Subject of Possible Rule Making: Establishing new minimum admission standards for freshmen entering the state's public four-year colleges and universities, effective for students seeking admission in the summer of 2008 and subsequent academic terms.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28B.76.290(1).

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The HECB first established minimum admission standards in 1988 by board action. To date, none of the HECB's standards have been established in the Washington Administrative Code. The establishment of rules governing minimum admission standards for freshmen entering state four-year institutions of higher education will provide state agencies, colleges and universities, and the public a single and reliable source for determining the minimum requirements for admission.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The HECB has sole responsibility to establish minimum admission standards for all students entering the state's public four-year colleges and universities.

     Process for Developing New Rule:       Negotiated rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The HECB will advertise and hold a period of public comment on the proposed rules in March - May 2005. The HECB will hold at least three public hearings in the state and accept written testimony. Hearings will be scheduled in early 2005. Interested persons may contact John F. McLain, Associate Director for P-16, Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 43430, 917 Lakeridge Way S.W., Olympia, WA 98504-3430, phone (360) 753-7833, fax (360) 753-7808, e-mail johnmcl@hecb.wa.gov.

December 15, 2004

John F. McLain

Associate Director for P-16

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