FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6041

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Litzow, Rolfes and Hobbs).

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

House Committee on Education

House Committee on Education Appropriations & Oversight

Background: In 2010 the Legislature directed the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to designate up to three schools at the middle and high school levels with a focus on project-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction to serve as lighthouse programs. The designated lighthouse schools are to provide technical assistance to other schools and communities that want to create schools with a STEM focus. The Legislature provided $150,000 in the 2010 Supplemental Operating Budget to fund the technical assistance.

Summary: OSPI must designate elementary schools as STEM lighthouse programs in addition to the schools designated at the middle and high school levels. A STEM lighthouse account is created to support the lighthouse schools to serve as resources to other schools and communities that want to create STEM schools. Revenues to the account may include gifts from the private sector, federal funds, and appropriations by the state Legislature. OSPI may authorize expenditures from the account.

The limitation of "up to three" for designated lighthouse schools is removed. A technical change to remove the word designated is made.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	47	0
House	95	2