College in the High School (CHS) programs provide college-level courses in high schools or high school environments to qualified students who are in or are eligible for enrollment in grades 9 through 12.  Students who participate in a CHS program are able to earn both high school and postsecondary credit by completing postsecondary level courses with a passing grade.  Programs are established in individual agreements between the schools and colleges or universities.

"Institutions of higher education" is defined in statute as the state universities, the regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and community and technical colleges.

Institutions of higher education offering CHS must:

• provide evidence of completion of each program course on the student's college transcripts;
• grant undergraduate college credit as appropriate and applicable to the student's degree requirements; and
• provide course equivalencies for CHS courses and policy for awarding credit on the institution's website.

In the 2023 Session Chapter 314, Laws of 2023 (Second Substitute Senate Bill 5048) was enacted which changed the funding structure for CHS courses.  Beginning September 1, 2023, institutions of higher education must provide enrollment and registration in CHS courses at no cost for students in grades 9 through 12 at public high schools.
 
Beginning with the 2023-25 State Omnibus Operating Appropriations Act (Operating Budget), the Legislature must appropriate state funding for CHS courses administered at public secondary schools.  State appropriation must be calculated using the total CHS courses administered in the prior academic year, funded at $300 per student up to a maximum rate of:

• $6,000 per CHS course administered by a state university;
• $5,000 per CHS course administered by a regional university or the state college; or
• $3,500 per CHS course administered by a community or technical college.

One private, not-for-profit four-year institution that serves rural or underserved communities with a main campus in Yakima County, selected by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), may participate in a pilot program to offer College in the High School (CHS) courses at no cost to students at public high schools.  The WSAC must distribute funds at a rate of $300 per student up to a maximum of $6,000 per course to the pilot institution.  The CHS course content or instruction must not include religious behavior or conduct by the pilot institution or its faculty.  The pilot institutions must provide annual information starting November 1, 2025, including:

• CHS courses offered, by name, number, specific location offered, and student enrollment information disaggregated by school district and high school;
• data on CHS student demographics;
• awards of postsecondary credit at the pilot institution; and
• the academic performance of students taking the offered CHS courses.

The WSAC must compile the information submitted by the pilot institutions and submit an annual report to the Legislature beginning December 1, 2025.  The pilot program expires December 1, 2030.

(In support) This policy will help the state achieve the 70 percent attainment goal by allowing high school students in remote areas access to College in the High School courses.  College in the High School courses were previously offered, but discontinued due to the lack of funding.  An alignment to mimic the public institutions of higher education already receiving funding for College in the High School courses is appreciated.
 
This bill focuses on institutions that serve rural and underserved students, including Heritage University and Seattle University, and supports the opportunity to offer college courses to public school students.

(Opposed) None.

Representative Chris Corry, prime sponsor; Andrew Sund, Heritage University; and David Powers, Seattle University.