Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

College & Workforce Development Committee

HB 1973

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Establishes the Washington Dual Enrollment Scholarship Pilot Program (Pilot Program) to provide scholarships and textbook vouchers to low-income students enrolled in Running Start or College in the High School Programs.
Establishes the Pilot Program as an entitlement.
Includes a sunset review by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee.

Background:

Running Start.

Eleventh and twelfth grade students may participate in Running Start (RS) by enrolling in courses offered by Washington community and technical colleges, Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Washington State University, and Northwest Indian College. Students take RS courses on college campuses and online. High school students do not pay tuition for RS classes, but may be charged fees and are responsible for books and transportation. The higher education institutions must provide fee waivers for low-income students, including those who qualify for the free or reduced-price lunch program. In 2018 there were over 27,800 students who completed at least one RS course.

College in the High School.

College in the High School (CHS) courses allow academically prepared high school students in tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade to take college level curriculum in high school. The college courses are taught by qualified high school teachers using college curriculum, college textbooks, and with oversight from college faculty and staff. The CHS programs are defined in contract between a high school and a college or university. The CHS program contracts must specify the criteria for a student's eligibility for the program, whether the student or high school pays for tuition fees, and the negotiated cost of course materials, such as textbooks. Students who successfully complete a CHS program course receive both high school credit and college credit. A CHS course must fulfill general or major requirements at participating higher education institutions. In 2018 there were over 35,300 students who completed at least one CHS course.

Summary of Bill:

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), in consultation with the institutions of higher education and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, must establish the Washington Dual Enrollment Scholarship Pilot Program (Pilot Program). Students who are eligible to receive a scholarship are those who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, are enrolled in one or more dual credit programs, and have at least a 2.0 GPA. The SBCTC must provide scholarships to students as follows:

For students in RS, the award must cover mandatory fees, prorated based on credit load, and a textbook voucher to be used at the institution's bookstore. The textbook voucher must be worth $10 for each credit per quarter the student is enrolled, up to a maximum of 15 credits per quarter or the equivalent, per year.
For students in CHS, the award must cover tuition fees, prorated based on credit load.

The Pilot Program is an entitlement, and the Legislature is required to appropriate funding based on on the estimated number of students in dual enrollment programs.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee must conduct a sunset review of the Pilot Program, and if the Pilot Program is not renewed by the Legislature following the sunset review, the Pilot Program is set to expire July 1, 2025.