Mason Burley, Edie Harding - January 1998

In 1995, the Washington State Legislature enacted truancy legislation which gives parents, schools, and courts a specific process to intervene earlier in the lives of at-risk youth and students with school attendance problems.  In response to this new law, schools must file a "truancy petition" in juvenile court for students with five or more unexcused absences in one month.  This evaluation reports on the number of petitions filed statewide and examines the impact of the truancy petition process in ten school districts in Washington State.  A technical appendix which reviews research on truancy and truancy related programs throughout the country is also available.

Edie Harding, Mason Burley - January 1998

The 1995 Washington Legislature directed the Institute to evaluate the effectiveness of the truancy petition process implemented under the 1995 "Becca Bill" (E2SSHB 2640). As part of this evaluation, the Institute conducted a case study of truant students in ten school districts in Washington during the 1996-97 school year. This report provides a statewide summary of Washington's truancy petition process and describes the major findings from the one-year case study.

Edie Harding, Laura Harmon - January 1998

For many students attending college, receipt of financial aid is a key element of affordability. This study reports on the current usage and distribution of financial aid, investigates other resources available to financial aid recipients, and compares alternative methods of financial aid distribution and their impacts on the sectors of higher education and students served within each sector. The study also provides comparative data from other states on methods of establishing tuition rates and the relationship of tuition to state funding and affordability.

Robert Barnoski - December 1997

The 1997 Washington State Legislature recognized the need to improve the analysis, evaluation, and forecasting of sentencing and treatment alternatives.  In order to measure the success of criminal justice programs in increasing public safety and reducing subsequent offenses by convicted persons, the Institute was directed to:  1) propose a common definition of recidivism, and 2) develop standards for measuring the effectiveness of programs funded by the Community Juvenile Accountability Act.  This report incorporates both assignments. 

Robert Barnoski - December 1997

A diversion program to "fast track" first-time juvenile offenders to Community Accountability Boards in one Washington county has so far resulted in reduced felony recidivism for participants. This preliminary finding is based on six months of follow-up data. A definitive report with an 18-month follow-up period will be published in summer 2000.

Jim Mayfield, Mason Burley - December 1997

The Washington State Institute for Public Policy was directed in EHB 3901 to conduct a study of reasonable, affordable child care co-payments that are realistic for low-income families. The Institute was also asked to review the child care co-payment schedules of other jurisdictions and to model the economic impact of child care co-payments on low-income families. Washington State's new child care co-payment schedule became effective on November 1,1997. The new schedule is the result of the same legislation that created WorkFirst, the state's response to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PL104-193).The employment emphasis of WorkFirst makes the state's child care subsidy program a critical element of welfare reform.

Sharon Silas, Roxanne Lieb - November 1997

In 1996, a survey and review of juvenile curfew/parental responsibility ordinances in the cities of Washington State was conducted as part of the Institute’s research efforts concerning juvenile violence and prevention. In order to update information regarding juvenile curfew/parental responsibility ordinances in Washington State, the Institute conducted another survey in 1997. This report reviews the structure and purpose of the juvenile curfew and provides a brief overview of legal questions regarding juvenile curfews. It also describes juvenile curfews in effect in Washington State in 1997 and summarizes findings from the Institute’s 1997 survey.

Scott Matson, Roxanne Lieb - October 1997

In 1996, Congress amended the federal law that requires states to register sex offenders. These amendments, known as "Megan's Law," authorize the public release of information about registered sex offenders when necessary to protect public safety. This report analyzes the 47 states with Megan’s Laws. These state laws can be divided into three categories, organized principally by the degree of notification: 1) Broad community notification; 2) Notification to individuals and organizations at risk; or 3) Access to registration information. This report also discusses implementation issues, offender harassment, and legal challenges to these laws. A summary of notification programs in other countries is provided.

Robert Barnoski - September 1997

At the request of the Washington State Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, the Institute for Public Policy conducted an analysis of the recidivism of juvenile offenders placed on community supervision. Youth placed in the following programs were included in this analysis: Option B, SSODA, Probation, and Diversion. The Institute was also asked to assess how the Consolidated Juvenile Services (CJS) funding allocation factors are related to juvenile recidivism. This report includes findings on the recidivism of juveniles in these programs and the potential policy and funding implications.

Scott Matson, Robert Barnoski - July 1997

The 1996 Washington State Legislature appropriated 2.35 million dollars to twelve juvenile courts for early intervention programs to target youth placed on probation for the first time and considered at high risk to reoffend. The goal of these programs is to prevent youth from becoming entrenched in the court system. This report summarizes the assessments of high-risk youth who had been screened for the program as of May 1997. It provides a descriptive portrait of these individuals, their characteristics, and family environments.