BILL REQ. #:  H-3236.2 

Read first time 01/10/12.   Referred to Committee on Labor & Workforce Development.

     AN ACT Relating to establishing Washington works payments to increase graduation rates, address critical skill shortages, increase student success, and narrow the educational opportunity gap; amending RCW 43.79A.040, 43.79.010, 83.100.230, 28C.18.020, and 28C.18.060; and adding a new chapter to Title 28C RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that:
     (a) Economic strength is directly interconnected with education;
     (b) Increasing graduation rates improves economic competitiveness;
     (c) Graduation or completion of a credential is only the beginning for each student, and should be followed by success in the workplace; and
     (d) Most students seek a degree or certificate that results in a good job.
     (2) The legislature therefore makes it an economic priority for Washington to:
     (a) Increase graduation and completion rates;
     (b) Increase graduation and completion rates in fields addressing critical skill shortages;
     (c) Increase student success after graduation or completion; and
     (d) Narrow the educational opportunity gap for disadvantaged students and minority students.
     (3) The legislature intends that the state of Washington distinguish itself in the national and global economy by becoming the fastest-growing provider of highly skilled workers for targeted industries. The legislature further intends that the percentage of households in the state of Washington living in the middle income bracket or above, as defined in RCW 28B.145.060, increase over time.
     (4) To achieve these objectives, the legislature intends to establish Washington works indicators for the state and for local school districts, community and technical colleges, four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development councils. The legislature also intends to establish the Washington works account to reward districts, colleges, institutions, programs, and councils for performance on these Washington works indicators.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1)(a) "Board" means the workforce training and education coordinating board unless the voting membership of the higher education coordinating board's successor includes representatives of local school districts, community and technical colleges, four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development councils.
     (b) "Board" means the higher education coordinating board's successor if the voting membership of the successor includes representatives of local school districts, community and technical colleges, four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development councils.
     (2) "Director" means the director of the board.
     (3) "Graduation or completion" means:
     (a) For high schools, receipt of a high school diploma;
     (b) For community and technical colleges, receipt of a credential, certificate, or degree;
     (c) For four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, receipt of a baccalaureate degree; and
     (d) For workforce development councils, as defined by the board.
     (4) "Graduation or completion in fields addressing critical skill shortages" means graduation or completion in the fields of aerospace, biology and biomedical sciences, computer and information sciences, engineering and engineering technologies, health professions and clinical sciences, mathematics and statistics, and physical sciences and science technologies, and also graduation or completion in fields identified by the board pursuant to section 3 of this act.
     (5) "Student success" means that, within one year of graduation or completion, a student either has an annual income that exceeds the federal poverty level, as determined by the United States department of health and human services for a family of four, or is enrolled in postsecondary education.
     (6) "Washington works indicators" means:
     (a) Increasing graduations and completions;
     (b) Increasing graduations and completions in fields addressing critical skill shortages;
     (c) Increasing student success after graduation or completion; and
     (d) Narrowing the educational opportunity gap for disadvantaged students and minority students.
     (7) "Workforce development council" means a local workforce investment board as established in P.L. 105-220 Sec. 117.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   By July 1, 2012, and each July 1st thereafter, the board shall develop a list of fields addressing critical skill shortages that are currently or are expected to be in high economic demand, as measured by unfilled jobs, projected expansion of job fields, and other relevant analyses. The board shall develop the list in consultation with the higher education coordinating board or its successor and the state board for community and technical colleges. The board may consider requests from workforce development councils to add a field to the list, but may add the field only if relevant analyses clearly demonstrate that the field is currently or is expected to be in high economic demand. The list must augment the fields specified in section 2(4) of this act and must include fields requiring all levels of postsecondary education. The list must provide a brief summary of skills serving economically strategic industries where there is a need to increase the number of graduations and completions in the state. The board shall distribute the list to state education agencies, local school districts, community and technical colleges, four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development councils, and shall publish the list on its web site.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Local school districts, community and technical colleges, four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development councils are encouraged to redistribute resources and realign course offerings to increase graduations and completions in fields addressing critical skill shortages, and to improve performance on other Washington works indicators. The office of the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, the higher education coordinating board, and the board are encouraged to identify and publicize best practices for increasing graduations and completions in fields addressing critical skill shortages, and improving performance on other Washington works indicators.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Local school districts, community and technical colleges, four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development councils must request social security numbers from students before graduation or completion, and must include this request as part of standard student registration forms. A student must be given an opportunity to decline to provide his or her social security number for this purpose or, if provided for another purpose, to object to the use of his or her social security number for this purpose. If a student declines to provide or objects to the use of his or her social security number, the student's records must be excluded from the analysis of student success required under section 6 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   (1) By July 1, 2012, and each July 1st thereafter, the board shall collect and analyze data on Washington works indicators other than student success from the education data center in the office of financial management and, if necessary, from the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the state board for community and technical colleges, the higher education coordinating board, and four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016. To the maximum extent possible, the board shall rely on data the board has for other purposes or data from the education data center and may not require additional data unless necessary to meet the requirements of this section. The board shall analyze data on Washington works indicators in consultation with the higher education coordinating board or its successor and the state board for community and technical colleges.
