Title: An act relating to workplace entrepreneurial training for youth.

Brief Description: Enhancing economic competitiveness through workplace and entrepreneurial training for youth.

Sponsors: Senators Shin, Kastama, Berkey, Kilmer, Kauffman, Clements and McAuliffe.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/12/07.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Staff: Kimberly Cushing (786-7421)

Background: In 1993, the Washington Legislature expanded the Academic and Vocational Development grant program and renamed it the School-to-Work Transitions Program. The purpose of the grant program was to fund and coordinate projects to develop model secondary school programs. The projects were intended to combine academic and vocational education, providing multiple educational pathway options for all secondary students. The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) was directed to select grant applicants, and monitor and evaluate the program. The program expired in 1999.

Under current Washington law, all school-to-work transition projects in the state must contain an outreach component directed toward school-age youth not currently enrolled in school. SPI must provide technical assistance to ensure that schools establish and operate outreach efforts. Additionally, SPI, with the advice of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board), must develop model curriculum integrating vocational and academic education at the secondary level.

Summary of Bill: Vocational education opportunities in secondary education should include entrepreneurial training. In order for the state's workforce to be globally competitive, employees need to understand how businesses operate and become successful.

SPI, with the advice of the Workforce Board, must distribute grants for (1) entrepreneurial education and development programs and (2) school-to-work transition programs. The entrepreneurial education grants must be used for proven effective programs, including specialized curriculum, extended learning activities and volunteer instructors, summer camps, weekend or evening workshops, the creation of student enterprises, business plan competition, mentors, and teacher training.

School districts may apply for and administer each grant program independently or jointly with other school districts or educational services districts. SPI must give additional consideration to applicants who propose to collaborate with community or business organizations or financial institutions. Grant awards must be for new projects or the expansion of existing projects.

The local workforce development councils must offer entrepreneurial training opportunities to youth in addition to any youth training activities that federal regulations require.

For each grant program, the sum of $2 million for the biennium is appropriated to SPI.

Appropriation: $4 million.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill provides another means to help students get into vocational programs and be useful in the marketplace. In entrepreneurship classes students learn skills they can apply no matter what route they take after high school and whether they become an employee or a business owner. Several programs with entrepreneurial education in their curriculum already exist and the key to offering this type of education is mentoring.
OTHER: The bill's reference to an outdated statute on school-to-work transition programs may be confusing.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Shin, prime sponsor; John Aultman, New Market Skills Center; Allison Oatman, Capital High School, Olympia School District; Steve Burch, Sno-Isle Skills Center; Kathleen Lopp, Washington Association for Career and Technical Education; Kyra Kester, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

OTHER: Wes Pruitt, Workforce Board.