S-645                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5615

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senators Bailey, Rinehart, Pullen and Saling

Read first time 1/30/89 and referred to Committee on  Education.

AN ACT Relating to providing for special programs for academically highly capable students in the common school system; amending RCW 28A.58.217; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that there are some highly capable young students who would benefit both socially and intellectually by early entrance into college.  Although these students are very small in number, they are likely to be future leaders of our state with accomplishments disproportionate to their small numbers, and it is thus important that their progress be nurtured, supported, and encouraged by the state.  Although the public schools do an outstanding job of education, the needs of the select few highly capable students are much more difficult to meet, and some of these students can best avoid frustration and a counterproductive educational experience through enrollment in an early entrance program.  The legislature further finds that the transition school and early entrance program at the University of Washington have greatly benefited such students, but that unexpectedly early expenses have placed a severe financial burden on these students and their parents.  Since basic education allocation moneys, state categorical moneys, and federal moneys would be allocated on behalf of these students if they remained in school through the twelfth grade, the legislature intends that these funds be transferred to the University of Washington in partial support of the students' education expenses while they are attending the transition school or early entrance program at the University of Washington.

        Sec. 2.  Section 222, chapter 518, Laws of 1987 and RCW 28A.58.217 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) ((School districts are hereby authorized to)) The superintendent of public instruction shall contract with the University of Washington for the education of ((eligible academically)) highly capable ((high school)) students ((at such)) below eighteen years of age who are admitted or enrolled at such early entrance program or transition school((s)) as are now or hereafter established and maintained by the University of Washington.

          (2) ((School districts may authorize)) The superintendent of public instruction ((to)) shall allocate directly to the University of Washington all ((or a portion)) of the state basic education allocation moneys, state categorical moneys excepting categorical moneys provided for the highly capable students program under chapter 28A.16 RCW, and federal moneys generated by a student while attending ((a)) an early entrance program or transition school at the University of Washington ((early entrance or transition school pursuant to this section directly to the university:  PROVIDED, That)).  The allocations shall be according to each student's school district of residence.   The expenditure of such ((state)) moneys shall be ((expended exclusively for instruction and related activities necessary for students to fulfill the high school graduation requirements established by their school district of enrollment)) limited to selection of students, precollege instruction, special advising, and related activities necessary for the support of students while attending a transition school or early entrance program at the University of Washington.  Such allocations may be supplemented with such additional payments by other parties as necessary to cover the actual and full costs of such instruction and other activities.

          (3) The provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall apply during the first three years a student is attending a transition school or early entrance program at the University of Washington or through the academic school year in which the student turns eighteen, whichever occurs first.  No more than thirty students shall be admitted and enrolled in the transition school at the University of Washington in any one year.

(4) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt or amend rules pursuant to chapter ((34.04)) 34.05 RCW implementing subsection (2) of this section before August 31, 1989.