HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2293

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Higher Education

Title:  An act relating to common school dropouts.

Brief Description:  Establishing an informational hotline for common school dropouts.

Sponsors:  Representatives Shin, Horn, Valle, Linville, Hansen, Quall, Forner, Grant, Patterson, Basich, Conway, Jones, Wineberry, Roland and J. Kohl.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Higher Education, February 4, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 18 members:  Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Quall, Vice Chair; Brumsickle, Ranking Minority Member; Sheahan, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Bray; Carlson; Casada; Finkbeiner; Flemming; Kessler; Mastin; Mielke; Ogden; Orr; Rayburn; Shin and Wood.

Staff:  Marilee Scarbrough (786-7196).

Background:  In 1987, the Legislature passed dropout prevention and retrieval program legislation.  The legislation provides for the provision of grant funds to school districts.  The grant program encourages early intervention and assistance to at-risk students.

Data compiled by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction shows a dropout rate in Washington school districts that varies between 8 percent and 34 percent.

Summary of Bill:  The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board for Community & Technical Colleges will establish a toll-free hotline.  The hotline shall provide information on community college programs such as:  financial aid, adult education courses, GED programs, and basic skills program.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 26, 1994.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The hotline will provide access to information. We have a serious problem with students dropping out of high school. Students who do not complete their education will not find meaningful employment.  This would help individuals to find the information they need to complete their education.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Pat Green, Office of Adult Literacy; and Susan Patrick, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.