BILL REQ. #:  H-2115.1 

Read first time 03/04/2003.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     WHEREAS, Education is the paramount duty of the state of Washington and is essential to the economic health, cultural diversity, civic vitality, and political well-being of the state and the nation; and
     WHEREAS, Our schools, through education reform, are expected to prepare an ever-growing number of high school graduates for entry into technologically complex employment and postsecondary education; and
     WHEREAS, The organization of the K-12 education system could be streamlined and reorganized to facilitate improved coordination and cooperation among the agencies and organizations with responsibility for educating young students; and
     WHEREAS, A streamlined and aligned governance structure for Washington's schools could improve the delivery of educational programs and save money that could be reinvested in improved educational opportunities for students; and
     WHEREAS, A governance structure should foster collaboration and coordination among all sectors of education including but not limited to prekindergarten, the K-12 system, higher education, and organizations that support lifelong learning and work force training;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, That a joint select committee composed of eight members of the legislature be appointed as follows: Four members of the House of Representatives, two from each caucus to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and four members of the Senate, two from each caucus to be appointed by the President of the Senate; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee may determine its chair or cochairs; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee examine the governance structure of the state's kindergarten through twelfth grade education system and develop a plan to provide improved coordination, alignment, and accountability of the state's education system, with a special emphasis on the agencies and organizations that support education at the state and regional levels. In developing the plan, the joint select committee shall consult agencies and organizations that have an interest in education including the governor, the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education, the professional educator standards board, the academic achievement and accountability commission, the educational service districts, the work force training and education coordinating board, and representatives of educators, school directors, administrators, principals, staff, business, labor, parents, and students; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee provide to the House of Representatives and Senate education committees an interim report by December 1, 2003, and a final report by December 1, 2004; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee terminate December 31, 2004.