BILL REQ. #:  H-4501.1 

Read first time 01/27/2004.   Referred to Committee on Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to creating a vocational English as a second language program; adding a new section to chapter 28B.50 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28C.18 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that:
     (1) The fastest growing component of Washington's population is residents whose primary language is not English. For example, Washington's Hispanic population is expected to grow by one hundred fifty percent by the year 2030;
     (2) Hispanics and other English as a second language residents have the lowest high school and college participation and completion rates in Washington's population;
     (3) A considerable body of research indicates that contextual learning directly related to jobs is the most effective way to reach students who are not successful in traditional classrooms; and
     (4) Research also indicates that combining English as a second language programs with vocational education programs such as automotive or information technology is the most effective way to improve employment and earnings outcomes for English as a second language students.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28B.50 RCW to read as follows:
     The college board shall administer a vocational English as a second language program. Under the program, the college board shall:
     (1) Target a portion of funds available from high demand enrollment appropriations to community and technical college programs that combine basic skills, English as a second language, and high demand vocational training programs. The college board shall distribute funds for this purpose through a competitive grant process;
     (2) Provide training to community and technical colleges on best practices resulting from successful programs;
     (3) Work with colleges to develop outreach to English as a second language residents regarding opportunities in high demand fields.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28C.18 RCW to read as follows:
     The board, working with the advisory council on adult education, shall evaluate the employment and earnings outcomes from the vocational English as a second language program established in section 2 of this act and compare the program outcomes to outcomes from other basic skills, English as a second language, and vocational programs impacting a similar demographic and economic population.