Z-1458               _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 2851

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Representatives Pruitt, Cole, Betrozoff, Holland, Dorn, P. King, Rayburn, Brumsickle, McLean, Forner, Nealey, Miller and Wineberry; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Read first time 1/24/90 and referred to Committees on Education/Appropriations.

AN ACT Relating to cooperative vocational education programs and services between and among school districts; adding new sections to Title 28A RCW; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that school districts may provide vocational education programs for students through cooperatives using existing district facilities, facilities at work sites, and facilities including but not limited to mobile instructional units, distance learning, and computers, without the need to construct separate facilities.  It is the intent of the legislature to encourage such cooperatives among school districts on a demonstration basis.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The superintendent of public instruction may establish a grant award program for the purposes of sections 1 through 7 of this act.  Not more than three such grants may be awarded.  The demonstration cooperatives approved should include projects in urban and rural areas and districts of varying characteristics and size.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The superintendent of public instruction shall administer sections 1 through 7 of this act subject to legislative appropriation for this purpose.  The superintendent shall approve requests based on criteria established by the superintendent and notify districts of grant awards on or before July 1, 1990.  The demonstration vocational cooperatives shall begin with the 1990-91 school year.  The grant awards may be continued for up to five years if the funds are so provided.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     Initial applications to participate in the demonstration vocational cooperative program shall be submitted to the superintendent of public instruction not later than May 1, 1990.  Each application shall contain a proposed plan that:

          (1) Explains how the plan meets the criteria;

          (2) Describes specific activities to be carried out;

          (3) Identifies the evaluation processes to be used; and

          (4) Includes a copy of the agreement for joint cooperative action pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     The grant awards for such demonstration vocational cooperatives shall be based on an allocation which includes:

          (1) The same amount as would be calculated pursuant to RCW 28A.41.140 for a skill center with the same full time equivalent enrollment; and

          (2) An amount to compensate the serving districts for costs to administer the cooperatives pursuant to standards established by the superintendent of public instruction.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     Following the completion of each year of operation, each demonstration vocational cooperative shall submit an evaluation of the cooperative program to the superintendent of public instruction in accordance with requirements of the superintendent.  On or before January 31, 1992, and January 31, 1993, the superintendent of public instruction shall submit a report to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate including the cooperative evaluations and recommendations concerning the continuation of this program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.     The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW as necessary to implement the superintendent's duties under sections 1 through 6 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8.     Sections 1 through 7 of this act are each added to Title 28A RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9.     The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction to support the demonstration vocational cooperative program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10.    This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.