H-1970.1 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1580
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State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Quall, Brumsickle, Jacobsen, Bray, Rayburn, Finkbeiner, Kessler, J. Kohl, Shin, G. Fisher, Springer, Romero, R. Johnson, Linville and Basich)
Read first time 03/03/93.
AN ACT Relating to higher education; and adding new sections to chapter 28B.10 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that, in public colleges and universities, improvement is needed in graduation rates and in the length of time required for students to attain their educational objectives. The legislature also finds that public colleges and universities should offer classes in a way that will permit full-time students to complete a degree or certificate program in about the amount of time described in the institution's catalog as necessary to complete that degree or certificate program.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) By May 15, 1994, each state institution of higher education, as part of its strategic plan, shall adopt strategies designed to shorten the time required for students to complete a degree or certificate and to improve the graduation rate for all students.
(2) Beginning with the fall 1995-96 academic term, each institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 shall implement the strategies described in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) The strategies shall include some form of student progression contract, or an alternative approach designed to accomplish the same goal. A student progression contract shall permit a student who meets the terms of the contract to graduate within the standard period of time assumed for a full-time student pursuing that degree or certificate. Usually, the standard amount of time will be about two years for an associate of arts degree and about four years for a baccalaureate degree. The strategies shall include an analysis of alternative ways to accomplish the same objectives.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) By May 30, 1994, each public four-year institution of higher education shall forward to the higher education coordinating board for its review and comment, certain preliminary components of the institution's strategic plan. The components shall include strategies to improve student graduation rates and shorten the time needed for students to obtain a baccalaureate degree.
(2) By May 30, 1994, each community college and each technical college shall forward to the state board for community and technical colleges for its review and comment, certain preliminary components of the institution's strategic plan. The components shall include strategies to speed the progress of students towards their educational goals and shorten the time needed for students to obtain a degree or certificate.
(3) By September 30, 1994, the state board for community and technical colleges will forward to the higher education coordinating board for its review and comment, a report on the strategies adopted by community and technical colleges to speed the progress of students towards their educational goals and to shorten the time needed for students to obtain a degree or certificate.
(4) By December 15, 1994, the higher education coordinating board shall report to the governor and the higher education committees of the house of representatives and senate on its review of strategies designed to improve graduation rates and shorten the time needed for students to obtain a degree or certificate. The report shall include an analysis of system-wide strategies and recommendations for any legislation necessary to assist institutions with the implementation of their plans.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Each institution of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016 may enter into a student progression contract with an interested student. The terms of the contract shall permit a student to obtain a degree or certificate within the standard period of time assumed for a full-time student pursuing that degree or certificate. Usually, the standard amount of time will be about two years for an associate of arts degree and about four years for a baccalaureate degree.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.10 RCW.
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