     (2) By July 1, 2013, and each July 1st thereafter, the board shall analyze student success. The analysis shall be conducted using social security numbers to match graduation and completion data with employment and earnings data. The board shall analyze student success in consultation with the education data center, the employment security department, the higher education coordinating board or its successor, and the state board for community and technical colleges.
     (3) The board shall publish the analyses required under this section on its web site. The analyses must include aggregate data as well as data disaggregated by local school district, community and technical college, four-year institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development council, unless based on fewer than ten individuals.
     (4) The education data center must update data-sharing and research agreements under RCW 43.41.400, consistent with applicable security and confidentiality requirements, to facilitate the work of the center under this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   (1) By July 1, 2012, and each July 1st thereafter, the board shall measure performance on Washington works indicators using the metrics described in this subsection, which assign points for each indicator and result in a single numeric score for each local school district, four-year institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development council.
     (a) For local school districts, the board shall award:
     (i) One point for each percent of growth in the extended graduation rate described in RCW 28A.175.140;
     (ii) An additional point for each percent of growth in the extended graduation rate for disadvantaged students and minority students; and
     (iii) Beginning July 1, 2013, an additional point for each percent of growth in the student success rate.
     (b) For four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, the board shall award:
     (i) One point per student for growth in the number of students who earn baccalaureate degrees;
     (ii) An additional point per student for growth in the number of students who earn baccalaureate degrees in fields addressing critical skill shortages;
     (iii) An additional point per student for growth in the number of in-state disadvantaged students and in-state minority students who earn baccalaureate degrees; and
     (iv) Beginning July 1, 2013, an additional point per student for growth in the number of students who achieve student success.
     (c) For workforce development councils, the board shall award points using a metric that is substantially similar to the metric for four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 set forth in (b) of this subsection.
     (2) In measuring performance under subsection (1) of this section, the board shall make statistical adjustments for student demographics, which may include, at the board's discretion, the number of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals, special education and English language learner students, students of various racial and ethnic backgrounds, and student mobility. The board also may collect additional contextual data from existing sources.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   By July 1, 2012, and each July 1st thereafter, the state board for community and technical colleges shall measure performance on Washington works indicators using the metrics described in this section, which assign points for each indicator and result in a single numeric score for each community and technical college. The board shall award points for increasing the levels of achievement attained by students consistent with the student achievement initiative, and beginning July 1, 2013, the board may award an additional point per student for growth in the number of students who achieve student success. However, upon request by community and technical colleges, the board may award points in a manner substantially similar to that used to award points to four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 under section 7(1)(b) of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   (1) By July 1, 2012, and each July 1st thereafter, the board shall disburse funds from the Washington works account as rewards for local school districts, community and technical colleges, four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development councils, for performance on Washington works indicators through student-focused strategies, as measured by the board under section 7 of this act and by the state board for community and technical colleges under section 8 of this act.
     (a) The amounts available to be disbursed to local school districts, community and technical colleges, four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development councils shall be proportionate to the amounts appropriated for public schools, community and technical colleges, and four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 in the 2007-2009 operating budget, and allocated for workforce development councils in the 2007-2009 biennium.
     (b) The amounts disbursed per point awarded under sections 7 and 8 of this act shall be set by the board.
     (2) In disbursing funds as rewards, the board has discretion to distinguish between actual performance on Washington works indicators through student-focused strategies and the appearance of performance through data manipulation or other nonstudent-focused means.
