BILL REQ. #:  S-4086.3 

Read first time 01/17/08.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to best practices for students at risk; adding a new section to chapter 28A.310 RCW; creating a new section; and making appropriations.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   It is the intent of the legislature to establish best practices for students at risk to create a school environment where students feel safe and that prevents problems from starting; to ensure that school personnel have the skills and resources to identify and intervene with at-risk students; and to help schools and individuals reconnect with the community and share resources.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.310 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Every educational service district board shall implement best practices for students at risk to identify, intervene, and seek support for students showing emotional, social, or academic risk. The best practices shall be in place beginning September 1, 2010.
     (2) Educational service districts 105 and 112 shall develop a model program, using emerging best practices, by September 1, 2008. The educational service districts shall collaborate with others including representatives from local school districts, the office of the superintendent of public instruction, relevant divisions of the department of social and health services, the department of health, risk management organizations, local family services organizations, local law enforcement, and local juvenile justice agencies. The model program shall include:
     (a) An early warning system to identify signs for students at risk of emotional, social, or academic failure;
     (b) A personalized assessment for each student that addresses a student's threat of violence to himself or herself or others; and
     (c) A support system that provides wraparound services for students who are determined to be at risk and their families.
     (3) Educational service districts 105 and 112 shall each administer one demonstration project to implement and document the effects of best practices for students at risk. One demonstration project shall be in a high school and the other shall be in a middle school or junior high school. The educational service districts shall select project participants, provide staff training for the requirements under subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section, and broker the services required under subsection (2)(c) of this section.
     (4) Educational service districts 105 and 112 shall conduct an evaluation of the demonstration projects under this section. The evaluation shall include an outline of the steps taken to develop and implement best practices for students at risk. The evaluation shall also include conclusions regarding the student progress in emotional, social, and academic areas; the components that have been most important to student success; and recommendations for continued implementation and expansion of the best practices for students at risk.
     (5) Educational service districts 105 and 112 shall report findings to the governor and the appropriate education and fiscal committees of the legislature. An interim report is due December 1, 2008. The final report is due December 1, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to educational service districts 105 and 112 for the purposes of this act.
     (2) The sum of fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, from the general fund to educational service districts 105 and 112 for the purposes of this act.