SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6339

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 Reported by Senate Committee On:

Higher Education & Workforce Development, January 25, 2012

Title: An act relating to designating courses that use open course library materials in course catalogues and bulletins.

Brief Description: Designating courses that use open course library materials in course catalogues and bulletins.

Sponsors: Senators Tom, Hill, Litzow, Hobbs, McAuliffe and Frockt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 1/25/12 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Tom, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Hill, Ranking Minority Member; Baumgartner, Becker, Frockt, Kastama, Kilmer and Stevens.

Staff: Katherine Taylor (786-7434)

Background: The open course library is a collection of educational materials, which includes textbooks, syllabi, course activities, readings, and assessments for 81 high-enrollment college courses. Forty-two courses have been completed so far, providing faculty with an option that will cost students no more than $30 per course. The open course library is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Washington State Legislature.

The open course library is managed by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. In creating the library, faculty course designers were selected through a competitive bid process. The designers worked with instructional designers, librarians, and other support staff to create the courses. Before creating new content, faculty searched for exiting, high quality open educational resources. The designers then filled in the gaps with their own course materials.

Summary of Bill: The local community and technical college board of trustees, with the assistance of faculty, prescribes the course of study in the various departments of the community and technical college or colleges under its control, and publishes such catalogues and bulletins as may become necessary, designating in the catalogues and bulletins if a course uses open course library materials.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.

Persons Testifying: No one.