HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2531

Title:  An act relating to career and technical student organizations.

Brief Description:  Providing statutory support for career and technical student organizations.

Sponsors:  Representatives Doumit, Huff, Morris, Schoesler, Linville, Cox, Grant, Haigh, Anderson, McMorris, Quall, Mulliken, Murray, Talcott, Ruderman, Mastin, Schindler, Lambert, Reardon, Hatfield, Kenney, Carlson, Alexander, D. Schmidt, Lovick, Mitchell, Keiser, Stensen and Rockefeller.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Meeting Date:  February 1, 2000

Bill Analysis Prepared by:  Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:  The fourth goal of the state's basic education act is that all students develop the knowledge and skills essential to an understanding of the importance of work and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities.

On its website, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has included standards and indicators for vocational-technical education programs offered the state's public schools.  One of the standards adopted by the office is that vocational-technical education programs provide students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate technical, related academic, and work readiness competencies required in the workplace, community, family, and for continuing education.  Among other indicators that programs have met the standard are two pertaining to vocational student leadership organizations.   Those indicators are:

  1.  All vocational-technical programs provide the opportunity for students to participate in recognized program related state and national vocational student leadership organizations.

  2.  Interpersonal and leadership development competencies are taught as an integral part of each approved program, in addition to state and national student leadership organizations.

Summary:  The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) shall support, with at least one full-time equivalent program staff person, state-wide coordination for career and technical student organizations.  The SPI may provide additional support to the organizations and their members through contracts with independent coordinators.  The criteria used to identify organizations eligible for technical assistance and other support from the SPI are defined, and a list of eligible organizations is included.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  None.

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