HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1031
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 House Committee On:
Education
Title: An act relating to expanding participation in college in the high school programs.
Brief Description: Expanding participation in college in the high school programs.
Sponsors: Representatives Johnson, Santos, Haler, Appleton, Sells, S. Hunt, Gregerson, Reykdal, Bergquist, Van De Wege, Hargrove, Ormsby, Fey and Walkinshaw.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Education: 1/19/15, 2/2/15 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 20 members: Representatives Santos, Chair; Ortiz-Self, Vice Chair; Reykdal, Vice Chair; Magendanz, Ranking Minority Member; Muri, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Stambaugh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Caldier, Fagan, Gregory, Hargrove, Hayes, S. Hunt, Kilduff, Klippert, Lytton, McCaslin, Orwall, Pollet and Springer.
Staff: Robin Hammond (786-7291) and Cece Clynch (786-7195).
Background:
College in the High School.
College in the High School (CHS) programs provide college level courses in high schools to qualified eleventh- and twelfth-grade high school students, or students who have not yet received a high school diploma or equivalent but are eligible for grades 11 or 12. The CHS programs are defined in contract between a high school and a college or university. The CHS program contracts must, among other things, define the criteria for a student's eligibility for the program, specify whether the student or the high school pays for tuition fees, state that students who successfully complete a CHS program course receive both high school credit and college credit, and provide general information about the CHS program to students in grades 10 through 12. In the 2011-12 school year, 112 schools and 12,742 students participated in the CHS programs.
Course Requirements.
A CHS course must fulfill general or major requirements at participating institutions of higher education. Major requirements are prescribed courses needed to complete study in an academic discipline. General education requirements are required courses for graduation. The Evergreen State College (Evergreen) does not have majors, minors, or general requirements. At Evergreen students have an "area of emphasis."
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
High school students in grade 10, and students who have not yet received a high school diploma or equivalent but are eligible for grade 10, are eligible for the CHS programs.
Participating school districts must provide general information about the CHS programs to students in grade 9 and their parents, in addition to students in grades 10 through 12 and their parents.
At The Evergreen State College, the CHS course credit must apply toward degree requirements.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The proposed substitute bill adds that the CHS course credit must apply toward degree requirements at The Evergreen State College.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Students in the CHS programs are in a rigorous pipeline that should be available to more kids at an early age. The CHS programs opens doors to the future, helps students become college and career ready, allows students to build their skills, and rewards those who have a good work ethic. The CHS programs help students become college and career ready. Eligibility for the CHS programs should be determined by ability, not age—many students are able and willing for the extra educational push. If students are entrusted with driving, students should be entrusted to take college credit.
Running Start is a good program but raises equity issues because it requires extra financial resources. A CHS course is different from an Advanced Placement (AP) course, for example the AP courses are evaluated with one high-takes test.
Dual credit saves families and the State of Washington money, time, and resources. Parents pay less for credits than at colleges and universities. The CHS program provides students with a registration advantage, and a competitive advantage in out-of-state universities. This opportunity should be provided statewide in all districts. College and career readiness is the goal of this state and sophomores should have these opportunities. Schools have students who are capable, but are not allowed to participate. Allowing tenth graders enrolled in the CHS courses to receive dual credit, will expand the pool of eligible students and the number of families willing to pay, and therefore help meet enrollment criteria. The effect should be retroactive, so that currently enrolled tenth graders may receive dual credit.
It is important to provide information regarding these opportunities at an early age, so students can make informed decisions. Students will excel if they know about the opportunities to earn college credit. Notification via publication on a school's website may be sufficient.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Johnson, prime sponsor; Michael Brophy, West Valley School District; Madaleine Osmun; Mara Childs; Jene Jones, League of Education Voters; Jim Kowalkowski, Davenport School District; Randy Dorn, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction; Steve Dupont, Central Washington University; and Agda Burchard, Kent School District.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.