     (3) The board may recommend improvements to these disbursement systems to the legislature.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10   The Washington state apprenticeship and training council may:
     (1) Request that the board measure the performance of any or all apprenticeship programs on Washington works indicators using a metric that is substantially similar to the metric for four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 set forth in section 7(1)(c) of this act, and making statistical adjustments for student demographics as set forth in section 7(2) of this act; and
     (2) Recommend to the legislature a source and a mechanism for disbursing funds as rewards to apprenticeship programs for performance on Washington works indicators through student-focused strategies.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11   (1) The Washington works account is created in the custody of the state treasurer.
     (2) All funds appropriated to the Washington works account by the legislature, all funds distributed to the account by the governor, and all contributions, payments, grants, gifts, and donations to the account from other public or private entities must be deposited into the account.
     (3) Expenditures from the account may be used only for rewards for local school districts, community and technical colleges, four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and workforce development councils for performance on Washington works indicators as provided in sections 7 through 9 of this act.
     (4) Only the director or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account.
     (5) The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.

Sec. 12   RCW 43.79A.040 and 2011 1st sp.s. c 37 s 603 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Money in the treasurer's trust fund may be deposited, invested, and reinvested by the state treasurer in accordance with RCW 43.84.080 in the same manner and to the same extent as if the money were in the state treasury, and may be commingled with moneys in the state treasury for cash management and cash balance purposes.
     (2) All income received from investment of the treasurer's trust fund must be set aside in an account in the treasury trust fund to be known as the investment income account.
     (3) The investment income account may be utilized for the payment of purchased banking services on behalf of treasurer's trust funds including, but not limited to, depository, safekeeping, and disbursement functions for the state treasurer or affected state agencies. The investment income account is subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for payments to financial institutions. Payments must occur prior to distribution of earnings set forth in subsection (4) of this section.
     (4)(a) Monthly, the state treasurer must distribute the earnings credited to the investment income account to the state general fund except under (b), (c), and (d) of this subsection.
     (b) The following accounts and funds must receive their proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's or fund's average daily balance for the period: The Washington promise scholarship account, the college savings program account, the Washington advanced college tuition payment program account, the accessible communities account, the community and technical college innovation account, the agricultural local fund, the American Indian scholarship endowment fund, the foster care scholarship endowment fund, the foster care endowed scholarship trust fund, the students with dependents grant account, the basic health plan self-insurance reserve account, the contract harvesting revolving account, the Washington state combined fund drive account, the commemorative works account, the county enhanced 911 excise tax account, the Washington international exchange scholarship endowment fund, the toll collection account, the developmental disabilities endowment trust fund, the energy account, the fair fund, the family leave insurance account, the food animal veterinarian conditional scholarship account, the fruit and vegetable inspection account, the future teachers conditional scholarship account, the game farm alternative account, the GET ready for math and science scholarship account, the Washington global health technologies and product development account, the grain inspection revolving fund, the industrial insurance rainy day fund, the juvenile accountability incentive account, the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' plan 2 expense fund, the local tourism promotion account, the pilotage account, the produce railcar pool account, the regional transportation investment district account, the rural rehabilitation account, the stadium and exhibition center account, the youth athletic facility account, the self-insurance revolving fund, the sulfur dioxide abatement account, the children's trust fund, the Washington horse racing commission Washington bred owners' bonus fund and breeder awards account, the Washington horse racing commission class C purse fund account, the individual development account program account, the Washington horse racing commission operating account (earnings from the Washington horse racing commission operating account must be credited to the Washington horse racing commission class C purse fund account), the Washington works account, the life sciences discovery fund, the Washington state heritage center account, the reduced cigarette ignition propensity account, and the reading achievement account.
     (c) The following accounts and funds must receive eighty percent of their proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's or fund's average daily balance for the period: The advanced right-of-way revolving fund, the advanced environmental mitigation revolving account, the federal narcotics asset forfeitures account, the high occupancy vehicle account, the local rail service assistance account, and the miscellaneous transportation programs account.
     (d) Any state agency that has independent authority over accounts or funds not statutorily required to be held in the custody of the state treasurer that deposits funds into a fund or account in the custody of the state treasurer pursuant to an agreement with the office of the state treasurer shall receive its proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's or fund's average daily balance for the period.
     (5) In conformance with Article II, section 37 of the state Constitution, no trust accounts or funds shall be allocated earnings without the specific affirmative directive of this section.

Sec. 13   RCW 43.79.010 and 2007 c 215 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) All moneys paid into the state treasury, except moneys received from taxes levied for specific purposes, and the several permanent funds of the state and the moneys derived therefrom, shall be paid into the general fund of the state.
