HB 2037-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Declares an intent to support immigrant students who are eligible for the state's transitional bilingual program to continue to pursue a high school diploma beyond the twelfth grade by enrolling in an integrated program of academic and language skills development that is offered by a community college or technical college.

Requires that, by no later than the beginning of the 2006-07 school year, the state board for community and technical colleges and the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall design one or more options to address the educational needs of recent immigrant high school students.

Provides that, beginning with the 2006-07 school year, the superintendent of public instruction and the state board for community and technical colleges shall pilot the approach described in this act. The pilot shall include at least two school districts, one east of the mountains and one west of the mountains. The pilot will also include a focus on two different types of recent immigrants, one group of students who do not share a common first language, and one group of students who do.

Provides that, by December 15, 2007, the superintendent of public instruction and state board for community and technical colleges shall report to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature on the status of the pilots required in this act. The report shall include any recommendations for statewide implementation of the approach in the pilot and any additional options, including coenrollment options, identified by the superintendent and the board. The board and superintendent shall begin statewide implementation of the options required in this act in the 2008-09 school year.

Creates the joint select committee on immigrant education.

Directs the joint select committee to report its findings and recommendations, by December 15, 2005, to the governor, the house of representatives and senate fiscal and education committees, the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education, the professional educator standards board, and the higher education coordinating board.

Provides that legislative members of the joint select committee shall receive per diem and travel as provided in RCW 44.04.120.