SSB 5104

SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5104

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Amended by House, March 5, 2008

Brief Description: Expanding the applied baccalaureate degree pilot program.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Tom, Rockefeller, Shin, Oemig, Berkey, Brandland, Fairley, Pflug, Delvin, Rasmussen, Kohl-Welles, Keiser, Zarelli, Prentice, Eide, Kline, Hobbs, Clements and Kilmer).

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5104 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Shin, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair; Delvin, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey and Schoesler.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5104 as recommended by Committee on Higher Education be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Fairley, Hatfield, Hewitt, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Rasmussen, Roach, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Tom.

Background: In 2005, the Legislature authorized four applied baccalaureate degree pilot programs at community or technical colleges. Six colleges submitted proposals. Bellevue Community College, Olympic College, Peninsula College, and South Seattle Community College were selected as sites for the pilot projects. Upper division students will begin these programs in the fall of 2007.

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) selected the participating institutions based upon: their capacity to commit resources, their ability to engage faculty to develop and deliver the curriculum, the demand for the programs in their service area, the cost-effectiveness for students, and whether the program filled a gap in options offered by a public four-year institution in the geographic area.

Summary of Substitute Bill: By February 2008, the SBCTC must select up to three additional colleges to develop and offer programs of study leading to an applied baccalaureate degree. At least one must be a technical college. Students may not enroll in upper division courses before the fall of 2009.

The SBCTC may select up to three colleges to participate in the pilot programs, instead of up to two colleges.

A null and void clause is added.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Higher Education): PRO: There is a need for an option at technical colleges for students who use them as a pathway to more education. Technical college students are an often overlooked resource for Washington employers. This is an important component in bridging the bachelor's degree gap. The original bill appears restrictive, but the proposed substitute allows for needed flexibility. We must acknowledge that ultimate accreditation of these programs requires approval at multiple levels. We need to keep in mind that often it is desirable to evaluate the results of pilot programs before expanding them. This model is being successfully implemented in other states already. The programs promote degrees in high demand fields of study and they coordinate well with Washington Learns.

Persons Testifying (Higher Education): PRO: Senator McAuliffe, prime sponsor; John Walstrum, President, Clover Park Technical College; Mike Metke, Lake Washington Technical College; Jan Yoshiwara, SBCTC; Chris Thompson, Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Recommended Substitute (Ways & Means): PRO: Our state has a shortage of four-year degrees and of degrees in technical fields. Enabling the community and technical colleges to offer applied bachelors degrees is a cost-effective way to address that gap. Earning a four-year degree at a community or technical college enables working adults to pursue a degree evenings and weekends while continuing to work; it reduces or eliminates the risk that some of the credits they have earned at the community or technical college won't count toward their four-year degree; and it leverages the hundreds of millions of dollars of capital investments that have been made in the community and technical colleges by making still more use of them during evenings and weekends.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Senator McAuliffe, prime sponsor; Jan Yoshiwara, SBCTC; Mike Metke, Lake Washington Technical College.