SENATE BILL REPORT

E2SHB 1600

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 23, 2018

Title: An act relating to increasing the career and college readiness of public school students.

Brief Description: Increasing the career and college readiness of public school students.

Sponsors: House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Santos, Pettigrew, Harris, Young, Stonier, Pike, Appleton, Johnson, Fey, Bergquist, Hudgins, Kraft, Slatter and Tarleton).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/09/18, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/22/18, 2/23/18 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Creates the Work-Integrated Learning Initiative with the goal of promoting work-integrated learning experiences for students.

  • Authorizes the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to contract with a statewide non-profit organization with expertise in work-integrated learning to establish a matching grant program to fund projects implemented by local schools.

  • Requires OSPI, in consultation with the Employment Security Department and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board), to convene a Work-Integrated Learning Advisory Committee to provide advice to the Legislature and the education and workforce sectors on creating opportunities for students.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Wellman, Chair; Rolfes, Vice Chair; Zeiger, Ranking Member; Billig, Hawkins, Hunt, Mullet, Padden, Pedersen and Rivers.

Staff: Benjamin Omdal (786-7442)

Background: Career and Technical Education Courses (CTE) . Washington law defines a CTE course as a planned program of courses and learning experiences that include exploration of career options, support of basic academic and life skills, and the enabling of high academic standards and options for high-skill, high-wage employment preparation.

Career Connect Washington Initiative. In May 2017, the Governor launched the Career Connect Washington initiative. According to the Office of the Governor, Career Connect Washington aims to help more students pursue well-paying jobs through career-ready education such as registered apprenticeships and technical training programs. In December 2017, Career Connect Washington provided $6.4 million in grants through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, with recommendations on grant criteria provided by various state agencies and industry groups.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA is federal legislation that was signed into law in 2014. According to the United States Department of Labor, WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. WIOA provides state grants to fund programs to achieve these purposes.

The Workforce Board. The Workforce Board is a state agency created by statute in 1991 for the purpose of providing planning, coordination, evaluation, monitoring, and policy analysis for the state's workforce training and education system. The Workforce Board is comprised of governor-appointed representatives of business, labor, and government. At the state level, the Workforce Board coordinates 16 programs administered by seven agencies, spending roughly $1.5 billion per year in federal and state dollars.

Summary of Bill: The Work-Integrated Learning Initiative (Initiative). The Initiative is established. The purpose of the Initiative is to promote work-integrated learning experiences for students by providing:

Local applicant schools receiving funding through participation in the initiative must:

For the purposes of the Initiative, work-integrated learning is defined as including, but not limited to, early, frequent, and systemic learning experiences that are essential for preparing Washington youth for high-demand, family-wage jobs in Washington State, and that engage students in grades 5-12 or through high school dropout reengagement plans.

Matching Grant Program for Schools Participating in the Initiative. OSPI may contract with a statewide nonprofit organization with expertise in work-integrated learning to establish a matching grant program to fund projects implemented by local applicant schools participating in the Initiative.

Local applicant schools must meet minimum qualifications established by the grant program, including:

Grant funds may only be expended to the extent that they are equally matched by private sector cash contributions for the program. Grantees must provide reports to the Work-Integrated Learning Advisory Committee (Committee).

The Committee. OSPI, in consultation with the Employment Security Department and the Workforce Board, must convene the Committee. The Committee shall provide advice to the Legislature and the education and workforce sectors on creating opportunities for students to explore career-related opportunities through applied learning, engaging with industry mentors, and planning for career and college success.

The Committee shall assist OSPI in the development of an application process and selecting participants in the Initiative, and advise OSPI on the development and implementation of work-integrated learning instructional programs.

In addition, the Committee must review the instructional programs of projects funded through WIOA in order to determine impacts on in-school progress, best practices, barriers to statewide adoption of learning opportunities and instructional programs, recommend policies, consult with industry representatives, and work collaboratively with the Expanded Learning Opportunities Advisory Council (ELOAC). The ELOAC is reconstituted in ESHB 2802.

The Committee must be comprised of, at a minimum:

The Committee must also convene a subcommittee that includes members representing manufacturing, industry, labor, apprenticeships, and other members with specialized expertise.

The Committee shall be staffed by OSPI, and report its findings and recommendations to the State Board for Community and Technical colleges, the State Board of Education, the Washington Student Achievement Council, and the education committees of the Legislature by July 1, 2022.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: Yes.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The Initiative is built upon research and legislative work, and will help forward integrating work experience and skills into students' education. Because of the federal grants for the program, the cost to the state will be minimal.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, Prime Sponsor; Tim Knue, Washington ACTE; Rebecca Wallace, Executive Director, OSPI/CTE.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.