HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1733
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:
Higher Education
Title: An act relating to technical college high school diploma programs.
Brief Description: Concerning technical college diploma programs.
Sponsors: Representatives Springer and Muri.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Higher Education: 2/8/17, 2/10/17 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Hansen, Chair; Pollet, Vice Chair; Holy, Ranking Minority Member; Van Werven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Orwall, Sells, Stambaugh and Tarleton.
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
Through the Technical College Direct Funded Enrollment Program (Program), individuals from various school districts may take high school and college courses simultaneously on a technical college campus. Students who have dropped out of high school or are disengaged or have been suspended are eligible to attend a technical high school under this program. Students must be at least 16 and under 21 years of age and complete other minimum admission standards.
Enrollment is under an interlocal agreement between the technical college and the school district. Participating technical colleges are Lake Washington Technical Academy at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Northwest Career and Technical High School at Clover Park Technical College, and Technical High School at Bates Technical College.
Community and technical colleges may issue high school diplomas, on written request of the student, to Running Start students who enroll in the college and complete an associate degree and to individuals over age 21 who enroll in the college and obtain an associate degree.
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Summary of Bill:
Students who enroll in a technical college under the Program, and who complete an associate degree, must be awarded a high school diploma from the college, upon written request from the student.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This provides equity for students who have been overlooked. These students are similar to Running Start students, except they have to wait until they turn 21 years of age to get their high school diploma. Having a high school diploma is required to qualify for state and federal student financial aid. Their ability to access this funding source limits their ability to go on to higher education. Three technical academies are directly funded through the Office of the School Superintendent. This bill is low impact, but will remove barriers for some.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Cindy Wilson, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Amy Morrison-Goings, Lake Washington Institute of Technology; and Kim Infinger, Lake Washington Technical Academy.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.