SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5967

BYSenators Rinehart, Johnson, Moore, Fleming, Talmadge, Rasmussen, Smitherman and Wojahn

Establishing the magnet school grant program.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 28, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Bender, Fleming, Gaspard, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  March 2, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 28, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Some school districts in Washington, and around the country have either voluntarily or by court order implemented plans to achieve desegregated schools.  One approach to responding to the issue of desegregation has been the development of magnet school programs.  It is suggested that state support for magnet school programs would help some Washington school districts develop or further develop desegregation programs.

SUMMARY:

A magnet schools grant program is established and is administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI).  The purpose of the program is to:  provide eligible districts financial assistance to operate and establish magnet schools; help eligible districts meet special needs related to eliminating minority group segregation and discrimination among students and faculty, through magnet schools; encourage voluntary elimination, reduction or prevention of minority group isolation in schools with substantial numbers of minority students through the use of magnet schools; and encourage instructional programs in magnet schools to help attending students strengthen their knowledge of subjects and acquire vocational skills.

A district is eligible if:  it is implementing a plan pursuant to a court order requiring the desegregation of minority group segregated children or faculty; if it has a minority student population in excess of 25 percent and is voluntarily implementing under the magnet school grant program, a plan to reduce, eliminate or prevent minority group isolation.

Magnet school grant funds may be used for identified purposes, including magnet school planning and promotional activities, acquisition of books, materials and equipment for magnet schools, and compensation of instructional staff at magnet schools.

Eligible districts must file an annual application with the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Application criteria include a description of how grant funds will be used to promote desegregation and assurances that greater parental decision-making and involvement will be encouraged.

The SPI, in approving applications, must give priority to the number of minority students in the district and the number of minority students involved in the desegregation plan; the district's need for assistance in carrying out a desegregation plan; the likelihood of success of the desegregation program or project; and the level of collaboration between the district, higher education institutions, community-based organizations and others in developing the program or project.

The SPI will distribute funds annually by June 30, based on districts' full-time equivalent student enrollment, and no more than 10 percent may be spent by districts on planning.

The magnet school program is separate from basic education and magnet school grant moneys are not levy reduction funds.

Appropriation:    $14 million to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 28, 1989

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: FOR:  Elizabeth Wales, Member, Seattle School District Board of Directors; Aimee Hirabayashi, Director, Planning and Professional Development, Seattle School District; Karen Ho'o, Principal, Minor Elementary, Seattle; Ed James, Principal, Emerson Elementary, Seattle; John Kvamme, Tacoma School District