AN ACT Relating to studying enrollment options; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) Many school districts across the state are engaged in efforts to reevaluate and restructure their local education programs;

(b) Enrollment options, open enrollment, and choice refer both to the availability of educational program alternatives and opportunities, within and outside school districts, and to the ability of students and parents to select which school in a particular district the student will attend;

(c) Current provisions of law provide students and parents a number of options pertaining to educational programs, learning opportunities, and enrollment alternatives; and

(d) It is appropriate to examine the level and impact of student mobility under current Washington law, as well as the level and impact of student mobility under open enrollment provisions in other states.

(2) Toward the goal of restructuring education in Washington, it is the intent of the legislature to examine carefully all aspects of enrollment options programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall conduct a study and report to the legislature and the governor not later than December 1, 1991, on the number of students participating in state and locally authorized enrollment options programs, including but not limited to:

(a) RCW 28A.02.201 (state-approved private schools);

(b) RCW 28A.27.010 (4) and (5) (home-schooling);

(d) RCW 28A.58.075 (joint educational facilities, services or programs between two or more school districts);

(e) RCW 28A.58.210 (attendance in a contiguous school district by students who reside on identified federal land);

(f) RCW 28A.58.217 (highly capable students who attend the University of Washington);

(g) RCW 28A.58.225 through 28A.58.242 (transfer statutes);

(h) RCW 28A.58.245 (voluntary, tuition free attendance programs among school districts);

(i) RCW 28A.58.250 (attendance reciprocity exchanges with other states);

(j) Chapter 28A.97 RCW (educational clinics);

(k) RCW 28A.120.092 (five-year open enrollment program for certain students);

(l) RCW 28A.100.080 through 28A.100.092 (small high school district cooperative projects);

(m) RCW 28B.50.530 (cooperative agreements between school and community college districts);

(n) Chapter 39.34 RCW (interlocal cooperation act);

(o) Advanced placement courses and examinations;

(p) Public school alternative programs;

(q) Use of telecommunications technology to expand program opportunities;

(r) Programs offered by school districts on Saturdays and during the summer; and

(s) Early admissions programs offered by the community colleges.

(2) The report shall include findings and recommendations relating, but not limited, to:

(a) Changes in district educational programs reflecting shifts in priorities resulting from the enrollment options identified under subsection (1) of this section;

(b) The reasons most often given by parents and students for requesting enrollment in nonresident schools or districts;

(c) The number of students both successfully and unsuccessfully requesting enrollment in nonresident schools or districts; and

(d) The impact of the enrollment options identified under subsection (1) of this section on issues relating to: Desegregation; school construction; transportation coordination in and between districts; local levies; special student populations, such as but not limited to handicapped students, highly capable students, and athletically talented students; and school district consolidation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall conduct a study and report to the legislature and the governor not later than December 1, 1991, on the impact of open enrollment laws in other states. The report shall include findings and recommendations relating, but not limited, to:

(a) Changes in district educational programs reflecting shifts in priorities resulting from the open enrollment options in the states;

(b) The reasons most often given by parents and students for requesting enrollment in nonresident districts;

(d) The impact of the open enrollment options in the states on issues relating to: Desegregation; school construction; transportation coordination in and between districts; local levies; special student populations, such as but not limited to handicapped students, highly capable students, and athletically talented students; and school district consolidation;

(e) Financial and other support, if any, provided to schools and school districts experiencing enrollment loss attributable to the open enrollment program;

(f) Impact of open enrollment on local control and decentralization;

(g) Use of contracts and other agreements, regarding staff assignments, between employee groups and school districts and between school districts; and

(h) A cost-benefit analysis of the open enrollment programs in the states.

(2) This section shall expire December 31, 1991.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The superintendent of public instruction, based on the results of the studies required under sections 2 and 3 of this act, shall recommend to the legislature and the governor by December 1, 1992, recommendations regarding the establishment of a limited or unlimited open enrollment program in Washington effective with the 1993-94 school year. In developing the recommendations the superintendent shall provide ample opportunity for input from students, teachers, parents, administrators, school boards, the business community, and other interested persons and groups.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by June 30, 1990, in the supplemental omnibus appropriations act, this act shall be null and void.