5225-S

AN ACT Relating to a state-wide work-based learning program for youth; adding a new chapter to Title 28C RCW; creating a new section; making an appropriation; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the work-based learning for youth program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. It is the purpose of this chapter to strengthen the economy to expand educational opportunities for youth by supporting efforts to increase the supply of skilled workers. It is the intent of this chapter to enhance the career options and earning potential of students by building an industry-driven, competency-based learning system that integrates academic, vocational, and technical education programs to link school and work experiences directly and to improve the relevance of school-based education programs to the world of work.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Competency standards" means specific statements describing what standards a participant in a work-based learning for youth program must meet before completing the program.

(2) "Local educational organization" means a school district or group of school districts, individual school or group of schools, or an educational service district.

(3) "Office" means the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

(4) "Superintendent" means the superintendent of public instruction.

(5) "Worksite experience" means that part of the work-based learning for youth program conducted at an employer-supervised worksite.

(6) "Work-based learning for youth program" means a competency-based program for youth that coordinates and integrates classroom instruction with a structured, work-based employment experience in which the participant remains a student and receives training in a skilled occupational area or occupational cluster.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Subject to the restrictions contained in this chapter, the office shall solicit and approve applications from local educational organizations throughout the state for funds that the local organization will use to develop and implement work-based learning programs for youth.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The office shall approve those applications for funds that meet the minimum standards set forth in this chapter, that will best serve the intent of this chapter to link school and work experiences directly in order to enhance the skills and employment opportunities of youth, and that are consistent with the state comprehensive plan for work force training and education prepared by the work force training and education coordinating board.

(2) The office may not approve any application for more than fifty thousand dollars.

(3) The office may receive applications for funds at any time. However, no funds may be disbursed to local organizations before July 1, 1994.

(4) The office may not approve more than one application per local educational organization per biennium.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Each application to the office shall include:

(1) A detailed description of the proposed work-based learning for youth program, including the specific activities to be carried out as part of the program and identification of those responsible for each activity;

(2) Budget plans for the program and additional anticipated sources of funding, including private grants and contributions, if any;

(3) A description of the evaluation and accountability processes to be used to measure school-wide student and program performance;

(4) A list of and justification for any request for waiver of specific state statutes or administrative rules;

(5) A written statement that school directors and administrators are willing to exempt the school or schools from specifically identified local rules, as needed;

(6) A written statement that the school directors and the local bargaining agents will modify those portions of their local agreements as applicable for the local organization's program;

(7) An indication of the number of students likely to be served by the program and how they will be selected;

(8) A description of the in-service education to be provided school-based faculty and worksite supervisors participating in the program; and

(9) Any other information the office considers appropriate to determine which proposed program would best serve the intent of this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. In addition to the information provided in section 6 of this act, in awarding funds pursuant to section 4 of this act the office shall consider the extent to which:

(1) Secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, business, and labor have cooperated in the preparation of the proposal and would cooperate in the development and implementation of the work-based learning for youth program;

(2) The local organization has acquired or has access to funds in addition to those that would be received from the office under section 4 of this act to use in the development and implementation of a work-based learning for youth program;

(3) The proposed program would serve a diversity of students and student career interests;

(4) Participating businesses are in growth industries and industries where students would otherwise have little opportunity;

(5) The local organization demonstrates the capacity and commitment to continue the work-based learning for youth program after expenditure of funds awarded under section 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Programs funded under section 4 of this act shall be established and operated within the following program guidelines:

(1) Participating businesses shall be responsible for providing participating youth with employment positions, a skilled mentor, a structured work experience, and a stipend for the time the youth is at the worksite. Compensation received shall never be less than the state minimum wage, based upon the number of hours of actual work experience.

(2) No participating youth may displace a regular employee of a participating employer.

(3) Programs shall be governed by a contract approved by the participating youth, the youth's parent or legal guardian, the participating employer, and an education representative.

(4) Participating youth shall be exempt from the standards established under chapter 49.12 RCW governing the employment of minors.

(5) Completion of the program shall be determined by meeting state competency standards as determined by the commission on student learning under section 9 of this act and assessed by the school district.

(6) Instruction shall include a combination of classroom and actual workplace learning. Workplace experience shall account for a minimum of forty percent of the total instruction provided over the life of the work-based learning for youth program. Yearly percentages may vary during the program.

(7) Instruction shall include academic and skill training consistent with essential learning requirements and assessment outcomes adopted by the commission on student learning.

(8) Actual instructional activities shall be determined locally by program operators. Activities should emphasize work-based learning, integrated academics, team teaching, and other strategies that will permit the participating youth to meet the state competency standards.

(9) Work-based learning for youth programs may extend for as many as four years.

(10) Students may enroll in work-based learning for youth programs beginning in grade eleven.

(11) Articulation agreements between secondary schools and postsecondary institutions shall be negotiated for the postsecondary years.

(12) Upon completion of the work-based learning for youth program, each student shall receive a diploma and a skill certificate. Graduates may also receive an associate degree or other certifications dependent upon their program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The commission on student learning shall establish state-wide competency standards to assess student progress towards completion of local work-based learning for youth programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. (1) The superintendent may accept, receive, and administer for the purposes of this chapter such gifts, grants, and contributions as may be provided from public and private sources for the purposes of this chapter.

(2) The work-based learning for youth program account is hereby established in the custody of the state treasurer. The superintendent shall deposit in the account all moneys received under this section. Moneys in the account may be spent only for the purposes of this chapter. Disbursements from the account shall be on the authorization of the superintendent or the superintendent's designee. The account is subject to the allotment procedure provided under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for disbursements.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. (1) The state board of education, where appropriate, or the superintendent, where appropriate, may grant waivers to pilot project districts consistent with law if necessary to implement a pilot project proposal.

(2) State rules dealing with public health, safety, and civil rights, including accessibility by the handicapped, shall not be waived. A school district may request the state board of education or the superintendent to ask the United States department of education or other federal agencies to waive certain federal regulations necessary to fully implement the proposed pilot project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. (1) The superintendent, in coordination with the state board for community and technical colleges, the work force training and education coordinating board, and the higher education coordinating board, shall provide technical assistance to program applicants and participating local organizations, and shall develop a process that coordinates and facilitates linkages among participating secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, and businesses.

(2) The superintendent and the state board of education may adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW as necessary to implement its duties under this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. (1) The superintendent shall report to the legislature and the work force training and education coordinating board on the progress of the work-based learning for youth program by December 15th of each odd-numbered year.

(2) Each local education organization selected to participate in the work-based learning for youth program shall submit an annual report to the superintendent on the progress of the pilot project as a condition of receipt of continued funding. The superintendent, through the state clearinghouse for education information, shall collect and disseminate to all school districts and other interested parties information about the work-based learning for youth programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. This chapter shall expire June 30, 1999.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. Sections 1 through 14 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 28C RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. The rules under this act shall meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1995, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.