2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 28A.630.026: Studies — Reports to the legislature. (Expires July 1, 2007.)

(1) The steering committee:

     (a) Shall direct and coordinate the studies created in this section. In conducting the studies, consideration shall be given to recently completed, related finance studies, with particular attention to those initiated by or completed at the request of the legislature;

     (b) May enter into contracts as needed to support the work of the study;

     (c) Shall develop recommendations based on the work of the studies in this section; and

     (d) Shall develop recommendations about how the state can best provide stable funding for student learning for young children, students in the public schools, and students in the public colleges and universities.

     (2) A comprehensive K-12 finance study shall include, but not be limited to:

     (a) The constitutional and legal requirements underlying the current finance system and how those requirements are affected by the goal under education reform to provide all students with the opportunity to achieve the state standards;

     (b) The strengths and weaknesses of the current state and local finance formulas and how those formulas are used by local school districts to meet state requirements and student learning goals;

     (c) Information regarding remediation particularly in the subject areas of mathematics, science, and language arts;

     (d) Potential changes to the current finance system including the methods of allocating funds, levels of funding, and how student achievement is affected;

     (e) Reviewing the funding systems in at least five other states;

     (f) Specific issues facing schools: Assuring program accountability; improving effectiveness in state-level governance; identifying efficiencies in district spending practices; providing programs that assist students in meeting standards; helping students stay in school; impacts of the certification requirements for teachers; improving the effectiveness of English language learner instruction; and appropriate preparation requirements for paraeducators;

     (g) Local and regional funding challenges faced by individual school districts throughout the state; and

     (h) Potential changes to the current salary system that would be more closely related to professional development and enhancement of student performance.

     (3) A comprehensive study of early learning shall include, but not be limited to:

     (a) Defining the populations being served, those that could be served, and program access;

     (b) Determining the state's role in supporting quality early learning opportunities;

     (c) Determining the state's role in training persons providing services; and

     (d) Providing for smooth transitions to K-12 programs.

     (4) A comprehensive study of higher education shall include, but not be limited to:

     (a) Options for creating a new funding system;

     (b) The number and distribution of enrollments at two and four-year institutions of higher education needed to meet demographic and work force training needs;

     (c) Methods for determining the cost of instruction in various program areas;

     (d) Methods for developing common articulation of lower division work;

     (e) The appropriate share of the cost of instruction that should be funded through tuition, general fund-state subsidies, and financial aid;

     (f) Providing for smooth transitions from high school to college, including dual credit options and adequate preparation for college-level coursework;

     (g) Identifying strategies and associated costs to increase opportunity for access to baccalaureate degrees at public institutions of higher education;

     (h) Identifying incentives to optimize research conducted by public universities and colleges that has the potential to stimulate the economy and address economic and social issues relevant to Washington citizens;

     (i) Options for using existing capacity in independent colleges and universities;

     (j) A review of higher education governance as it relates to fiscal policy for higher education; and

     (k) Options for coordinating capital and operating appropriations.

     (5) The steering committee shall provide interim reports to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the senate and the house of representatives by November 15, 2005, and June 16, 2006. These interim reports shall document ongoing work to-date, initial findings, and next steps. The November 15, 2005, interim report may recommend possible action items for consideration in the 2006 legislative session.

     (6) The final report and recommendations of the steering committee shall be submitted to the legislature by November 15, 2006.

[2005 c 496 § 3.]