HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2658

BYRepresentatives Spanel, Doty, Van Luven, Jacobsen, Miller, Fraser, Wood, Jesernig, Rector, Prince, Basich, Wineberry and Ebersole

Establishing the summer motivation and academic residential training program.

House Committe on Higher Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bennett, Doty, Fraser, Heavey, Jesernig, Miller, Prince and Rector.

House Staff:Susan Hosch (786-7120)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The state has initiated a series of efforts to reduce the drop-out rate of at-risk youths.  One of the most innovative efforts is the Summer Motivation and Academic Residential Training Program (SMART). The program provides 14 and 15 year old students with an opportunity to spend eight weeks during the summer on a college campus. During those eight weeks, students receive an intense educational, motivational, and employment training experience.

The program combines emphasis on basic skills development (language arts, mathematics, and study skills), paid work experience, job skills training, career exploration, personal and career goal development, life skills enhancements, personal growth, and community service activities.  Activities included in the first year of the program were a parents' weekend; field trips to places like Boeing, Ross Dam, The Pacific Science Center, the Burke Museum, and sporting events; dinners with faculty members; and a range of on-campus job experiences.

The program was initiated in the summer of 1988, with 113 students scheduled to participate in programs at the University of Washington and Western Washington University.  Funding and staff support were provided by a multitude of agencies, making this program a model for other collaborative efforts. An expanded effort was planned for the summer of 1989.

SUMMARY:

The Summer Motivation and Academic Residential Training Program is created.  The program will be a partnership between the state and private industry councils.  Its goal: to reduce the dropout rate of disadvantaged youth.  The primary purposes of the program are to assist students in developing the skills, abilities, and motivation required to complete high school, and to expose students to the educational opportunities available on a college or university campus.  Other purposes are also outlined.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board will be the lead agency for program administration. Participating state agencies will serve on a program steering committee.  The board, in cooperation with the steering committee, has primary responsibility for site selection, program management, monitoring, and evaluation.  The board will also implement a student follow-up system.  The steering committee will establish participant selection criteria, consistent with regulations in the federal Job Training Partnership Act.

The board, with other state agencies named in the bill, will work cooperatively with private industry councils, local school districts, institutions of higher education, and other state and local agencies to deliver the program. State agencies will provide staff support and assistance, and will help monitor and evaluate the program.

Host sites for the program may be public or independent colleges or universities able to feed and house 60 students. The number of sites may increase as funding permits.

Economically disadvantaged youth attending public schools are eligible to participate.  Participating students will be selected by private industry councils.  In cooperation with school districts and institutions of higher education, the councils will select students who will benefit most from the program.

This act will expire June 30, 1995.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 19, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ann Daley, Higher Education Coordinating Board; Chris McElroy, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Cherie Tessier, People First; and Judy McNickle, Western Washington University.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This program is a model of cooperation and collaboration.  Five state agencies have worked with private industry councils, 100 school districts, and institutions of higher education to make this program happen.  The program intervenes during a critical time in an at-risk student's life.  It provides participants with an opportunity to earn academic credits and money.  The program allows participants to have enriching experiences on a college campus.  Most importantly, it helps to foster their self-esteem.  Sixty-six percent of the participants in 1989 were minority students.  Funding for the summer of 1990 is critical.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.