FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5505

C 49 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Providing course study options for public high schools.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Carlson, Rasmussen, Honeyford, Doumit and Eide).

Senate Committee on Education

House Committee on Education

Background: Current law requires school districts to offer courses that include content and skills addressed in the student learning goals, the high school graduation requirements, and minimum college entrance requirements. Student learning goal four provides that students must develop knowledge and skills essential to understand the importance of work and how student actions directly affect future career and educational opportunities. The minimum high school graduation requirements, established by the State Board of Education (SBE), require one credit in occupational education. Occupational education is defined as learning experiences designed to acquire skills under student learning goal four required in current and emerging occupations. The minimum requirements for freshman admission to Washington's public four-year universities and college, established by the Higher Education Coordinating Board, do not include any career or occupational educational requirements.

Additionally, current law requires schools to provide students an opportunity to pursue career and educational objectives through educational pathways that emphasize integration of academic and vocational education. Educational pathways may include programs such as work-based learning, school-to-work transition programs, tech prep programs, vocational-technical education, running start, and preparation for community or technical college or for a baccalaureate education.

Summary: In addition to providing programs for students who plan to attend a baccalaureate institution, all public high schools must provide programs for students who plan to pursue other career or work opportunities.

The programs may provide exploratory and preparatory opportunities specified in the bill.

SBE may provide a waiver from the requirements to provide these programs. When considering waiver requests, SBE must consider the extent the school district offered such programs prior to the 2003-04 school year.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       48  0

House       96  0

Effective: July 27, 2003