BILL REQ. #:  H-0604.2 

Read first time 01/28/2003.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to courses of study options offered by public high schools; and amending RCW 28A.230.010 and 28A.230.130.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 28A.230.010 and 1990 c 33 s 237 are each amended to read as follows:
     School district boards of directors shall identify and offer courses with content that meet or exceed:
     (1) The basic education skills identified in RCW 28A.150.210;
     (2) The graduation requirements under RCW 28A.230.090; and
     (3) The courses required to meet the minimum college entrance requirements and provide additional options under RCW 28A.230.130.
     Such courses may be applied or theoretical, academic, or vocational.

Sec. 2   RCW 28A.230.130 and 1991 c 116 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All public high schools of the state shall provide ((a program)), directly or in cooperation with a community or technical college, an apprenticeship committee, or another school district, for students the opportunity to take any or all of the following courses of study within each educational pathway required to be offered under RCW 28A.655.060(3)(c):
     (a) A course of study for students whose educational plans include application for entrance to a baccalaureate-granting institution after being granted a high school diploma. The program shall help these students to meet at least the minimum entrance requirements under RCW 28B.10.050;
     (b) A course of study for students whose educational plans include the pursuit of a professional or technical certificate or degree that requires less than four years of postsecondary education. The program shall help these students receive industry certification upon completion of the program, and/or have the opportunity to articulate to postsecondary education and training programs related to their secondary program; and
     (c) A course of study for students who are planning to defer further educational plans and enter the world of work upon graduation from high school. The program shall help students demonstrate the application of essential learning to the world of work, occupation-specific skills, knowledge of more than one career or job option within their chosen pathway, and general workplace skills.
     (2) The state board of education, upon request from local school districts, may grant temporary exemptions from the requirements to provide the program described in subsection (1) of this section for reasons relating to school district size and the availability of staff authorized to teach subjects which must be provided.
     (3) Districts not offering career and technical education programs during the 2001-02 school year may be grandfathered.