Auto Body Section

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  FOR: Senator Cliff Bailey, prime sponsor; Senator Nita Rinehart, sponsor; Lillian Barna, Superintendent, Tacoma School District; Bill Honeysett, Economic Development Board; Kathy Preston, Gil Mendoza, Washington Vocational Association; Mary Pavletich, student, Olympia High School; Karen Davis, Washington Education Association; Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Donna Shy, Washington State PTA; Tim Strege, Washington State Council of Vocational-Technical Institutes; Ray Schindler, Dennis Wallace, Washington Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association; Ray Francisco, sales; Ted Nykriem, self