Bills Passed to Shore up Industry

One bill establishes grant programs for high schools to prepare students for jobs as entry-level aerospace assemblers; for skills centers to enhance manufacturing-skills programs; and for high schools to create specialized courses in science, technology, engineering and math.

The grant programs will cost the state about $700,000.

That measure passed on a 77-18 vote in the House, followed by a unanimous vote in the Senate on Wednesday.

Another measure requires the Professional Educator Standards Board to revise certification and certificate-renewal standards for elementary teachers and secondary science and math teachers to include knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering and math.

That bill passed on a 93-2 vote in the House, followed by a unanimous vote in the Senate.

Also Wednesday, the Legislature passed another measure requested by Gov. Chris Gregoire that allows Project Lead the Way examinations to be included in the list of college-level proficiency exams that are recognized as a method for fulfilling postsecondary courses. Project Lead the Way is a national organization that provides curriculum in science, technology, engineering and math for middle and high schools. The measure passed unanimously in the House and on an 87-8 vote in the Senate.

All of the measures now head to the governor for her signature.

Gregoire also wants the state to spend $7.6 million so the University of Washington and Washington State University can enroll 850 more engineering students, and an additional $1.5 million toward aerospace research at UW and WSU through creation of a Joint Center for Aerospace Technology and Innovation. Those measures won't be taken up until the regular session begins next month.