State Legislature 2013 session

[eridani]

27. Rep. Tina Orwall (D-33rd LD) would like you to support her education bills.

I’m pleased to be serving on the Education Committee and excited about two of my bills that are related to K-12 Education. My focus is to improve access to programs to prepare all kids for college and to promote health and safety for all students in Washington.

HB 1336, beginning in 2014-15, requires each school district to adopt a plan for recognition of emotionally distressed youth, initial screening of their warning signs, and appropriate responses to crisis. This bill is designed to equip school personnel with tools necessary to recognize and respond to early indicators of troubled youth in order to ensure the safety of our children. The bill also requires school nurses, social workers, and counselors to complete a training program of at least 3 hours to identify youth in need, screen for suicide, and refer to community providers as a condition of their certification.

HB 1526 would expand access to the Running Start program. It creates a six-year pilot project involving a partnership between middle schools, high schools, and higher education institutions to increase enrollment and retention of underrepresented students in the Running Start program. Participating schools must provide outreach to high school students to raise awareness of the Running Start program and provide necessary social/academic support in college settings to ensure that historically underrepresented groups have access to this program. This bill provides an opportunity for participating schools to be pioneers in closing the opportunity gap in higher education.