     (2) Beginning July 1, 2013, if the office of financial management determines that moneys paid into the general fund in a fiscal year exceed moneys paid into the general fund in the prior fiscal year:
     (a) The office shall calculate a percentage of the increased moneys that is equal to or greater than the percentage of the 2007-2009 operating budget appropriated for public schools, and the corresponding amount.
     (i) At least one-fourth of the amount shall be appropriated by the legislature to the Washington works account; and
     (ii) The remaining amount shall be appropriated by the legislature for public schools, and this appropriation shall be in addition to appropriations made pursuant to RCW 83.100.230, and other, continuing appropriations for public schools.
     (b) The office shall calculate a percentage of the increased moneys that is equal to or greater than the percentage of the 2007-2009 operating budget appropriated for higher education, and the corresponding amount.
     (i) At least one-fourth of the amount calculated under this subsection (2)(b) shall be appropriated by the legislature to the Washington works account; and
     (ii) The remaining amount shall be appropriated by the legislature for higher education, and this appropriation shall be in addition to appropriations made pursuant to RCW 83.100.230, and other, continuing appropriations for higher education.

Sec. 14   RCW 83.100.230 and 2010 1st sp.s. c 37 s 953 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The education legacy trust account is created in the state treasury.
     (2) Money in the account may be spent only after appropriation.
     (3) Expenditures from the account may be used only ((for deposit into the student achievement fund and)) for expanding access to higher education through funding for new enrollments and financial aid, ((and)) for other educational improvement efforts, and as specified in subsections (4) and (5) of this section.
     (4) During the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium, moneys in the account may also be transferred into the state general fund.
     (5) Beginning July 1, 2013, if the office of financial management determines that moneys paid into the education legacy trust account in a fiscal year exceed moneys paid into the account in the prior fiscal year:
     (a) The office shall calculate a percentage of the increased moneys that is equal to or greater than the percentage of the 2007-2009 operating budget appropriated for public schools, and the corresponding amount.
     (i) At least one-fourth of the amount shall be transferred to the Washington works account; and
     (ii) The remaining amount shall be appropriated by the legislature for public schools, and this appropriation shall be in addition to appropriations made pursuant to RCW 43.79.010, and other, continuing appropriations for public schools; and
     (b) The office shall calculate a percentage of the increased moneys that is equal to or greater than the percentage of the 2007-2009 operating budget appropriated for higher education, and the corresponding amount.
     (i) At least one-fourth of the amount shall be transferred to the Washington works account; and
     (ii) The remaining amount shall be appropriated by the legislature for higher education, and this appropriation shall be in addition to appropriations made pursuant to RCW 43.79.010, and other, continuing appropriations for higher education.

Sec. 15   RCW 28C.18.020 and 2010 c 128 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) There is hereby created the workforce training and education coordinating board as a state agency and as the successor agency to the state board for vocational education. Once the coordinating board has convened, all references to the state board for vocational education in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the workforce training and education coordinating board, except that reference to the state board for vocational education in RCW 49.04.030 shall mean the state board for community and technical colleges.
     (2)(a) The board shall consist of nine voting members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate, as follows: Three representatives of business, three representatives of labor, and, serving as ex officio members, the superintendent of public instruction, the executive director of the state board for community and technical colleges, and the commissioner of the employment security department. The chair of the board shall be a nonvoting member selected by the governor with the consent of the senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. In selecting the chair, the governor shall seek a person who understands the future economic needs of the state and nation and the role that the state's training system has in meeting those needs. Each voting member of the board may appoint a designee to function in his or her place with the right to vote. In making appointments to the board, the governor shall seek to ensure geographic, ethnic, and gender diversity and balance. The governor shall also seek to ensure diversity and balance by the appointment of persons with disabilities.
     (b) The business representatives shall be selected from among nominations provided by a statewide business organization representing a cross-section of industries. However, the governor may request, and the organization shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the business representatives. The nominations and selections shall reflect the cultural diversity of the state, including women, people with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities, and diversity in sizes of businesses.
     (c) The labor representatives shall be selected from among nominations provided by statewide labor organizations. However, the governor may request, and the organizations shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the labor representatives. The nominations and selections shall reflect the cultural diversity of the state, including women, people with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities.
     (d) Each business member may cast a proxy vote or votes for any business member who is not present and who authorizes in writing the present member to cast such vote.
     (e) Each labor member may cast a proxy vote for any labor member who is not present and who authorizes in writing the present member to cast such vote.
