SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5901
BYSenators Barr, Bailey, Rinehart, Fleming, Talmadge, Owen, Bauer, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Gaspard, Warnke and Stratton
Establishing a grant program to assist eligible school districts in meeting special needs.
Senate Committee on Education
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 16, 1989
Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Bender, Benitz, Fleming, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.
Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)
February 17, 1989
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Senate Hearing Date(s):March 1, 1989
Senate Staff:Ken Kanikeberg (786-7715)
February 27, 1989
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 16, 1989
BACKGROUND:
A number of small school districts in the state are located in areas that have suffered economic hardship. Some of these districts may have difficulty raising local funds. A number of larger communities across the state have student populations characterized by high dropout rates, significant numbers of students receiving free and reduced price meals, and students who speak a native language other than English. These factors place an additional burden upon the school district in these communities to provide the best possible educational program. 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 grant program to provide funding assistance to large and small districts and a model program targeted at minority at-risk youth are ways to respond to the special needs of students in some school districts.
SUMMARY:
The Superintendent of Public Instruction will establish a grant program to assist eligible school districts in meeting their special needs. The grant funds and new or existing programs enhanced by the funds shall not become part of the state's basic program of education.
Districts are eligible to apply for funds under two separate sets of criteria: (A) second class districts which meet six criteria relating to below state average median household income: unemployment above the statewide average; number of persons receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children is above the statewide average; assessed valuation of property would require a $2.00/$1,000 rate or higher to raise a 10 percent levy; receipt of federal forest moneys does not exceed the district's basic education allocation; and receipt of federal impact aid does not exceed the maximum amount the district could raise with a 10 percent levy; or (B) districts which meet three of the following four criteria: annual average enrollment of 5000 or more in the prior school year; at least 45 percent of the lunches served in the 1986-87 school year are free or reduced price meals; the district's dropout rate for the 1985-86 and 1986-87 school years was 20 percent or greater; and the number of non-English languages or dialects is eight or more.
Districts eligible under criteria (A) may receive grant funds not to exceed the maximum amount the district could raise under a 10 percent levy less any federal impact funds actually received by the district.
Districts eligible under criteria (B) may receive funds not to exceed 1.45 percent of the district's basic education allocation received in the preceding school year.
Districts submit a grant application which must identify budgeted expenditures; a description of the services, programs, or activities to be funded; and a description of how the use of the grant funds will be evaluated for effectiveness. Districts must document that at least one public hearing was held regarding the proposed application.
Districts must submit a biennial report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction on the use of the funds. The Superintendent must report to the Legislature biennially on the grant program. The first report is due December 1, 1990.
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 or have not graduated from high school or completed the general educational development test, have violated building or district rules of conduct at least three times in the same school year, and their family income level is below the median level for the state.
Project DREAM is initially limited to the school districts of Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Yakima and Pasco.
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 and shall contact the local job service center and the local branch office of the Department of Social and Health Services. Districts are responsible for screening and employing the adult supervisors and providing necessary training. Districts must submit a biennial report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction on their programs.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction submits a biennial report to the Legislature on Project DREAM beginning December 1, 1990. The Superintendent will organize a speakers' bureau, including prominent minority role models, meet with community and business leaders to market Project DREAM, and coordinate with other state and local agencies a centralized data base of preexisting services which can meet the purposes of 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: $38,086,744 to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested February 16, 1989
Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION: The bill incorporates SB 5316, SB 5396 and SB 5575 previously heard by the committee. Testimony on those bills is indicated below.
SB 5316: FOR: Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association; Senator Fleming, sponsor; Nate Miles, Administrative Assistant to Senator Fleming; Judy Hartmann, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Graeme Sackrison, Employment Security Department; Ken Watson, Seattle School District; Thalia Syracopoulas, Seattle Council PTA; Lillian Barna, Superintendent, Tacoma School District; John Kvamme, Tacoma School District
SB 5396: FOR: Dr. Ron Whittaker, Superintendent, East Valley School District (Yakima); Senator Scott Barr, sponsor; Dr. Larry Simonsen, Superintendent, Granger School District; Robert Tomisser, Superintendent, North River School District; Neil Hutchens, Superintendent, Joan Terrill, Northport School District; David Spogen, Superintendent, South Bend School District; Chuck Hall, Superintendent, Raymond School District; Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association
SB 5575: FOR: Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association; John Kvamme, Tacoma School District; Ken Watson, Seattle School District; Thalia Syracopoulas, Seattle Council PTA