SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5316

BYSenators Fleming, Bailey, Talmadge, Gaspard, Kreidler, Warnke, Rinehart, Vognild, Bauer, DeJarnatt, Niemi and Stratton

Establishing a program for academic excellence for at-risk students.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 7, 1989

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

AS OF FEBRUARY 7, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Research findings indicate that among at-risk youth a disproportionate number of minority youth are affected by substance abuse, gang activity, unemployment and teen pregnancy.  Current programs may not be adequately addressing the needs of at-risk minority youth.  A model program targeted at minority at-risk youth is one way to explore strategies to respond to the needs of such youth.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is the lead agency in developing and administering Project DREAM (Dare to Reach for Educational Aspirations and Marks), a pilot program for academic excellence for under-achieving, at-risk students.  The program is not limited to but must focus on serving minority students.

Students eligible to participate are those age 14 through 21 who are one or more grade levels behind in basic skills, have violated building or district rules of conduct at least three times in the same school year, their family income level is below the median level for the state, and the student may have limited English proficiency and may not have graduated from high school or completed the general educational development test.

Project DREAM is initially limited to the school districts of Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Yakima and Pasco.  The pilot program begins with the 1989-90 school year and ends with the completion of the 1992-93 school year. 

Pilot programs under Project DREAM must provide:  academic counseling and outreach; parent and family outreach; employment/vocational counseling and training; substance abuse awareness and counseling and treatment as necessary; teen pregnancy/parenting counseling; and positive self-image building.

Adult advisors are responsible for working with no more than 15 at-risk students, meeting weekly with each student and bi-weekly with each student's teachers, school counselor, parents/guardians, and family members; and facilitating each student's contact with health care providers, vocational counselors, job service centers, and job interviews.

Participating students are responsible for complying with all regulations governing participation, meeting weekly with their adult advisor, and maintaining a personal written or audio portfolio.

The participating districts design the specific local program under Project DREAM.  Districts must consider certain activities in designing the local program, including working with the job service centers and the Department of Social and Health Services.  Districts are responsible for screening and employing the adult supervisors and providing necessary training.  Districts must submit an annual report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction on their programs.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction submits an annual report to the Legislature on Project DREAM beginning January 15, 1990.  The final report is due January 15, 1994.  The Superintendent will organize a speakers' bureau, including prominent minority role models and meet with community and business leaders to market Project DREAM.

The Superintendent may accept gifts, grants and contributions for Project DREAM and will work with other state agencies to provide technical assistance to the participating districts.

Appropriation:    $10 million to the Superintendent of Public Instruction

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 30, 1989

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately upon the Governor's signature or May 30, 1989, whichever is sooner.