SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5969

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, January 21, 2014

Title: An act relating to awarding academic credit for military training.

Brief Description: Providing for awarding academic credit for military training.

Sponsors: Senators O'Ban, McCoy, Schoesler, Hobbs, Hatfield, Brown, Conway, Rolfes, Braun, McAuliffe and Benton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 1/16/14, 1/21/14 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5969 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Bailey, Chair; Becker, Vice Chair; Kohl-Welles, Ranking Member; Frockt, McAuliffe and Tom.

Staff: Eric Wolf (786-7405)

Background: Prior Learning Definition. Prior learning is defined as the knowledge and skills gained through work and life experience; through military training and experience; and through formal and informal education and training from in-state and out-of-state institutions including foreign institutions.

Prior Learning Assessment. Legislation enacted in 2011 directs the Washington Student Achievement Council (Council), the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), the Council of Presidents of the four-year public baccalaureate institutions, the private independent higher education institutions, and the private career schools to collaborate to increase the number of students who receive academic credit for prior learning that counts toward their major, degree, or certificate, while ensuring credit is awarded only for high-quality, course-level competencies. Statute specifically charges the agencies and institutions to:

The Council and SBCTC jointly staff the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) workgroup. In 2013, the PLA workgroup completed a draft statewide policy for prior learning assessment that provides an operational definition and guidance on tracking credits earned through the PLA workgroup that would apply to public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education. In addition, the PLA workgroup was added to an existing reciprocity agreement between community and technical colleges. The expanded agreement allows for individual courses that meet certain requirements at the sending college to be considered to meet the requirements at the receiving college for a similar transfer degree.

Guides for Awarding Credit for Military Training. There are three national associations that develop guidelines for acceptance of military training and experience for transfer and the award of credit:

Colleges and universities in Washington use the ACE Military Guide recommendations as a starting point to evaluate the award of credit toward certificates and degrees.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): Each public institution of higher education must adopt a policy to award academic credit to individuals for certain military training courses or programs before December 31, 2015. Academic credit awarded for prior military training must be granted only for training that is applicable to a student's certificate or degree requirements. The individual must be enrolled in a public institution of higher education and have successfully completed any military training course or program as part of the individual's military service that:

Each public institution of higher education must:

Each public institution of higher education must submit its policy for awarding academic credit for military training to the PLA workgroup.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): Credit Policy. Institutions of higher education must develop a policy to award academic credit only for military training that is applicable to the student's certificate or degree program.

Notification of Policy. A provision that institutions of higher education must provide a copy of their policy regarding credit for prior military training to enrolled students is changed so that copies of the policy must be distributed to any applicants who listed prior or present military service in their application.

PLA Workgroup. A provision requiring the PLA workgroup to evaluate each policy adopted by the institutions of higher education is removed.

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 on Original Bill: PRO: Veterans between age 18 and 24 currently have a 21.4 percent unemployment rate, versus nonveterans at 14 percent. This bill will help veterans access training and education that will increase employment opportunities. Upward of 13,000 veterans will relocate to Washington upon their separation from the service, making this bill especially important. Student veterans support the bill because many have prior military training that relates to their chosen educational path. Veterans already submit military transcripts to see if there is a possibility of credit transfer, so this bill will make it easier for veterans to benefit from their prior training. This bill aligns with the Council's strategies for increasing educational attainment.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Scott Copeland, SBCTC; Mark San Souci, Dept. of Defense; Ted Wicorek, Veterans Legislative Coalition; Joseph Shadwick, Student Veterans Assn. of UW Bothell; Stephanie Shadwick, UW student veteran; Dr. Gene Sharratt, WA Student Achievement Council; Bob Rudolph, Veterans and Military Families for Progress.