     (f) The chair shall appoint to the board one nonvoting member to represent racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities. The nonvoting member appointed by the chair shall serve for a term of four years with the term expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term.
     (g) The council of presidents shall appoint to the board one nonvoting participating official to represent four-year institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016. The nonvoting participating official appointed by the council of presidents shall serve for a term of four years with the term expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term.
     (h) The business members of the board shall serve for terms of four years, the terms expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term except that in the case of initial members, one shall be appointed to a two-year term and one appointed to a three-year term.
     (((h))) (i) The labor members of the board shall serve for terms of four years, the terms expiring on June 30th of the fourth year of the term except that in the case of initial members, one shall be appointed to a two-year term and one appointed to a three-year term.
     (((i))) (j) Any vacancies among board members representing business or labor shall be filled by the governor with nominations provided by statewide organizations representing business or labor, respectively.
     (((j))) (k) The board shall adopt bylaws and shall meet at least bimonthly and at such other times as determined by the chair who shall give reasonable prior notice to the members or at the request of a majority of the voting members.
     (((k))) (l) Members of the board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.040 and shall receive travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (((l))) (m) The board shall be formed and ready to assume its responsibilities under this chapter by October 1, 1991.
     (((m))) (n) The director of the board shall be appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by a committee made up of the business and labor members of the board. However, the governor may request, and the committee shall provide, an additional list or lists from which the governor shall select the director. The governor may dismiss the director only with the approval of a majority vote of the board. The board, by a majority vote, may dismiss the director with the approval of the governor.
     (3) The state board for vocational education is hereby abolished and its powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred to the workforce training and education coordinating board. All references to the director or the state board for vocational education in the Revised Code of Washington shall be construed to mean the director or the workforce training and education coordinating board.

Sec. 16   RCW 28C.18.060 and 2009 c 151 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
     The board, in cooperation with the operating agencies of the state training system and private career schools and colleges, shall:
     (1) Concentrate its major efforts on planning, coordination evaluation, policy analysis, and recommending improvements to the state's training system;
     (2) Advocate for the state training system and for meeting the needs of employers and the workforce for workforce education and training;
     (3) Establish and maintain an inventory of the programs of the state training system, and related state programs, and perform a biennial assessment of the vocational education, training, and adult basic education and literacy needs of the state; identify ongoing and strategic education needs; and assess the extent to which employment, training, vocational and basic education, rehabilitation services, and public assistance services represent a consistent, integrated approach to meet such needs;
     (4) Develop and maintain a state comprehensive plan for workforce training and education, including but not limited to, goals, objectives, and priorities for the state training system, and review the state training system for consistency with the state comprehensive plan. In developing the state comprehensive plan for workforce training and education, the board shall use, but shall not be limited to: Economic, labor market, and populations trends reports in office of financial management forecasts; joint office of financial management and employment security department labor force, industry employment, and occupational forecasts; the results of scientifically based outcome, net-impact and cost-benefit evaluations; the needs of employers as evidenced in formal employer surveys and other employer input; and the needs of program participants and workers as evidenced in formal surveys and other input from program participants and the labor community;
     (5) In consultation with the higher education coordinating board, review and make recommendations to the office of financial management and the legislature on operating and capital facilities budget requests for operating agencies of the state training system for purposes of consistency with the state comprehensive plan for workforce training and education;
     (6) Provide for coordination among the different operating agencies and components of the state training system at the state level and at the regional level;
     (7) Develop a consistent and reliable database on vocational education enrollments, costs, program activities, and job placements from publicly funded vocational education programs in this state;
     (8) Develop, in consultation with the higher education coordinating board or its successor and the state board for community and technical colleges, a consistent and reliable database that is available to the public on completion rates, employment rates, industry of employment, and earnings of students following program completion from institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and apprenticeships as defined in chapter 49.04 RCW, for programs of study at each institution of higher education that culminate in a certificate or degree;
     (9)(a) Establish standards for data collection and maintenance for the operating agencies of the state training system in a format that is accessible to use by the board. The board shall require a minimum of common core data to be collected by each operating agency of the state training system;
     (b) Develop requirements for minimum common core data in consultation with the office of financial management and the operating agencies of the training system;
     (((9))) (10) Establish minimum standards for program evaluation for the operating agencies of the state training system, including, but not limited to, the use of common survey instruments and procedures for measuring perceptions of program participants and employers of program participants, and monitor such program evaluation;
