BP BHEAD INT S

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

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

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. PURPOSE. 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 selected students by building an industry-driven, competency-based learning system that integrates existing academic, vocational, and technical education programs to link school and work experiences directly.

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

(1) "Assessment" means a measurement of student performance and achievement used for admission to, continuation in, or completion of a work-based learning program.

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

(3) "Council" means the council on work-based learning.

(4) "Governance" means specific statements of the duties and responsibilities of each component of the work-based learning system and the relationship of each to the other.

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

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

(7) "Work-based learning 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. COUNCIL ON WORK-BASED LEARNING. (1) The state work force training and education coordinating board shall establish a subcommittee to be known as the council on work-based learning.

(2) The council shall be composed of fifteen members and shall include the superintendent, the commissioner of the employment security department, the director of the department of labor and industries, two representatives of organized labor, two representatives of business, two representatives with experience in vocational or technical education, and two public members, all appointed by the governor, and one representative appointed by each of the majority and minority leaders of the senate and the house of representatives, and who shall each serve at the pleasure of his or her appointing authority.

(3) Responsibilities of the council include:

(a) Planning for the expansion and institutionalization of a state-wide work-based learning system for youth;

(b) Ensuring that key state agencies, including the employment security department, the department of labor and industries, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction work cooperatively and commit sufficient resources to build the work-based learning system for youth;

(d) Reviewing assessment standards for entrance, continuation, and completion of work-based learning programs; and

(e) Making recommendations to state agencies regarding the administration and operation of related education and training programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY. (1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall be the administrative agency for the council. The office of the superintendent of public instruction, in cooperation with local school districts, shall also provide state-wide administrative oversight for the program.

(2) Administrative responsibilities for the office of the superintendent of public instruction include:

(a) Approving occupation-specific competency standards developed in concert with industry, labor, and vocational and technical education professionals;

(b) Approving assessment standards for entrance, continuation, and completion of work-based learning programs;

(c) Establishing the guidelines for the in-service education of worksite mentors and supervisors and academic and vocational instructors; and

(d) Supporting the activities of the school districts to minimize duplication in the development of state-wide competency standards developed in concert with labor, industry, and vocational and technical educators.

(3) To carry out its administrative responsibilities, the superintendent shall appoint a director of work-based learning programs and shall provide whatever additional staff and resources are necessary.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. DUTIES OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS. (1) School districts, in cooperation with representatives of industry and labor, shall oversee local work-based learning programs and provide other support to further work force development efforts within their local communities.

(2) Duties of school districts include:

(a) Advocating and supporting the development of work-based learning programs within the region consistent with labor market needs;

(b) Coordinating work-based learning programs operating within the region;

(d) Providing certification to the superintendent for those persons who successfully complete work-based learning programs by meeting established industry standards;

(e) Making recommendations to the superintendent for the establishment of new work-based learning programs;

(f) Providing continued monitoring of functioning work-based learning programs within the district to maintain quality standards for instruction and training; and

(g) Providing recommendations to the council to improve related work force development efforts, including, but not limited to:

(i) Methods to tailor work force training programs further to be consistent with labor market needs;

(ii) New approaches to strengthen collaborative work force training programs involving business, labor, and education organizations;

(iii) Critical analysis of existing job training programs to identify where duplicative or ineffective programs are not maximizing the use of existing resources; and

(iv) Further efforts to increase local involvement in all aspects of the local delivery system for work force training and education.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. PROGRAM OPERATION. (1) Work-based learning programs shall be operated by school districts in partnership with industry and labor.

(2) Programs shall be established and operated within the following program guidelines:

(a) Programs shall be established and continued based upon the labor market needs of the industry.

(b) Employers 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.

(d) 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.

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

(f) Completion of the program shall be determined by meeting state industry competency standards as assessed by the school district.

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

(h) Instruction shall include English, mathematics, natural science, social science, fine arts, and craft training consistent with assessment outcomes adopted by the superintendent.

(i) 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 industry competency standards.

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

(k) Students may enroll in work-based learning programs beginning in grade eleven.

(l) Articulation agreements between secondary schools and postsecondary institutions should be negotiated for the thirteenth and fourteenth grades.

(m) Upon completion of the work-based learning 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. 8. ASSESSMENT. (1) Entrance, continuation, and program completion shall include a variety of specific measures approved by the school district.

(2) Entrance assessments shall include a review of past school records, interviews, prerequisite studies related to the work-based learning, and deportment.

(3) Continuation in the program shall be based upon a semiannual review of the student's progress by a designated worksite supervisor and a designated educator.

(4) Completion of the program shall be based upon meeting the state industry standards as determined by examination procedures established by the superintendent. Students who successfully complete the apprenticeship program shall be certified to the superintendent for receipt of a work-based learning skill certificate.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. STAFFING. (1) School-based educators shall meet state certification requirements for their respective type of school.

(2) Worksite supervisors shall meet the following requirements:

(a) A high level of competency in the required skills as certified by the council; and

(b) Completion of an in-service education program consistent with guidelines of the council.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Captions used in this act do not constitute any part of the law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Sections 1 through 9 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 28C RCW.