SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5269

BYSenators 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)

                  March 22, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 21, 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, 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 begin during the 1989-1990 school year.

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 support for secondary vocational education programs.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall adopt by rule program approval standards for secondary vocational programs.

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 three years.

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.

An appropriation of $27.5 million is divided as follows:  $2.5 million for innovations in vocational education for the twenty-first century; $9 million for the vocational teacher student ratio; $12 million for equipment for vocational programs; $2.5 million for technology in education programs; $1.5 million for grants for innovative uses of technology.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE: 

 INNOVATIONS IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY:  The goals of the program to encourage new projects and the improvement of existing projects are clarified.  The goals are expanded to include vocational projects that address changing technology.  The period to apply for grants is extended until November 1, 1989, for implementation beginning January 1, 1990.

Interdistrict cooperatives are included as organizations eligible to apply for the grants.

The classified staff who are eligible to receive supplemental contracts for training include not only those whose primary duties are the daily educational instruction of students but those with primary roles in implementing and conducting the plan.

In addition to waiving laws governing graduation requirements, student to teacher ratios, and use of certain funds, laws governing teacher contact hours, teacher certification, and program approval standards may also be waived.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTION -- STUDENT/TEACHER RATIO:  Any additional funds from the change in the formula shall be used to provide additional state support for secondary vocational education programs. 

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

LOCAL PLANNING FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION INCLUDING PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT:  The planning process for equipment improvements is made a component of the current vocational education planning process.  The plans are updated every two years.

Funds shall be used to upgrade equipment.  Any grants to upgrade equipment made to public vocational technical institutes shall be distributed consistent with any formula approach in the Operating and Appropriations Act. 

TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION:  The Superintendent of Public Instruction's technology in education services to school districts is clarified to include providing information about technology applications within different curriculum areas and educational technology networks.  The requirements for coordinating specific curriculum including computer curriculum guides are deleted.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

The appropriations are deleted.  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