     (((10))) (11) Every two years administer scientifically based outcome evaluations of the state training system, including, but not limited to, surveys of program participants, surveys of employers of program participants, and matches with employment security department payroll and wage files. Every five years administer scientifically based net-impact and cost-benefit evaluations of the state training system;
     (((11))) (12) In cooperation with the employment security department, provide for the improvement and maintenance of quality and utility in occupational information and forecasts for use in training system planning and evaluation. Improvements shall include, but not be limited to, development of state-based occupational change factors involving input by employers and employees, and delineation of skill and training requirements by education level associated with current and forecasted occupations;
     (((12))) (13) Provide for the development of common course description formats, common reporting requirements, and common definitions for operating agencies of the training system;
     (((13))) (14) Provide for effectiveness and efficiency reviews of the state training system;
     (((14))) (15) In cooperation with the higher education coordinating board, facilitate transfer of credit policies and agreements between institutions of the state training system, and encourage articulation agreements for programs encompassing two years of secondary workforce education and two years of postsecondary workforce education;
     (((15))) (16) In cooperation with the higher education coordinating board, facilitate transfer of credit policies and agreements between private training institutions and institutions of the state training system;
     (((16))) (17) Develop policy objectives for the workforce investment act, P.L. 105-220, or its successor; develop coordination criteria for activities under the act with related programs and services provided by state and local education and training agencies; and ensure that entrepreneurial training opportunities are available through programs of each local workforce investment board in the state;
     (((17))) (18) Make recommendations to the commission of student assessment, the state board of education, and the superintendent of public instruction, concerning basic skill competencies and essential core competencies for K-12 education. Basic skills for this purpose shall be reading, writing, computation, speaking, and critical thinking, essential core competencies for this purpose shall be English, math, science/technology, history, geography, and critical thinking. The board shall monitor the development of and provide advice concerning secondary curriculum which integrates vocational and academic education;
     (((18))) (19) Establish and administer programs for marketing and outreach to businesses and potential program participants;
     (((19))) (20) Facilitate the location of support services, including but not limited to, child care, financial aid, career counseling, and job placement services, for students and trainees at institutions in the state training system, and advocate for support services for trainees and students in the state training system;
     (((20))) (21) Facilitate private sector assistance for the state training system, including but not limited to: Financial assistance, rotation of private and public personnel, and vocational counseling;
     (((21))) (22) Facilitate the development of programs for school-to-work transition that combine classroom education and on-the-job training, including entrepreneurial education and training, in industries and occupations without a significant number of apprenticeship programs;
     (((22))) (23) Include in the planning requirements for local workforce investment boards a requirement that the local workforce investment boards specify how entrepreneurial training is to be offered through the one-stop system required under the workforce investment act, P.L. 105-220, or its successor;
     (((23))) (24) Encourage and assess progress for the equitable representation of racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities among the students, teachers, and administrators of the state training system. Equitable, for this purpose, shall mean substantially proportional to their percentage of the state population in the geographic area served. This function of the board shall in no way lessen more stringent state or federal requirements for representation of racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities;
     (((24))) (25) Participate in the planning and policy development of governor set-aside grants under P.L. 97-300, as amended;
     (((25))) (26) Administer veterans' programs, licensure of private vocational schools, the job skills program, and the Washington award for vocational excellence;
     (((26))) (27) Allocate funding from the state job training trust fund;
     (((27))) (28) Work with the director of ((community, trade, and economic development)) commerce and the economic development commission to ensure coordination among workforce training priorities, the long-term economic development strategy of the economic development commission, and economic development and entrepreneurial development efforts, including but not limited to assistance to industry clusters;
     (((28))) (29) Conduct research into workforce development programs designed to reduce the high unemployment rate among young people between approximately eighteen and twenty-four years of age. In consultation with the operating agencies, the board shall advise the governor and legislature on policies and programs to alleviate the high unemployment rate among young people. The research shall include disaggregated demographic information and, to the extent possible, income data for adult youth. The research shall also include a comparison of the effectiveness of programs examined as a part of the research conducted in this subsection in relation to the public investment made in these programs in reducing unemployment of young adults. The board shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by November 15, 2008, and every two years thereafter. Where possible, the data reported to the legislative committees should be reported in numbers and in percentages;
     (((29))) (30) Adopt rules as necessary to implement this chapter.
     The board may delegate to the director any of the functions of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17   Sections 1 through 11 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 28C RCW.