| VETO MESSAGE ON SHB 2973 |
| March 20, 2006 |
| To the Honorable Speaker and Members, |
| The House of Representatives of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning, without my approval as to Section 5, Substitute House Bill No. 2973 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to creating a career and technical high school graduation option for students meeting state standards in fundamental academic content areas." |
| This bill authorizes local school boards to develop approval processes for high school course equivalencies. Requirements are established for students in career and technical education programs who may earn whole or partial academic credits. Further, the State Board of Education is directed to reevaluate the graduation requirements for students enrolled in vocational and technical education courses. Topics of the evaluation are enumerated. Findings and any recommendations are to be reported by December 1, 2007. |
| I have vetoed Section 5, which provides for the development of objective alternative assessments for career and technical education programs. The provisions and language of this Section are duplicative of provisions for alternative assessments for career and technical education programs found in SB 6475. |
| For this reason, I have vetoed Section 5 of Substitute House Bill 2973. |
| With the exception of Section 5, Substitute House Bill No. 2973 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine O. Gregoire |
| Governor |