SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5636

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 16, 1993

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)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5636 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Pelz, Chairman; McAuliffe, Vice Chairman; Gaspard, Hochstatter, McDonald, Moyer, Nelson, M. Rasmussen, Rinehart, Skratek, and Winsley.

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1993; March 3, 1933

BACKGROUND:

Many different state agencies and local community organizations provide educational services for persons of all ages.  Examples include parenting courses offered by community and technical colleges, courses such as landscape design offered in the evening by a community school located at an elementary school site, or literacy training offered by the local public library.  These opportunities are in addition to programs offered by the public schools and institutions of higher education.  Coordination of these services has been suggested to help expand learning opportunities for citizens throughout the state.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction coordinates with state agencies providing lifelong learning and community involvement activities.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction provides assistance to local communities, identifies statutory changes to promote local collaboration, and promote different models for lifelong learning and community involvement in education programs.  Local communities are encouraged to identify available resources, assess community needs, and assign a lead agency to develop programs.

Appropriation:  $49,000

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Many communities are beginning to collaborate to provide lifelong learning programs.  With the state setting policy, further collaboration will be promoted.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Mary Gies, Washington Community Education Association (pro); Barbara Schneider, Washington Association of Partners in Education (pro); Cohl Morrissey, Tahoma School District (pro)