Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill

(As Amended by Committee)

Establishes the Academic, Innovation, and Mentoring (AIM) program in statute to enable eligible neighborhood youth development entities to provide out-of-school time programs for youth ages 6 to 18 that include educational services, social emotional learning, mentoring, and linkages to positive, prosocial leisure, and recreational activities.
Specifies that the entities that provide the AIM program and nonprofit entities applying for funding as a state network must meet certain requirements.
Directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to submit two reports to the Legislature on the programs established, target populations, and pre-testing and post-testing results.

Background:

The 2015–17 Operating Budget appropriated $250,000 to pilot a program of academic, innovation, and mentoring (AIM) program over two years. The program was designed to enable eligible neighborhood youth development entities to provide out-of-school time programs for youth ages 6 to 18 that include educational services, mentoring, and linkages to positive, prosocial leisure, and recreational activities. The programs were required to include at least two of the following three activity areas:

science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM);
homework support and high-yield learning opportunities; and
career exploration.

The proviso required that the entity receiving the grant must be a nonprofit corporation that has federal tax exempt status, is affiliated with a congressionally chartered organization, and meets other specified criteria, which includes providing after-school and summer programs in a minimum of five communities statewide.

The proviso also required that the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) submit two reports to the Legislature outlining the programs established, target populations, and pre- and post-testing results. The OSPI's January 2017 report states that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington was approved for the AIM grant to pilot the program in five communities: East Bellevue, Mount Vernon, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver. The full project period extends from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2017. As of January 2017, the five sites have served 351 youth, of which 77 percent qualify for free and reduced price lunch (FRPL) and 63 percent are students of color. Each participant averaged 2.5 visits per week.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Summary of Amended Bill:

The Washington AIM program is established in statute. The purpose of the program is to enable eligible neighborhood youth development entities to provide out-of-school time programs for youth ages 6 to 18 that include educational services, social emotional learning, mentoring, and linkages to positive, prosocial leisure, and recreational activities. The programs must be designed for mentoring and academic enrichment.

Eligible entities must meet the following requirements:

ensure that 60 percent or more of the AIM program participants qualify for FRPL;
have an existing partnership with the school district and a formalized data-sharing agreement;
combine, or have a plan to combine, academics and social emotional learning;
engage in a continuous program quality improvement process;
conduct national criminal background checks for all employees and volunteers who work with children; and
have adopted standards for care including staff training, health and safety standards, and mechanisms for assessing and enforcing the program's compliance with the standards.

Nonprofit entities applying for funding as a statewide network must:

have an existing infrastructure or network of AIM program grant-eligible entities;
provide after-school and summer programs with youth development services; and
be facility-based and provide proven and tested recreational, educational, and character-building programs for children ages 6 to 18.

The OSPI must submit a report to the Legislature by December 31, 2018, and a final report by December 31, 2019. The report must outline the programs established, target populations, and pre-testing and post-testing results.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The bill recognizes the importance of summer learning, mentoring, and academic activities. The bill sets up a permanent fund for these kinds of programs and expands eligibility to programs like the YMCA. This program will leverage private investment and boost student success. Students spend 70 percent of their waking hours outside of school. Summer is a key time for student who come from disadvantaged households.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington has 750 sites. The cost to participate in the club is $30 per year, per child fee. The club has a reputation as a positive place to go. This bill helps students achieve academic success. The club works with Schools Out Washington. The club provides full days of STEM, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities. Prior to piloting the AIM program, the club wanted to add academic programs, but did not have a certified teacher. For the pilot, the club partnered with the Tacoma School District to offer an academic program over five weeks during the summer. The University of Washington (UW) performed an evaluation of the AIM program and found that over 93 percent of third grade graduates in the program held or gained in academic ability during this time. Over 80 percent of these children were qualified for FRPL.

The UW-Tacoma partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington and the Tacoma School District to do an evaluation of the Tacoma Whole Child Initiative (initiative). This initiative is an applied research project designed to increase social emotional support for students. Training is provided to boost summer staff and district staff. Since the implementation of the initiative, the district has had a decrease in student tardiness, absences, and discipline referrals. There is a plan to expand the initiative to other organizations.

In some programs, middle school students are matched with mentors. Some housing authorities have partnered with community colleges, so that students in the housing program can get free college after high school graduation. Students do community service hours at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington. These students have improved social skills and better relationships with peers.

The school district partners with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington to help students achieve high academic success. The bill is not required for districts to do these kinds of activities. Districts often use local dollars to do these kinds of activities. The flexible local dollars are used to help students graduate and go on to successful careers. If the Legislature decides that funding this bill is not part of its overall goal, then the Legislature should continue to provide districts with the flexibility to raise and use local levies. There should be a smooth transition between today's education funding structure and where the state wants to get in the future.

(Opposed) None.