FINAL BILL REPORT

2SHB 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.

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, which include 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 (CIHS) 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 CIHS courses are defined in contract between a high school and a college or university. The CIHS course contract must specify the criteria for a student's eligibility for the course, 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 CIHS course receive both high school credit and college credit. A CIHS 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 CIHS course.

Summary:

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), 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 grade point average.

The WSAC may provide scholarships to students as follows:

For students in RS, the award must cover mandatory fees, prorated based on credit load, course fees and laboratory fees, 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 CIHS courses, the award must cover tuition fees.

Beginning with the 2020-21 school year, for the purpose of the RS fee waiver, the K-12 school districts must provide documentation of a student's low-income status directly to the institution of higher education when the school district has knowledge of a low-income student's enrollment in RS. Subject to appropriation, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with the WSAC, must develop a centralized process for school districts to provide students' low-income status to institutions of higher education for the RS fee waiver.

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.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	96	2
Senate	47	0	(Senate amended)
House	94	0	(House concurred)