HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5636

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                          Education

Title:  An act relating to lifelong learning and community involvement in education.

Brief Description:  Promoting lifelong learning and community involvement in education.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Skratek, Pelz, Drew, McAuliffe, A. Smith and M. Rasmussen).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, April 1, 1993, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Dorn, Chair; Cothern, Vice Chair; Brumsickle; Eide; Hansen; Holm; Karahalios; J. Kohl; Patterson; Pruitt; and Roland.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 7 members:  Representatives Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Thomas, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carlson; G. Fisher; Jones; Stevens; and Vance.

Staff:  Margaret Allen (786-7191).

Background:  Many different state agencies and local community organizations provide educational services for persons of all ages.  Some services are designed to provide a variety of educational opportunities in the community, whereas others are designed to foster a partnership between business and education.

Examples of these services include parenting courses offered by community and technical colleges, courses such as landscape design offered in the evening by a community school holding classes at an elementary school site, or literacy training offered by a public library.

Currently, there is no formal mechanism for assisting communities in coordinating existing services, for promoting different models of these services, or for exchanging information about the services.

Summary of Amended Bill:  "Lifelong learning and community involvement in education" means coordinated efforts in communities providing education to citizens of all ages in a variety of settings with, when feasible, shared funding, sites and staffing.

The Legislature makes numerous findings regarding the nature and importance of lifelong learning and community involvement in education.  Further, the Legislature states its intention to promote lifelong learning and community involvement in education.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) must consult with various public agencies and private groups that provide lifelong learning and community involvement services.

In addition, SPI must: (1) provide assistance to local communities wishing to coordinate programs;  (2) encourage communities to coordinate resources; (3) identify statutory and regulatory provisions impeding local collaboration; (4) identify and promote different models of developing lifelong learning and community involvement in education programs throughout the state; and (5) help communities exchange information concerning lifelong learning and community involvement in education services.

Local communities are encouraged to identify available resources, to assess community needs, and to assign a lead agency to coordinate collaborative delivery of services.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  Clarifying language is substituted, and the appropriation is removed.

Fiscal Note:  Available on original bill.

Appropriation:  Removed.

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

Testimony For:  Many communities provide lifelong learning experiences.  Cooperation and information sharing will enhance the process and will allow one community to benefit from the experience of other communities.  Currently there is a lack of focus or coordination at the state level.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Pat Lawler, Vashon Community Council; Mary Gies, Washington State Community Education Association; Barbara Schneider, Washington Association of Partners in Education; and Mary Moore, Washington State Library.